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World:

¶ “Leaders Of Over 30 Countries Meet In A Brussels Summit To Promote Nuclear Energy” • In the shadow of a giant monument glorifying nuclear power, over 30 nations from around the world pledged to use the controversial energy source to help achieve a climate-neutral globe while providing countries with an added sense of strategic security. [ABC News]

Atomium, Brussels (Fisnik Murtezi, Unsplash)

¶ “Further Rise In Food Prices Possible If Global Temperatures Continue To Rise” • Rising global temperatures could strain the agriculture industry, and worldwide inflation will likely cause food prices to increase more, a study says. Changes in average monthly temperatures have the strongest and most consistent correlation to productivity and inflation. [ABC News]

¶ “WMO: The Earth Continues To Warm As Nations Ignore Climate Science” • Scientists and officeholders are gathering in Copenhagen to discuss how to meet nationally set contributions they agreed to at the 2015 Paris climate accords. The nations have been unable to reduce emissions as they strengthen their embrace of fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]

Sea surface temperature anomaly, August 2023
(Copernicus Climate Change Service and ECMWF)

¶ “CSIRO – Science Fights Back in Small Nuclear vs Renewables Row!” • CSIRO has defended itself against attacks by Australia’s conservative politicians and the Rupert Murdock media. The fossil fuel set are reacting to the latest CSIRO GenCost report, which reaffirms yet again that renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “PepsiCo Expands Investment In Vietnam With $400 Million For Renewably Powered Plants” • US food and drink maker PepsiCo Inc will invest an additional $400 million in Vietnam to build two plants powered by renewable energy in the country. The announcement came as delegations of more than 60 US enterprises visited Vietnam. [Hindustan Times]

Vietnam (Catherine McCormack, Unsplash)

¶ “Zero Petroleum Eyes Renewables-Rich South Australia For Green Fuels Plant” • British synthetic fuels developer Zero Petroleum has signed an agreement with the South Australian government. Zero plans to build a synthetic fuel plant in the state with production to begin as early as 2026. Zero Petroleum was founded in 2020. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Atlas Inks Agreement For 200-MW Chilean Battery” • Atlas Renewable Energy has signed a power purchase agreement for a battery energy storage system it is developing with the Chilean company COPEC. The battery system will be installed next to Atlas’ Sol del Desierto solar plant, in the commune of Maria Elena in the Antofagasta region. [reNews]

Battery system (Atlas Renewable Energy image)

¶ “Nuclear Power Plant Impacted By Russian Missiles” • The Ukrainian atomic-energy operator Energoatom said that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant “is on the verge of blackout” after Russia launched what has been described by Ukraine’s Energy Minister as one of the war’s largest-scale attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector. [Newsweek]

US:

¶ “FERC Affirms Decision To Hold Utilities Accountable For Interconnection Delays” • FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, affirmed its determination on key provisions in Order No 2023, its landmark interconnection ruling. FERC can penalize utilities and transmission owners that fail to respond to interconnection requests in good time. [CleanTechnica]

Transmission lines and Mt Hood (Eric Muhr, Unsplash)

¶ “Toxic Chemical Releases Have Declined 21% In Ten Years In USA” • The US EPA released its 2022 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis. It shows that environmental releases of the inventory’s chemicals from facilities covered by the program were 21% lower in 2022 compared to 2013. This includes a 26% decrease in air releases. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Texas Scores Another Clean Tech Point, Flow Battery Edition” • Texas may protect its fossil fuel interests, but it is also the go-to place for clean energy innovators to do the work of killing off coal, oil, and gas. The latest example is a manufacturing venture that will produce a unique formula, aimed at cutting the cost of flow battery technology. [CleanTechnica]

Flow battery chemistry (Quino Energy screenshot via YouTube)

¶ “Ameren Missouri’s Solar Power Surge: Advancing Renewable Energy Goals With 400-MW Solar Project Approval” • Ameren Missouri, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, was approved to develop or acquire roughly 400 MW of solar energy. The first of these solar projects is slated to start operations in 2025, followed by two more in 2026. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Doral Renewables Secures $114 Million For An Ohio Solar Project” • Doral Renewables announced it has secured financing for the Great Bend Solar project, a 48-MW facility to be built in Meigs County, Ohio. The solar project marks Doral’s first in the state. HBSC provided $36 million is for construction as part of a $114 million package. [pv magazine USA]

Solar array (Chelsea, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “US Must Speed Permits To Spur Renewable Energy Growth, Execs Say” • The US government needs to streamline permitting for renewable energy projects, including development of power transmission infrastructure and grid connectivity, to support needed growth, according to business executives speaking at a conference in Houston. [MSN]

¶ “‘Transformational’ Kentucky Renewable Energy Project On Old Mine Receives $81 Million” • The US DOE awarded $81 million to develop a renewable-energy project in Kentucky. It is projected to create about 1,500 jobs for construction. The money will help develop a pumped-storage hydro facility on a former surface coal mine site. [Yahoo News Canada]

Have a cordially appreciated day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Why The Tesla Model Y And Other EVs Are So Safe” • Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the best-known evaluator of vehicle safety, awards kudos to vehicles that adhere to top safety standards. EVs are tested no differently than other cars. The tests show why EVs are so safe, as they hold up quite well in simulated crashes. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Model Y (Michal Lauko, Unsplash, cropped)

World:

¶ “New Map Shows Just How Extreme Last Month Was For The Planet” • If last month being the planet’s hottest February – the ninth month in a row that a monthly record tumbled – failed to resonate, a map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the ways the extreme warmth translated to impacts around the world. [CNN]

¶ “Global Ocean Heat Has Hit A New Record Every Single Day For The Last Year” • The world’s oceans have now experienced an entire year of unprecedented heat, with a new temperature record broken every day, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer. [CNN]

Panama City, Florida (Craig Cameron, Unsplash)

¶ “Encavis AG Partners With BELECTRIC To Construct 114-MW Solar Farm In Borrentin, Germany” • Encavis AG, a renewable energy operator based in Hamburg, is collaborating with BELECTRIC to build a solar farm in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with a capacity of 114 MW and an annual power output of 119 GWh. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Four Countries Could Account for Most Near-Term Petroleum Liquids Supply Growth” • Growth in petroleum sales is driven primarily by rising crude oil production from four countries in the Americas – the US, Guyana, Canada, and Brazil – which would partially offset near-term voluntary production cuts in 2024 expected from OPEC+. [CleanTechnica]

Oil supply growth. Please click on the image to enlarge it.

¶ “Amazon Strikes PPA Deal To Source Power From Iberdrola’s East Anglia Offshore Wind Project” • Amazon has inked a major renewable energy offtake deal that has seen it secure 159 MW of electricity from the East Anglia Three offshore wind farm. East Anglia Three is currently under development in the English Channel. [Business Green]

¶ “Shell Backing Away From Retail, Focusing On EV Charging, To Sell 1,000 Fuel Retail Locations” • A recent article at Yahoo Finance says Shell is going to start backing away from retail fuel stations to better focus on EV charging. As part of this effort, 1,000 fuel retail locations will be sold, and more EV charging stations will be installed at rest. [CleanTechnica]

Shell charging area (Shell image)

¶ “Australia’s Largest Solar Farm Powers Up Queensland” • The 88-MW Dugald River solar farm will power key mines in outback Queensland’s North-West Minerals Province. Mining projects from MMG Limited, New Century Resources, and Mount Isa Mines are set for a green energy boost as Australia’s largest solar farm officially launches. [Australian Mining]

¶ “WWF: Nuclear Path To Net-Zero Is A ‘False Narrative’” • As world leaders gather in Brussels for a Nuclear Energy Summit, to identify a role for nuclear energy in the energy transition, WWF argues that the idea that nuclear energy can play a key role in reaching the net-zero emissions long-term goal of the Paris Agreement, is a false narrative. [Panda.org]

Nuclear power plant (Ondrej Bocek, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “How Climate Change Is Affecting Washington, DC’s Iconic Cherry Blossoms” • While warming temperatures are causing cherry blossoms all over the world to bloom earlier, rising sea levels are leaving the National Park Service no choice but to cut down more than 150 trees that have lined the waterfront view for more than a century. [ABC News]

¶ “US Crude Oil Exports Reached a Record in 2023” • US crude oil exports established a record in 2023, averaging 4.1 million barrels per day (b/d), 13% (482,000 b/d) more than the previous annual record set in 2022. Except for 2021, US crude oil exports have increased every year since 2015, when the US ban on most crude oil exports was lifted. [CleanTechnica]

US petroleum exports. Please click on the image to enlarge it.

¶ “EPA Releases New Auto Emissions Rule” • In a move hailed as one of the most significant climate rules in US history, the Biden administration set forth regulations regulating tailpipe emissions on March 20. They call for reducing average fleetwide carbon emissions 56% by 2032. They are the strictest limit on US car and light truck pollution ever. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “University Of Pennsylvania Leads Ivy League In Transition To Solar Power” • The University of Pennsylvania, a member of the Ivy League with an extensive healthcare component. Together, the educational and healthcare facilities use around 300 MW, a third of what an average nuclear power plant might produce. U Penn now has 220 MW of PVs. [CleanTechnica]

University of Pennsylvania solar farm (AES image)

¶ “Vermont House Gives Its Preliminary Approval To A Major Renewable Energy Bill” • Vermont House lawmakers gave their preliminary approval for a major bill that sets strict requirements for utilities to buy power from renewable resources over the next five to ten years. There is still some disagreement over what the final price tag will be. [WCAX]

¶ “Bill Gates-Founded Energy Company Set To Construct $3 Billion Nuclear Power Plant In Wyoming, To Be Operational By 2030” • A power company co-founded by Microsoft’s Bill Gates announced plans to begin building a new type of nuclear power plant in Wyoming this June. TerraPower plans to start building the plant without permits. [Daily Mail Online]

Have an absolutely perfect day.

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Science:

¶ “Natural Gas Isn’t Burning Nearly As Cleanly As We Thought” • Remember those golden days when natural gas was a bridge fuel, cleaner burning than coal? Remember how the USA has a shared dream that it has world-beating emissions reductions because of natural gas displacing coal? Into this pleasant dream some harsh realities intrude. [CleanTechnica]

Natural gas flame (Ayesha Firdaus, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Pakistan, Bangladesh, And India Suffer World’s Most Polluted Air” • This year’s IQAir World Air Quality Report shows only seven countries met the World Health Organization’s pollution recommendations in 2023. But the report said three South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Pakistan and India – had the world’s lowest air quality. [Voice of America]

¶ “Coal Billionaire Is Building The World’s Biggest Clean Energy Plant And It’s Five Times The Size Of Paris” • Five times the size of Paris, Earth’s biggest energy plant will make enough electricity to power Switzerland. The Khavda project is turning barren salt desert on the edge of western India into one of the world’s most important sources of clean energy. [CNN]

Post office, village of Khavda (b sarangi, CC0 1,0)

¶ “EVs Grow 94% YOY in Mexico, Tesla Model Y Is Leading The Market” • Mexico was a laggard in the EV transition, until things started to change in late 2021. Now, Mexico is turning into one of the most interesting countries in the region, attracting significant Chinese investment to build EVs locally and rapidly ramping up sales as prices fall. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Aramco CEO Blasts Energy Transition ‘Fantasy’ At CERAWeek 2024” • On the first day of CERAWeek 2024, Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, the world’s largest fossil fuel company, told those in attendance that global oil demand will not peak for some time, so policymakers will need to ensure investments in oil and gas are sufficient to meet demand. [CleanTechnica]

CERAWeek 2024 meeting (CERAWeek 2024 image)

¶ “Yet Another Study Shows EVs Are Cleaner Than ICE And Continue Getting Cleaner” • A recent post by Canary Media shows that EVs are (again) proving to be cleaner than similar internal combustion engine vehicles. ICE vehicles are stuck burning the same fuel for the rest of their serviceable lives, but EVs just get cleaner with cleaner electric grids. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Climate Committee Casts Doubt On Scottish Goals” • The continued delays to the updated climate change plan and further slippage in climate policies have brought the Climate Change Committee to believe no longer that the Scottish Government will meet its 2030 target. Scotland has a statutory 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 75%. [reNews]

Scottish castle (Connor Mollison, Unsplash)

¶ “SA Must Implement Renewable Energy Masterplan Urgently, Says Gaylor Montmasson-Clair” • South Africa should enact the SA Renewable Energy Masterplan as soon as possible, as every day’s delay is wasted, said Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, the plan’s facilitator, yesterday on the side lines of the Solar Storage Live Africa and Future Energy Show. [MSN]

¶ “World Needs A Terawatt Of Renewables Each Year, But Only Solar Is Staying On Track” • The International Renewable Energy Agency describes the need for a “systemic shift away from fossil fuels” of terawatt-scale deployment this decade in order simply to meet the global target set at the COP28 conference held in Dubai in December. [RenewEconomy]

Solar power (Michael Förtsch, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “The Strong, Steady Growth of the US Electric Auto Market, In Charts” • EV sales have grown quite consistently for the past few years, despite a strong narrative to the contrary of late. While CleanTechnica has tracked US EV sales for years and produced quarterly reports on them, it has not produced reports on trends in EV market share – until now. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “300 Million Home Sales Prove It: Wind Turbines Don’t Kill Property Values After All” • Fossil energy stakeholders have been ginning up local opposition to new wind farms, partly on account of their supposed impact on property values. A growing pile of evidence shows that impacts on property values are negligible, according to the DOE. [CleanTechnica]

Wind turbines (Lake Region Electric Cooperative via NREL)

¶ “Can Ford Pull Off A Decent $25,000 EV?” • Various EV outlets and even Bloomberg are reporting that Ford has secret plans to build an affordable EV platform, aiming for both a small pickup and an SUV in the $25,000 range. In this article, I want to talk about why they’re doing this and speculate on whether they can actually pull it off. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “New Analysis Suggests Lower Price Tag For Changes To Vermont’s Renewable Energy Law” • As a proposed revision of the state’s renewable energy policy comes up for a vote in the House this week, lawmakers will have a new price tag to consider. It is less than half the one originally presented by Governor Phil Scott’s administration. [VTDigger]

Vermont (Robert Thiemann, Unsplash)

¶ “Michigan Transfers Renewable Energy Project Authority To State Via Public Act 233” • Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a law creating Public Act 233. Previously, local townships, or at times local elections, had the authority for siting many renewable projects. With the new law, siting authority lies with the Michigan Pubic Service Commission. [WWMT]

¶ “Dairyland Demolishes Power Plant That Stood In Genoa For Over 50 Years” • Dozens people gathered in Vernon County, Wisconsin, to watch the demolition of Dairyland’s retired power plant. The plant was retired in 2021 and President and CEO of Dairyland, Brent Ridge, says they will continue to use the site in Genoa for spent fuel storage, at least. [WEAU]

Have a rewarding fruitful day,

George

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Opinion:

¶ “Why You Should Buy An EV For Your Next Vehicle” • An interesting 2023 study breaks down several characteristics that contribute to a positive intention toward an EV purchase. Studies analyze public acceptance of EVs and point out the gap between adoption intention and actual adoption behavior. There are a lot of reasons to buy an EV. [CleanTechnica]

EV charging (myenergi, Unsplash)

¶ “Joe Rogan, Ray Kurzweil Reveal the Truth about Renewable Energy” • As an inventor and entrepreneur, Ray Kurzweil is considered to be one of the most brilliant minds of the 21st century. In an interview, he told Joe Rogan, “People say we need nuclear power which we don’t, I mean, you can get it all from the sun and, and the wind within 10 years.” [Energy & Capital]

World:

¶ “More And Faster Offshore Wind Is The Aim Of Maersk’s New ‘Rube Goldberg’ Workboat” • Maersk Supply Service has new type of “next-generation Wind Installation Vessel.” It will haul the WIV out to a wind farm construction site and park it there 24/7, while additional components are ferried in by a fleet of other purpose-built vessels. [CleanTechnica]

New offshore wind vessel (Courtesy of Maersk Supply Service)

¶ “EV Battery Prices Dropping A Lot This Year And Next” • Here is some good news. EV battery prices are expected to drop a lot in 2024 and 2025. That’s according to a recent analysis from Goldman Sachs. When EV battery prices do come down a lot, we can then expect electric vehicle prices to come down a lot, which will boost EV sales further. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “World’s First Commerical Seaweed Farm In An Offshore Wind Farm” • The dream of building the world’s first commercial scale seaweed farm within an offshore wind farm edged a little closer to reality last week, when the Irish firm Simply Blue Group stamped its seal of approval on the North Sea Farm 1 project. If all goes well, the idea will spread. [CleanTechnica]

Seaweed farm (Courtesy of Smartland Landscape Architecture)

¶ “Construction Starts On Second Biggest Battery In World’s Most Renewable Grid” • Zen Energy says it started construction on the 111-MW, 291 MWh Templers battery near Adelaide. It will be the second biggest in South Australia. The state already leads the world in the share of wind and solar in its grid and is set to be 100% renewably powered by 2027. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Finnish Player Inks 600-MW Romanian PV Pact” • Finnish renewable energy investor Korkia and Romania-based renewable energy developer Econous Green Energy set up a partnership to develop 600 MW of solar energy in Romania. Initial projects are expected to be licensed and ready for construction in 2025, to supply energy for 200,000 households. [reNews]

Solar array (Red Zeppelin, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “TagEnergy And Harmony Energy’s 49-MW, 98-MWh battery storage facility comes online” • TagEnergy, a clean energy company, and renewable energy infrastructure developer Harmony Energy brought the 49-MW, 98-MWh Jamesfield battery energy storage system facility online in Scotland. It is a standalone project near Abernethy. [ETN News]

¶ “System Operator Outlines £58 Billion UK Offshore Grid Plan” • The UK Electricity System Operator has published a report proposing a £58 billion investment in the electricity grid to meet growing demand for electricity in Great Britain by 2035. The plan aims to connect 21 GW more offshore wind development off the coast of Scotland. [reNews]

Grid system (National Grid)

¶ “Chief Scientist Cathy Foley Backs Renewables, Calls Nuclear Power ‘Expensive’” • Australia’s chief scientist is backing a path to zero emissions led by renewables over nuclear energy, which is “expensive technology.” The federal opposition has put nuclear power back on the national agenda, but Cathy Foley said energy assessments should be guided by evidence. [ABC]

¶ “It Was A ‘Monumental’ Year For Renewables In Europe” • Coal dropped 26% in 2023, and another 20% of coal plants in the EU are expected to close this year and next. Surprisingly, gas did not replace coal in the grid, as it saw a decline of 15%, the fourth year of decline in a row. Wind power is now the second-largest source of electricity in the EU. [Corporate Knights]

Wind turbines (American Public Power Association, Unsplash)

¶ “Images Taken Deep Inside Melted Fukushima Reactor Show Damage, But Leave Many Questions Unanswered” • Images by miniature drones inside a badly damaged nuclear reactor at Fukushima Daiichi show displaced equipment and misshapen materials but leave many questions unanswered, showing how daunting decommissioning will be. [AP News]

US:

¶ “Who Is Buying Electric Cars Now?” • For years, very early adopters were buying electric cars because of the climate crisis or because they were techies who quickly got drawn to the new electric era. But now there are a lot of people buying electric cars who aren’t early adopters in one of those core buyer groups. So, who are these people? [CleanTechnica]

