Posts Tagged ‘renewable power’
January 15, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Electrifying Everything Is A Critical Pathway To Decarbonize The World And Our Lives” • A number of organizations, such as the World Bank, have developed “pathways” or “pillars” for reaching net zero emissions globally by 2050. The core strategies are remarkably consistent, and one critically important pathway is electrifying everything. [CleanTechnica]
Transmission lines (Thomas Despeyroux, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Energy Storage Is Going Underground” • Compressed air storage and gravity storage systems are so low tech, they seem almost laughable compared to battery storage, which is much superior in some ways. But there are numerous ways to store excess renewable energy to keep the lights on, and the low tech solutions can be important. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Another Year, Another Record In Denmark’s Renewable Energy Progress” • In the past 40 years, Denmark has integrated 7 GW of wind and PV solar capacity into the electric grid. The fresh numbers from 2022 show that the country’s electricity needs are now covered by 60% renewables. In 8 years, that figure will quadruple. Yes, that’s 240%! [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Green Hydrogen – Morocco Makes Big Moves” • The Belgian company John Cockerill has announced the formation of a joint venture with a yet-unnamed Moroccan company with the aim of investing in the development of the nascent green hydrogen industry in Morocco. The partners plan to build an electrolyser production plant there. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewable Energy Will Surpass Coal For The First Time” • Renewable energy makes up for around 28% of global energy use, but that is expected to rise to 38% by 2027, IEA data shows. At the same time, coal, which is currently responsible for about 36.3% of the energy that we consume, will be reduced to just 29.7% by 2027. [Digital Information World]
Solar panels (American Public Power Association, Unsplash)
¶ “UN Chief Calls For Renewable Energy ‘Revolution’ For A Brighter Global Future” • Renewable energy is the only credible path forward if the world is to avert a climate catastrophe, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said. Only renewables can safeguard our future, close the energy access gap, stabilize prices, and ensure energy security. [Devdiscourse]
¶ “Nearly One Billion Served By Healthcare Facilities Without Reliable Electricity” • Although electricity is critical to healthcare provision, nearly a billion people in poorer countries are served by health facilities that lack reliable supply, according to a newly published report backed by the UN. That is one out of every eight people, globally. [UN News]
Mother and child (Mark Garten, UN Photo)
¶ “Japan’s Unilateral Radioactive Wastewater Discharge Harmful And Irresponsible: Green Activist” • Japan’s push to discharge radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the ocean is irresponsible and harmful, as Japan is pursuing it without consultations with neighboring countries, a South Korean green activist said. [Xinhua]
US:
¶ “Why Michigan Is Trying To Shut Down Canada’s Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline” • Michigan commissioned an independent risk analysis of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. It says an oil spill could cost almost $2 billion in damages. Also, any pipeline accident in the Straits of Mackinac could “represent a point of no return for species loss.” [BBC]
Mackinac Island (Erin Vanderklok, Unsplash)
¶ “California Battles Deadly Storms With Millions Under Flood Watch” • Around 25 million people in California are under a flood watch this weekend as the latest in a parade of deadly storms drenches the state. Several waterways have flooded, at least 19 people have died and thousands have been told to evacuate their homes. [BBC]
¶ “California Youths Help Storm Clean-Up As Schools Reopen” • Most of California’s youth have more experience with wildfires than with rainfall, due to the decades-long drought. But now, at Midland School in Santa Barbara County, pupils have pitched in to help save school buildings from being submerged by a creek that almost never normally flows. [BBC]
Normally dry stream (Courtesy of Midland School)
¶ “JA Solar Announces New Arizona PV Factory” • Chinese solar giant JA Solar has announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona, to produce high-performance solar PV panels. The solar panel factory is expected to be operational by Q4 2023, and it is expected to create more than 600 new jobs in the region. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Honda And LG Invest $3.5 Billion In New Ohio Plant” • Honda and LG Energy Solutions announced a joint venture to produce lithium-ion batteries for upcoming Honda and Sony/AFEELA EVs at a new plant about 40 miles southwest of Columbus, Ohio. LGES and Honda committed to investing $3.5 billion to build out the new facility. [CleanTechnica]
Honda e prototype (Honda image)
¶ “Four Upper Valley Communities Poised For Power-Pooling Plan” • Four Upper Valley communities are poised to be in the initial group of local governments receiving their electricity from the nonprofit Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. It is to pool the buying power of the municipalities of Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield, and Plainfield. [Valley News]
¶ “LU Grant Funding To Propel Diversity In Climate Science” • An $800,000 grant from the DOE will send Lincoln University students to learn from some of the nation’s top climate scientists. The grant will fund ten days at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, followed by time in the Smoky Mountains, for five students each year for four years. [News Tribune]
Have an elegantly flawless day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 14, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Now Is The Time For Clean Vehicles In New Mexico” • New Mexico could see public health and economic benefits if the state adopts three clean vehicle rules this year: the Advanced Clean Truck rule, the Heavy-Duty NOx Omnibus rules, and the Advanced Clean Cars II rule. The rules will also stimulate New Mexico’s economy. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Lithuanian Gas Pipeline Hit By Large Explosion” • A large blast hit a gas pipeline in northern Lithuania, near the Latvian border. Images broadcast by local media showed massive flames illuminating the night sky, but officials say there have been no injuries caused by the explosion. The pipeline’s operator said it did not believe the blast was suspicious. [BBC]
¶ “Germany Plans To Destroy This Town For A Coal Mine. Thousands Are Gathering To Stop It” • Police have removed hundreds of activists. Some of them have been in Lützerath for more than two years, occupying the homes abandoned by former residents after they were evicted, most by 2017, to make way for expansion of a lignite mine. [CNN]
Excavating machine (Pixabay, Pexels)
¶ “Low Renewable Energy Costs To Aid India’s Green Hydrogen Push” • India has the cheapest renewable energy in the world. As part of a green hydrogen plan, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to make 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with the potential to reach 10 million tonnes as export markets grow. [The National]
¶ “NASA: 2022 Was Fifth Warmest Year On Record” • The last nine consecutive years have been the warmest nine on record. The year 2022 effectively tied for Earth’s fifth warmest year since 1880, as Earth is about 2°F (1.11°C) warmer than the average for the late 19th century. Forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts are getting stronger as a result. [CleanTechnica]
Ocean heat (NASA image)
¶ “German Solar Power Firm Sees Soaring Demand” • Soaring demand for home solar power systems in Germany could boost revenues at Solarwatt to €500 million this year, up more than 50%. Homeowners are installing solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps, as they seek to cut their energy bills after huge price hikes last year. [Euronews]
¶ “UAE’s Masdar To Develop Number Of Renewable Energy Projects In Kyrgyzstan” • Masdar, the UAE’s leading renewable energy company, has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan to develop renewable energy projects with a capacity to generate 1 GW, Trend reports citing Masdar’s press service. [Trend News Agency]
Nomad homes, one with PV panel (Joel Heard, Unsplash)
¶ “Hitachi Energy To Develop Solar Projects With Sun Africa” • Hitachi Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with Sun Africa and UGT Renewables to collaborate on utility-scale solar PV power generation projects. The partners are completing their first project together, a 370-MW solar PV power plant across seven sites in Angola. [reNews]
¶ “REA Hails Scottish Net Zero Target” • The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology has welcomed the Scottish government’s intentions to meet its existing net zero target by 2045, five years ahead of the UK Government target. The plan includes an ambition to double renewable generation capacity by 2030 to 20 GW. [reNews]
¶ “UN Nuclear Watchdog To Establish “Continuous Presence” In Ukraine” • The head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency, will go to Ukraine next week to establish a “continuous presence” at all of the country’s nuclear power plants, according to a news release. This extends presence already established at the Zaporizhzhia plant. [Axios]
US:
¶ “Giant Parts Of 9,000-Ton Tesla Cybertruck Giga Press Arrive At Giga Texas” • CleanTechnica reported in October of 2022 that IDRA had started shipping the huge 9000-ton Cybertruck Giga Casting machine from its plant in Italy to the US. Now two semi trucks loaded with huge containers on their trailers were spotted at Giga Texas. [CleanTechnica]
Gigafactory Texas (Tesla image)
¶ “Tesla Reduces New Car Prices In Effort To Boost Sales” • Tesla has greatly reduced its prices for Model S, Model X, and Model Y cars in the US. In some cases, the price reductions make the Tesla cars eligible for tax reductions, magnifying the benefits. There were similar reductions in Europe, and after price cuts in China, Tesla sold 30,000 cars in three days. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Rural Communities Have Won Billions Of Dollars To Fund Renewable Energy” • Last year, rural advocates won big in the Inflation Reduction Act by securing billions of dollars for rural communities to implement clean energy. Now, the USDA Rural Utilities Service is asking for input on how to set up and roll out these funding programs. [Appalachian Voices]
Appalachian view (Abigail Ducote, Unsplash)
¶ “Powerful Clean-Energy Line To Crisscross New Mexico” • A 400-mile, $2 billion clean-energy transmission line planned for New Mexico became an official “public-private” project this week, boosting its development prospects. Operations are planned to start in 2028, potentially carrying 4 GW of renewable energy from Clayton to Farmington. [Albuquerque Journal]
¶ “California PUC Launches Rulemaking To Consider Extension Of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant” • The California Public Utilities Commission voted to open a rulemaking to consider extending the operations of the 2.2-GW Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Unit 1 could be kept running through October 31, 2029, and Unit 2 until October 31, 2030. [Utility Dive]
Have a really restful day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 13, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Yikes! USA Has Only Major Power Grid Without A Plan” • The US electric grid is often referred to as the greatest machine in the world. But in the aftermath of winter storm Elliott, we need to ask ourselves: is this machine a match for the extreme weather events that are blanketing the country with ever increasing frequency and ferocity? [CleanTechnica]