EV driver (Jenny Ueberberg, Unsplash)

¶ “Garamendi, King Introduce Bill To Allow Biomass Power To Participate In The RFS” • Rep John Garamendi, D-Calif., and Sen Angus King, I-Maine, each introduced legislation to allow plants generating renewable electricity from forest biomass, such as woodchips or sawdust, to participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard. [Ethanol Producer Magazine]

¶ “BOEM Publishes Notices Of US East Coast Offshore Wind Proposals” • The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has finalized its designation of a wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine. It could potentially deliver 3 GW to Maine and 10 GW to Massachusetts. BOEM’s notice is to be followed by a 30-day public comment period. [Offshore Magazine]

Have a fully worthwhile day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Legacy Automakers Downplay The Value Of EVs While They Play Catch-Up” • As the dominance of combustion-powered vehicles wanes, legacy automakers are negotiating an existential transition. After all, they’ve spent decades in ICE production. But they need to pivot , and adapting quickly is crucial. Yet many car makers question the need. [CleanTechnica]

Ferrari (Jeff W, Unsplash)

¶ “Will Earth Hit A Climate ‘Tipping Point?’ Here’s Why Experts Say This Framework Is Problematic” • People talk about tipping points, but experts say even the concept of a tipping point is misleading. One scientist, James Hansen, who played a key early role in raising climate change awareness, describes the phrase as “greatly overused and misused.” [Salon.com]

Science and Technology:

¶ “NIO And CATL Partnership An Interesting Battery Evolution” • So many improvements in batteries are focused on two things: more range and faster charging. NIO has a unique focus on battery swapping, so it benefits from batteries that lose capacity slowly and last longer. So NIO partnered with CATL to develop longer-lasting batteries. [CleanTechnica]

Nio House (bfishadow, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)

World:

¶ “Amid Fierce Competition In China’s EV Market, Xpeng To Launch Cheaper Brand” • Chinese EV maker Xpeng said it plans to launch a cheaper brand, is a highly competitive segment amid intense price competition in the industry. Its models are to be launched within the next month, at prices between 100,000 and 150,000 yuan ($14,000 to $21,000). [CNN]

¶ “South Sudan Shutters All Schools As It Prepares For An Extreme Heat Wave” • South Sudan is closing all schools in preparation for an extreme heat wave expected to last two weeks. Temperatures are expected to soar to 45°C (113°F). South Sudan is especially vulnerable to climate change with heat waves common but rarely exceeding 40°C (104°F). [ABC News]

South Sudan (Jura Bakx, Unsplash)

¶ “Ecolab Achieves 100% Renewable Electricity In Europe With The Completion Of Windfarm Development Project” • Ecolab Inc, is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention systems and services that protect lives. It announced that it is sourcing of enough clean electricity from Low Carbon to power 100% of its European operations. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “TotalEnergies Reaches 1.5-GW PPA Milestone” • TotalEnergies reached over 1500 MW of signed renewable PPAs with over 600 industrial and commercial customers worldwide. Of this 1.5 GW, 1.1 GW is already operating, generating 1.5 TWh of electricity per year, while 400 MW will be commissioned by year-end, the oil and gas giant said. [reNews]

Solar farm (TotalEnergies image)

India:

¶ “Delhi Government To Equip 645 Buildings With Rooftop Solar Plants” • In a move towards renewable energy adoption, the Delhi government, partnering with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, is set to outfit 645 government buildings with rooftop solar systems. This initiative is projected to increase the city’s solar PV capacity by 50 MW. [Construction World]

¶ “India’s Energy Subsidies Hit 9-Year Peak” • In India, energy subsidies have surged to a nine-year peak, reaching $39.3 billion, amidst the ongoing global crisis. This shows the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of rising energy costs on consumers and industries, while supporting the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy. [Construction World]

Rooftop solar panels (Michael Wilson, Unsplash)

¶ “Adani Group To Invest 70% Of Total Investments In Green Energy” • The Adani Group is likely to put over 70% of its total investments towards green energy, including renewable power, green hydrogen, and transmission lines, sources said. It plans to invest $14 billion (₹1.2 lakh crore) in the 2024-25 financial year in energy infrastructure. [India TV News]

US:

¶ “Fossil Fuels Broke The Environment. Who Should Pay To Fix It?” • In his latest blog post on Substack, Bill McKibben wrote that the Vermont legislature is working on an idea that would require companies that produce and distribute fossil fuels to pay for the environmental damage they have caused. (Some people want to make them criminally liable.) [CleanTechnica]

Flooded Montpelier (Vermont Agency of Agriculture via YouTube)

¶ “Renewable Energy Projects Near Rosamond Would Generate 1,700 Construction Jobs” • The eastern part of California’s Kern County would have three large renewable installations added to its renewable energy portfolio, for over 1,700 construction jobs by the end of this year, if the county Board of Supervisors approves them. [Bakersfield.com]

¶ “US Revives Forgotten Uranium Mines To Replace Russian Supplies” • As uranium supplies from Russia fall under the shadow of potential sanctions, and while Ukraine’s allies look to wean themselves off nuclear fuel produced by the Russian corporation Rosatom, owners of left-for-dead mines in the US are looking to revive them. [Bellona.org]

Have a creatively inspired day.

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Opinion:

¶ “What Are the Benefits Of Using Renewable Energy For Businesses?” • With the increasing demand for sustainable practices, many companies have turned to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. But why exactly should businesses make this switch? Here we look into a number of reasons. [Business Matters]

Talking about business (Jason Goodman, Unsplash)

¶ “How Human-Rights Court Challenges Are Moving The Needle On Climate Change” • In the book Climate Capitalism, Akshat Rathi paints a picture of ways in which a green economy is possible, and in many cases already happening. Here, an excerpt looks at the influence of court challenges in inducing change by private companies and governments. [Toronto Star]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Radia’s WindRunner To Be The World’s Largest Aircraft Ever Built” • The enormous blades required for today’s most potent offshore wind turbines can’t easily be transported over land. A Colorado-based energy startup believes it has the answer: A colossal plane purpose-built to ferry the largest turbine blades imaginable. [Interesting Engineering]

Radia’s WindRunner (Radia image)

World:

¶ “Hyundai Motor And Iveco Group Expand Their Partnership To Explore Synergies For Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks In Europe” • Hyundai Motor Company and Iveco Group signed a Letter of Intent, to work towards electric heavy-duty truck solutions, for both battery electric trucks and fuel cell electric trucks, for the European markets. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “On Track To Produce 30% Renewable Energy By 2030” • The Minister of Energy and Minerals of Oman confirmed it is on track to produce at least 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. He highlighted the fact that ongoing studies are assessing feasibility, costs, and necessary adaptations for industries to transition to renewable energy. [Muscat Daily]

Evening skyline in Oman (Muhammad Shoaib, Unsplash)

¶ “RECPDCL And BHEL Forge JV For Renewable Energy Project Development” • REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited announced a Memorandum of Understanding it had signed with Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited. The MOU aims to create a joint venture to develop 1 GW of renewable generating capacity. [Energetica India Magazine]

¶ “Odisha’s Single Window Committee Approves Projects Worth ₹556 Crore In Renewable Energy” • Odisha government’s Single Window Committee has approved investment proposals worth ₹556.49 crore ($67.14 million) in the renewable energy sector. The projects proposed generating capacity of 82.42 MW, including solar, wind, and hydropower. [odishabytes]

Temple in Odisha (Ayiman Mohanty, Unsplash)

¶ “Russia Spreading Fake News Of Ukraine’s ‘Strike’ On Nuclear Power Plant” • Kremlin propaganda is spinning a fake story about an alleged attack by the Ukrainian forces on one of the nuclear power plant’s facilities at Zaporizhzhia, according to the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, a Ukrinform report says. [Ukrinform]

US:

¶ “Climate Criminals – Prosecuting Big Oil For Environmental Crimes” • David Arkush, who is the director of the Public Citizen Climate Program, and Aaron Regunberg, who is a senior climate policy counsel at Public Citizen, have written an article for “The New Republic” called The Case for Prosecuting Fossil Fuel Companies for Homicide. Wow! Let that sink in! [CleanTechnica]

Symbol of Justice (DonkeyHotey, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

¶ “Ford F-150 Lightning Race Pits Tesla’s Superchargers Against Electrify America” • Tom Moloughney and Kyle Conner took two Ford Trucks from New Jersey to Florida to see who would get there first. One had to rely on Electrify America stations, and the other had to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. Spoiler: They arrived minutes apart. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Orange County’s Pioneering Floating Solar Array: A Beacon Of Renewable Energy” • In Florida, Orange County is making a big move towards being more sustainable and using renewable energy. They’ve put up the biggest floating solar power system in the US Southeast on a 3.6 acre pond at their Southern Regional Water Supply Facility. [Microgrid Media]

Have a truly marvelous day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Baseload Power Doesn’t Make Sense Anymore” • Today, despite all the reasons to know better, many people still insist that we need baseload power. I see this every day in the news. I think it is sheer folly. Let me start with a statement that some people might find hard to take: It is not possible to run a grid on just baseload power. [CleanTechnica]

Coal-burning power plant (Jason Blackeye, Unsplash)

¶ “Is Nuclear Power Coming Back from the Dead? Not If We Can Help It Say Activists Who Buried Nukes More Than 40 Years Ago” • As the industry seeks a revival with backing from the US Congress, the White House, and teams of industry propagandists, prominent activists from the No Nukes/Safe Energy movement of the 1970s are reviving, too. [Amherst Indy]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Scientists Divided Over Whether Record Heat Is Acceleration Of Climate Crisis” • Scientists are divided about high marine air temperatures. Some stress that current trends are within climate model projections. Others are perplexed by the speed of change because the seas are the Earth’s great heat moderator and absorb more than 90% of climate warming. [The Guardian]

Sky and ocean (Silas Baisch, Unsplash)

¶ “Toxic Plastic Chemicals Number In The Thousands, Most Are Unregulated, Report Finds” • Researchers have developed a database of all known chemicals used in plastic production. It’s a staggering number: 16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of them considered “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment, according to the authors. [CNN]

World:

¶ “How A Beautiful Spanish Tourist City Became The Green Capital Of Europe” • Valencia is one of Spain’s sunniest cities, thanks to its prime location on the Mediterranean. Now, it can also claim to be among the most sustainable after winning the coveted Green Capital of Europe title. The title is given annually by the European Commission. [CNN]

Valencia (Al Elmes, Unsplash)

¶ “German Greenhouse Gas Emissions Dropped Sharply Last Year” • Official data shows Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 10.1% last year as use of renewable energy grew, use of coal and gas diminished and economic pressures weighed in. The German government says it is on course to meet its target to cut emissions 65% by 2030. [ABC News]

¶ “The Dogood ZERO: An Electric Microcar For Urban Living” • The little Dogood Motors ZERO EV claims it has more space inside than a Lamborghini, and it has “more electric range than a Ferrari.” While such statements may be technically true, they also seem to be a very funny comparison for an electric microcar that costs £6,000 ($7,640). [CleanTechnica]

Dogood Motors ZERO EV (Dogood Motors image)

¶ “EVs Surpassing Renewables In New Investment” • The surge in e-mobility investment directly arises with the growth of final consumption. In 2023, global sales of all types of EVs – battery powered vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles – came to 13 million units, making a growth rate of 29.8%, TrendForce reported. [The Global Energy Association]

¶ “Volkswagen And Skoda Are Moving Forward With Plans For Less Expensive Electric Cars” • Everybody is clamoring for less expensive electric cars. The Chinese are already building them, but many people worry that cheap cars from China will ruin traditional automakers. That might change. Here’s news on cars coming from Volkswagen and Skoda. [CleanTechnica]

Skoda Epiq concept Courtesy of Skoda

¶ “Alberta Government Releases Map Of No-Go Zones For Renewable Power Projects” • The government of Alberta has released some details of where and how it will permit wind and solar development, prohibiting it along a broad stretch of the province’s western edge, assessing its visual impact in five large areas, and restricting it on agricultural land. [MSN]

¶ “Barbados Targets 100% Renewable Energy By 2030, OTEC Plays A Vital Role” • Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is gaining traction in the Caribbean region. After meetings last year with the governments of Grenada and the Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados is starting to explore OTEC for its transition to renewable energy by 2030. [EIN News]

Night-time in Barbados (acobie inniss, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “Batteries And Green Energies Like Wind And Solar Combine For Climate Solution” • The US is rapidly adding batteries for large scale energy storage. Increasingly, these are getting paired with solar and wind projects. Electric grid operators, electric utilities and renewable energy developers say the combination is essential for a green energy future. [ABC News]

¶ “Dogsledding: How Climate Change Forces Iditarod To Adapt” • For the first time in 25 years of running dogsledding tours, Tanya McCready must invest in snowmaking equipment. The vanishing snow along the trails she mushes her sled dogs and the once frozen lake she says is no longer safe to cross signify a changing climate. [ABC News]

Sled dogs (Yann Gbs, Unsplash)

¶ “Study: We Need Waaaaaaaay More EV Chargers At Retailers” • A report from Consumer Reports examined which retailers are leading and which are lagging when it comes to EV chargers. It says, “Only about 1% of the 270,000 retail locations controlled by the 75 retail and fast-food companies we reviewed offer any EV charging.” CR calls this “bleak.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Proposed Budget Supports Nuclear Projects” • The 2025 budget request includes nearly $1.6 billion for the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, to support securing high-assay low-enriched uranium supplies, develop new reactor technologies, support R&D, advance the use of additive manufacturing and AI, and deploy US reactors overseas. [Eurasia Review]

Have a luminously gorgeous day.

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World:

¶ “City Plans For 10,800 Solar Panels” • Manchester City has submitted a planning application to install over ten thousand solar panels at their Joie Stadium and training hub. The panels would supply the club with up to 4.39 MWh of renewable energy every year, offsetting the annual power required to run the City Football Academy. [BBC]

Stadium with solar panels (Manchester City FC)

¶ “Bengaluru: Water Crisis Shakes India’s Silicon Valley” • The fifteen million people of Bengaluru don’t have enough water. People living in apartment buildings and gated communities say they are being forced to change their routines, especially when temperatures are unusually high. Bengaluru was once known as a cool city with lush gardens. [BBC]

¶ “Flying Electric Boat To Haul Commuters At Site Of Epic Environmental Protest” • The Swedish electric boat company Candela is in production of its 30-passenger P-12 hydrofoil ferry. The zero emission watercraft levitates above the water while in motion. Energy efficiency for fossil-free travel is the main benefit of hydrofoil technology. [CleanTechnica]

Candela P-12 electric boat (Courtesy of Meridian Energy)

¶ “Musk Talks Tesla Semi And Lower Priced Car Production At Grünheide” • According to Handelsblatt, Elon Musk visited the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide, to give a talk to the workers and staff. He said it could “make sense” to produce the Tesla Semi at the German factory. He also said high-volume production of the Tesla Semi will happen this year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Austria Brings In Onshore Wind Reforms” • The Government of Austria introduced market premium regulation for onshore wind. This increases both maximum bid prices for the onshore wind market premium and the tender volumes. The maximum bid was adjusted to the current market situation and increased from 9.28¢ to 9.60¢/kWh. [reNews]

Wind farm (Zbynek Burival, Unsplash)

Australia:

¶ “Queensland’s Renewable Profile Lures Clean Energy Jobs” • Queensland is gaining traction as a clean economy powerhouse. Orrcon Steel announced a major investment to back the state’s renewable energy supply chain. A manufacturing plant opened in Brisbane’s north to supply components for Australia’s pipeline of large solar projects. [Mirage News]

¶ “Renewable Energy Projects ‘Acceleration’ By The Victorian Government Draws The Fury Of Farmers” • Victoria set about speeding up A$90 billion in stalled renewable energy projects. Now rural communities across the state are angry over the government’s plan for accelerating the projects, claiming that community consultation was a “sham.” [ABC]

Transmission towers (Pierre Jarry, Unsplash)

¶ “CSIRO Defends GenCost – And Science – As Coalition And Murdoch Go Nuclear Against Key Institutions” • The head of Australia’s principal scientific research organisation stepped in to defend the CSIRO’s important GenCost report, in the face of unrelenting attacks from nuclear power advocates who are not impressed by science. [RenewEconomy]

US:

¶ “New York City Gets 500-kW Charging Stations” • Gravity Mobility opened up some 500-kW chargers to other companies in New York City. Reuters called them the “fastest EV charger in US.” Though they might not technically be the fastest ever (they may only tie for first place), it’s a big move, and it signals that the kilowatt wars might continue. [CleanTechnica]

EV chargers (Gravity image)

¶ “US Delivers $2 Billion Boost For Rural Renewables” • US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed fears over farmland being lost to solar and wind farms, as he announced $2.2 billion in loan support for rural electric cooperatives. He said, “We’re obviously encouraging use of non-prime farmland for purposes of renewable energy.” [The Energy Mix]

¶ “NYPA Seeks Partners For Renewable Energy Projects To Advance New York’s Climate Goals” • The New York Power Authority launched a Request for Qualifications to identify and pre-qualify companies and investors for crenewable energy and storage system projects, aligning with New York State’s ambitious climate action objectives. [SolarQuarter]

Wind turbines (Anna Jiménez Calaf, Unsplash)

¶ “Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel Goes To Washington” • Vermont’s Waste Policy Committee is discussing legislation and policy proposals in Washington, DC. Lissa Weinmann, the Committee Chair, said the meeting was intended to discuss nuclear energy bills and policy proposals with the state’s Congressional delegates. [WAMC]

¶ “$100 Million Nuclear Reactor Project To Be Tested In East Tennessee” • California-based Kairos Power and Tennessee officials unveiled plans for a low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge. The privately funded nuclear engineering company will invest $100 million and create 55 jobs to deploy the reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park. [AOL.com]

Have a naturally magnificent day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Tariffs Aren’t Enough To Save US Car Makers From Chinese EVs” • Recently, US Senator Marco Rubio started pushing for more tariffs on Chinese electric cars. They have a pretty good chance of destroying vehicle manufacturing in the US. This may be a reasonable argument, but tariffs alone would only delay the inevitable. [CleanTechnica]

BYD Dolphin Mini (BYD image)

¶ “Dutton’s Blast Of Radioactive Rhetoric On Nuclear Power Leaves Facts In The Dust” • In Australia, the most recent GenCost report estimates the LCOE of a theoretical small modular reactor built in 2030 would be A$382 to A$636/MWh. The cost for solar and wind is between A$91 and A$130/MWh, including the costs of integration. (A$1=$0.66) [The Guardian]

Science and Technology:

¶ “IIHS Gives Poor Rating To Automated Driving Systems From Tesla And Nine Other Companies” • We just reported on a suit filed over a death that happened with an automated driving system operating. Now, a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety skewers all automated driving systems available on vehicles sold in the US. [CleanTechnica]

Lexus Teammate screen (Courtesy of IIHS)

World:

¶ “How Giant Batteries Will Help Power Scotland” • The number of giant batteries installed in Scotland is expected to increase greatly as part of the move towards renewable energy. National Grid, which transmits electricity around the country, predicts that the amount of energy storage needed will grow almost six times over by the end of the decade. [BBC]

¶ “Brussels Airport Adding 700 Level 2 Chargers In Quest For Zero-Emissions Operations” • Brussels airport has a plan to make all its vehicles electrified by 2025. It also wants to meet the needs of drivers with electric cars. Together with Interparking, one of the largest car park operators in Europe, Brussels airport is adding 700 new EV chargers. [CleanTechnica]