Icy transmission lines (Jerry Zhang, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Contrails Are A Problem For Aviation – But There Could Be An Easy Solution” • Environmentally, contrails are surprisingly bad. A study looked at aviation’s contribution to climate change and concluded that contrails create 57% of the sector’s warming impact by trapping heat that would otherwise be released into space. Fortunately, there is a solution. [CNN]
¶ “Scientists Claim Carbon Capture Is Viable And Fossil Fuel Producers Should Bear The Costs” • Scientists in the UK, the US, and the Netherlands published a study that says carbon capture is now a viable technology and fossil fuel companies should pay to remove the CO₂ attributable to their activities as a condition of being allowed to operate. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Huge Rare Earth Metals Discovery In Arctic Sweden” • The EU’s largest deposit of rare earths has been found in Sweden. No rare earths are currently mined in Europe, and 98% of rare earths used in the EU in 2021 came from China. The deposit’s discovery is seen as “decisive” for the green transition, as demand for EVs and wind turbines increases. [BBC]
¶ “Hitachi And Petrofac Win Early Works Deal For 2-GW Dutch Grid Hubs” • TenneT has entered into early works agreements with Hitachi Energy and Petrofac to support the group’s 2-GW Dutch program. The three companies will start working on the first two offshore converter stations for TenneT’s HVDC offshore wind grid expansion. [reNews]
Wind turbines (Waldemar Brandt, Unsplash)
¶ “Ecuador Accepts 511 MW In Renewable Energy Bids” • After all bids opened so far came in below required price caps, Ecuador plans to award contracts for 511 MW in ten solar, wind, and hydro projects worth about $800 million in February, the electricity vice minister said. The price caps ranged by technology from 5.24¢/kWh to 6.78¢/kWh. [Argus Media]
¶ “Finland: Wind Power Increased By 75% Last Year, Boosting Energy Security And Climate Goals” • Finland’s wind capacity increased by 75% last year, according to the Finnish Wind Energy Association. Almost half of Finland’s windpower is domestically owned, and the renewable energy source is providing a lifeline during the current energy crisis. [Euronews]
¶ “Japan Eyes Delay Of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Water Release: Report” • Japan revised the timing of a planned release to the sea of radioactive wastewater at Fukushima Daiichi to possibly summer, indicating a delay from the initial target of this spring, after factoring in the progress of a release tunnel and the need to gain public support. [Business Standard]
¶ “Total Eren And Ecopetrol Partner On 100-MW Columbian PV” • Total Eren has partnered with Columbian energy company Ecopetrol to implement a 100-MW solar project in the Latin American country. The Rubiales solar park will be built on the site of Ecopetrol’s Rubiales field, located in the municipality of Puerto Gaitan, in the Meta Province. [reNews]
Solar array (Total image)
US:
¶ “Exxon Accurately Predicted Global Warming From 1970s But Continued To Cast Doubt On Climate Science” • Exxon’s own scientists accurately predicted future global warming in reports dating back to the late 1970s, but for years the company publicly cast doubt on climate science while lobbying against climate action, new analysis shows. [CNN]
¶ “More Than 30 Tornadoes Reportedly Hit Several States As Severe Weather Swept Across The South” • Severe storms swept across the South on Thursday. Ferocious winds sent residents running for cover, blew roofs off homes, and killed at least six people in Alabama. At least 34 preliminary tornado reports were recorded as of Thursday evening. [CNN]
Tornado (Ralph W lambrecht, Pexels)
¶ “US Interior Department Takes Steps To Strengthen Offshore Clean Energy Development” • The Department of the Interior announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will publish a proposed rule to update and simplify regulations for clean energy development on the US Outer Continental Shelf to facilitate project approvals. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hawaii’s First Two Community-Owned Solar Projects Coming To Molokai” • Hawaiian Electric and Hoāhu Energy Cooperative Molokai are moving ahead with the state’s first two community solar plus battery projects. These projects could meet over 20% of Molokai’s energy needs and serve an estimated 1,500 households on the island. [Maui Now]
Molokai (Courtesy Hawaiian Electric, cropped)
¶ “Governor Hochul Announces Completion Of Plug Power’s $125 Million Manufacturing Facility In Albany County” • New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of a Plug Power manufacturing plant in Albany County. Plug Power’s GenDrive fuel cell systems are used to power electric motors in the electric mobility market. [Governor Kathy Hochul]
¶ “Interactive Mapping Tool For Siting Renewable Energy Projects” • Argonne National Laboratory released an online geospatial mapping tool to aid siting decisions and identify areas that are suitable for solar, wind, and other clean energy projects. It is a free, open resource to identify suitable locations for siting renewable energy projects. [pv magazine USA]
Have an excitingly comfortable day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 12, 2023
Science and Technology:
¶ “New UCF-Developed Battery Could Prevent Post-Hurricane Electric Vehicle Fires” • A researcher at the University of Central Florida has developed an aqueous battery that could prevent electric vehicle fires. The UCF-designed battery is fast charging, reaching full charge in three minutes, compared to the hours it takes lithium-ion batteries. [CleanTechnica]
Rivian in water (Rivian image)
World:
¶ “Global Experts Worry Simultaneous Crises Could Become The New Norm” • In a survey of risks, the World Economic Forum found that over 80% of respondents expected either “persistent crises” or “multiple shocks” over the next two years, at best leading to “divergent trajectories” for countries and at worst triggering “catastrophic outcomes.” [CNN]
¶ “Ocean Heat Hit Another Record High In 2022, Fueling Extreme Weather” • The world’s oceans were the warmest on record for the fourth year in row in 2022, according to a study published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. It is a troubling indication of the climate crisis caused by humans releasing heat-trapping gases. [CNN]
¶ “Toyota Hilux Hydrogen Fuel Cell Pickup Prototype Unveiled” • In much of the world, the Toyota Hilux pickup is one of the most popular vehicles. Toyota recently showcased its Toyota Hilux Revo Battery EV Concept. Toyota is not stopping there, but is looking to continue its work on hydrogen fuel cells. This time, it is focusing on the Hilux. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Siemens Energy Consortium Receives $4 Billion Wind Power Grid Contract” • Siemens Energy and Spain’s Dragados Offshore have been awarded a contract worth more than €4 billion ($4.29 billion) to build two converter systems for offshore wind energy grid connections in Germany, the German company said in a statement. [Offshore Magazine]
Offshore wind turbines (Nicholas Doherty, Unsplash)
¶ “India Could Potentially Add 45 GW Of Corporate Renewables By 2027” • Bridge to India says deployment of renewables by corporations will likely grow by 22% per year over the next few years, reaching 45 GW by 2027. Open-access PV and rooftop solar will remain the dominant sources of renewable power for corporate consumers. [PV Magazine]
¶ “Wind Power Sets New UK Record” • National Grid ESO has confirmed that wind provided more than half of the UK’s power at one time on the evening of January 10, 2023, setting a new record, according to RenewableUK. Wind generated 21.6 GW of electric power in the half-hour period between 6:00 and 6:30 pm, providing 50.4% of the UK’s power. [reNews]
¶ “Zimbabwe Looks To Public To Provide Solar Power Amid Energy Crisis” • As lingering droughts hit southern Africa’s hydropower dams, Zimbabwe faces growing electricity shortages, but connecting individuals and businesses that have installed private solar panels to the national grid could help fill some of the gap. [Devdiscourse]
¶ “Pacific Pleads With Japan Over Nuclear Waste Release” • In a few months, Japan will start dumping one million tonnes of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Japan must work with the Pacific to find a solution to its nuclear waste plan or we face disaster, the Pacific Islands Forum warned. [Stuff.co.nz]
US:
¶ “Storms Relentless As California Drenching Goes On” • The famously sunny southern coast of California has been hit by storm after storm since the December holidays, eroding roads, felling trees and causing landslides. As of Tuesday evening, at least 17 people had died in weather-related incidents since the storms began, Governor Newsom said. [BBC]
¶ “Ford EVs Made Up 4.5% Of Ford USA Sales In December” • Ford started to arrive on the EV scene in 2022. Ford has three compelling EVs, with the hot Ford Mustang Mach-E, the solid Ford F-150 Lightning, and the utilitarian Ford E-Transit. This doesn’t compare to the many fossil fuel vehicles it sells, but at least it’s off the blocks. [CleanTechnica]
Ford F-150 Lightning (Ford image)
¶ “NYC Set To Add 900 EVs To City Fleet” • New York City got a $10.1 million grant from the US Transportation Department and quickly announced plans to replace more than 900 city-owned, fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones and add 315 more EV charging stations. Nearly 20% of the city’s municipal fleet be fully electric by the end of this year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Duke Energy Begins Operating 207-MW Wind Farm In Iowa” • Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions has placed into operation a 207-MW wind farm in Iowa. The Ledyard Windpower project is the company’s first wind farm in the state, which accounts for 10% of US wind power. Amshore Renewable Energy was the project’s co-developer. [Power Engineering]
Wind technicians (Courtesy of Duke Energy)
¶ “Qcells Plans Largest Clean Energy Manufacturing Investment In US History” • The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Qcells, the solar panel manufacturing division of South Korea’s Hanwha, planned to invest in new factories in Georgia, saying it was “the largest clean energy manufacturing investment in US history.” Now it’s official. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Pipe Issue Delays Startup Of New Vogtle Nuclear Unit” • The startup of the first of two new reactors at the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia is being pushed back to at least April, one month after officials with Georgia Power had planned to start generating electricity from the unit. The delay is due to a vibrating pipe in the cooling system. [POWER Magazine]
Have an emphatically worthwhile day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 11, 2023
Opinion and Interview:
¶ “Mangrove Lithium CEO Talks Lithium Resources, Refining, And Localization” • When he started working on his PhD, Dr Saad Dara focused on water desalination and treatment, largely for oil and gas. Then someone asked if lithium chloride could be converted into lithium hydroxide, and that led to Mangrove Lithium. Here is an interview. [CleanTechnica]
Uyuni salt desert in Bolivia (Alexander Schimmeck, Unsplash)
¶ “Coal 2 Nuclear: Another Smokescreen That Obscures Real Climate Solutions” • After the failure of the much-trumpeted “nuclear renaissance” that never was, the nuclear lobby and its federal lackeys have come up with another PR clunker – Coal 2 Nuclear (hence, C2N). In reality, this is less C2N than CPR for an ailing nuclear power industry. [CounterPunch]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Why California’s storm is unlikely to reverse its drought” • Given the decades-long drought in California, you might be wondering if this extreme weather could in some ways be a positive. But the downpour is unlikely to have a big impact on the drought. Experts say it would take consecutive years of severe wet weather to reverse it in the long-term. [BBC]