EV chargers (Courtesy of Interparking)

¶ “Concerns Over Government’s Gas Power Station Plans” • The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology has criticised government plans to back construction of gas power stations, citing concerns over the lack of measures for carbon capture. This move, the association says, could jeopardise the UK power emissions reduction goals. [Energy Live News]

¶ “Alberta Commission Finds Renewables Pose Little Threat To Agriculture, Environment” • Alberta’s utilities regulator released a report saying the province’s renewables industry is little threat to its agriculture or the environment. The report says the area of land needed for renewable energy is less than 1% of the area of prime agricultural land. [CTV News Calgary]

Alberta (Chris Henry, Unsplash)

¶ “India’s Renewable Energy Sector Surges” • India’s renewable energy sector is undergoing a surge, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s energy transition. According to recent reports from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India achieved a remarkable milestone when renewable generating capacity surpassed 150 GW. [Construction World]

Australia:

¶ “SA Bets On A Hydrogen-Fuelled Future” • The Office of Hydrogen was established in 2022 as part of South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining. It is tasked with overseeing the delivery of the state’s Hydrogen Jobs Plan, the Port Bonython Hydrogen Hub, and industry engagement to accelerate the state’s emerging hydrogen economy. [Government News]

Rendering of a hydrogen plant (Office of Hydrogen Power)

¶ “Premier Blasts Nuclear Plan As Renewable Appeals Curbed” • Opponents of solar and wind farms will be stripped of the power to appeal approvals to a Victorian tribunal, as the premier blasts the federal opposition’s nuclear pitch as a distraction inspired by a cartoon. From April 1, shovel-ready renewable energy projects will be eligible for an accelerated pathway. [MSN]

¶ “bp Increases Stake In 26-GW Australian Renewable Energy Hub” • Macquarie Group sold its 15% share in the Australian Renewable Energy Hub to UK energy company bp, it said. The solar, wind, and green hydrogen project is planned for Western Australia. The project’s estimated worth is $36.4 billion (US), and bp’s share is now 64%. [pv magazine International]

Pilbara region of Western Australia (Chris Stenger, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “Winter Storms Have Disrupted US Natural Gas Production” • Over the last four winters, winter storms Uri (Feb 2021), Elliott (Dec 2022), and most recently, Heather (Jan 2024) interrupted weekly US natural gas production by more than 15 billion cubic feet per day, according to the daily estimates from S&P Global Commodity Insights. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “First Fully Adaptive E-Bike Trail System Opens in Vermont” • A recent article at Bike Mag shared the story of the first US trail system fully compatible with adaptive bikes, or bikes that cater to the needs of the disabled. It features a total of 11 trails, and a total distance of three miles. The new trails are equally enjoyable by both abled and disabled. [CleanTechnica]

Adaptive trail (Screenshot from article’s embedded video)

¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Announces $750 Million To Support America’s Growing Hydrogen Industry” • As part of the Investing in America agenda, the US DOE has announced $750 million for 52 projects in 24 states to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen and reinforce America’s global leadership in the clean hydrogen industry. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Pennsylvania Governor Unveils Plan To Cut Greenhouse Gases, Boost Renewables In Big Energy Producer” • Gov Josh Shapiro unveiled a plan to fight climate change. He will back legislation to make power plant owners pay for their greenhouse gas emissions and require utilities to buy more electricity from renewable sources. [WHEC.com]

Have a superbly superior day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Precision Agriculture: Does Climate Tech VC Money Flow Into Agri-Chemicals And Monocrops?” • Venture Capitalists don’t support CleanTechnica, even if it could help support the rest of their portfolio by promoting their other companies. Hilariously enough, those same VCs hire expensive PR firms who just pitch their story ideas to CleanTechnica. [CleanTechnica]

Farm field (Courtesy of Berkeley Law)

¶ “Five Signs To Spot Anti-Cleantech Propaganda From Sources That Seem Innocuous” • It’s an election year, so okay, everything must be viewed skeptically. Recently an ad came up purporting to stand up for free speech, which, according to the ad, knows no political colors. Hm. Seems innocuous. What could possibly go wrong, right? [CleanTechnica]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Researchers Discover New Technique To Encourage The Restoration Of Degraded Corals” • Researchers have discovered a way to encourage restoration of coral reef populations degraded by record-high marine temperatures. Underwater speaker that play the sounds of a healthy reef were found to help coral larvae settle up to seven times as fast. [ABC News]

Coral (roy zeigerman, Unsplash)

¶ “No Graphite? No Problem, Silicon EV Batteries Really Are Coming” • US automakers got the jitters last year when China announced new export curbs on graphite, the main ingredient in EV batteries. But new EV batteries that replace graphite with silicon are coming, and the synthetic graphite industry is also springing into action. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Vietnam And The Promise Of Clean Power” • With a growing economy, vast coastlines available for offshore wind power, and high solar radiation levels, Vietnam has all of the ingredients to be a world leader in renewable energy. A McKinsey & Company report says Vietnam is the country in Southeast Asia best suited for wind and solar developments. [CleanTechnica]

Village in Viet Nam (Nathan Cima, Unsplash)

¶ “Low Carbon Powers Up Finnish Project” • Low Carbon has announced that its Mörknässkogen onshore wind project is now in commercial operation. With a capacity of 30 MW from five Nordex turbines, Mörknässkogen is Low Carbon’s first wind project to come online in Finland, part of the company’s goal to deploy renewable capacity at scale. [reNews]

¶ “ACEN And BrightNight To Develop 1 GW Of Renewables In The Philippines” • ACEN and BrightNight announced plans to invest an estimated $1.2 billion within five years, to develop up to 1 GW of renewable energy projects in the Philippines. ACEN has a global renewables capacity of 4.8 GW already and a target of 20 GW by 2030. [pv magazine International]

ACEN solar array (ACEN image)

¶ “Australian Renewable Sector Recorded ‘Alarming’ Slowdown In 2023, Energy Body Finds” • Investments in renewable energy plants showed an “alarming” slowdown in 2023, with financial approvals for new solar farms shrinking more than a third while no new windfarms won backing, the Clean Energy Council said in its annual report. [The Guardian]

¶ “AkzoNobel Uses 100% Renewable Electricity In Latin America” • All of AkzoNobel’s manufacturing locations in Latin America are now operating on 100% renewable electricity. The company’s ambition is to reduce carbon emissions across the full value chain by 50% by 2030 (baseline 2018). It had achieved that goal in Europe and North America earlier. [AkzoNobel]

Paints and coatings facility in Colombia (AkzoNobel image)

¶ “Hybrid Power Systems Fuel Renewable Energy Pathway For Gold Producer” • Australian renewables provider, Pacific Energy, completed four hybrid generating systems, with a total capacity of 82 MW, to gold producer Westgold Resources. The systems have 28 MW of solar, 11.5 MW of battery storage and 42.5 MW of high-efficiency gas capacity. [pv magazine Australia]

¶ “Government Must Act Now On Energy Storage” • A UK Parliamentary Committee report on long-duration energy storage concludes that the Government must act fast to ensure that energy storage technologies can scale up in time to play a vital role in decarbonising the electricity system and ensuring energy security by 2035. [UK Parliament]

Pumped storage facility (UK Parliament via Pixabay)

¶ “Japan’s Fukushima Plant Clean-Up At Snail’s Pace As Nuclear Experts Flag Achievements – ‘Not A Race’” • Thirteen years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster, progress on its decommissioning and decontaminating thousands of hectares of land across northeast Japan is proceeding at an excruciatingly slow pace. [South China Morning Post]

US:

¶ “Scout ‘Back To Work’ Campaign Pays Homage To The Original” • Scout, the newest brand at Volkswagen Group, hasn’t produced anything yet, but it has created some interesting graphics that offer hints about the vehicles it plans to produce. Work has begun on a $2 billion factory 20 miles north of Columbia, South Carolina. [CleanTechnica]

Scout graphic (Scout image)

¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Releases First-Ever National Strategy For Deployment Of Zero-Emission Infrastructure For Freight Trucks” • The Biden-Harris Administration released the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. It is designed to meet growing market demands by encouraging private sector investment. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The Technology ‘Handoff’ May Mean Legal Trouble For Tesla” • After a man died in an accident with Tesla’s autopilot operating, a suit’s allegations against Tesla include false advertising, product liability, defective product design, failure to warn, intentional and negligent misrepresentation, and breach of warranty. The trial is set for March 18, 2024. [CleanTechnica]

Have a happily moving day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Heat Pumps Are Still A Good Investment Even If Your Grid Is Powered By Coal” • Do heat pumps lower emissions if they run on electricity from a dirty grid? Absolutely, according to NREL researchers. Modeling the entire US housing stock, they found that switching to heat pumps reduces emissions in every one of the contiguous 48 states. [CleanTechnica]

Candidate for a heat pump (vu anh, Unsplash)

Science and Technology:

¶ “From Instant Grits to Polymers: Scientist Kat Knauer Is Laser Focused on Plastics Pollution” • When Kat Knauer was a child, she used science to discover that instant grits could control fire ants without allowing her dog to react to pesticides. Now she is a polymer scientist and the chief technology officer of a group led by NREL to study plastics. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “NREL’s Rail Optimization Software Is Putting Electrification Of Freight On The Fast Track” • A need for fossil fuels for rail transportation could change in the coming decade, as railways eye ambitious federal clean-energy goals that call for investment in electric locomotives and infrastructure for zero-emission freight movement. [CleanTechnica]

Autonomous, battery-electric rail car (Parallel Systems image)

¶ “Renewable Power Prices Must Be $30/MWh Or Less For Green Hydrogen Projects To Compete” • Renewable power for green hydrogen and ammonia production has to cost less than $30/MWh for them to compete in the market, Fortescue’s CEO reportedly said. This implies that the company’s Gibson Island project might be shelved. [Hydrogen Insight]

¶ “Magnificent Tidal Energy Project To Double As New City Park” • The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that the global amount of technically recoverable, zero emission electricity from tidal motion could add up to 1,000 GW, and that’s just counting locations near coastlines. The world has been getting experience already. [CleanTechnica]

Tidal energy site on the River Mersey (Liverpool City Region)

World:

¶ “Excitement in Vietnam’s EV Industry” • The road transport sector in Vietnam accounts for 18% of national emissions. Now, a report on the EV market in Vietnam found it has the potential to be a leader in the electric 2-wheeled market, for which it has already had success, as well as meeting a growing demand for larger electric cars. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Equinor Launches 531-MW Solar Plant in Brazil” • Equinor ASA has launched its 531-MW Mendubim solar plant, marking a 30% increase in its equity power production in Brazil. The plant will produce 1.2 TWh of power annually, Equinor said. Around 60% of the energy will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Alunorte. [Rigzone]

Solar power (Sungrow EMEA, Unsplash)

¶ “Sunak Faces Anger Over New Gas-Power Strategy For ‘Backing Up Renewables’” • Rishi Sunak sparked controversy by endorsing the construction of new gas-fired power stations, stating that he will prioritise energy security. His plan plan, to be announced today, aims to bolster gas power capacity and give their investors increased confidence. [Business Matters]

¶ “Alberta’s ‘Roping In’ on Renewables Could Hurt C$11 Billion In Investments, Study Says” • Alberta’s ban on some renewable projects could hurt C$11.1 billion ($8.24 billion) in investments and stall up to 6.3 GW of solar and wind power capacity, a study by the Pembina Institute said. The new rules potentially affect 42 projects and thousands of jobs. [EnergyNow]

Alberta (Ryan Stone, Unsplash)

¶ “Renewable Power Bags 50-MW Finnish Battery” • Renewable Power Capital has acquired a 50-MW ready-to-build battery storage project in Finland from Ib Vogt. The project in the southern Finnish region of Uusikaupunki is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and will be funded on a fully merchant basis. [reNews]

¶ “Gas, Rooftop Solar, Nukes: Dutton To Take “Most Expensive” Nuclear Power Plan To Next Election” • Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton told the Australian Financial Review’s business summit he wants the “scientific facts” on the table. He’s not talking about climate change. He wants the future to be nuclear, not renewable. [RenewEconomy]

Nuclear power plant (Stefan Kühn, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)

¶ “France Hits 20 GW Solar Milestone” • France has recently reached a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, achieving a landmark 20 GW of installed solar capacity. This achievement underscores the French national commitment to transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. [Construction World]

US:

¶ “MOD BIKES 2024 E-Bike Collection Offers Power, Panache, And Nuance” • MOD BIKES introduced its 2024 e-bike collection with upgrades to appeal to fans and new buyers alike. Among them are torque sensors, dual battery options, tunable pedal assist levels, and wireless control of the Lumos smart helmet’s lighting and turn signals. [CleanTechnica]

MOD BIKES Easy + Sidebar e-bike (MOD BIKES image)

¶ “United States Produces More Crude Oil Than Any Country, Ever” • The United States produced more crude oil than any other nation at any time, according to International Energy Statistics, for the past six years in a row. Crude oil production in the US, including condensate, averaged 12.9 million barrels per day in 2023. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Standard Solar Strengthens Vermont’s Renewable Energy Market” • Standard Solar, a prominent developer and proprietor of commercial and community solar projects, has acquired a 18.5-MW solar project portfolio in Vermont from local developer, MHG Solar. The acquisition means it can build six solar projects in the state. [SolarQuarter]

Have a relaxingly placid day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Can We Connect Renewable Energy Hubs With Electricity Consumption Hubs?” • A new approach to grid planning could make it possible to power your home with the nation’s best and lowest-cost wind and solar energy, no matter where you live. An analysis studied the economics of linking renewable energy hubs to the biggest load centers. [CleanTechnica]

Please click on the image to enlarge it. (NREL image)

¶ “Head Of Japan’s Nuclear Regulatory Body Says Nuclear Power Is Never Fully Safe” • The head of Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority has reminded its officials that nuclear power is never “100% safe.” Yamanaka Shinsuke, told them that natural disasters, including such things as earthquakes and tsunami, cannot be avoided. [NHK]

¶ “Electric Aircrafts Will Need Powerful Ports” • Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft might quickly move passengers over mountains or float them across urbanscapes. But an important consideration for these flying batteries is where they will charge and whether the existing power grid infrastructure can satisfy this demand. [CleanTechnica]

Supernal eVTOL (Hyundai image)

World:

¶ “The Jordanian Renewable Energy Fund Achieves Milestones, Impacting 2 Million Citizens” • The yearly impact of the Jordan Renewable Energy Fund’s efforts includes energy savings of over 75.3 GWh, cost savings exceeding 16.8 million Jordanian dinars ($23.7 million), and a reduction of over 97 kilotons per year in carbon dioxide emissions. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Gold Fields To Build Its Biggest Renewable Energy Project Yet At St Ives” • Gold Fields’ board has approved a renewable energy project costing A$296-million ($195-million) to be built at the St Ives mine, in Western Australia. The plant, including 42 MW of wind and 35 MW of solar capacity, will be the largest in the Gold Fields portfolio. [Mining Weekly]

A Gold Fields solar plant

¶ “NSW Lags On Rollout Of Renewables, Putting Australia’s 2030 Clean Energy Target At Risk” • New South Wales has the largest gap between its 2030 emissions reduction goals and the present pace of renewables rollout among the states. That performance will make it harder for Australia to meet national goals unless it is addressed, a report argues. [The Guardian]

¶ “Irish Firm Wins Gov’t Contract To Build 440 MW Of Wind Power” • Mainstream Renewable Power Ltd marked won two contracts to build two onshore wind projects in the Philippines. The government said it signed contracts with Mainstream to build wind projects, with a combined capacity of 440 MW, in Cagayan province and Leyte. [Inquirer.net]

Wind farm (Henry & Co, Unsplash)

¶ “Conditions Inside Fukushima’s Melted Nuclear Reactors Still Unclear 13 Years After Disaster Struck” • The tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 topped 15 meters (50 feet) in places. It flooded the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, causing three meltdowns. On the thirteenth anniversary of that event, we are still unclear about the plant’s condition. [ABC News]

US:

¶ “More Than 30 Million People Under Flood Alerts In The Northeast” • Flood alerts are in effect for over 30 million people in eleven states from Virginia to Maine Saturday night, with both flood watches and coastal flood alerts. The Northeast will see rain and possible flooding after the Southeast had strong winds, rising waters, and even a tornado. [ABC News]

Storm (Simon Maisch, Unsplash)

¶ “Been Waiting To Buy An EV? GM’s Price Reduction On The Blazer EV Is Your Chance” • General Motors has announced it is resuming sales of its Chevrolet Blazer EV. Software glitches got the company to pull the model from dealer showrooms. Now, to jumpstart Blazer EV sales, GM has reduced the cost of several models by about $6,000. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Morgan Olson Chooses Rivian Skateboard For Electric Delivery Vans” • Morgan Olson already manufactures the C250 step van, which was chosen by Canada Post last year. Now that truck will be converted to a battery electric vehicle using the skateboard that Rivian created for the delivery vans it is making for Amazon. [CleanTechnica]

Have an acceptably wonderful day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Whether Powered By Electrons Or Molecules, Automobiles Are A Curse” • After readers commented that there are too many cars in the world, Bloomberg ran a story entitled “EVs Can’t Fix a Global Epidemic of ‘Car Harm,’ Study Finds.” The modern world moves itself around in roughly 2 billion motor vehicles, 65% of which are cars, Bloomberg says. [CleanTechnica]

Highway intersection (Denys Nevozhai, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “‘Tell Him He’s Dreaming’: Bowen Rubbishes Coalition Claim Australia Could Have Nuclear Power In A Decade” • Australia’s energy minister dismissed Coalition MP Ted O’Brien’s claim that Australia could develop a nuclear power industry in a decade. He said, “Tell him he’s dreaming.” The build time for a nuclear plant in the US is 19 years. [The Guardian]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Tesla’s Giga Press Has Led To Systemic Industry Change; Now EVs Will Cost Less To Build Than ICE Vehicles By 2027” • The giga press has altered the way EVs are made. New manufacturing processes, along with lower battery costs, mean that EVs will be less expensive to build than internal combustion engine cars by 2027, one analyst says. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla giga press (Courtesy of IDRA)

¶ “Wave Energy Is (Really, Finally) Coming For Your Fossil Fuels” • Wave energy could harvest 29,500 TWh of electricity from the ocean every year, which is why researchers are still trying to design energy conversion devices, even after early failures. Now all that hard work may be about to pay off, and wave energy is set for a breakthrough. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Electricity And Airplanes – Lowering The Carbon Emissions Of Flight” • We have two news stories that focus on different ways of using electricity to reduce the carbon emissions of airplanes. The first comes from Mercedes-Benz, about an electric refueling vehicle for airplanes. The other is from Airbus, about an eVTOL passenger vehicle. [CleanTechnica]

Proposed electric eVTOL vehicle (Courtesy of Airbus)

World:

¶ “Saudi Oil Giant Aramco Announces $121 Billion Profit Last Year, Down From 2022 Record” • Saudi oil giant Aramco reported it made $121 billion in profit last year, down from its 2022 record due to lower energy prices. Aramco had reported a $161 billion profit in 2022, likely the largest ever reported by a publicly traded company. [ABC News]

¶ “Australian Plug-in Vehicle Sales Exceed 10% In February 2024” • In a very newsy month down under, the most important item has to be that Australian plug-in electric vehicle sales in February have exceeded 10% for the first time since September, 2023 (9.6% battery EV, 1% plugin hybrid). The number for battery EVs is up to more than double that of January. [CleanTechnica]

Great Wall Motors ORA (Photo courtesy of Tip Schaffter)

¶ “Foundation Stone Laid For NTPC REL’s 630-MW Barethi Solar Power Project In Madhya Pradesh ” • India’s Union Power Minister said India has the world’s fastest growing economy. “We need to add more power capacity to meet the growing demand. The Barethi solar power project is very important since it is 630 MW and further it is clean energy.” [PIB]

¶ “EVs At 26.3% Share In France, With Peugeot e-208 Leading” • February saw plugin EVs at 26.3% share in France, up from 23.8% share in February 2023. Full electric volume grew 32% YOY, and plugin hybrid volume grew 12%. February’s overall auto volume was 142,598 units, up 13% YOY. The Peugeot e-208 was once again the best selling full battery EV. [CleanTechnica]

Peugeot e-208 (Calreyn88, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “Power Demand! Is India Again Moving Towards The Coal Sector?” • In India, seven years ago, private-sector coal firms largely stopped building new power plants, fleeing massive losses and the looming threat of cheaper renewable power. But now some major companies are looking to invest in new and existing plants, Reuters reported. [MSN]

¶ “The EU to achieve at least 32% renewable energy by 2030” • The European wind power sector has seen significant growth and development over the past decade. Europe is a global leader in wind energy, both onshore and offshore. As of 2021, Europe had over 220 GW of installed wind power capacity, with the majority being onshore. [Business News This Week]

Wind turbines (Thomas Reaubourg, Unsplash)

¶ “‘Who’s Paying For These?’ O’Brien Confirms Taxpayer Funds Are Needed To Prop Up Coalition Nuclear Push” • Taxpayers would be forced to foot the bill for a portion of the Coalition’s mooted nuclear energy push, the opposition has confirmed, as it bats away questions over the cost, timeframe and commercial viability of local nuclear generation. [News.com.au]

US:

¶ “Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe Says He’s Changing Mindsets Of What’s ‘Possible In An Electric Vehicle’” • A common complaint of EVs is that they’re too expensive. That’s why Rivian, the electric carmaker from Irvine, California, just launched three new models to meet this “huge need in the market,” RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s founder and CEO said. [ABC News]

Rivian R2 (Rivian image)

¶ “Facebook Parent Meta Inks Deals For Solar Power In Missouri” • Meta is building an $800 million data center in Kansas City, joining 21 data centers it operates worldwide. As of December 31, Meta expected to spend about $15.12 billion related to renewable energy agreements, most of which is due beyond five years, the company said in its annual report. [KSDK]

¶ “Bill Proposes Study To Build New Millstone Nuclear Reactor” • A state legislative committee is considering a bill that calls for studying the feasibility of adding a new nuclear reactor at the Millstone Station power plant in Waterford. The legislation was introduced by state Rep Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport. He was not available for comment. [Energy Central]

Have a pleasantly supportive day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Hawk Supercomputer Improves Solar Cell Efficiency” • A team at the University of Paderborn has been using high-performance computers to study how solar cells convert light to electricity, to increase efficiency. The team used the Hawk supercomputer to see how designing certain strategic impurities in solar cells could improve performance. [CleanTechnica]

Visualization of solar cell (Marvin Krenz, University of Paderborn)

World:

¶ “EVs At 19.3% Share In Germany – Tesla Model Y Leads” • In February, plugin EVs had a 19.3% share of the German auto market after sudden incentive changes in late December. Battery EVs were down some 15% from last year, while plugin hybrids were up some 22%. Overall auto sales are still down some 13% from pre-2020 seasonal norms. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Fish To Frolic Among Floating Offshore Wind Turbines” • The rise of the offshore wind industry has sparked a new movement to piggyback other maritime activities onto offshore wind farms. In the latest development, a unique two-headed floating wind turbines has been tapped to host a commercial fish farm off the coast of Sweden. [CleanTechnica]

Hexicon offshore wind farm (Hexicon image)

¶ “BP Reaffirms 50 GW By 2030 Target” • In its 2023 Annual Report, BP reaffirmed its goal of bringing 50 GW of renewable energy capacity to Final Investment Decision by 2030. It also aims to reach 20 GW in FID by 2025. In 2023, the company had 6200 MW of renewable energy capacity brought to FID, up 400 MW from 2022. [reNews]

¶ “Latin American EV Market Heats Up as Chinese Automakers Enter with Newer, Cheaper, Better Options” • A bloodbath on the way for Latin America. The omens are now clear, as the Chinese market slows down and the Chinese EV industry reaps the fruit of early investments, massive economies of scale, and near total control over battery supply chains. [CleanTechnica]

JAC E10X

¶ “China’s Nuclear Plants Released Tritium Above Fukushima Level In 2022” • Chinese nuclear plants released wastewater containing tritium in 2022 at levels up to nine times higher than the amount expected to be found in the planned yearly discharge from Japan’s crippled Fukushima Daiichi complex, a public document showed. [nippon.com]

¶ “Equinor Starts Up 500-MW Brazilian Solar Farm” • Equinor has started operations at its 531-MW Mendubim solar plant in Brazil. Mendubim will annually produce 1.2 TWh of power with around 60% of that sold on a 20-year power purchase agreement with Alunorte, one of the world’s leading suppliers of alumina for the aluminium industry. [reNews]

Solar array (Scatec image)

¶ “A Small Drone Flies Into A Damaged Fukushima Nuclear Reactor For The First Time To Study Melted Fuel” • A small drone has flown inside one of the damaged reactors at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in hopes it can examine some of the debris of fuel had melted in areas where earlier robots failed to reach. [ABC News]

US:

¶ “Winter Is Over, And It Was The Warmest On Record. Here’s What The US Missed Out On This Season” • This winter was the warmest on record for the Lower 48, according to NOAA, and the records go back to the late 1800s. The singularly mild winter left vast areas of the country without typical amounts of snow and ice, fueling a worsening drought. [CNN]

Bare trees (Dulcey Lima, Unsplash)

¶ “Biden–Harris Administration Announces $425 Million to Decarbonize And Produce Clean Energy Products in Former Coal Communities” • The US DOE announced $425 million in funding to reduce emissions and advance making clean energy products for the US energy supply chain as part of the Investing in America agenda. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Rivian Surprises With Three New Models And New Battery Technology” • On March 7, 2024, Rivian introduced the R2, a five passenger SUV that is smaller than the R1S. That model has been expected for some time. What wasn’t expected was an even smaller R3 and a performance version of that car Rivian is calling the R3X. [CleanTechnica]

Rivian R3 home charging

¶ “Washington State’s Emissions Allowance Program’s First Auctions” • With the end its first full year of tradable emission allowance auctions, Washington state is looking into joining an integrated regional greenhouse gas reduction program with California and Québec. The program aims help the state move toward a low-carbon economy. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Virginia Could Make Almost $5 Billion From This 3.5-GW Offshore Wind Farm” • The 180-turbine Kitty Hawk Wind is an offshore wind project proposed in federal waters over 36 miles from Virginia Beach. It could deliver 3.5 GW of electricity and around $5 billion in economic impact for Virginia. The usual types of opposition seek to prevent that. [Electrek]

Offshore wind farm (Avangrid image)

¶ “MIT Offers New Course That Could Massively Benefit Clean Energy Projects” • There’s a team of trained mediators ready to enter contentious clean energy conversations in communities around the US. They are students in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology class training to resolve conflicts that slow progress on renewable energy projects. [The Cool Down]

¶ “Hydropower Investment Opportunities Remain That Can Be Developed” • Hydropower has a reputation of being tapped out. Far from being so, hydropower, including pumped storage, still has enormous potential for growth, particularly for projects of small and medium size – those that produce up to 30 MW of power. [Department of Energy]

Have a completely accommodating day.

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Opinion:

¶ “I’m A Climate Scientist. If You Knew What I Know, You’d Be Terrified Too” • If seening our once stable climate break doesn’t terrify you, then you don’t fully understand it. As far as we know, our world has never – in its entire history – heated up as rapidly as it is doing now. Nor have atmospheric greenhouse gas levels ever seen such a precipitous hike. [CNN]

Climatology ship (NOAA image via Unsplash)

¶ “SEC Climate Emission Disclosure Rules Are Only A Small Step Forward” • The SEC voted 3-2 to issue a final rule about climate disclosures, establishing a framework floor for some publicly listed companies. It requires a baseline transparency around climate risks and emissions, but only certain companies, and only Scope 1 and 2 emissions. [CleanTechnica]

Science and Technology:

¶ “The Planet Just Shattered Heat Records For The Ninth Month In A Row” • Last month was the hottest February on record. Each of the last nine months set a record for heat, Copernicus’ data shows. February was 1.77°C warmer than the average February in pre-industrial times. The last twelve month period was 1.56°C above pre-industrial levels. [CNN]

Dog on a hot day (Akanda Kilicarslan, Unsplash)

¶ “PIK Researchers Devise Ways To Protect An Electrical Grid From More Powerful Storms” • Researchers at the Potsdam Institute For Climate Impact Research, using a computer model of the Texas electrical grid, say they found a way to guard against widespread power outages from more powerful storms by better protecting a few critical grid components. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Crude Oil Processing In China Hit A Record High in 2023” • Crude oil processing, or refinery runs, in China averaged 14.8 million barrels per day in 2023, which is an all-time high. The record processing came as the economy and refinery capacity grew in China following the country’s COVID-19 pandemic responses in 2022. [CleanTechnica]

Oil tanker (Etienne Girardet, Unsplash)

¶ “Nearly Half The Electricity Produced In The Netherlands Is Now Renewable” • Between May and July of 2023, over half of the electricity generated in the Netherlands was from renewable sources. It was as high as 57% in July. For the whole year, 48% of electricity was generated from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and water. [Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek]

¶ “UK Onshore Wind Capacity Hits 15 GW” • Now, with the installation of EDF Renewables UK’s 30.1-MW West Benhar wind farm in North Lanarkshire, there are 15,000 MW of operational onshore wind capacity in the UK, and there are 2,631 operating onshore wind farms across the land. Onshore wind now provides 11% of Britain’s electricity. [reNews]

Wind turbines (EDF Renewables image)

¶ “Russia And China Are Jointly Pursuing Plans To Establish A Nuclear Power Plant On The Moon’s Surface” • Russia and China have embarked on a collaborative venture aimed at establishing a nuclear power plant on the lunar surface. The project is set to unfold between 2033 and 2035. It showcases partnership of the two nations. [East Coast Daily Malayalam]

US:

¶ “Inflation Reduction Act Giving Solar Power And Electric Cars Big Boost” • The Solar Energy Industries Association expects the US may have enough solar power capacity in 2034 to power 100 million homes. However, there’s a huge difference between the organization’s “bull case” and “bear case” for solar, depending on political and economic factors. [CleanTechnica]

Solar panels (Gabriel, Unsplash)

¶ “Used Tesla And Electric Car Market Getting Huge Boost – Thanks, Hertz! (And Xcelerate Auto)” • First Hertz, and then other rental car companies, decided to go electric in a big way a few years ago. Now, they are starting to retire their older vehicles in a big way. The thousands of used Teslas and other electric cars offer buyers new opportunities. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ford Pops E-Transit Van Out Of Stealth Mode To Boost EV Sales” • The good news about EV sales keeps pouring in. Ford Motor Company racked up a strong performance in February with a 93% uptick in sales of the F-150 Lightning, YOY, and a 64% increase for the Mustang Mach-E. Ford released the all-electric E-Transit to keep things going. [CleanTechnica]

Ford E-Transit electric commercial van (Courtesy of Ford)

¶ “Developer Pulls Plug On Transmission Project That Would Have Brought Millions To Northeast Kingdom” • National Grid has pulled the plug on building a major transmission line. Not only would the line would have carried power between Quebec and New England, it would have been a major income source for Northeast Kingdom communities. [Vermont Public]

¶ “Vermont Governor Opposes Ambitious Renewable Energy Bill Over Costs” • Citing a disputed cost study, Vermont Governor Phil Scott is pushing back against a bill mandating faster, wider adoption of renewable energy by power utilities. House Bill 289 would require utilities to purchase 100% of their electric power from renewable sources by 2030. [The Energy Mix]

Killington (Emily Ho, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “Kentucky Senate Bill Would Add More Hurdles To Utilities Retiring Fossil-Fueled Power Plants” • In the wake of a new law that makes it harder to retire coal-fired power plants, Republican Senator Robby Mills from Henderson is back with a bill to create more restrictions on retireing fossil-fuel power plants – to the possible detriment of ratepayers. [Hoptown Chronicle]

¶ “West Virginia Updates Renewable Power Projects Laws to Expand Solar Energy Use And Attract Businesses” • In West Virginia, House Bill 5528 is raising the size limit for renewable projects. The old limit was 50 MW, but now it to be 100 MW. The bill also gets rid of a rule that would have ended the program in the upcoming year. [WV News]

Have a profoundly positive day.

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World:

¶ “Climate-Conscious Travelers Are Jumpstarting Europe’s Sleeper Trains” • Climate-conscious Europeans, particularly younger travelers, are increasingly shunning carbon-spewing airplanes in favor of overnight trains. With that, they’ve spurred something of a night-train revival while discovering what many say is a richer way of traveling. [ABC News]

German train (Daniel Abadia, Unsplash)

¶ “EVs At 24.8% Share In UK – Tesla Back On Top” • February saw plugin EVs at 24.8% share of the UK auto market, up from 22.9% year on year. Full electric volume increased 21% YOY, with plugin hybrids up by 29%. Overall auto volume was 84,886 units, up 13% YOY and the highest February in 20 years. Tesla was the leading battery EV brand in the UK. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Volvo Reaches 44% Plugin Vehicles” • Just about 1% of Volvo’s car sales in the US were full electrics in 2023. However, globally, in February, that figure shot up to a record-high 21.7%, so 21.7% of Volvo Cars global sales were 100% electric last month. Looking more broadly, 44% of Volvo Cars global sales were for plugin vehicles last month. [CleanTechnica]

Volvo XC40 (Alexander Migl, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “UK Government Allocates Over £1 Billion For Renewable Energy Auction” • Britain’s flagship renewables scheme received a record funding boost from government, with more than £1 billion for its upcoming auction. The funding signals large-scale government backing to drive further investment into the UK’s thriving renewables sector. [Mirage News]

¶ “Azerbaijan Predicts Mutual Benefits Of Foreign Investment In Construction Of Solar Power Plant” • W Hass Future GmbH & Co, a German firm, said it is ready to invest more than €300 million to establish solar power stations in Kyrgyzstan, Azernews reports. The company is also considering wind energy, along with the solar power. [AzerNews]

Baku, Azerbaijan (Tural Taqiyev, Unsplash)

¶ “RBC Raises Renewable Funding Target But Reports Little Progress On Oil And Gas Emissions” • The Royal Bank of Canada plans to ramp up its renewable energy funding, while it reported little progress on reducing the emissions intensity of its oil and gas investments. The bank plans to triple financing for renewable energy to $15 billion by 2030. [Yahoo News Canada]

¶ “UK’s Green Power Industry Receives Surprise £10 Billion Pledge” • Britain’s stressed green power industry has received a surprise fillip after NatPower, a renewables startup that is part of a larger European group, pledged to plow £10 billion into what would become the largest portfolio of battery storage projects in the country. [The Guardian]

Solar panels (Mariana Proença, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “Atlas Renewable Energy Signs A 375-GWh, 24/7 PPA With Codelco” • Atlas Renewable Energy has signed a power purchase agreement with Chilean state-owned mining company Codelco to deliver 375 GWh per year from a solar-plus-storage project in Chile. The PPA is for a 24/7 supply, using battery energy storage to deliver power over a 15-year period. [PV Tech]

¶ “Adani Green Powers Up 1,000 MW Solar Capacity At Khavda, World’s Largest Renewable Energy Park” • Adani Green Energy, the renewable energy arm of the Adani Group, ‘operationalised’ an additional 448.95 MW of solar power projects in Khavda, Gujarat. This adds to 551 MW of solar power in February, for a total of 1 GW. [Swarajya]

Khavda Renewable Energy Park (Adani Group, via X)

¶ “Thirteen Years After Meltdown, The Head Of Japan’s Nuclear Cleanup Is Probing Mysteries Inside Reactors” • Just as Japan prepares to mark the thirteenth anniversary of its worst-ever nuclear disaster, the man in charge of cleaning it up says his team is still fighting to bring a sample out of the heart of the site’s radioactive debris. [AP News]

¶ “Nuclear Slow And Expensive, Renewables Fast And Cheap: Bowen Slaps Down Coalition ‘Fantasy’” • Australian Federal climate and energy minister Chris Bowen has again slammed the federal Coalition’s “nuclear fantasy”, describing it as a deliberate distraction and the latest “desperate effort” to keep the culture war over energy and climate alive. [RenewEconomy]

Windmill and nuclear plant (Boudewijn Huysmans, Unsplash)

¶ “IAEA Head Grossi Meets Putin Over Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant” • Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the security situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, which is occupied by Russia. The two also discussed “other non-proliferation global challenges,” Grossi said. [Yahoo]

US:

¶ “Henry Hub Daily Natural Gas Spot Price Fell to Record Lows in February” • Because of high production and relatively low consumption, less natural gas has been withdrawn from storage this winter. US natural gas inventories have been above average. Relatively high storage levels indicate an oversupplied market, reducing natural gas prices. [CleanTechnica]

Please click on the image to enlarge it.