Low water level (Ross Stone, Unsplash, cropped)
World:
¶ “The Past Eight Years Were The Eight Warmest On Record For Planet” • The last eight years have been the eight warmest on record as the growing concentration of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere pushes global temperatures toward a dangerous tipping point, analysis by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service shows. [CNN]
¶ “Volkswagen’s Worldwide Deliveries Of 100% Electric Vehicles Grew About 24% In 2022” • Volkswagen is advancing quickly in ramping up EV production. Worldwide ID model deliveries more than doubled in 2022, and sales in China had an increase of 102.9% year over year. The ID.4 is the company’s top EV model globally. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “World’s Longest Electric Vehicle Highway – It’s Now Under Construction” • Although all hopeful EV drivers can see from the road is concrete pads surrounded by temporary fencing in Kalbarri, this is the beginning of construction for the world’s longest EV highway, from Kunnanurra in the north of Western Australia to Esperance in the south. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “MyHydro To Start Construction Of The First Of 33 Small Hydropower Plants In DRC” • The Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world, at around 10%. The country is blessed, however, with over 50% of Africa’s total water resource. MyHydro plans to install turbines of a new design by Natel Energy. [CleanTechnica]
Natel Energy turbine (MyHydro image)
¶ “Sisco Sapena Launches H2PLT, The Company Behind Spain’s First Green Hydrogen Microgeneration Network” • H2PLT plans to create Spain’s first green hydrogen microgeneration network. It will use small PV farms and surplus solar electricity to make green hydrogen. The hydrogen is stored and used to generate electricity as needed by a fuel cell. [PR Newswire]
¶ “EDF Renewables Unveils UK Mega-Solar Project” • EDF Renewables and Luminous Energy have unveiled plans for a solar farm with battery in the UK east Midlands region. With a potential output of up to 800 MW, Springwell Solar Farm could provide the equivalent energy to supply around half of all the homes in Lincolnshire. [reNews]
Solar panels (EDF image)
¶ “$35 Billion Solar Venture Backed By Forrest, Cannon-Brookes Goes Into Voluntary Administration” • One of Australia’s largest renewable projects backed by prominent billionaires Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes has collapsed. Sun Cable said the move followed an “absence of alignment” with the shareholders’ objectives. [News.com.au]
US:
¶ “Extreme Weather Has Cost The US More Than $1 Trillion In The Past Seven Years, Feds Report” • The US was lashed by 18 extreme weather and climate disasters costing at least $1 billion each last year, a report shows. They came as tornadoes, extreme heat and cold, deadly flooding and hurricanes, and a climate change-fueled drought in the West. [CNN]
Climate and weather disasters (NOAA image)
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Google, Ford, GM, And Solar Companies Partner To Promote Scaling Of Virtual Power Plants” • A coalition of heavy hitters, including Ford, General Motors, Google Nest, OhmConnect, Olivine, SPAN, SunPower, Sunrun, SwitchDin, and Virtual Peaker, is to scale up the market for virtual power plants for grid resilience and decarbonization. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “How Many EV Chargers Does America Need? S&P Global Says ‘Lots’” • Even though many EV owners charge at home, the total number of EV chargers motorists can use will need to quadruple between 2022 and 2025 and grow more than eight-fold by 2030, an S&P Global report says. By 2030, nearly 30 million EVs will be on the US roads. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Went Up Again In 2022” • US greenhouse gas emissions grew by 1.3% in 2022, according to a report by the Rhodium Group. US emissions are now 15.5% below 2005 levels, the report said, leaving the nation on an uphill climb toward meeting its commitment to cut emissions 50% to 52% by the end of the decade. [Scientific American]
¶ “BP Starts Construction On Ohio Solar Power Facility” • British energy company BP announced that it started construction on a solar power facility in Ohio that could eventually provide enough clean energy to meet the equivalent demand of nearly 20,000 average households. The 134-MW Arche Solar project is in rural Ohio, near the Michigan border. [UPI]
Have a truly glorious day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 10, 2023
Science and Technology:
¶ “Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Costs In 2022 Are Nearly 90% Lower Than In 2008” • The US DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office estimates that the cost of an electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack declined 89% between 2008 and 2022. The 2022 estimate is $153/kWh on a usable-energy basis. The estimate for 2008 is $1,355/kWh. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “The Ozone Layer Is On Track To Recover Within Decades As Harmful Chemicals Are Phased Out, Scientists Report” • In rare good news for the planet, the Earth’s ozone layer is on track to recover completely within decades, as ozone-depleting chemicals are phased out across the world, according to a new assessment backed by the UN. [CNN]
¶ “Could Floating Solar Farms Survive Out At Sea?” • Indonesia has over 10,000 islands, so getting electricity to all its people is a huge challenge. Cables to remote islands are expensive. Solar power is one option to provide those islands with energy. But solar farms take up lots of space, so installing solar panels on the ocean surface is under study. [BBC]
Indonesian island (Denissa Devy, Unsplash)
¶ “Indian Company Breaks Ground At 1 Gigawatt Solar Power Park” • Indian hydropower company SJVN has announced start of construction of a large solar power park in the northern state of Rajasthan. The solar park will have a capacity of 1 GW. It will be developed on 5,000 acres at an estimated cost of ₹55 billion ($660 million). [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Electric Trucks: It’s Time To Gear Up” • Trucks are a climate problem for Europe. In addition to the noise and air pollution they generate, their greenhouse gas emissions reach 26% of the total of the road sector. Today, they are almost exclusively diesel powered. Without major change, their emissions will continue to grow in the coming decades. [CleanTechnica]
Truck charging depot (Daimler Truck image)
¶ “India Expects Utilities’ Annual Coal Demand To Surge About 8% After Renewables Shortfall” • India expects its power plants to burn about 8% more coal in the fiscal year ending March 2024, according to a senior government official and a power ministry presentation, after the country missed its 2022 renewable energy goal by more than 30%. [Reuters]
¶ “Renewables To Surpass Coal As Global Electricity Source In Just 2 Years” • Clean energy achieved momentum globally in 2022, but sadly, the momentum was triggered by a destructive action. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine catapulted the world into a global energy crisis. And that in turn sparked a drive to switch from fossil fuels to renewables. [Electrek]
Coal-burning power plant (Sam LaRussa, Unsplash)
¶ “Fears Over Potential Delay To Small Nuclear Reactor Rollout” • Concerns have been raised that the rollout of small modular reactors in the UK could be delayed due to funding challenges. According to The Times, a funding deal for the first fleet of mini nuclear reactors is not expected to materialise for at least another 12 months. [New Civil Engineer]
¶ “Environment Minister Meyer Confirms Phase-Out Of Nuclear Power In Mid-April” • Lower Saxony’s Environment and Energy Minister Christian Meyer (Greens) confirmed the shutdown of the nuclear power plant in Lingen in April. Even with a view to next winter, nuclear power is no longer necessary for security of supply in Germany, he said. [Market Screener]
US:
¶ “Montecito Residents Told To Flee Deadly Downpour” • The elite coastal enclave of Montecito has been ordered to evacuate during a major storm that has landed most of California under flood watch. Forecasters are warning state residents to brace for a “relentless parade of cyclones” over the next week. Around 90% of Californians were under flood watch. [BBC]
¶ “A US Federal Agency Is Considering A Ban On Gas Stoves, Report Says” • A federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves as concerns about indoor pollution linked to childhood asthma rise, according to a report first published by Bloomberg. A US Consumer Product Safety commissioner told Bloomberg gas stove usage is a “hidden hazard.” [CNN]
¶ “Governor Hochul Announces Approval Of Siting Permits for Three Major Solar Energy Facilities” • Governor Kathy Hochul announced the New York State Office of Renewable Energy has issued three siting permits for clean energy with a total capacity of 309 MW. The new projects bring the total approved to 1.8 GW since 2021. [Governor Kathy Hochul]
¶ “Six Polluted Waterways Slated For Restoration” • Good news for a new year! In 2022, NOAA helped to recover more than $114 million from polluters to restore six waterways after oil spill and industrial pollution incidents. NOAA and partners assessed the impacts of the incidents and reached legal settlements with those responsible to fund restoration. [CleanTechnica]
Research vessel at an oil spill (Courtesy of NOAA)
¶ “Trade Groups Say White House Guidance On GHG Analysis Will Ease Renewable Energy Permitting” • The White House Council on Environmental Quality’s interim greenhouse gas emissions guidance will ease the permitting process for clean energy projects, trade groups say. It clarifies best practices for analyzing GHG emissions. [Utility Dive]
¶ “DOE Opens Call For Deployable Solutions To Secure The US Power Grid” • The US DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are calling for applications for the second cohort of the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator program. It will bring experts together for rapid develop of cybersecurity for grid operations. [Department of Energy]
Have a laudably rewarding day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 9, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Why Nuclear Fusion Is Not The Holy Grail” • Last month, scientists made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion energy. The reaction produced more energy than it consumed. But the numerous inefficiencies this statement ignores aren’t the only problem. A useful fusion reactor is still a long way off, and we don’t know how far off. [Foreign Policy]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Three Reasons The World Is Seeing More Record-Breaking Deluges And Flash Floods” • Human-caused climate change is making severe flooding events like these more common. In mountainous regions, three effects of climate change are more intense precipitation, shifting snow and rain patterns, and the effects of wildfires on the landscape. [The Hindu]
World:
¶ “German Coal Mine Stand Off Amid Ukraine War Energy Crunch” • Lützerath, in western Germany, is about to be swallowed up by a massive coal mine. Around 200 climate activists, who are now all that stand in the way of the diggers expanding the Garzweiler opencast mine, have been warned to leave or be forcibly evicted. [BBC]
¶ “Single-Use Cutlery And Plates To Be Banned In England” • Single-use items like plastic cutlery, plates, and trays will be banned in England, the government said. It is not clear when the ban will come into effect, but it follows similar moves already made by Scotland and Wales. This latest measure does not cover items found in supermarkets or shops. [BBC]