¶ “US Remained Largest Liquefied Natural Gas Supplier To Europe In 2023” • The US was again the largest LNG supplier for in 2023, accounting for nearly half of total LNG imports, data from CEDIGAZ show. Last year marks the third consecutive year in which the US supplied more LNG to Europe than any other country. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Wyoming To Hitch A Ride On ‘Record-Shattering’ US Solar Industry” • When new projects come up for approval, US solar developers are not out there on their own. The manufacturing base has given rise to a whole new layer of lobbying in support of the solar industry. Wyoming, deep in the heart of coal country, is a case in point. [CleanTechnica]

Have a persistently sufficient day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “MethaneSAT Will Pinpoint Methane Pollution In Real Time” • MethaneSAT, a satellite brought into being by a collaboration between dozens of scientists, researchers, and private companies, is in orbit, peering down at the Earth as it circles fifteen times a day. MethaneSAT is designed to identify the sources that leak polluting methane gas. [CleanTechnica]

MethaneSAT (Environmental Defense Fund image)

¶ “Geoengineering Rears Its Ugly Head” • Luke Iseman and Andrew Song want to save the Earth from becoming so hot humans can’t survive on it any longer. They formed a company called Make Sunsets to fill weather balloons with helium and sulfur dioxide, stuff volcanoes spew out, for geoengineering by stratospheric aerosol injection. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Dutton’s Nuclear Push A ‘Dumb Idea’ And Decades Too Late” • Peter Dutton wants to make Australia a nuclear powerhouse, but it may be decades too late to achieve that, an expert says. The Coalition’s new energy vision was outlined in an article in The Australian, where opposition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien said reactors of all sizes were of interes. [Crikey]

Nuclear danger sign (Kilian Karger, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Mexico City Drought Causes Rainwater Catchment Basin To Catch Fire And Burn For A Day” • Mexico City’s drought and water shortage is so bad that one of its rainwater catchment basins caught fire, scorching 75 acres (30 hectares) of dried-up vegetation. The El Cristo basin is meant to hold excess water from storm drains. [ABC News]

¶ “UN Warns Of Climate Impact On Farms, Rural Households Run By Women In Poor Countries” • A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization, “The Unjust Climate,” found that rural households headed by women lose on average 8% more of their income during heat waves and 3% more during floods than those headed by men. [ABC News]

Women farming in Kenya (McKay Savage, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)

¶ “Top Selling Electric Vehicles in the World, January 2024” • The Tesla Model Y is #1 again in the world EV market. Registrations were up 63% year over year in January, to over a million units. China’s market was the main driver of growth of plugin sales, though it was greatest in Thailand (+239% YOY), Turkey (+219%), and Brazil (+263%). [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Canadian Lithium Project Gets Mitsubishi Investment” • Mitsubishi Corp is partnering with Frontier Lithium on a lithium mine in Ontario. Part of this partnership is that it’s an effort to avoid challenges sourcing lithium from China. For its cars to be eligible for the full US EV tax credit, Mitsubishi can’t use EV battery minerals from China. [CleanTechnica]

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2023 (Courtesy of Mitsubishi)

¶ “Clean Power Sends CO₂ Growth Back To Great Depression-Era Levels” • The world’s carbon dioxide emissions are rising at their slowest rate since the Great Depression thanks to a boom in clean energy, new figures show. The use of clean technology avoided vast quantities of CO₂ being produced, says the International Energy Agency. [The National]

¶ “Rad Power Bikes Reinforces Its Product Line For The Next Generation And Introduces Two New Models” • Rad Power Bikes introduced a host of foundational upgrades that improve the safety and quality of its bikes, including a new UL-certified Safe Shield battery, hydraulic brakes, turn signals, and brighter headlights. [CleanTechnica]

Rad Power Bikes Radster (Courtesy of Rad Power Bikes)

¶ “High-Risk Alert: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Danger Level At 7-8, Says Energoatom Head” • As the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains under occupation since March 4, 2022, Petro Kotin, head of Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear company, raised the alarm over the escalating danger, marking it at 7-8 on a ten-point scale. [BNN Breaking]

US:

¶ “New Dodge Charger Flips The Script On Electric Vehicles” • Dodge introduced two new all-electric versions of its classic gas-guzzling Charger muscle car. The new Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and Daytona R/T are billed as the first EVs to take on the challenging aspects of muscle car fandom including noise, noise, and more noise. [CleanTechnica] (What‽)

Dodge Charger Daytona models (Courtesy of Stellantis)

¶ “Yotta Energy Is Disrupting Energy Storage With Its Modular Rooftop Storage Solution” • The core of Yotta’s technology is a compact sealed lithium iron phosphate energy storage system that is designed not to need any external coolant and nests directly under a rooftop solar panel, allowing an integrated installation at the panel. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Adds Record-Breaking 32 GW Of Solar In 2023” • The US installed a record-breaking 32 GW of solar in 2023, during the first full year of the Inflation Reduction Act. The utility-scale sector added 22.5 GW of new capacity, while nearly 800,000 Americans added solar to their homes, according to the US Solar Market Insight 2023 Year-in-Review. [reNews]

Solar farm (EDF Renewables image)

¶ “Solar Hits A Renewable Energy Milestone Not Seen Since WWII” • Solar accounted for most of the capacity the nation added to its electric grids last year. That feat marks the first time since World War II, when hydropower was booming, that a renewable power source has comprised more than half of the nation’s energy additions. [Grist]

¶ “Blocking Renewable Energy Is A Top State Legislative Priority For Network Of Pro-Fossil Fuels Think Tanks” • The State Policy Network announced on its website last month that it will focus on working with state lawmakers to prevent states from adopting wind and solar power in 2024. SPN’s donors include fossil fuel interests. [Energy and Policy Institute]

Have an altogether delightful day.

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(, CC-BY-SA 3.0) km² CO₂ NH₃ CH₄ ₹ NOₓ ‽ ¦ – ¦♦♦♦♦♦

Opinion:

¶ “Peter Dutton’s Climate Denial Is Morphing Into A Madcap Nuclear Fantasy” • Welcome to the Trumpian world we now live in, guided by energy tropes on social media. Say something often enough and people may believe it. And just when you think it couldn’t get more weird, up pops Australia’s federal Coalition with a plan for nuclear power. [RenewEconomy]

Chernobyl in 2011 (David Holt, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)

World:

¶ “EVs Take 92.1% Share In Norway – Tesla Model Y Dominates” • February saw plugin EVs take 92.1% share in Norway, up from 90.1% year on year. Following the recent tax changes, battery EVs alone were above 90% share for the second consecutive month. The Tesla Model Y sold 1,747 units, which is almost a quarter of the entire market. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Nissan Ariya Gets Big Price Cut – Competitive With Tesla Model Y Now?” • The Nissan Ariya, the company’s fully electric crossover, just got its base price reduced by about $3,600. Some higher-end versions of the Ariya got their MSRP absolutely shredded, by as much as $6,000. The base MSRP for the Ariya is now $39,590. [CleanTechnica]

Nissan Ariya (Kazyakuruma, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “Kazakhstan’s Renewable Energy Sector Gains Momentum With 146 Facilities In Operation” • The Kazakh Ministry of Energy released a report on the country’s burgeoning landscape of renewable energy, boasting 146 operational renewable energy facilities exceeding 100 kW on March 4, Kazinform news agency reported. [The Astana Times]

¶ “Hydro Rein Bags 2.4-GW Scandi Wind Portfolio” • Hydro Rein, Hydro’s renewable venture, is to acquire the majority stake in a 2,400-MW portfolio of wind projects in development in Sweden and Norway. Hydro Rein has entered into an agreement with the Swedish renewable energy developer IOWN Energy to take an 80% stake in the 25 projects. [reNews]

Wind farm (Hydro Rein image)

¶ “Microgrid Market Powers Up, Envisioned To Reach $87.8 Billion By 2029, At A CAGR Of 18.5%” • The global microgrid market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected size of $87.8 billion by 2029. The growth reflects a robust compound annual growth rate of 18.5% from 2024 to 2029, according to one report. [Metro – News Channel Nebraska]

¶ “Rays Power Infra Bags Order For Three Solar Projects” • The renewable energy firm Rays Power Infra said that it has bagged orders for three solar projects in India totalling 520 MW. The company is pursuing other growth opportunities. It submitted bids for solar EPC projects in India, Mauritius, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Bangladesh. [Energy Central]

Solar farm (Gunnar Ridderström, Unsplash)

Australia:

¶ “Australians Prefer Living Near Wind, Solar Over Nuclear, Coal” • Only one in ten Australians would want to live near a nuclear reactor or coal-burning power plant, while most would prefer to live near wind and solar farms, new polling shows. The polling comes as the Coalition prepares to release its plan for nuclear reactors in Australia. [Mirage News]

¶ “European Energy Turns Sod On Oz Solar” • European Energy initiated construction on what will be its first operating project in Australia, a 56-MW solar farm in Victoria. Located in the Hume region of the state, this solar farm’s construction is anticipated to be completed in 2025. The 94-hectare site had been primarily used for grazing. [reNews]

Solar farm (European Energy image)

¶ “Trina Solar Sees Australia’s Rising Demand For Renewable Energy Solutions ” • Trina Solar sees strong demand for solar energy across various sectors in Australia. With a remarkable 12.5% increase in total installed solar capacity to 34.2 GW in 2023, Australia’s renewable energy landscape is also building battery energy storage systems. [SolarQuarter]

US:

¶ “Blizzard Slams California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, More Snow On The Way” • The snow has topped ten feet in some of the Sierra’s higher elevations. Now, yet another storm is to hit the mountains of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington with more heavy snow. It is expected to add up to two feet of snow to what has already fallen. [ABC News]

Blizzard (Dave Hoefler, Unsplash)

¶ “California Man Is First In The US To Be Charged With Smuggling Greenhouse Gases” • A Southern California man was arrested on suspicion of smuggling refrigerants into the US from Mexico. Federal prosecutors said he’s the first person to be charged with violating regulations intended to curb use of greenhouse gases. [ABC News]

¶ “US Counties Are Blocking Renewable Energy For Themselves, But Not For Thee” • A movement is afoot to block utility-scale renewable energy development across the US, even though the cost of wind and solar power is cheaper than electricity from other sources in many areas. However, there is more than one way to deal with such things. [CleanTechnica]

Worker at solar array (Courtesy of Shoals Technologies Group)

¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Announces $90 Million to Improve Building Efficiency, Increase Resilience, And Reduce Costs for American Families And Businesses” • As part of the Investing in America agenda, the DOE announced $90 million in funding to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The US Saw Record Market Share For Heat Pumps And Electric Water Heaters In 2023” • The “Electrify Everything” movement is growing quickly, latest data from AHRI shows. The data tracks annual shipments of furnaces, heat pumps, and water heaters. As heat pumps set new records, gas equipment market share continued to decline. [CleanTechnica]

Have an amusingly profitable day.

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Opinion:

¶ “The National Electricity Market Wasn’t Made For A Renewable Energy Future. Here’s How To Fix It” • Rooftop solar is Australia’s cheapest source of electricity. Consumers can get electricity from rooftop solar at less than a fifth of the average cost of buying it from a retailer. In 2022, total rooftop solar capacity exceeded 30 GW. Coal capacity was 21 GW. [The Conversation]

Solar panels on a school (Orderinchaos, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)

¶ “Is Nuclear Power A Fix For Climate Change? Experts Think It’s Too Dangerous” • As the climate crisis grows worse every year, much recent debate has focused on nuclear energy. It is certainly “cleaner” than fossil fuels in terms of carbon emissions, but most experts Salon contacted were skeptical that it can offer a path to climate salvation. [Salon.com]

World:

¶ “OPEC+ Production Cuts Deepen With Extensions From Saudi Arabia, Russia And Other Oil Giants” • The countries in OPEC+ announced they are extending reductions in oil production of 2.2 million barrels a day. Saudi Arabia led them by extending its previously-implemented cut of 1 million barrels a day through the end of 2024’s second quarter. [ABC News]

Highway in Saudi Arabia (backer Sha, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “Chinese Company Develops Renewable Energy Technology For Rural Communities In Africa” • In a trip to India, founder Li Xia of Shenzhen Power Solution saw the challenges faced by rural communities without access to electricity. She knew it was also an issue facing millions of people who live off-grid in Africa. So she decided to act. [CGTN]

¶ “EVs Take 51.8% Share In Sweden” • February’s market saw plugin EVs take 51.8% share in Sweden, down year on year from 54.0%. Plugin volumes were down YOY for full battery EVs, but up for plugin hybrids. February’s overall auto volume was 18,773 units, up some 2% YOY. The Tesla Model Y was the month’s best selling battery EV. [CleanTechnica]

Volvo XC40 (George Sargiannidis, Unsplash)

¶ “EDF Renewables UK’s West Benhar Wind Farm Officially Opened By Scottish Energy Minister” • Local children and community groups joined EDF Renewables UK and Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Just Transition, and Fair Work, Gillian Martin for the official opening of the country’s newest operational wind farm. [energy-pedia]

¶ “Nautical SUNRISE Funds OranjeWind Floating Solar Farm” • The Nautical SUNRISE project will help fund a 5-MW offshore floating solar system for use on RWE’s 800-MW OranjeWind wind farm off the west coast of the Netherlands. The €8.4 million project is supported with €6.8 million of the Horizon Europe program. It kicked off in December. [reNews]

Floating solar and wind turbines (SolarDuck image)

¶ “Egypt Secures $40 Billion Investment For Renewable Energy And Green Hydrogen Projects In Suez Canal Zone” • Egypt signed seven memorandums of understanding with global companies for the advancement of renewable energy and green hydrogen ventures in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, as per an official statement. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Territory Labor Government Unveils $45 Million DK BESS for Renewable Energy Boost” • The Northern Territory’s Labor Government reached a milestone in its pursuit of clean energy with the installation of the $45 million Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System. The Australian territory’s goal is 50% renewable energy by 2030. [BNN Breaking]

Northern Territory (Christian Bass, Unsplash)

¶ “Fury after Exxon chief says public to blame for climate failures” • The world is off track to meet its climate goals and the public is to blame, Darren Woods, chief executive of oil giant ExxonMobil, has claimed, prompting a backlash from climate experts. Exxon is among the top contributors to global heating greenhouse gas emissions. [The Guardian]

¶ “Queensland’s CleanCo To Provide Clean Energy For Airports Consortium” • Two Queensland airports committed to getting 100% of the electricity for their land operations from renewable sources under an agreement with CleanCo and the North Queensland Airports group. They plan to be powered by the Kaban Wind Farm by 2025. [Government News]

Cairns Airport (Rocker Sta, Unsplash)

¶ “India Seized Chinese Cargo That Could Be Used For Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Project” • Two advanced Computer Numerical Control machines made by GKD, Italy and bound for the port of Karachi were seized by Indian customs in January at Mumbai Port. The dual-use items were shipped from China could be used in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. [menafn]

US:

¶ “At Least Two Dead As Largest Wildfire In State History Tears Through Texas Panhandle” • Several large wildfires continue to tear through the Texas Panhandle, one of which has grown into the largest blaze in state history. About 90% of Roberts County is burned, according to Chief W Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. [ABC News]

Roberts County (Austin Lamar Allison, CC0 1.0)

¶ “Forty Collegiate Teams Advance In The Solar Decathlon 2024 Design Challenge” • Forty teams from 37 collegiate institutions are advancing to the final stage of the US DOE Solar Decathlon® 2024 Design Challenge based on their cutting-edge, zero-energy building designs. They were selected at the semifinal competition of February 23–24, 2024. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Fisker And Nissan May Collaborate On An Electric Pickup Truck” • According to Car and Driver, Henrik Fisker announced during an earnings call last week that the company is negotiating with an unnamed “large automaker” to enter into a strategic partnership. Now Reuters has news that the large automaker in the picture is Nissan. [CleanTechnica]

Have a dramatically goodly day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Debunking Solar Myths: What About Nuclear?” • ‘Uncle Bob’ is the proverbial character who shares at family gatherings all he believes about solar and why it just isn’t a good idea. He asks, “What about nuclear? That’s reliable runs all the time. Why don’t we do more of that?” First, there’s radioactive waste, and second, it’s too expensive. [pv magazine USA]

Diablo Canyon nuclear plant (Tracey Adams, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Accelerating Ocean Heat Breaks All-Time Records” • Research finds ocean temperatures … “have now smashed previous heat records for at least seven years in a row.” It should shake up and rattle the cage of every person on the planet because their leaders, who are supposed to address problems like this, are asleep at the switch, sound asleep! [Pressenza]

World:

¶ “No Snow, No Tourists – Death Of A Swiss Ski Resort” • The Rüschegg Eywald ski resort is much loved. Many families spent happy days there. But this winter season, its T-bar ski lift has not once been open. At almost 1.6 miles (2.5 km), it is the fourth longest ski lift in Switzerland and not for the faint-hearted. But it has fallen victim to climate change. [BBC]

Camping at Rüschegg (Emanuelflueck, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “ELu Gathers Electric Vehicles, Sporting Greats, And Good Food” • ELu is an EV charging station provider that installs and manages 22-kWh and ultra-fast DC charging pods with battery integration. The integrated battery system enables the chargers to operate effectively and sustainably at locations with limited power infrastructure. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “More Affordable Electric Cars Are Starting To Arrive In More Places Around The World” • $25,000 seems to be the magical number when it comes to the upfront purchase price of EVs to get things going into overdrive in the EV world. And there has even been a lot of excitement around a potential for a $25,000 compact car from Tesla. [CleanTechnica]

Dacia Spring (Dacia image)

¶ “India And Sri Lanka Sign Deal On Hybrid Renewable Energy System” • India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement to develop a hybrid renewable energy system on three islands in Jaffna. The project with 530 kw of wind power, 1,700 kw of solar, 2,400 kwh of battery capacity, and 2,500 kw of stand-by diesel power will be built at the islands by USOLAR. [menafn]

¶ “Kyrgyzstan Seeks Chinese Investment In Renewable Energy, Boosting Economic Ties” • In a move to strengthen economic relations and advance sustainable development, the chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Japarov, reached out to Chinese banks and businesses, seeking their involvement in Kyrgyz renewable energy projects. [BNN Breaking]

Kyrgyzstan (Mick Truyts, Unsplash)

¶ “Anglo-American Announces Financing For Wind And Solar Projects” • Three renewable projects, the Koruson 2 cluster of projects, on the border of the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape of South Africa, will have 520 MW of wind and solar electric generating capacity. Anglo-American owns the projects jointly with EDF Renewables and Envusa Energy. [DFA]

¶ “Guernsey Paves The Way For Green Energy By Eliminating Standby Charges For Renewable Installations” • In a seminal move, Guernsey has announced its decision to eliminate standby charges for all sizes of renewable energy installations, starting on April 1, 2024. This pivotal policy shift represents a leap towards sustainable development. [Medriva]

Saint Peter Port, Guernsey (Julie Clarke, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “Massive Blizzard Hits California And Nevada” • A massive blizzard is pounding parts of California and Nevada. The storm has closed major roads, shut down ski resorts, and left tens of thousands of homes without power. The blizzard was especially severe in the mountainous Sierra Nevada region, where wind gusts reportedly reached 190 mph. [BBC]

¶ “Property Owners In Colorado Sue To Force Clean Up Of Orphaned Wells” • When an oil or gas company drills a well, it is supposed to post a bond, a sum of money sufficient to cap it when it is closed. Typically, those bonds are woefully inadequate, amounting to no more than a few pennies on the dollar. And so the wells stay open. [CleanTechnica]

Orphaned wells (USGS image)

¶ “Teen Firefighters Step Up To The Flames As Texas Wildfires Spread Throughout Panhandle” • When the largest wildfire in Texas history made its way to the town of Pampa, 15-year-old Nathan Slater said he immediately knew where he had to be. He had been training and volunteering for the last couple of months as a junior firefighter. [ABC News]

¶ “County: Renewable Revolution – Solar And Battery Contracts Set To Double Clean Electricity Supply” • With a unanimous vote, the Los Alamos County Council approved solar and storage agreements, putting Los Alamos County on an accelerated path toward meeting its goal of being a net carbon-neutral energy provider by 2040. [Los Alamos Reporter]

Have a satisfactorily scrumptious day.

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Opinion:

¶ “When a bribe isn’t a ‘bribe’” • Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, convicted of accepting a bribe, has filed an appeal. His appeal contends that because corporations are legally considered people after the Citizens United ruling, and people have the right to free speech, then corporations can use their dollars to speak to politicians. [Law and Crime News]

Davis-Besse (Nuclear Regulatory Commission, cropped)

World:

¶ “Activists Build Treehouses To Protest Tesla’s Plans To Expand Its Plant Near Berlin” • Environmental activists are staging a protest against plans to expand the grounds of electric carmaker Tesla’s first plant in Europe. Between 80 and 100 activists have been camping in a forest near Berlin. They put up tents and built treehouses as part of the protest. [ABC News]

¶ “BYD Dolphin Mini Rolling in Mexico – Cheapest Electric Car By Far” • The BYD Seagull, a small and super affordable electric car from the top selling plugin vehicle producer in the world, has now made its way into the Mexican auto market. The 5-door compact electric hatchback comes at a shockingly low price of MXN$358,800 ($21,000). [CleanTechnica]

BYD Seagull (Courtesy of BYD)

¶ “Tesla And BYD Cut Prices Further in China!” • BYD is at the top of China’s EV market, while Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 are usually at the top of the model sales chart. Searching for more sales, BYD and Tesla cut prices at least a few times in 2023, and it looks like that trend is continuing. Both BYD and Tesla are set for price cuts this week. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “World’s Largest Rooftop Solar Power Plant To Be Built In Denmark” • The Danish solar company SolarFuture ApS has landed an order for a 35 MW rooftop solar power plant. The electricity production from the solar plant in Horsens, Denmark, will exceed that of all existing installations in the world, even at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada. [CleanTechnica]

Rendering of rooftop solar system (Image by SolarFuture)

¶ “Shell To Tackle Nigeria’s Power Problems With Off-Grid Renewable Energy” • Shell Nigeria Plc says it will assist the Nigerian government provide electricity for millions of people, using renewables. Shell plans to deploy renewables as off-grid energy source to Nigerians, especially in areas not connected to the national grid. [Punch Newspapers]

¶ “JLR Vows To Reduce Energy Bills By Using Solar Power” • JLR, Jaguar Land Rover, says it will reduce energy bills by using solar power. It says the aim for off-grid energy projects is to produce almost 120 MW of renewable energy at their peak, enough to power nearly 44,500 homes. It will have a variety of solar panels installed at JLR locations. [Coventry Telegraph]

Solar panels on a rooftop (JLR image)

¶ “Solar, Wind Parks Around The City Of Nikšić Could Power Montenegro” • A study mapping the potential of solar and wind energy in the region of Nikšić shows that renewable energy sources in optimal locations around Montenegro’s second-largest city could generate enough electricity for all households in the country. [Balkan Green Energy News]

¶ “Energy-Related Emissions Hit A Record High Last Year Despite Renewables Surge” • Despite a decline in fossil fuel use in developed economies, global energy-related emissions rose last year to a record high as coal use rose in major developing markets hit by low hydropower generation, an International Energy Agency showed. [Oil & Gas 360]

Carbon emissions (Marcin Jozwiak, Unsplash, cropped)

US:

¶ “California Mountain Regions Brace For Huge Snowstorm” • Several California ski resorts closed, as the state prepared for a massive snowstorm forecast to hit the Sierra Nevada region. Officials closed off roads as the state braced for up to 10 feet (3 metres) of snow. Wind gusts could also top 140 mph (225 kmh) in the Sierra Nevada mountains. [BBC]

¶ “US To Investigate “Security Concerns” Involving Chinese Electric Cars” • Cars built in Mexico can be imported to the US without tariffs, thanks to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement that replaced NAFTA. The Alliance of American Manufacturers calls possible cheap Chinese EVs made in Mexico an “extinction level event” for US car makers. [CleanTechnica]

BYD electric cars ready to ship (Image courtesy of BYD)

¶ “Brown University Study Documents Links Between National And Local Offshore Wind Opponents” • A study from Brown University shows in graphic detail how linkages exist between opponents of offshore wind and captive fossil fuel apologists at the national level. The national organizations have one mission: protecting fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “400 US Farmers To Enlist For Rural Wind Power” • The Biden administration announced a plan to recruit 400 farmers to install wind turbines on their land. The push for wind power builds on a US DOE study that makes the case for pumping up the nation’s supply of distributed wind power, meaning local wind farms and individual wind turbines. [CleanTechnica]

Wind farm (Alice Welch, USDA)

¶ “Will Vermont Commit To 100% Renewable Electricity?” • In Vermont, lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that would require electric utilities to get 100% of the electricity they sell to consumers from renewable sources by 2030. H.289, An Act Relating to the Renewable Energy Standard, received favorable committee reports. [Environment America]

¶ “Plant Vogtle Unit 4 Connects To Electric Grid For The First Time, Says Georgia Power” • Georgia Power announced that Unit 4 at Plant Vogtle is generating electricity, successfully connected to the electric grid for the first time. The initial plan was to bring Unit 4 online in 2017. The project came in at more than double the projected cost. [The Augusta Chronicle]

Have a fortunately progressing day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Electrolyzing Carbon Dioxide Out Of Sea Water Has Multiple Red Flags” • Recent news was that Germany’s vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, publicly backed a significant carbon capture and sequestration plan as actual decarbonization of the economy is not on track for targets. One assumes no one has bothered to tell him about Satartia, Mississippi. [CleanTechnica]

Protest (Matt Hrkac, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)

World:

¶ “Why The Warming Effects Of This El Niño Event Will Linger For Several Months” • Several regions around the planet are expected to experience record-breaking average surface air temperatures through the summer as a result of the heating influence of the current El Niño pattern, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. [ABC News]

¶ “As Congo Seeks To Expand Drilling, Some Communities Worry Pollution Will Worsen” • Congo, a mineral-rich nation in central Africa, is thought to have significant oil reserves. Drilling has been confined to a small area on the Atlantic Ocean and offshore, but the government is seeking to auction off thirty oil and gas blocks in the country. [ABC News]

Countryside in Congo (Jay Monty, Unsplash)

¶ “UK’s Path To Net Zero: Battery Storage Central To Renewable Energy Success, Says Commissioner Winser” • Nick Winser, the UK’s electricity networks commissioner, recently highlighted the pivotal role of battery storage for reaching the net zero targets. Winser underscores the need to complement wind and solar power with storage systems. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “Glasgow Dock Expects Record Year For Turbines” • Peel Ports Clydeport expects to see a record year for handling wind turbine components at its King George V Dock site in Glasgow as it keeps up support the renewable energy sector. The UK’s second largest port operator will process over 1000 components, weighing over 60,000 tonnes, in 2024. [reNews]

Wind turbine blades (Peel Ports Clydeport)

¶ “Solar Capture 56% of India’s Renewable Energy Generation In January 2024” • In January 2024, India achieved a milestone in its renewable energy journey, with solar power accounting for an impressive 56.08% of the nation’s total renewable energy output. This achievement highlights India’s steadfast commitment to sustainable energy. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Statkraft Plans $6 Billion Hydro And Wind Investment In Norway” • Statkraft aims to invest kr44 billion to kr67 billion ($6.3 billion) in hydro and wind power. The company released its annual report for 2023, when Statkraft saw its net operating revenues fall kr65.3 billion ($6.1 billion) compared to 75.3 bn kroner the year before. [reNews]

Wind farm (Statkraft image)

US:

¶ “A New $900 Million Investment Catapults Michigan Into Solar Industry Spotlight” • In Michigan, the solar industry has been somewhat middling until now. But a $900 million investment from Corning just shook things up. Michigan’s state officials were happy to credit the win to their talent pool, which seems to have tipped the balance. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The State of Arizona And The US Forest Service Fight Battles For Clean Water” • The technologies, the science, and the public policy behind clean water is a pretty big deal. But it’s a big deal that most people don’t know that much about. This can lead us to take it for granted. Here are two stories about fights over water in the western US. [CleanTechnica]

Seedling sheltered by a burned tree (Erika Reiter, USFS)

¶ “Deadly Wildfire Grows Into Largest In Texas History” • Several large wildfires are still tearing through northern Texas, including one that has grown into the largest blaze in the state’s history. The Smokehouse Creek Fire that ignited in Hutchinson County is just 3% contained, and it has covered an area larger than the size of Rhode Island. [ABC News]

¶ “New Virtual Training and How-To Resources Help Leaders Advance Renewable Energy Development” • NREL, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is colaborating with RMI to provide a virtual training to support development of renewable energy projects and created a how-to guide on battery energy storage systems. [CleanTechnica]

Caribbean fellows with RMI (Photo from RMI)

¶ “Climate Change Could Unearth, Disturb Nuclear Waste Buried By The US In The Cold War Era, Officials Say” • Noxious waste buried at former nuclear weapons test sites could be unearthed by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change continue at the current rate, says a report by the US Government Accountability Office . [ABC News]

¶ “Texas Adds Two More Utility-Scale Solar Power Projects” • In Texas, two large solar power installations came online. Clearway Energy Group said it completed the 452-MW Texas Solar Nova complex in Kent County. The Fence Post installation, in Navarro County, includes a 297-MW solar photovoltaic project paired with 86-MW of storage. [Yahoo Finance]

Solar power (Sungrow EMEA, Unsplash)

¶ “Washington DC’s cherry blossom season announced” • The National Park Service and organizers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival said March 23-26 are the projected peak bloom dates for the District of Columbia’s Tidal Basin cherry blossoms. Peak bloom is occurring earlier each year. The average date has historically been April 4, the EPA said. [ABC News]

¶ “A Spent Nuclear Fuel Shipment Arrived In Idaho. Here’s Why It’s A Big Deal” • Idaho National Laboratory just got a shipment that took over a decade to deliver. After years of negotiations with the state, and dozens of deliverables by the US government to manage the lab’s radioactive legacy waste, INL finally has access to 25 experimental fuel rods. [DOE]

Have a gleefully liveable day.

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(, CC-BY-SA 3.0) km² CO₂ NH₃ CH₄ ₹ NOₓ ‽ ♦♦♦♦♦

Opinion:

¶ “The End of the Oil Age” • Historians label time periods for dominant technologies. The Stone Age and the Bronze Age are well known examples. In the latter half of the 1900s, my father, a petroleum geologist, frequently referred to the 20th century as the Oil Age. But the 21st century will almost certainly be the Electricity Age. [CleanTechnica]

Drake Well Museum (ChubbyWimbus, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Cheap, Clean Energy Could Unleash The Power Of Thermal Storage” • Rocks and hotness have been around for billions of years, but it’s only now that the two can be used to help the world decarbonize. And that is all because the insanely low cost of solar and wind power has come to make thermal storage economically possible. [Canary Media]

World:

¶ “How Ironic Is It That Stellantis Is Now Making A Profit On Plugin Vehicles?” • Stellantis was a laggard in EVs. Former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne told customers to not buy the Fiat 500e, falsely claiming that the company was losing money on each sale. Now Stellantis is the second best-selling EV brand in the EU. [CleanTechnica]

Fiat 500e (Alexander Migl, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “Jordan Sets Ambitious Goal: 31% Renewable Energy By 2030, Amani Azzam Reveals Strategy” • Jordan is embarking on a transformative journey towards sustainability, with the Jordanian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry unveiling a strategic plan to escalate its reliance on renewable energy sources to 31% by the year 2030. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “Cutting-Edge Grid Planning Tools Drive India’s Distributed Energy Future” • India has a goal of adding 450 GW of renewable energy to its power system by 2030. The country also plans to achieve 40% renewable electricity capacity by that year. The US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory is working to help Indian distribution companies on that. [CleanTechnica]

Wind farm in Tamil Nadu (Rajavel vanaraj, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “NSW Rejects Claim It Lags On Renewables, Citing 18 Projects Approved In 2023” • The New South Wales government rejected industry criticism its approvals of renewable energy projects lag other states, saying planning had finalised support for eighteen significant wind, solar and battery projects, with a total 7.6 GW of capacity, in 2023. [The Guardian]

¶ “Suzlon Secures Order For Ten Wind Turbines For 30-MW Project In Gujarat” • Suzlon Group, India’s largest renewable energy developer, announced an order to develop a 30-MW wind project for EDF Renewables. Suzlon will install ten wind turbines with a Hybrid Lattice Tubular tower and a capacity of 3 MW each at a site in Gujarat. [IndianWeb2.com]

Jaisalmer wind project in Rajasthan (Suzlon image)

¶ “Egypt Signs Seven Agreements With International Developers To Attract $41 Billion Over Ten Years” • Egypt announced that it signed seven memoranda of understanding for green hydrogen and renewable energy. These agreements are expected to attract investments totaling $41 billion over ten years, Egypt’s Cabinet reported. [Economy Middle East]

¶ “Alberta To Ban Some Renewable Energy Projects, Greens Say Move Is ‘Uncertainty Bomb’” • Alberta, which produces most of Canada’s crude oil, will ban renewable power projects on prime agricultural land and erect buffer zones to ensure wind turbines do not spoil scenic views, the provincial government said. Few details are available for now. [MSN]

Scenic view in Alberta (Nathan Schneider, CC-BY-SA 3.0)

¶ “Only Three Wind Farms Were Connected To The Power Grid Last Year” • According to Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Australia needs to be building 40 wind turbines every month until 2030. He made that statement in 2022, but only three wind farms with a total of 115 turbines were connected to grid, the Clean Energy Council has said. [ABC]

US:

¶ “In California, NREL Helps Kern County Embrace Clean Energy In Partnership With Community Colleges” • Five years ago, Sonya Christian, the president of Kern County College District’s Bakersfield Community College, asked NREL for ideas on curricula along with research and development opportunities. Now it’s happening. [CleanTechnica]

Tour of Jack’s Solar Garden (Werner Slocum, NREL)

¶ “Texas Battles The Second-Biggest Wildfire Disaster In State History” • A rapidly spreading Texas wildfire that has killed one person, forced residents to evacuate, cut off power to homes and businesses, and briefly paused operations at a nuclear weapons facility. The second-largest fire in Texas history, it has burned 850,000 acres of land north of Amarillo. [BBC]

¶ “Turning An Old Nuclear Bomb Site Into A Solar Farm?” • The US DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration want commercial solar developers to build solar farms on land where nuclear bombs were tested from the 1950s to the 1990s. Who would do that, though? Apparently, six companies would, as they turned in proposals. [CleanTechnica]

Nevada Test Site (US Federal Government, public domain)

¶ “Apple Ends Electric Car Program” • The much ballyhooed Apple electric car program is reportedly over. The company told employees in an internal meeting it had scrapped the project and that members of the group would be shifted to different roles, including in Apple’s artificial intelligence division, unnamed sources told Bloomberg. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “House Approves Bipartisan Bill Aimed At Bolstering Nuclear Energy” • The House approved bipartisan legislation that aims to bolster nuclear energy. The vote was 365-36, with one additional lawmaker voting present. All of the “no” votes were Democrats, and among them there were several members of the Progressive Caucus. [The Hill]

Have a movingly amusing day.

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World:

¶ “EU Poised To OK Major Plan To Meet Climate Goals And Better Protect Nature Despite Farmer Protests” • The European Union is on the brink of approving a major plan to fight climate change and better protect nature in the 27-nation bloc after protests from farmers and opposition from the biggest party in parliament led it to be diluted. [ABC News]

Cows graze in the Netherlands (Leon Ephraïm, Unsplash)

¶ “Drax: UK Power Station Still Burning Rare Forest Wood” • A power company that has had £6 billion in UK green subsidies has kept burning wood from some of the world’s most precious forests, the BBC has found. Papers obtained by Panorama show Drax took timber from forests in Canada that it had claimed were “no go areas.” [BBC]

¶ “Japan’s Wooden Satellite Shows Us That We Should Give Wood A Fresh Look” • Given the skills of Japanese woodworkers, environmental issues of re-entry of old satellites, and early test results, there are now plans for the country to put up a small wooden satellite, which will spend six months in space testing for deformation. [CleanTechnica]

Small wooden satellites (JAXA image)

¶ “Renault 5 E-Tech Electric – 249 Mile Range, €25,000 Base Price, 4 Doors, And A Hatch” • Electrive says the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is the first vehicle to use Renault’s AmpR Small platform. It is 3.92 m, 1.77 m wide, and stands 1.5 m high, and it has a 2.54 m wheelbase. It will come with a choice of three motors and two battery sizes. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Germany Launches 5.5-GW Offshore Tender” • Germany’s Federal Network Agency has launched an offshore wind tender comprising a total of 5,500 MW on three pre-investigated areas in the North Sea. The three sites are located about 110km north-west of Borkum on the edge of the border with the Dutch exclusive economic zone. [reNews]

Offshore wind turbines (insung yoon, Unsplash)

¶ “Record Year For Wind Farms Raises Hope For EU Goals” • A record year for building wind farms and rebounding investments in the sector have raised hopes that the EU may achieve its clean energy targets, industry group WindEurope said. The group said EU policies to speed up project permits was encouraging for the sector. [Offshore Engineer Magazine]

¶ “Renewable Energy Power Costs Fall In APAC” • The levelised cost of electricity, or LCOE, generated from renewable sources is declining significantly in the Asia Pacific region, reaching an all-time low in 2023, according to Wood Mackenzie’s latest analysis. This fall makes renewable energy increasingly competitive with conventional low-cost coal power. [reNews]

Wind turbines (Master Wen, Unsplash)

¶ “SA’s Largest Private Renewable Energy Plant Gets Green Light” • Construction of the three 110-MW Impofu wind farms in South Africa will begin in March. It is the country’s largest pure private renewable energy plant. After over a decade of planning and stakeholder engagement, the wind farms are planned to be operational in 2025. [Cape Business News]

US:

¶ “Up To Twelve Feet Of Snow Heading To California Mountains: What To Expect” • Up to 12 feet of snow is heading to California’s Sierra Nevada mountains as a winter storm bears down on the West Coast. Winter storm watches are in place for California, Oregon and Washington. The storm will spread to southern California with heavy rain. [ABC News]

Snow (Les Anderson, Unsplash)

¶ “At Least Five Active Wildfires Are Burning In The Texas Panhandle, Scorching More Than 370,000 Acres” • Hutchinson County is dealing with a “disaster” as fires have caused significant damage to homes and businesses and caused power outages and water shortages. A local state of disaster has been declared for the Texas Panhandle city of Amarillo. [CNN]

¶ “NREL Requests Proposals From US Manufacturers of Small And Medium Wind Turbine Technology” • Managed by NREL for the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, CIP awards a type of subcontract and national laboratory technical support to US component suppliers and makers of wind turbines of small and mediums sizes. [CleanTechnica]

Bergey Excel 15 (Josh Bauer and Brian Bechtold, NREL)

¶ “Midwest Braces For Severe Storms, Possible Tornadoes” • The Midwest braced for severe storms that could bring tornadoes, as damaging winds and hail hit on Tuesday night. Chicago and northern Illinois are also facing an enhanced threat for tornadoes and hail. Meanwhile, blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of North Dakota and Minnesota. [ABC News]

¶ “New Hope For EV Sales Sparked By New $400 Million Factory, Somewhere In The USA” • For all the gloom and doom over EV sales, the US automotive market continues to attract investors. The news is that Israeli startup Addionics is putting up $400 million to bring its 3-D EV battery architecture to automotive stakeholders in the US. [CleanTechnica]

Fantasy EV (Courtesy of Addionics, via YouTube)

¶ “US DOE Announces Funding for Tribal Clean Energy Projects” • The US DOE announced $25 million in funding to support clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands. This investment will strengthen Tribal energy sovereignty through local clean energy generation, while increasing energy access, reliability, and security. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Texas Wildfire Causes Brief Shutdown Of Nuclear Weapons Facility” • A series of wildfires swept across the Texas Panhandle, prompting evacuations, cutting off power to thousands, and forcing at least the temporary shutdown of a nuclear weapons facility as the blazes were fed by strong winds, dry grass, and unseasonable heat. [FireRescue1]