¶ “UK’s EV Share Hits 40% In December – Tesla Model Y Overall Bestseller” • The UK’s auto market saw plugin EVs take 39.4% of new sales in December, a new record, up from 33.2% year on year. Full electrics took 32.9% of the market. The Tesla Model Y was the UK’s overall third best selling vehicle in 2022, and the top seller in December. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Virtual Power Plant Industry Driven By Rising Renewable Energy Production” • The virtual power plant market size was $3,367.7 million in 2022, and it will grow at a rate of 16.9% per year in the years to come, reaching $12,273.3 million by 2030, according to projections by a market research company, P&S Intelligence. [openPR.com]
¶ “Renewable Power Spreads To Remote Islands At Risk Of Being Cut Off In Disasters” • Generating renewable energy such as solar and wind power is becoming more common on remote islands across Japan. The aim in this trend is only partly to reduce greenhouse gas emissioins. It is also to secure electric power in case of disasters. [The Japan News]
¶ “Novel Database On Existing, Planned Renewables, Solar Projects In Africa” • German researchers created a georeference database for large wind, solar, and hydropower projects in Africa. The Renewable Power Plant Database for Africa features 1,074 hydropower projects, 1,128 solar plants, and 276 wind power assets, providing data for each. [PV Magazine]
¶ “WA Land Allocation Advances Plans For 26-GW Renewable Energy Hub” • British energy giant BP’s plans to build one of the world’s largest renewable energy and green hydrogen hubs in Western Australia got a significant boost when the government of the state allocated land to support development of the proposed 26-GW project. [pv magazine Australia]
Boodarie industrial area (Pilbara Ports Authority image)
¶ “DOE Names 9 Chinese Firms With $13.7 Billion Investment Pledges” • In a press conference, Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla has named the nine Chinese companies that committed to invest some $13.76 billion in the country following a recent visit of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr to China. [Philippine News Agency]
US:
¶ “Most Of California Could Experience Significant Flooding This Week” • Significant widespread flooding is possible across much of California as more heavy rain hits the state, forecasters say. Two major bouts of rain will impact the West Coast over the next few days. The concern is not just the rain, snow, and wind, but each event follows the last so quickly. [CNN]
Flood (Norm Hughes, California Department of Water Resources)
¶ “The IRS Answers All Your EV Tax Credit Questions – Sort Of” • People have a lot of questions about the new EV federal tax credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s little wonder. The rules are complex. In an attempt to clarify things, the IRS has released an FAQ document that attempts to answer the most common questions people have. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “GM Disagrees With Treasury And IRS On What Is An SUV” • There was some consternation at Cadillac when they discovered Treasury and the IRS want to classify the Lyriq as a passenger car, not an SUV. The car starts at $62,990. If it’s an SUV, it is eligible for the full federal tax credit. But as a passenger car, Lyriq buyers will get nothing. [CleanTechnica]
Have an uncomplicatedly lighthearted day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
(, CC-BY-SA 3.0) CO₂ NH₃ CH₄ ₹ NOₓ ‽ ♦♦♦♦♦
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 8, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “What Does It Mean That (Once Rare) Atmospheric Rivers And Bomb Cyclones Are Becoming More Frequent?” • Atmospheric rivers and bomb cyclones are ever more frequent and intense parts of the North American meteorological landscape. That fact is perfectly compatible with projections of climate change driven by our warming our planet. [The Hill]
Atmospheric river (National Weather Service image)
¶ “ESG Leader Parnassus Is Considering Investing In Nuclear Power Companies – This Is A Terrible Idea” • In a sea change, Parnassus Investments, the sustainable funds powerhouse, is considering investing in nuclear energy, citing climate change and improved nuclear safety. Why would they change? Nuclear power is still expensive and dangerous. [Daily Kos]
World:
¶ “BYD Sold 229,020 Atto 3 EVs In Ten Months” • In 2022, BYD sold 1,868,543 “new energy vehicles,” of which 946,239 were plug in hybrids. The rest, 911,140, were battery EVs. One star of BYD’s new lineup is the BYD Atto 3, which was launched in February of 2022. BYD sold 229,020 Atto 3s by the end of the year, for 25% of its battery EV sales. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EVs Take 55% Of The German Auto Market In December!” • The tide has turned in the electrification of the German auto market, with plugin EVs taking the majority of sales for the first time in December. Plugins took 55.4% of the month’s passenger auto sales, with full electrics taking 33.2%, and plugin hybrids taking 22.2%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ireland’s Big 7-GW Offshore Wind Power Push Underway” • In the republic of Ireland, they plan to install 7 GW of offshore wind by 2030. The first step, issuing the Maritime Area Consents, was taken in December 2022. “Seven new projects, amounting to 2.5 GW, will enter the Irish planning system and are expected to take part in ORESS 1.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewable Sources Set Energy Record In El Salvador” • Last year, the main generators of renewable energy in El Salvador were hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar. In combination, they supplied 83% of the electricity that reached Salvadoran homes, according to the Hydroelectric Executive Commission of the Lempa River [Prensa Latina]
¶ “China Seen Accelerating Wind And Solar Power Installation Under 5-Year Plan, Reaching 2030 Renewable Target Ahead Of Time” • Climate analysts expect China to reach its 2030 goal for renewable energy about five years ahead of schedule, after at least 30 provinces unveiled their respective programs under the national five-year plan. [South China Morning Post]
¶ “Iberdrola To Install First Floating Solar PV Power Plant” • The Iberdrola group plans to install in Brazil, through its subsidiary Neoenergia, its first floating PV plant. It will be built on the reservoir behind the Xaréu dam on the island of Fernando de Noronha, where Iberdrola is developing various sustainable energy solutions. [Energy Digital Magazine]
US:
¶ “ZF Partners With Beep To Bring Robo-Shuttle To Market” • ZF and US mobility provider Beep have formed an alliance to introduce a new shuttle service in America. They presented the shuttle in Las Vegas at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show. By joining together, ZF and Beep are paving the way for a more convenient mode of transportation. [CleanTechnica]
Autonomous shuttle (image courtesy of ZF)
¶ “TI Claims New Battery Management System Can Increase Range Of Electric Cars” • This week, Texas Instruments was at the Consumer Electronics Show 2023, where it introduced its latest battery cell and battery pack management tools. TI says its battery management tools could increase the range of an electric vehicle by as much as 20%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “House Bill 6 Left Ohio With Least Stringent Clean-Energy Program In US, Study Shows” • Since passage of a 2019 law now embroiled in criminal scandal, Ohio has had the least stringent clean-energy requirements of any US state with a renewable standard, a survey shows. Ohio derives the smallest share of its energy from renewable sources. [Cleveland.com]
Have an acceptably magnificent day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 7, 2023
World:
¶ “Natural Gas Prices Haven’t Been This Low Since Russia Went To War” • Natural gas prices in Europe and the US have tumbled to levels last seen before Russia sparked a global energy crisis by invading Ukraine. Europe can thank a record-breaking spell of warm weather, as well as its own barnstorming effort last summer to fill gas storage. [CNN]
Gas storage tanks (Patrick Federi, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Geely’s Panda Mini EV Joins A Growing List Of Cool EVs In China” • Geely wants you to “unleash your cuteness” with its new Panda Mini EV that comes with a 64-inch panoramic sun roof (canopy). It starts from about ¥55,800 in China, which is about $8,000. Hopefully, more of these mini EVs will start to find their way to other parts of the world. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plans To Install 3,000 MW of Additional Renewable Generation Capacity” • Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC has an installed capacity of 1,904 MW, of which over 86% is from green sources. KenGen now seeks to add 3,000 MW by 2030 and get 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. [CleanTechnica]
Geothermal plant (Courtesy of KenGen)
¶ “Nel Bags 120-MW German Electrolyser Order” • Nel has secured a 120-MW electrolyser order from HH2E, a German green hydrogen developer, for a project in the German Baltic coastal town of Lubmin. The expected order is worth more than €30 million. It will become binding with the signing of the final purchase contract. [reNews]
¶ “‘French Renewables Bill Must Not Be Watered Down’” • Ahead of the vote on the country’s Renewable Energy Acceleration Act, WindEurope has called on French policymakers to boost energy security. WindEurope warned that unhelpful amendments to the text could cause the bill to slow down the uptake of renewables instead of speeding it up. [reNews]
Wind farm (WindEurope image)
¶ “Nel And Statkraft Sign Norwegian Hydrogen Deal” • Hydrogen technology company Nel signed a contract with Statkraft for 40 MW of electrolysers and to develop a Norwegian green hydrogen value chain. Statkraft aims to bring its annual development rate to 4 GW of new power production and to add 2 GW of renewable hydrogen production by 2030. [reNews]
¶ “Climate Change Is Leaving African Elephants Desperate For Water” • African elephant numbers have dropped from about 26 million in the 1800s to 415,000 today. While this is largely due to European colonisation, poaching and habitat loss, these majestic animals now face another grave challenge. Drought is leaving them without sufficient water. [Devdiscourse]
Elephant mother and child (Casey Allen, Unsplash)
¶ “International Nuclear Fusion Energy Project Faces Delays, Say Scientists” • A little less than a month after scientists working on a nuclear fusion project in the US made a major breakthrough, some not-so-good news has come for other scientists working on a similar international project. The dates in a projected timeline for production were not realistic. [WION]
US:
¶ “Great Salt Lake Will Disappear In Five Years Without Massive ‘Emergency Rescue,’ Scientists Say” • Utah’s Great Salt Lake is facing “unprecedented danger,” experts say, It has fallen to an alarmingly low levels in a megadrought fueled by climate change. A dire report calls for “emergency measures” to save the Great Salt Lake from going dry. [CNN]
Great Salt Lake (Patrick Hendry, Unsplash)
¶ “EPA Is Proposing A New Rule To Crack Down On Deadly Air Pollution” • For the first time since 2012, the US EPAis proposing an update to the federal air quality standard for fine soot. It is a step that has long been awaited to reduce deadly air pollution. It would reduce the amount of particulate matter, called PM2.5, allowed to be in outdoor air. [CNN]
¶ “Widespread Damage To The California Coast In The Wake Of Major Storms” • A deadly storm has inflicted widespread damage in northern California, dumping record-breaking rain along the coastline. Waves washed away walls of homes, while mudslides, sinkholes, and flooding were reported throughout the region. Two deaths have also been reported. [BBC]
Window smashed by a wave (Cambria fire department)
¶ “Joe Biden Making Great Climate Progress, But US Misses Self-Imposed Deadlines For Several Environmental Goals” • As soon as he took office, Joe Biden recognized the “maximum threat” of climate change and created a White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy. Here is a look at what has been accomplished, and what has not been. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Mercury Marine Unveils Its First Electric Outboard Boat Motor” • Mercury Motors presented its all-new Avator™ 7.5e electric outboard at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is a revolutionary accomplishment, as it is both the first of its kind from Mercury and one of many slated to be released this year! [CleanTechnica]
Boat with an electric outboard motor (Mercury Marine image)
¶ “What To Know About Home Depot’s New Energy Deal” • The Home Depot recently announced plans for all its facilities to be powered by solar energy by 2030. The company purchased 100 MW of solar energy from National Grid Renewables in Denton County, Texas. This purchase is the equivalent of 8% of Home Depot’s total electricity use. [House Digest]
¶ “UCS Commends Vox Media Ban On Fossil-Fuel Advertising” • Vox Media confirmed this week that the company will no longer accept advertising revenue from fossil-fuel companies or groups that do lobbying in support of fossil-fuel companies. Vox Media owns New York Magazine and Vox, among other widely read publications. [Union of Concerned Scientists]
Have a conveniently grand day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 6, 2023
Science and Technology:
¶ “Flying Boats And Other Tech For Cleaner Shipping” • The Pioneer is an electric foiling workboat developed by Artemis Technologies. The foil, a wing-like structure beneath the boat, lifts the hull out of the water, reducing drag. Combine that with an electric motor, Artemis says, and you have a vessel with 90% reduced fuel costs and no emissions. [BBC]
Artemis Technologies electric boat (Artemis Technologies image)
World:
¶ “Germany And Norway Will Build A Big Hydrogen Pipeline” • German power producer RWE and Norwegian energy firm Equinor announced plans to build hydrogen-fueled power plants in Germany over the next few years, as well as a major pipeline between the two countries to feed them. They will use methane to make hydrogen and perform carbon capture. [CNN]
¶ “Up To Half Of The World’s Glaciers Could Disappear Even If Ambitious Climate Targets Are Hit” • Glaciers will lose far more ice, causing more sea level rise than current scientific estimates project, a study shows. Researchers found that up to half of all glaciers could be lost by the end of the century, even given the world’s ambitious global climate actions. [CNN]
Perito Moreno Glacier (Birger Strahl, Unsplash)
¶ “Sierra Madre: Fighting To Save What’s Left Of A Rainforest” • The Sierra Madre is the backbone of Luzon, the island in the Philippines. Stretching for more than 500 km (310 miles), her peaks are thought to shield the 64 million people from the worst of strong typhoons. But 90% of the original rainforest is gone, so lanslides and flash floods are common. [BBC]
¶ “New Zealand Achieves 30% Plugin Vehicle Penetration” • Back in August, CleanTechnica broke the news that New Zealand had reached a point that 12% vehicle sales were plugins. Now, New Zealand has bumped that up to 30%! Part of that difference centered around one-off factors, but a big part was that Tesla models are finally available. [CleanTechnica]
New Zealand landscape (Tobias Keller, Unsplash)
¶ “Aussie Miners Consider The Renewable Option” • Aussie miners may be the most efficient and well governed companies in the world. It is only natural that they consider using renewable energy and head toward net-zero emissions. Mines use massive amounts of power 24/7, so hybrid options including wind, solar, hydro, and batteries are the best option. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “France’s EVs Take Record Quarter Share Of Market” • For December French plugin EVs grew to take 25.0% share of the auto market, up fractionally from 24.4% a year ago. Overall auto volumes for the month were flat year on year, but full year 2022 volumes were down almost 8% on 2021. The Dacia Spring was December’s bestselling BEV. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Germany Generated A Historical Amount Of Electricity From Wind Energy This Week” • On January 4, Germany set a wind energy record. European Energy Exchange data showed wind farms nationwide had produced more than 50,000 MW of power, resulting in the highest production of electricity ever from wind turbines. [Green Matters]
¶ “Global Renewable Power Capacity To Double In Five Years: IEA Report” • The global capacity of renewable power generation is expected to almost double over the next five years as countries step up efforts to deal with the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a report by the International Energy Agency has shown. [毎日新聞, The Mainichi]
Rooftop solar system in a village (Pixabay, Pexels)
¶ “UK’s 2022 Was Hottest Year On Record, Says Forecaster” • The UK experienced its hottest year on record in 2022, the national weather service said. Human-induced climate change made what would normally be a once-in-500-year event likely to happen every three or four years. Since 1884, all the ten warmest years have occurred after 2003. [Devdiscourse]
¶ “Wind Power Hits Record As Turbines Deliver Over A Quarter Of UK Electricity In 2022” • Data from National Grid show wind was the second largest source of electricity over 2022, supplying 26.8%. It represents a gain of five percentage points compared to 2021. Wind now accounts for a greater proportion of the UK’s electricity mix than nuclear. [The Telegraph]
Wind turbines (Sam Forson, Pexels)
US:
¶ “Evacuations Ordered In California As Deadly Storm Slams Into Coast” • Heavy rain and powerful winds are pounding the northern California coast and forecasters have warned people to expect more flooding and mudslides. California has been under a state of emergency since Wednesday. Over 160,000 home and businesses have lost power. [BBC]
¶ “The Hardest Part of Electric School Buses, Made Easier” • The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is investing $5 billion over five years in clean school buses, and almost all of them electric so far. It’s easy to focus just on the electric school buses themselves. They’re big, photogenic, quiet, and emit no bad smells. But they do need chargers. [CleanTechnica]
Lion electric school bus (Lion image)
¶ “Solar Projects Help Meet California’s Green Energy Goals, But There’s More To The Story” • To the east of Palm Springs, on an expanse of desert called Victory Pass, construction workers drive row after row of big metal posts into the desert floor. They will hold enough solar panels to power more than 130,000 homes. But at what cost to the fragile desert? [KCRW]
¶ “Rhode Island Aims To Be First To Use Inflation Reduction Act To Deploy Solar For Low-Income Homeowners” • Rhode Island is seeking a company to partner with two state agencies to deploy solar on low-to-moderate income, or LMI, single-family homes using environmental justice tax credits that are in the Inflation Reduction Act. [Utility Dive]
Have a thoroughly exuberant day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 5, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Electric Vehicle Misconceptions: Managed!” • Most consumers and fleet managers aren’t familiar with EVs, and thus have some concerns about thems that are not based in reality. We’re going to address some common EV myths here and bust them open. Some myths are just black and white issues, and some are more nuanced. We’ll look at both types. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Should The US Mandate Food Waste Composting?” • Should the US mandate food excess composting? What other solutions might work to reduce methane emissions in landfills? How does the use of digital technology, which has been accessed more and more since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, offer hopes to further reduce food waste? [CleanTechnica]
¶ “No ‘Winter Of Discontent’ For West, But Energy Realities Still Hit Home” • After Russia invaded Ukraine, oil prices soared and Moscow choked off almost all the natural gas it fed to Europe. But the resulting energy crisis did not go the way Vladimir Putin planned. It united the world around the idea that energy security is paramount. [Christian Science Monitor]
Gas works (Ratul Ghosh, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Green Surge Is Circuit Breaker On Nuclear Revival” • Nuclear power received what seem like two plum gifts for 2023. High energy prices and the desire to decarbonize spurred renewed interest in nuclear technology, which provides about 10% of the world’s electricity supply. But a surging supply of green power is likely to limit any renaissance. [Nasdaq]
¶ “How France’s Prized Nuclear Sector Stalled In Europe’s Hour Of Need” • France should be in a strong position as Europe reels from an energy crisis, drawing on its notable nuclear industry. But the French nuclear sector has been going through a rough patch. Analysts blame a mixture of bad luck and a political deal from a decade ago. [MSN]
Cooling towers (Johannes Plenio, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “BYD Hits Nearly 1 Million BEV Sales In 2022” • Overall, BYD sold 1,863,494 plugin vehicles in 2022. The company sold 911,140 battery EVs. Tesla was the first automaker to surpass 1 million BEV sales in a year, scoring 1.31 million sales in 2022, but BYD is not that far behind on that milestone. It will surely be the second automaker to reach it. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Zambia Increases Load-Shedding To 12 Hours A Day!” • Water levels in Kariba Dam are dangerously low, mainly due to climate change-induced irregular rainfall patterns. The dam’s hydro plants provide power to Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River Authority directed power companies in both countries to reduce generation at Kariba. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Norway’s EV Sales Explode Ahead Of Policy Changes” • The Norwegian auto market saw plugin EV volume explode to take 87.6% share in December, with huge numbers of BEVs registered, and overall auto volumes double those of seasonal norms. The freak volume in December 2022 resulted from one-off effects ahead of new policies and taxes. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Duo Plan Greenland’s ‘First’ Commercial Wind Project” • H2Carrier and Greenland-based company Anori have signed a Letter of Intent to develop the first commercial wind farm in Greenland. The 1.5-GW wind farm is intended to supply power to H2Carrier’s vessel, P2XFloater, for on-board production of hydrogen and green ammonia. [reNews]
P2XFloater (H2Carrier image)
¶ “UK Urged To Introduce Onshore Wind Targets” • Targets for onshore wind as well as for tidal energy will help the UK to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels, an Environmental Audit Committee report says. It details a string of measures the UK needs to take to reduce its fossil fuel dependency, which accounts for 78% of the UK’s energy needs. [reNews]
¶ “How Chile Is Becoming A Leader In Renewable Energy” • As the effects of climate change become more apparent, countries around the world are facing a similar dilemma – how to reduce carbon emissions without causing economic damage. Chile could offer policymakers around the world a playbook for transitioning to renewable energy. [The World Economic Forum]
¶ “Battery Energy Storage System Global Market Report 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact” • The global battery energy storage system market is expected to grow from $3.36 billion in 2021 to $4.34 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate of 29.1%. The growth comes after Russia invaded Ukraine, disrupting the recovery from the pandemic. [Yahoo Finance]