Have an enthusiastically received day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Agrivoltaics May Actually Be Good For Farms And Farmers. Who Knew?” • Agrivoltaics is not appropriate for every farm, of course. Not all crops thrive in the presence of solar panels. But the decision should be left to the landowner, not a group of nattering busybodies who get their jollies by telling others what they can and cannot do. [CleanTechnica]

Agrivoltaics (Courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory)

Science and Technology:

¶ “’Ice Bumps’ Reveal History Of Antarctic Melting” • Scientists can see in satellite images the changing shapes of bumps on the ice surface that mark locations where glaciers are anchored. The research, published in the journal Nature, shows the increasing contribution that ice losses from Antarctica will make to future sea-level rise around the globe. [BBC]

¶ “Air Pollution Hides Increases in Rainfall” • A study led by researchers at the US DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds that the expected increase in rain has been largely offset by the drying effect of aerosols produced by burning fossil fuels. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications. [CleanTechnica]

A walk in the rain (Nick Scheerbart, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Film Highlights First Electric Car Exported from US to Private Owner in Cuba” • When the white Tesla Model Y rolled onto the dock at Mariel Port in Cuba, it marked a historic moment in the auto industry, international trade, and, to some degree, US-Cuba diplomacy. It was the work of University of Maryland Global Campus alumnus John Felder. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Geely And AITO (Who‽‽) Shine In China – In Rising 18% Market Share In January” • In China, after the December sales peak, the year started with an expected sales slump, but smaller than expected, with numbers almost doubling compared to last year. January, 2024 started at 668,000 passenger new energy vehicle registrations. [CleanTechnica]

AITO M7 (JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC0 1.0, cropped)

¶ “Labour Vows To End Onshore Windfarm Ban And Revitalize UK’s Renewable Energy Sector” • In a world that is increasingly conscious of the ticking clock of climate change, the political battleground for the UK has shifted to the fields of renewable energy. Labour is now positioning itself as the champion of green power. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “CATL, BYD To Reduce Battery Prices By 50% In 2024” • A report from CnEVPost says CATL is pushing for cost reductions that could drive the price of its VDA spec lithium iron phosphate battery cells down to $56.47 per kWh. That reduces battery prices by 50%, to a figure eerily close to a prediction made by Tony Seba a decade ago. [CleanTechnica]

CATL display (CATL image)

¶ “Australia’s Biggest Renewable Power Deal Signed By Industry Leader” • Rio Tinto has signed Australia’s largest renewable power purchase agreement to date to supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland, agreeing to buy a majority of electricity from Windlab’s planned 1.4-GW Bungaban wind energy project. [Manufacturers’ Monthly]

¶ “Denmark Publishes Steps To Speed Permitting” • Denmark’s National Task Force for Renewable Energy Transition presented 27 recommendations to help speed up and streamline permitting for solar and onshore wind farm construction. They include strengthening local support, creating faster processes, and better interaction between authorities. [reNews]

Renewable energy (Image from European Energy)

¶ “JinkoSolar Unveils Neo Green Panels, Made With Renewable Energy” • JinkoSolar unveiled its Neo Green, N-type TOPCon Tiger Neo panels, produced in factories awarded the “Zero Carbon Factory” certification by TÜV Rheinland. The company says it is the first in the industry to be awarded this certification for solar module manufacturing. [Solar Industry]

¶ “BayWa R E And Ampt Lead Microgrid Project In Germany” • In the small town of Pfinztal, nestled in the heart of Germany, a seminal initiative is redefining the future of renewable energy. The campus of Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, a beacon of scientific innovation, is the stage for a pioneering microgrid project. [BNN Breaking]

Agrivoltaic project (Courtesy of BayWa r e)

¶ “Here’s Why China National Nuclear Power Is Weighed Down By Its Debt Load” • To be frank both China National Nuclear Power’s net debt to EBITDA and its track record of staying on top of its total liabilities make us rather uncomfortable with its debt levels. All told, we think China National Nuclear Power has too much debt. [Simply Wall Street]

US:

¶ “Building a More Sustainable And Affordable Colorado with Thoughtful Housing Strategies” • Governor Jared Polis’s State of the State address posed a question: What should Colorado look like on the state’s 150th birthday in 2026, his final year in office. The cornerstone of his vision was housing. It’s an issue on the minds of many Coloradans. [CleanTechnica]

Housing next to Denver Union Station (Alana Miller, NRDC)

¶ “Bill Supporting Development Of Nuclear Energy Wins Passage In Kentucky Senate” • The Kentucky Senate has voted overwhelmingly to lay the foundation to attract nuclear energy projects to a state where coal has fueled the economy for ages. The measure passed the Senate on a 34-0 vote, with coalfield senators joining in support. [ABC News]

¶ “The Impact Of Renewable Energy Initiatives On Minnesota’s Economy And Environment” • Minnesota is known for its pioneering efforts in renewable energy. As it transitions towards cleaner energy sources, the impacts of initiatives for renewable energy on both the economy and the environment are becoming increasingly evident. [The Minnesota Republic]

Have a totally okay day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Lithium-Air EV Batteries Tapped For Net Zero Economy Of The Future” • Recently, lithium-air batteries seemed destined for the dustbin of automotive history. But the US DOE tapped four different Li-air projects in a funding round aimed at developing batteries powerful enough to move locomotives, ships, and full-sized airplanes. [CleanTechnica]

How a lithium-air battery works

¶ “A Generative AI Tool for Power Grid Visualization” • Every minute of every day, operators monitor the grid to make sure that the supply of electricity matches the demand. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory built an AI program that allows a grid operator to ask a question about the grid and get an easy-to-interpret answer. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “UN Member States Are Meeting To Plan How To Tackle The World’s Environmental Crises” • The world’s top environmental body for decision making, the UN Environment Assembly, is meeting in Nairobi to discuss how countries can work together to tackle environmental crises like climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. [ABC News]

Nairobi (Amani Nation, Unsplash)

¶ “Renewable Energy Gains in Australia” • Australia’s federal government has declared three offshore wind zones off the coast of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Three more are being considered. It also began the consultation process for a zone for wind energy development off the southern coast of Western Australia. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Cenergi And GDS Sign Malaysian VPPA” • Asian data center operator GDS signed a 21-year renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement with Malaysian solar power producer Cenergi SEA Berhad. The CGPP allows for a total of 800 MW of solar power to be developed by PV producers and secured by corporate offtakers in Peninsular Malaysia. [reNews]

Kuala Lumpur (Sadie Teper, Unsplash, cropped)

¶ “Andrew Forrest Slams Fossil Fuel Industry And Coalition For Nuclear Energy ‘Bulldust’” • The Federal Coalition of Liberal and National parties is planning a pro-nuclear platform for the next federal election. Mining and renewable energy magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest accused the National Party of “betraying the bush” in its pro-nuclear stand. [ABC]

¶ “Proposal To Build Nuclear Power Plants At Former Coal Sites In Latrobe Valley Draws Criticism” • Victoria’s Latrobe Valley was the home of the state’s coal-fired electricity sector for decades. Now it’s being touted as a possible home of an Australian nuclear industry. Community group Voices of the Valley says few people support nuclear power. [MSN]

Yallourn W Power Station (CSIRO, CC-BY-SA 3.0)

¶ “Russia’s ‘Energy Terror’ Cuts Power To Ukraine’s Nuclear Plants” • Russia has faced condemnation for its latest wave of missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s power grid. The barrage of missiles has plunged much of the capital city of Kyiv into frigid darkness, and has killed at least ten people across the country according to Ukrainian officials. [AOL.com]

¶ “Iberdola And O2 Telefónica Seal Baltic Eagle PPA” • Iberdrola Deutschland and O2 Telefónica have signed a long-term power purchase agreement covering energy from the 476-MW Baltic Eagle wind farm in the German North Sea. The agreement provides for the supply of 3,000 GWh of renewable energy to O2 Telefónica for a term of 15 years. [reNews]

Offshore wind farm (Iberdrola Deutschland image)

Ireland:

¶ “Ireland’s Leap Towards Renewable Future” • In the serene expanse of County Meath, near the modest town of Duleek, an ambitious project is taking shape, signaling a pivotal shift in the journey toward renewable energy. The Gaskinstown PV plant, a 93-MW solar power venture, secured a €65 million debt facility to finance the project. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “1 GW Of Solar Energised On Irish Grid” • ESB Networks has confirmed it has 1GW of solar generation connected to Ireland’s grid. This includes 500 MW of utility-scale solar connections, 369 MW of which is from larger projects that are managed by EirGrid. The peak demand on Ireland’s electricity system is approximately 5.5 GW. [reNews]

Solar array inspection (ESB Networks image)

¶ “Ireland’s Energy Shift: Prepay Power And Pinergy Announce Price Cuts Amidst Renewable Push” • Amidst the ongoing debate on Ireland’s energy sustainability and volatile electricity market, two prominent electricity providers, Prepay Power and Pinergy, made headlines with their decisive steps towards making energy more affordable for their customers. [BNN Breaking]

US:

¶ “Electrify America Plans A Fully Renewable 75-MW Facility” • The future is here! At least that’s what Electrify America’s new 100% renewable energy-sourced EV charging network looks like. Teaming up with energy provider Terra-Gen, Electrify America announced plans for a solar powered energy generation project in San Bernardino County, California. [AOL.com]

Solar array (Electrify America image)

¶ “Electric School Buses Finally Make Headway, But Hurdles Still Stand” • The first electric school buses in the US began running a decade ago. Yet despite the availability of the technology all these years, fewer than 1% of the 489,000 school buses in the US were electric at the end of 2023. So over 99% of school buses burn fuel. But that may be changing. [ABC News]

¶ “AAM Calls Cheap Chinese EVs Built In Mexico ‘An Extinction Level Event’” • The Alliance for American Manufacturing is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of major US manufacturers and the United Steelworkers. It issued a report warning that cheap Chinese electric cars made in Mexico could be the death knell for US automakers. [CleanTechnica]

Have an obviously amusing day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “Wind Forecast Improvement Project 3 Aims To Drive Down Offshore Wind Energy Costs” • The Wind Forecast Improvement Project 3 aims to improve wind forecasts and drive down the cost of offshore wind energy. It is venturing into offshore wind energy exploration off the New England coast, studying the complexities of forecasting offshore winds. [CleanTechnica]

Offshore wind turbine (Grahame Jenkins, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Corruption And Clean Energy In South Africa” • South Africa relies heavily on energy from coal-fired power stations, which are major polluters. But making the transition to greater use of renewable energies, such as solar, is hampered by a number of factors. Chief among them is corruption, which is affecting the quality of institutions. [Moneyweb]

¶ “Root Energy Completes Korea’s First Offshore Wind Resident Participation Program” • Root Energy Inc., Korea’s leading renewable energy local acceptance solution provider as well as a certified B Corp, has successfully raised 20 billion won (approx. $15 million) crowdfunded by residents of Suwon-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju Island. [CleanTechnica]

Jeju Hallim Offshore Wind Farm (Courtesy of Root Energy)

¶ “Real Electricity Price Relief Right Now, Under Our 2030 Strong Plan” • “Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is all about taking action now on the issues affecting Tasmanians most, and the most important of those is cost of living,” Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said. “We are going to supercharge the Renewable Energy Dividend.” [The National Tribune]

¶ “Volkswagen Introduces New Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain While China Embraces PHEVs” • The plug-in hybrid has suddenly found itself to be the prom queen of the EV revolution. We have hashed out the pluses and minuses of plug-in hybrid technology several times here at CleanTechnica. So we recognize the several downsides of PHEVs. [CleanTechnica]

Hybrid powertrain (Courtesy of Volkswagen)

¶ “Pakistan’s Journey Towards Renewable Energy Amidst Climate Challenges” • Pakistan’s industrial sector, a cornerstone of its economy, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, industries like textile, food, and cement are vital for the economic development of Pakistan. On the other hand, they contribute to the nation’s carbon footprint. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “Early Jacaranda Bloom Sparks Debate About Climate Change In Mexico” • In spring, the streets of Mexico’s capital have always been purple with the flowering of jacaranda trees. Their bright colors not only attract the eyes of residents and tourists, but also birds, bees, and butterflies. Now, however, they are blooming in January and February. [Devdiscourse]

Jacaranda (Sincerely Media, Unsplash)

¶ “Higginson Argues Against Nuclear In Favor of Renewables” • In a compelling interview that reverberated across the nation, NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson met with Sky News host Danica De Giorgio to discuss the contours of Australia’s energy future. She held persuasively that nuclear energy is an impractical choice for Australia. [BNN Breaking]

US:

¶ “Reconductoring: The Quick Way To Double Grid Capacity” • You need more than money to build new power lines. Easements and land purchases for the wires to go across, environmental reviews, inspections, engineering approvals, permitting, and all sorts of other things are needed. An alternative is to give the old power lines new conductors. [CleanTechnica]

Power lines (Matthew Henry, Unsplash)

¶ “University Of Florida Students Demand Campus-Wide Measures To Avert The Climate Crisis” • Who do you suppose would be determined to stand up to Governor Ron DeSantis’ dangerous worldviews, out of all the people in Florida? Consider: the University of Florida’s Student Senate voted unanimously to support a Green New Deal. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “A Brighter Tomorrow: North County’s Clean Energy Alliance Offers Affordable Renewable Energy Options” • In California, the Clean Energy Alliance, an effort by Carlsbad, Solana Beach, and Del Mar, is setting the stage for a future where renewable energy is not just an option but the cornerstone of power consumption for about 58,000 customers. [BNN Breaking]

Ocean at Del Mar (Joshua Brown, Unsplash)

¶ “House Speaker Wants Tax Hike For Renewable Energy In Oklahoma – Targets NextEra Energy” • House Speaker Charles McCall, reportedly “furious” over opposition by NextEra Energy to a possible ROFR bill in the legislature responded with what is seemingly an income tax relief bill, but in actuality was a major tax hike on renewable energy. [Oklahoma Energy Today]

¶ “A Warning About Radioactive Air Pollution From Pilgrim” • AG Andrea Campbell filed a civil lawsuit against Holtec, the firm decommissioning the Pilgrim nuclear plant, for releasing asbestos pollution during demolition. Asbestos is a well known airborne carcinogen that causes malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. [CommonWealth Beacon]

Have an enjoyably surprising day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Nuclear Advocates Accused Of Spreading Misinformation” • Nuclear energy advocates seized on the Victorian weather events and temporary power outage to re-energise their campaign for nuclear energy. Let’s be clear upfront. Nuclear is not being put forward as a genuine alternative to renewables. It’s being used as a delaying tactic to keep fossil fuels going. [Mirage News]

Coal-burning power plant (Jason Blackeye, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Switzerland Advocates For Geoengineering Research” • The UN Environment Program conference is about to take place in Nairobi. In its preliminaries, Switzerland proposed a global debate on whether the “risks, benefits and uncertainties” of dimming the sun through geoengineering should be studied by a UN expert group. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “FedEx Express UK Grows Its London Fleet Of E-Cargo Delivery Bikes” • An announcement from FedEx Express UK confirms that they are serious about electric micromobility. The company just added eight more 4-wheeled e-cargo bikes to the FedEx London fleet to join the electric cargo bikes FedEx already operates there. [CleanTechnica]

FedEx Express UK electric cargo bike (Courtesy of FedEx)

¶ “Carte Blanche’s Latest Episode Shines A Light On Antarctica’s Climate Change Crisis” • Carte Blanche, South Africa’s beacon of investigative journalism, ventured into the heart of the frozen continent to explore the critical research being conducted by South African scientists. Their work aims to steer global efforts in combating global warming. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “First Electric-Only Volvo Truck” • Volvo Trucks introduces its eighth all-electric truck model, the Volvo FM Low Entry, as its first electric-only model, enhancing the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation. Intended for urban environments, the design of the FM Low Entry focuses on safety, efficiency, and reducing emissions. [CleanTechnica]

Electric Volvo truck

¶ “TSREDCO Told To Set Up Solar Plants At Govt Offices” • The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana asked officials to set up solar panels at all government offices. Chairing a review meeting with officials of the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited, he said that renewable energy is a top priority of the state. [The New Indian Express]

¶ “How climate change is thwarting travellers’ cherry blossom plans” • The rare and beautiful ten-day cherry blossom “front” is set to start ten days earlier than usual due to global warming. The travellers who arrived in Tokyo in April 2023 to see the city’s famous cherry tree petals found the blossoms opened ten days early in response to climate change. [BBC]

Cherry blossoms (Jonathan Kim, Unsplash)

US:

¶ “$75 Million To Revitalize Coal Communities, Create Good-Paying Jobs In Illinois” • Federal officials recently went to Illinois, where they announced $75.8 million in fiscal year 2023 funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The funds are to address pollution at abandoned mine lands and increase economic opportunity in Illinois. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Rivian Opening Its Own Charging Network To All EVs” • Rivian is following in Tesla’s footsteps with its decision to open its public charging network to all EVs later this year. The announcement came in the company’s most recent letter to shareholders, outlining plans to expand access to the Rivian Adventure Network. [CleanTechnica]

Rivian charging (Courtesy of Rivian)

¶ “1 GWh Energy Storage Project In Arizona Gets $559 Million In Financing” • Strata Clean Energy secured $559 million in funds for its Scatter Wash battery storage complex. Its capacity is 255-MW and 1,020-MWh. Strata broke ground on the Phoenix, AZ, energy storage project in January. The complex is expected to be operating in 2025. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “DTE Energy Ignites Michigan’s Green Future With Major Renewable Projects Bid” • DTE Energy announced its intention to seek proposals for new wind and solar projects, aiming for a capacity of roughly 1,075 MW. This initiative marks a significant step towards Michigan’s greener future and aligns with the state’s ambitious decarbonization efforts. [BNN Breaking]

Wind farm (DTE Energy image)

¶ “Rivian R2 Pricing, Details, Unveiling Event” • Rivian is gearing up to reveal its Rivian R2 in the coming weeks, bringing with it exciting details ahead of the launch. Notably, Rivian confirmed that the R2 will be available in Europe, signaling an expansion of its market beyond North America. Details are to be disclosed at the unveiling on March 7, 2024. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Platte River’s Path To A Clean, Reliable Energy Future” • Platte River’s primary challenge is deploying renewable resources as fast as possible against rising costs, supply chain snarls, delays due to technology and other industry-wide headwinds while still providing power people can depend on and afford. It aims to do that by 2030. [The Coloradoan]

Solar array (Platte River Power Authority)

¶ “HUD Awards $73.5 Million To Make Housing More Energy Efficient” • The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it is awarding $73.5 million in new loans and grants under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to support extensive energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations for low-income Americans. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

¶ “Alaska Lawmaker’s Bid To Revive Stalled Green Energy Policy Defines Coal As ‘Clean’” • House Bill 368, now before Alaska’s House, was drafted by Sutton Republican Representative George Rauscher. It seeks to define coal-generated electricity as “clean energy,” putting it on the same footing as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and tidal power. [Alaska Beacon]

Have a totally copacetic day.