US:
¶ “Powerful Bomb Cyclone Slams Into California With Hurricane-Force Winds And Heavy Rain” • A powerful bomb cyclone slammed into the California coast Wednesday night, lashing the state with heavy downpours and hurricane-force winds as the storm advanced onshore. Peak wind gusts at 85 mph were recorded in Nicasio Hills. [CNN]
¶ “LLNL’s Energy Flow Diagrams Show The US Isn’t Moving The Needle On Climate Action” • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has published energy flow diagrams for the US since 2010. Looking at this chart and others like it, we can see that in seven years of electrification and deployment of wind and solar, the US barely budged the needle. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Texas Ag Agency Says Climate Change Threatens State’s Food Supply” • On the heels of a historic drought that has devastated crops from the High Plains to South Texas, a report from the Texas Department of Agriculture has linked climate change with food insecurity and identified it as a potential threat to the state’s food supply. [KVUE]
Have a steadfastly edifying day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 4, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Peter Sterling: A Vermont Solution To Fighting Climate Change: 100% Renewable Energy” • It’s 2023 and the question is no longer “is climate change here” but “what is Vermont going to do to stop it?” We already have a law in place, the 2015 Renewable Energy Standard, that takes us part way there. It’s time to take the next step. [Caledonian Record]
Science and Technology:
¶ “The Promise Of Batteries That Come From Trees” • As demand for EVs soars, scientists are searching for materials to make sustainable batteries. Lignin, a constituent of wood, is shaping up to be a strong contender. Stora Enso, a forestry company in Finland, hired engineers to look into the possibility of using lignin to make batteries. [BBC]
World:
¶ “Snow Shortage Threatens Alps With Wet Winter Season” • Across the Alps, unseasonably warm wet weather has put a real damper on the start of the ski season. Resorts around Salzburg last had snow a month ago. In Chamonix, France, a shortage of water idled snow cannons. Some Swiss resorts opened their summer biking trails. [BBC]
¶ “Now 13% Of New Vehicle Sales Globally Are 100% Electric Vehicles!” • Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 46% in November 2022 compared to November 2021, to 1,060,000 units, a new record, beating the 1,040,000 registrations of the month of September. Altogether, 18% of new vehicles sold across the world have a plug. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Top Five Automakers For Electric Vehicle Sales Globally” • BYD continued its rise in November, up to an 18.4% share of the plugin market. Tesla increased its share to 13%. Also in the top five were Volkswagen Group, SAIC, and Geely-Volvo. Tesla stood out among full battery EVs, with an 18.1% share, while BYD came in second with a 12.7% share. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “In Europe, 17.3% Of New Cars Are Fully Electric, 27.7% Have A Plug” • The European automotive market is back in the black, with a 17% growth rate in November. Things are even better for the plugin vehicle market. About 281,000 plugin vehicles were registered in November, 26% growth compared to the same month of 2021, setting a record. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Brazil Connects 6.5 GW Of Non-Hydro Renewables In 2022” • Brazil gave the go-ahead to 6,504.7 MW of wind, solar, and biomass power plants to operate in 2022, power sector regulator Aneel announced. Overall, the country added 8,235.1 MW of capacity last year. Wind parks accounted for 2,922.5 MW, while solar provide 2,677.3 MW. [Renewables Now]
Omega Energia Brazilian wind park (Omega Energia image)
¶ “Germany Delays Emissions Goals Despite Renewable Energy Boom” • Berlin aims to become carbon-neutral by 2045 and to cut 65% of emissions by 2030 compared with 1990, but short-term measures to ensure energy security following Russia’s attack against Ukraine left it behind schedule. Germany’s CO₂ emissions held steady last year. [TRT World]
¶ “Wind Power Sets Third Generation Record In A Year” • A new wind energy record was set last week in the UK, National Grid ESO confirmed. Wind power generated 20.918 GW of electricity over a half-hour period on 30 December 2022. Trade body RenewableUK said that wind energy provided 61.4% of the UK’s power that day. [reNews]
Wind turbines (Waldemar Brandt, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “California Braces For More ‘Brutal’ Flooding And Mudslides As Experts Warn It Won’t Quench Historic Drought” • Parts of drought-plagued California are facing an onslaught of powerful storms, bringing flooding rainfall and even mud and debris flows to the state. The entire state will see impacts of the storm, but it won’t be enough to end the drought. [CNN]
¶ “Demand For Chevy Bolt EV/EUV Spikes, Dealers Salivate” • For many of us, an EV that starts under $30,000 is ideal because it’s what we can afford. Even people who can afford a Tesla at over $50,000 would rather keep their monthly budget open for other things. The Chevy Bolt may not be the best EV, but it fits what many people want. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Army Tests A New Flow Battery From Lockheed Martin” • The US Army is one step towards its goal of reducing fossil fuel use, as a new flow battery from Lockheed Martin is to be tested at Fort Carson in Colorado. If all goes according to plan, the new battery will be installed at Department of Defense facilities, both within the US and overseas. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Top 20 NREL Stories Of 2022” • Throughout 2022, researchers, staff, and leadership at the US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory were hard at work. As the year draws to a close, we look back at some of the laboratory’s most impactful accomplishments from 2022 that are helping to build a clean energy future for the world. [CleanTechnica]
Energy Secretary Granholm speaking (Werner Slocum, NREL)
¶ “Massachusetts Approves Commonwealth And Mayflower PPAs” • The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has approved the power purchase agreements for the Mayflower and Commonwealth Wind offshore wind farms. The decision comes despite concerns raised by both developers over the financial viability of the sites under the current terms. [reNews]
¶ “FirstEnergy Agrees To Pay $3.9 Million For Failing To Tell FERC About Energy Bill Bribery Payments” • FirstEnergy is working through issues related to bribes it doled out in support of HB 6, energy legislation in Ohio that provided about $1 billion to two nuclear power plants owned by a former subsidiary, now called Energy Harbor. [Utility Dive]
Have an altogether amusing day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 3, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Falling Solar Panel Prices In China Will Impact Countries Around The World” • A glut of polysilicon led leading Chinese solar panel manufacturers to lower their prices by up to 27%. This could not come at a better time for Europe, which is racing to install large numbers of solar panels to offset the loss of cheap methane from Russia. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Four Reasons To Give Up Defending Fossil Fuels” • Here are four reasons that businesses, asset managers, governments, and individual investors should avoid fossil fuels: Fossil fuels can’t compete with renewable energy. They are unacceptable risks. They can’t be trusted. They have sacrificed their social licenses to operate. That is just a start. [The Hill]
¶ “Nuclear Is Not The Answer To The UK’s Energy Needs” • The government and the opposition have completely ignored a number of warnings, and they go doggedly on, supporting the construction of the nuclear reactor at Sizewell and considering plans to build others. But nuclear is not the answer to the UK’s energy requirements. [The Guardian]
Science and Technology:
¶ “The Wait For Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Aircraft Just Got Shorter” • Batteries and fuel cells have scaled up for semi trucks, locomotives, and construction vehicles along with stationary energy storage. Sending them up on an airplane is a different matter entirely, but recent activity indicates that zero emission aircraft are close at hand. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “India Readies $2.2 Billion In Incentives For Green Hydrogen” • The Indian government could soon announce an incentive program worth $2.2 billion to help reduce the production of cost of green hydrogen. According to Reuters, the incentive package could be part of next year’s budget scheduled to be tabled in India’s parliament on February 1. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “BERC Approves Bihar DISCOMs To Procure 600 MW Of Solar Power At ₹2.50/kWh” • The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission gave the state distribution companies permission to buy 600 MW of solar power from the Solar Energy Corporation of India or a period of 25 years at a rate of ₹2.50/kWh (3.0¢/kWh) and a trading margin of ₹0.07/kWh. [SolarQuarter]
¶ “Power Sector Seeks Solutions For Supply Chain Issues” • The pandemic has exposed issues with the global supply chain that provides resources for power generation and energy storage. The pressure of having enough equipment to meet industry needs has spurred an emphasis on domestic manufacturing in the US and elsewhere. [POWER Magazine]
President Biden (Werner Slocum, NREL)
¶ “2022 Another Remarkable Year For Australian Renewables” • Not many years ago, some so-called experts claimed more than 20% renewables would be a disaster for the electricity grid. In 2022, Queensland had the lowest portion of renewable electricity at 22.4%, New South Wales was next lowest at 27.7%, and the other states ranged from 38.2% to 93.1%. [SolarQuotes]
¶ “Renewable Energy Jobs On The Rise” • In 2021, renewable energy jobs reached 12.7 million globally in a trend that’s set to continue. They grew by around 700,000 between 2020 and 2021, according to the Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2022 by IRENA. The highest number of renewable energy jobs are for solar power, at 4.3 million. [Oil Price]
Installing rooftop solar (Bill Mead, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Major Winter Storm Threatens Powerful Tornadoes And Flooding In The South And Heavy Snow And Freezing Rain Across The Plains And Midwest” • Leaving California with floods, a major storm is likely to pull moisture from a very warm Gulf of Mexico for severe thunderstorms in the South. The Plains and Upper Midwest will get ice and snow. [CNN]
¶ “EPA Can Now Regulate Waterways – A Huge Shift After A Decade Of Legal Challenges” • It’s amazing what difference a US federal rule can make. With the stroke of a presidential pen, the US EPA can now regulate and protect hundreds of thousands of small streams, wetlands, and other waterways. Of course, the Supreme Court could change that. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Battery Manufacturing Is Creating Lots And Lots And Lots Of Jobs” • With the demand for EVs on the rise, new Battery Belt factories are reinventing the workplace in many communities of the Rust Belt. Battery manufacturing is creating new economic development opportunities – and no college degree is needed to qualify for employment. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Human Waste And Climate Change Are Destroying Old Cape Cod” • The Cape is a magical place. Towns along Cape Cod Bay are so quaint and perfectly preserved they make you feel like you have stepped back in time a century or two. Sadly, that Cape Cod is dying. It is literally drowning in the detritus of civilization, pollution and climate change. [CleanTechnica]