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Science and Technology:

¶ “SAE Adopts New Standards For Vehicle-To-Grid” • The SAE standard J3068/2 enables V2G capability for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. It enables ​“electrical certification” of individual vehicles by recognizing each EV through a unique digital identifier that utilities can reference to check whether they are authorized to supply power to the grid. [CleanTechnica]

Charging EVs (Evan Krape, University of Delaware)

¶ “Magnesium Batteries Are Beginning To Give Up Their Secrets” • Magnesium batteries could power EVs and unlock more utility-scale energy storage, helping to put more wind and solar energy onto the grid. But it depends on researchers picking apart some of the technology obstacles. The going has been slow, but there are new developments. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Albay Targets Complete Renewable Energy Transition By 2030” • The Philippine province of Albay announced a goal to transition entirely to renewable energy by 2030. This move is aimed to mitigate power disruptions due to severe weather. The Governor said there is an urgent need to develop renewable energy in the province. [Power Philippines]

Mayon Volcano in Albay (Seanaleta, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “290 Civil Society Groups Urge EU And G7 to Stop Funding the Militarization of Russia” • The European Union and G7 must tighten their grip on Russia’s key revenue streams from exports of fossil fuels, say 290 European, international, and Ukrainian NGOs in a joint public appeal to the leaders of the EU and G7 nations. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “UK To Leave Energy Charter Treaty” • The UK will leave the Energy Charter Treaty after the failure of efforts to reform it, the government has announced. The UK joins nine EU members, including France, Spain, and the Netherlands, in leaving the treaty. The decision will support the UK’s transition to net zero and strengthen its energy security. [reNews]

Parliament (Parliamentwiki image)

¶ “Renewable Availability And Bureaucracy Slowing Business Decarbonisation” • A survey of European business leaders showed that a majority have a green energy strategy in place but are challenged by availability of the green energy. It found that just under half of them are only starting to implement a green energy strategy. [Power Engineering International]

US:

¶ “Native American Tribes Gain New Authority To Block Hydopower Projects” • Federal regulators have granted Native American tribes more power to block hydropower projects on their land. A new FERC policy allows tribes to veto proposals, forcing businesses to cooperate if they want the US government to approve projects. [ABC News]

Canyon on Navajo reservation (John Fowler, Unsplash)

¶ “Decarbonizing Heavy Industry” • On the southern shore of Lake Michigan, a university and a steel plant are working on the same problem. With technical and financial support from the US DOE, both organizations are trying to clear a major obstacle on America’s path to a clean energy economy: the decarbonization of our heavy industries. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Local Union Workers Power Minnesota’s Fast-Growing Clean Energy Industry” • Minnesota wind farms, solar farms, solar panel manufacturing, transmission line construction, and other clean energy projects are largely built by in-state, union workers. In 2022, Minnesota’s clean energy industry grew twice as fast as the rest of the economy. [CleanTechnica]

Union worker (LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota)

¶ “Unitil Begins Work On US Solar Array” • Unitil Corporation has begun site work on a 5-MW solar energy project in Kingston, New Hampshire. It will be the largest of its kind operating in the state, and will deliver its electricity directly to Unitil’s distribution system. ReVision Energy is the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the array. [reNews]

¶ “California Rises to 21.4% BEV Market Share, 33.8% of US BEV Market” • California is one of the biggest and most exciting EV markets in the world. It’s still dominated by Tesla, the second best selling auto maker overall in the market, but several other electric cars are also standing out. And there is more to be seen in the 2023 numbers. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Model Y

¶ “Climate Change Is Already Affecting Indiana. Here Are Some Solutions” • Human-caused climate change is already here, and researchers have been studying how it is affecting Indiana. While many reports point to dire consequences, there are groups that work toward solutions to help avoid the worst scenarios. Here is a look at both viewpoints. [IndyStar]

¶ “Equinor Secures Final Green Light For Empire” • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the Construction and Operations Plan for Equinor’s 2-GW Empire Wind project. With this key permitting action secured, Empire Wind is on track to begin construction in its federal lease area off the southern coast of Long Island, Equinor said. [reNews]

Offshore wind farm (Equinor image)

¶ “Arevon Secures Over $1 Billion Financing For Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project In California” • Arevon Energy announced that it secured over $1 billion in financing for its Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project in Kern County, California. This project combines a 374-MW solar installation with 150-MW, 600-MWh of energy storage. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Oil And Gas Producers Push Back Against Nuclear Waste Storage In Permian” • The oil and gas industry is fighting to keep the government’s stockpiles of nuclear fuel out of their oilfields, and they have a whole lot of money and manpower to hold the projects off. Fossil fuel leaders would rather not test the theory that storage will be safe. [OilPrice.com]

Have an appreciably fabulous day.

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Opinion:

¶ “From Petrostate To Electrostate: Queensland’s Renewable Energy Push Shows Australia’s Governments Can Move Faster” • Queensland is not just undergoing an energy transition, but a total transformation from legacy petrostate to renewable energy superpower. Its staggering momentum has lessons for the states and the federal government. [The Guardian]

Gold Coast, Queensland (seb, Unsplash)

Science and Technology:

¶ “Here’s How Your City Can Go ‘Spongy’ And Hold Back Flooding” • One consequence of the climate crisis is increased flood threats. For cities to be free of flooding, they need to be designed like giant sponges that allow water to drain away safely. In its simplest iteration, a spongy city has planned green areas and permeable surfaces. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “India Seeks To Boost Rooftop Solar, Especially For Its Remote Areas” • The government of India streamlined the approvals process, made it easier to claim subsidies, and pushed piles of cash, including $9 billion announced this month, to encourage faster adoption of technology that’s seen as critical for India to reach its clean energy goals. [ABC News]

Delhi Metro station (Kool Nerd 123, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)

¶ “Yakuza Boss Charged With Conspiring To Traffic Nuclear Materials” • The US Justice Department unsealed new charges against a leader of the notorious Japanese Yakuza gang who they accuse of attempting to traffic weapons-grade nuclear materials from Burma to other countries, according to a newly announced superseding indictment. [ABC News]

¶ “The Silence SO4 Nanocar Is A Tiny Battery-Swappable EV” • Spain’s Silence Urban Ecomobility is already building electric motorcycles and battery packs, but now has its own version of a tiny 4-wheeled micromobility solution, the SO4 Nanocar. This small car is a very compact 2-seater EV built at the company’s Barcelona factory. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Grünheide Voters Say No To Tesla Factory Expansion Plan” • The citizens of Grünheide were allowed to express their opinions about expansion of a Tesla Gigafactory in their town. According to The Guardian, 76% of eligible voters turned out, and 65% voted against the plan. The referendum is not legally binding, but will “serve as an orientation.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Renewable Power Turns Sod On Swedish Duo” • Renewable Power Capital has started the construction of two wind farms in Sweden totalling 230 MW. Chemicals producer LyondellBasell has two 10-year power purchase agreements for the electricity produced by both wind farms. The two wind farms form part of a 553-MW cluster of four in the area. [reNews]

Wind farm (Nordex image)

¶ “Romania Charges Ahead In The Renewable Energy Race With Over 1 GW of New Projects” • In a move that underscores a leap towards sustainability, Romania is making headlines with its latest green initiative. Last month, the nation issued technical connection approvals for new renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of 1.1 GW. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “Minesto Upgrades Faroe Tidal Plan To 200 MW” • Developer Minesto has upgraded its roadmap to a 200-MW tidal energy buildout in the Faroe Islands. The scaled-up roadmap responds to the growing demands for green energy, where unlocking the tidal opportunity enables transition to a 100% renewable power system. [reNews]

Minesto turbine (Minesto image)

¶ “Ukraine’s Zaphorizhzhia Nuclear Plant Loses Connection To Last Backup Power Line” • Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant lost connection to its last external power backup line, UN’s nuclear agency chief said. The loss of the last power backup for the nuclear facility is “once again underlining the fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site.” [Yahoo]

US:

¶ “Clean Bus Planning Awards Support Fleet Electrification With Custom Transition Plans” • The National Renewable Energy Lab announced the $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards program. It provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for US school and transit fleets through Fiscal Year 2024. [CleanTechnica]

BYD electric bus (Courtesy of BYD)

¶ “Nearly 3 Million Asthma Attacks Could Be Prevented Among Children With Cleaner Energy: Report” • Nearly three million asthma attacks in children could be prevented by 2050 if the US transitioned to EVs and clean power, according to a report from the American Lung Association. Researchers say the goals would also save hundreds of infant lives. [ABC News]

¶ “Tesla US Auto Market Share Tops Volkswagen, BMW, Suburu, And Mercedes” • While Tesla’s market share within the EV market dropped from about 65% to 55% year over year, the overall EV market growth in the US was so high that Tesla is selling more cars. Tesla’s Model Y accounted for 1 in every 3 EVs sold in the US in 2023. [CleanTechnica]

EV Sales by Month (Courtesy of the US DOE)

¶ “Goldman Sachs Insists Our Future Transportation Is All Electric” • Goldman Sachs Exchanges foresees transportation of the future as all-electric. In fact, they say EVs could make up nearly half of global car sales by 2035. The Goldman analysts also predict that within five years of that significant parts of the market will be autonomous. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “From Coal To Clean: Keyser, West Virginia’s Transition To Renewable Energy” • Keyser, West Virginia, a town once defined by its thriving coal industry, is seeing a transformation. The town’s transition to renewable energy, primarily wind power, is not just a local phenomenon but symbolizes a broader national shift in America’s energy strategy. [Medriva]

Have an immaculately managed day.

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World:

¶ “Beef Trade Risks Key Brazil Ecosystem – Campaigners” • Beef production by three of the world’s biggest meatpackers has been linked to illegal deforestation in Brazil’s Cerrado, a savannah region, according to campaigners. The savannah, which featured in Planet Earth III, hosts 5% of Earth’s species and is a buffer against global warming. [BBC]

Cerrado (Aline Marcele Ghilardi, CC-BY-SA 3.0)

¶ “Trinidad Hires Foreign Experts To Help Contain Oil Spill And Remove Barge” • The government of Trinidad and Tobago said it is partnering with international experts to remove the wreckage of a barge that capsized in nearby waters and caused a major oil spill. T&T Salvage, based in Texas, and QT Environmental, of Minnesota, will work on the spill. [ABC News]

¶ “The Electric, Sustainable Snowmobile: Vidde Just Launched Its First Vehicle” • Aiming for its carbon emissions to be less than 100 g co2/km, Pininfarina and Vidde are collaborating to create an environmentally sustainable snowmobile that, beyond being electric, is designed to maximise the product life span, taking a circular standpoint. [CleanTechnica]

Vidde snowmobile (Courtesy of Vidde Mobility, via cision)

¶ “Car & General Launches Piaggio Electric 3-Wheelers in Kenya” • In many of Kenya’s towns, 3-wheeled tuktuks buzz around everywhere. They play vital roles in the economy, but they make a lot of noise and pollution. Car & General Trading Limited recently launched battery-electric versions of the tuktuks made by Piaggio. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Octopus Signs German PV Power Purchase Agreement” • A PPA will see Octopus supply steel maker Salzgitter with 126,000 MWh of electricity generated at the Schiebsdorf solar farm in the German state of Brandenburg, over a period of 10 years. Octopus plans to put more than €1 billion into Germany’s clean energy infrastructure by 2027. [reNews]

Solar farm (Octopus Energy image)

¶ “Electricity From Renewable Sources Up To 41% In 2022” • In 2022, renewable energy resources made up 41.2% of the gross electricity consumption in the EU, 3.4 percentage points more than in 2021 (37.8%) and well ahead of other electricity generating sources such as nuclear (less than 22%), gas (less than 20%) or coal (less than 17%). [European Commission]

¶ “China’s Coal Boom Slows As Top Mining Hubs Focus On Renewable Energy” • China’s coal boom is slowing as top mining regions limit growth and steer investment to the clean energy that will replace the dirtiest fossil fuel. Seven straight years of rising output have produced a glut of coal that kept prices low. But there are other costs. [The Straits Times]

Moving coal (Bart van Dijk, Unsplash)

¶ “Tidal Wave Of Capital Is Transforming Queensland Into A Renewables And Critical Minerals Superpower” • Queensland is set to transform from a fossil fuel petrostate to a renewable energy superpower. Queensland is bringing in investment into transmission and renewable energy to produce a tidal wave of public and private capital. [RenewEconomy]

¶ “Rio Tinto Doubles Down To Produce Renewable Aluminium” • Miner and aluminium producer Rio Tinto has doubled down on its moves to decarbonise the aluminium production chain. It announced its second renewable power purchase agreement, which will supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland. It is Australia’s largest PPA. [Australian Manufacturing Forum]

Rio Tinto train (Eddie Bugajewski, Unsplash)

¶ “Japan To Dump Another 54,600 Tons Of Irradiated Water Into Sea This Year” • Since August 24, 2023, TEPCO has released three batches of radioactive water from storage tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for a total of 23,400 metric tons of water. The fourth batch of 7,800 tons is planned for the end of this month. [The Hankyoreh]

US:

¶ “Tesla Model Y And Model 3 Top California Auto Sales In 2023” • Tesla’s rapid growth and success have been seen more clearly in California than anywhere else. In that state, Tesla’s success is jaw dropping. Tesla has become a major automaker in the US, but in California, it’s a power the top tier of the auto market fighting for the #1 spot. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla (Tech Nick, Unsplash)

¶ “Biden Administration Backs Off Proposed Tailpipe Emissions Rules” • Joe Biden has been a firm supporter of the EV revolution ever since he took office. His administration proposed tougher tailpipe emissions standards that favor EVs. But opposition from car makers and auto unions has created a political environment that is not friendly to clean cars. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Record US Renewable Energy Investment Is Not Enough To Meet Climate Goals: Report” • US investment in wind and solar power plants hit record levels last year, but even that growth rate fell short of the level needed to meet the nation’s climate goals, an analysis shows. The US must add at least 60 GW of capacity this year to stay on track. [The Business Times]

Dam (American Public Power Association, Unsplash)

¶ “Oregon’s Rural Power Utility Has Become A Big Polluter” • The Umatilla Electric Cooperative is responsible for 1.8 million tons of carbon emissions annually, according to state data, even though it has just 16,000 customers. It’s now the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases among all Oregon utilities because of one customer: Amazon. [Governing]

¶ “PLT Energia Forms 1-GW Texas JV” • PLT Energy US Corp, a subsidiary of Italian developer PLT Energia, has entered into a joint venture with GGS Energy to develop more than 1 GW of renewable energy in Texas. The JV’s first project will be Indigo Project Phase I, in West Texas, comprising 150 MW of PV and 180 MW of storage. [reNews]

Have a monumentally restful day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Plug-in Hybrids: Are They Really A Solution To Reducing Emissions?” • Recently GM made headlines in saying they may restart production of plug-in hybrids after moving to battery EVs only in 2019. Are they moving backwards? Not necessarily. We need to move from gasoline to electricity quickly, and there may be a place for plugin-hybrids. [CleanTechnica]

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (IFCAR, public domain)

¶ “What’s Fueling The Commercial Fusion Hype?” • Recent White House and US DOE pronouncements on speeding up the “commercialization” of fusion energy are so over the top as to make you wonder about the scientific competence of some who are in government. It is not close enough to being market-ready even to talk about it. [Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Tiny Shells Yield ‘Remarkable’ Increase In Organic Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency” • Last December a multi-school research team in Sweden reported a method for creating organic solar cells from kraft lignin, a common form of industrial wood pulp, instead of deploying plastic from petrochemicals. And its surface shape makes it more efficient. [CleanTechnica]

Organic active layer (Rendering by Hah via Eurekalert)

¶ “Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Blockchain Technology And Microgrids Propel Solar Trading And Grid Integration” • As the world pivots towards sustainable energy solutions, a novel approach combining blockchain technology and advanced microgrid systems is set to transform solar energy trading and integration into utility grids. [BNN Breaking]

World:

¶ “Carmakers Failing To Deliver Affordable Electric Cars, Holding Back EV Adoption – Analysis” • Just 17% of electric cars sold in Europe are in the cheaper B segment, compared to 37% of new combustion engines, analysis finds. Carmakers are slowing EV adoption by prioritising sales of more costly large electric cars, the analysis shows. [CleanTechnica]

Panda Mini EV (Courtesy of Geely)

¶ “Chemical Pollution Victims’ Voices Ignored For A European Industrial Deal” • In October 2023, pollution victims from Italy, Belgium, and France requested an audience with Ursula von der Leyen to address the devastating health consequences of toxic PFAS chemicals. Despite their passionate plea, their voices are being ignored. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Kenyan Startup Roam Secures $24 Million in Funding to Accelerate Electric Mobility Solutions” • The transition to electric mobility is gaining momentum. The electric two-wheeler market has grown rapidly around the world over the past few years due to high fuel prices, rapid urbanization in developing countries, and the need to reduce air pollution. [CleanTechnica]

Roam Air electric motorcycle (Roam image)

¶ “SgurrEnergy Attains Milestone Of Over 100 GW In Renewable Energy Projects” • Renewable energy consultancy SgurrEnergy celebrates a major milestone, surpassing 100 GW of experience in renewable energy projects worldwide, with a portfolio built in over forty countries. India accounts for approximately 60 GW of its total capacity achieved. [SolarQuarter]

¶ “Oz Offshore Consultation Is Kicked Off” • The Government of Australia is seeking feedback on the benefits and effects of future offshore wind development in a proposed area in the Indian Ocean off the Bunbury region in Western Australia. The area is at least 20km from the coast, has quality wind resources and some relatively shallow waters. [reNews]

Offshore wind turbines (insung yoon, Unsplash)

¶ “Telis Energy Italy Ignites Renewable Revolution With 3-GW Development Plan” • In a move that signals a major shift towards renewable energy in Italy, Telis Energy Italy, a subsidiary of the British-based Telis Energy, has unveiled ambitious plans to develop 3 GW of battery storage and hybrid renewable energy projects in the country. [BNN Breaking]

¶ “Energy Democracy Takes Off In Greece” • Hyperion, the first democratic renewable-energy community in Athens, looks like one of Germany’s progressive energy cooperatives. And the idea behind it is also much the same as with those in Germany: to create a democratic collective that produces renewable energy for its members and the broader community. [DW]

Solar array (Hyperion image)

¶ “CleanCo Commences Construction On $330 Million BESS” • Construction has commenced on a $330 million battery project in Swanbank, Queensland, to be delivered by publicly owned CleanCo in partnership with Tesla and Yurika. It is expected to be one of Queensland’s biggest batteries, with capacities of 250 MW and 500 MWh. [Energy Magazine]

US:

¶ “An Ancient Lake That Reemerged At Death Valley National Park Will Stick Around” • Death Valley’s famed Badwater Basin began filling up with water in August due to heavy precipitation from Hurricane Hilary, which prompted the first tropical storm watch in California state history. Now, a series of atmospheric rivers will keep it filled a while. [ABC News]

Lake in Badwater Basin (Steve Gribble, Unsplash)

¶ “EV Charging Station Blues Banished By Fresh Flood Of Money” • If you noticed a torrent of news about EV charging stations over the weekend, it’s no accident. New federal funds for building out EV charging station network are starting to kick in. Star Charge, a Chinese firm, is setting up shop in Ohio to make 20,000 EV chargers per year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “West Virginia House of Delegates Approves Expansion Of Renewable Energy Capacity” • The WV House of Delegates approved House Bill 5528 to increase the cap on the amount of renewable electricity a facility can generate. It also eliminates the sunset date on a state program aimed at promoting utility-scale renewable power. [Zelosos por Buenas Renovables]

Have an extraordinarily useful day.

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