Cape Cod National Seashore (National Park Service image)
¶ “Fossil Fuel Power Fell Up To 68% As Blackouts Hit US South” • Duke Energy Corp and the Tennessee Valley Authority cut power to homes and businesses during the holiday season at a time when an extreme winter storm pounded the South. The outages were due to major generating failures at plants powered by coal and natural gas. [Rigzone]
¶ “Youngkin Wants A Small Nuclear Reactor In Southwestern Virginia. Here’s What We Know About Nuclear Waste Disposal In Virginia” • A number of questions swirl around the governor’s plan to put a small modular nuclear reactor in Southwest Virginia. Many of them center around concerns about the waste it would produce. [Cardinal News]
Have a spectacularly beautiful day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 2, 2023
Opinion:
¶ “Tesla In 2022 – Stats, Factory Progress, Milestones” • 2022 has been a big year for Tesla, with the automaker surpassing some key milestones despite a bear market. Tesla is heading into 2023 with substantially increased production output, a growing charging infrastructure and energy sector, and firm financials to back these milestones up. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla store (Image courtesy of Tesla)
¶ “Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine Has Forever Changed How The World Does Science” • Despite widespread Western support for Ukraine, it is difficult to disentangle US scientific and technical collaborations with Russia. American scientists themselves resist, arguing that their work is too important and urgent to disrupt, especially relating to climate change. [Yahoo News]
Science and Technology:
¶ “The Hidden Underwater Forests That Could Help Tackle The Climate Crisis” • Seaweed forests can act as a vital buffer against the climate crisis, absorbing carbon dioxide from seawater and the atmosphere. Ocean forests may store as much carbon as the Amazon rainforest, according to one analysis. But there is a lot about it that is unknown. [The Guardian]
World:
¶ “Delhi Proposes 6-GW Solar Power Target” • Media reports say the government National Capital Territory of Delhi issued a draft solar power policy that set a goal of 6 GW of solar power capacity installed by the end of 2025. With this, the government hopes to increase the share of solar power in Delhi’s power consumption from current 9% to 25%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Highland Peatbog Seeking Worldwide Recognition” • In the 1970s, peatbogs were drained as huge diggers made massive ditches for planting non-native trees for commercial forestry. Then the environmental damage became clear. Now a vast area of peatbog in Scotland’s Flow Country could become one of Unesco’s newest World Heritage sites. [BBC]
¶ “EU To ‘Decouple Gas And Renewables Prices’” • The European Union is planning to decouple market prices for renewables and gas as part of a revamp of the bloc’s energy policy. The Financial Times reported that Brussels wants to prioritise cheaper green power, and that would upend the current system that generally sees fossil fuels set the market rate. [reNews]
¶ “Tata Power To Set Up 255-MW Wind-Solar Project For Indian Utility” • Tata Power Renewable Energy has secured a letter of award from Tata Power Delhi Distribution to set up a 255 MW hybrid power project in the Indian state of Karnataka, featuring 170 MW of wind and 85 MW of solar. Tata Power RE currently has 6.05 GW of capacity. [PV Magazine]
¶ “How China’s Solar Panel Price War Could Drive Renewable Energy Installations Globally” • Amid falling costs of polysilicon, due to excess supply, leading Chinese manufacturers Longi Green Energy Technology, TCL Zhonghuan, and Tongwei Solar reduced prices by as much as 27%, according to the China Silicon Industry Association. [South China Morning Post]
¶ “Railways Rolls Out Energy Efficiency Plan To Meet 2030 Net-Zero Target” • India’s railways ministry rolled out an energy efficiency plan to be carbon-neutral by 2030. The ministry is looking to reduce overall energy use with efficient operations and increased use of renewables. Non-traction uses account for over 2,100 GWh per year. [Business Standard]
¶ “Britain Opens Nuclear Fuel Fund With Goal Of Cutting Its Dependence On Russia” • The UK has a £75 million ($90.5 million) fund aimed to help boost domestic production of nuclear fuel for power plants and cutting reliance on Russian uranium supplies. It is ready to process grant applications from businesses involved in uranium conversion. [CNBC]
US:
¶ “Epic Flooding Leads To Water Rescues And Highway Closures In California As The Storm System Threatens More States” • A massive storm has caused life-threatening flooding in California and is pushing east. At least two people have been killed and scores of others rescued from the flooding in parts of northern California over the weekend. [CNN]
Please click on the image to enlarge it. (NOAA image)
¶ “$4,000 Tax Credit For Used EVs Under $25,000 Starts Now, But When Will Tesla Model 3 Be Eligible?” • EVs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their environmental benefits and cost savings, among other reasons. Now, EVs that are at least two years old, selling for under $25,000 may be eligable for incentives. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Toyota To Study V2G In Texas In 2023” • Toyota Motor North America and Oncor Electric Delivery, a Texas-based electric transmission and distribution company, have collaboratively established a novel Vehicle-to-Grid technology pilot project. This research equips Toyota and Oncor to support EV charging more effectively in America. [CleanTechnica]
Toyota EV (Toyota image)
¶ “Two Partnerships Expand Access To Clean Energy And Transport In The Eastern US” • As we close the year out, we should mention a couple of neat energy projects we learned about this month from the eastern US. They help increase access to clean energy and clean transport, but they also help level the playing field in other ways. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New York – 6 GW Of Energy Storage By 2030 Proposed” • A roadmap to have 6 GW of energy storage in New York State by 2030 is to be considered by the NY PUC. That is at least 20% of the state’s peak electricity load. The roadmap proposes adding 3 GW of bulk storage, 1.5 GW of retail storage and 200 MW of residential storage. [Power Engineering International]
Have an amply pleasant day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
January 1, 2023
Science and Technology:
¶ “Sorghum: Harnessing The Power Of Climate Smart Crops” • As we begin to see the effects of climate change, it is clear that not all crops will be reliable producers in the long term. Extreme weather patterns and changing ecosystems pose a threat to many of the sources of food and energy we rely on. Sorghum, however, is up to the challenge. [The Business Journals]
World:
¶ “What Happened To The World’s Ozone Hole?” • Back in the 1990s, the hole in the planet’s ozone layer was a pressing global crisis. To address the issue, the Montreal Protocol was signed by every country on Earth – to date the only treaty to be universally ratified. Unfortunately, the scope of climate change makes it much more difficult to address. [BBC]
¶ “Happisburgh: The Norfolk Village Crumbling Into The Sea” • Happisburgh and other parts of the Norfolk coast have the highest number of properties at risk from coastal erosion in England. During the last 20 years, 34 homes have crumbled into the water in Happisburgh because of coastal erosion. The erosion is linked to the changing climate. [BBC]
¶ “Victoria’s Roadmap From Gas To Electricity” • The Australian state of Victoria is making headlines as it moves from brown coal to wind and from fossil fuel gas to battery-firmed solar. As such, it is making a great effort to take the general public along for the journey along Victoria’s Roadmap, with education playing a key role in the process. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “3D-Printed Electric Car Whipped Up By Canadian Auto Parts Companies” • 3D printing has steadily wormed its way into the auto parts field. Everyone wants a piece of the action, including Canadian auto parts suppliers. They are breaking out of the pack with Project Arrow, an electric car featuring a fully functional 3D-printed chassis. [CleanTechnica]
Project Arrow electric car (Courtesy of Project Arrow)
¶ “Greener Power: India To Produce Half Of Its Energy Needs From Renewable Sources By 2030” • India is projected to surpass the government’s target of producing half of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. While solar and wind projects dominate, newer trends, such as microgrids, are redefining the energy paradigm. [The New Indian Express]
¶ “Awesome Dutch BEV Sales In 2023” • The Dutch market for first-time battery EV buyers may grow a little, perhaps from 20% market share to 25% in 2023. But a market of BEV replacement orders is starting, perhaps reaching 15% market share. The whole year could be over 40% BEV market share, growing to 50% at the end of the year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Nuclear Plants Face Shutdown Over Tax On Windfalls” • EDF, which operates all five of the UK’s operating nuclear plants, said the Chancellor’s raid on power producers will make it harder to keep the ageing Heysham 1 and Hartlepool stations open as long as hoped. It would mean the sites close in March 2024, removing a “cushion” of spare capacity. [MSN]
US:
¶ “New (Green) Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks, New Hope For Nikola” • The US startup Nikola got off to a rough start after it launched in 2014, but things have been looking up for the zero emission automaker of late. The company is finally on track to bring its promised Tre hydrogen fuel cell truck to the market for long-distance shipping. [CleanTechnica]
Tre hydrogen fuel cell truck (Courtesy of Nikola)
¶ “New Mexico EV Charging Stations Update (Some Got A Second Jolt Of Cash)” • New Mexico charging stations have been having supply chain issues. In Alamogordo, Allsup’s had built a new station, and everything was in place except for one very notable thing: the stations themselves. Here is an update on how things are going in the state. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Massive Tesla Supercharger Buildout In Response To Massive Sales Of Model Y, 3, S, And X” • The I-15 (Salt Lake City and Saint George, Utah corridor to Las Vegas, Nevada, and on to Southern California) corridor has become a very heavily traveled route for Tesla vehicles. The Tesla Supercharger buildout and use along this route has become really clear. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “California Offshore Wind Promises A New Gold Rush While Reducing Emissions” • Installation of enormous floating wind turbines needed to turn West Coast ocean gales into clean electricity may be years off, but results of a federal lease auction this month off California promised to kickstart a work boom on the state’s northern and central coasts. [OPB]
¶ “Warming Waters Are Driving Bering Sea Crashes, But Alaska’s Fishing Industry Is Quiet On Climate” • The number of snow crabs in the Bering Sea is down by billions, devastating Alaska’s crab fishing fleet. Many people at a meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council blamed trawlers. Scientists say climate change is the likely culprit. [Alaska Beacon]
Have an inspiringly fortunate day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 12, 2022
Picture:
¶ “Rare Wave Clouds Amaze Sky-Watchers In Wyoming” • A stunned sky-watcher in Wyoming snapped photos of a rare cloud formation that looked a lot like ocean surf. “This was special and I immediately knew I needed to capture it,” Rachel Gordon said. Kelvin-Helmholtz instability should remind us of how amazing nature can be. [BBC]
Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (Rachel Gordon via Facebook)
I don’t know of a conspiracy theory that explains this. Science does.
Science and Technology:
¶ “Ultra Thin Printed Solar Cells From MIT” • Researchers at MIT developed ultra thin, flexible solar cells that can be printed using semiconductor inks and scalable fabrication techniques. They are much thinner than a human hair, weigh 1% as much as a conventional solar panels, and generate 18 times more power per kilogram, an MIT blog post says. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “How Seagrass In Seychelles Is Helping The Fight Against Climate Change” • It might not look like much in photos, but the seagrass that lives in our oceans is actually a very effective natural climate change deterrent. These ocean plants used to be plentiful in places like Seychelles, but now they’re struggling to survive in seas that are rising with climate change. [BGR]
¶ “US Officials Set to Announce Fusion Energy Breakthrough” • The pursuit of fusion reactors has gone on for decades. US scientists reportedly have carried out the first nuclear fusion experiment to achieve a net energy gain. The US Department of Energy is expected to announce the breakthrough on December 13, according to news reports. [POWER Magazine]
World:
¶ “Zimbabwe Power Outages Hit Businesses And Families” • In the last decade, Zimbabwe has sunk about $2 billion into power generation. But Zimbabwe still struggles with power outages. The country’s coal-burning plants break down often, and drought has limited hydro power. The result is that people can’t work, and poverty makes it all worse. [BBC]
Harare, with power on (Tatenda Mapigoti, Unsplash)
¶ “Swiss Re And Carbonfuture Sign Multi-Year Deal For More Than 17,000 Tonnes Of Carbon Removals” • Leading reinsurer Swiss Re signed a multi-year deal with carbon removal platform Carbonfuture. At more than 17,000 tonnes, it is one of the largest CDR deals of its kind to date. This move is seen as a real vote of confidence in carbon removal. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Humanity Is A Weapon Of Mass Extinction, Says António Guterres At COP 15” • UN chief António Guterres opened COP 15, the 15th UN Conference On Biodiversity, by saying humanity is a weapon of mass extinction and that governments must end the “orgy of destruction” associated with the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]
Antonio Guterres (Image via YouTube)
¶ “Tesla Megapacks Help Power Battery Supplier To Generate Renewable Energy Manufacturing” • Tesla Megapacks are being used by Panasonic on the test side near Kyoto, Japan, to store power generated by renewable energy for manufacturing. The battery supplier used solar panels, Tesla Megapack batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells for power. [TechStory]
¶ “Lightsource bp, bp, and Shell Receive The Green Light For Trinidad And Tobago’s First Large-Scale Solar Project” • The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago agreed with bp Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago, Shell Renewables Caribbean, and Lightsource bp to a develop a 112- MW (AC) solar project. It is the country’s first large solar project. [Lightsource bp]
Trinidad and Tobago (Renaldo Matamoro, Unsplash)
¶ “Asia’s Richest Man Wants India To Lead A Green Energy Revolution” • India’s Gautam Adani, the richest man in Asia, made his fortune betting on coal. Now he is aiming to be the world’s top player in renewables by 2030 and to make India a clean energy superpower. Adani owns six coal-fired power plants and is India’s largest private player in power. [RFI]
¶ “Australia Already At ‘Worst Case’ Climate Scenarios For 2030” • Australia already appears to be experiencing the worst-case climate scenarios that were projected to occur eight years from now. The finding was revealed by world-renowned climatologist David Karoly’s analysis of how closely projections published in 2015 align to current conditions. [Cosmos Magazine]
¶ “Saudi Plans Ten New Renewable Energy Projects” • OPEC member Saudi Arabia is planning to execute ten new renewable energy projects as part of a strategy to boost reliance on solar and wind power and reduce oil use for generating electricity, reports say. The world’s largest oil exporter approved the ten projects in its 2023 budget. [ZAWYA]
US:
¶ “Lectron To Provide Tesla/NACS Connector And EVSE For Aptera” • We have known for a while that Aptera planned to use a Tesla charging connector for its vehicle. Here we have additional information about that. Tesla has announced that its plug is a standard for the automotive industry, making it available to Aptera and others. [CleanTechnica]
Aptera (Aptera image)
¶ “Tesla Semi’s 500-Mile Drive On One Charge” • Just days before Tesla delivered the first-production Semi trucks to PepsiCo, five years after the semi truck was first shown, the automaker tested the Tesla Semi for a 500-mile run on a single charge. It is the range that Tesla originally claimed at the Semi’s unveiling back in 2017. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Erthos Redefines The Meaning Of Ground Mount Solar” • Erthos has a better idea for how to install solar panels. It is to lay them flat on the ground. The installation method has drawbacks and advantages for installers to weigh. Encore Renewable Energy, a Vermont firm, signed an MOU with Erthos for a noteworthy project in their portfolio. [CleanTechnica]
Have an optimally functioning day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 11, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “How Pepsi’s Tesla Semis Will Change Hauling” • The Tesla Semi represents major changes to come in the hauling industry. It could help prove to consumers and commercial customers that batteries can support heavy-cargo vehicles over long distances. And that is an important shift to help reduce global supply chain emissions. [CleanTechnica]
Interior of a Tesla Semi (Photo courtesy of Tesla)
¶ “CleanTechnica Tested: The Generac G2000 Portable Power Station” • Generac dominates its sector of the home generator market, and it made a move into the residential energy storage space in 2019. This year, Generac is pushing the envelope further with a new line of portable power stations. CleanTechnica had an opportunity to review them. [CleanTechnica]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Great Barrier Reef ‘Coral Nurseries’ Show Early Signs Of Success” • A UN report recommended that the reef be added to the World Heritage “in danger” list. Now, pieces of broken coral are being rescued and rehabilitated so they can be transplanted back onto the Great Barrier Reef. But marine scientists say it’s no substitute for action on climate change. [ABC]
Rescued pieces of coral (Reef Restoration Foundation)
World:
¶ “Ski Resorts Are Melting. Here’s What That Means For Winter Vacations” • Winter sports fans are drawn to the mountains for the pristine wild environments, energizing views, pure air, and hearty fun in the snow. But the energy mountain resorts need has a price, threatening the very premise of a pastime wedded to the natural world and winter bounty. [CNN]
¶ “SolarBotanic Trees – Charging Stations Of The Future?” • SolarBotanic Trees is moving closer towards full production. It agreed with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre to develop a field prototype. And Raw Charging Group ordered 200 co-branded solar trees for a network of commercial EV charging sites. [CleanTechnica]
SolarBotanic Trees (SolarBotanic Trees image)
¶ “French Firm Starts Developing Renewable Energy Plant In Zambia” • Total Eren, a French company, secured a long-term strategic partnership with mining firm First Quantum Minerals, for a 400-MW project that will combine wind and solar energy. It will power not only the mining firm, but also its community in northwestern Zambia. [News Ghana]
¶ “NSW Declares First Renewable Energy Zone With Offshore Wind In Plan To Replace Coal” • New South Wales has declared its fourth renewable energy zone as it races to install new wind, solar, and storage infrastructure to replace the country’s biggest fleet of coal generators. It is the first zone that includes access to offshore windpower. [Renew Economy]
Wind turbine (Corio Generation image)
¶ “India Achieved 166 GW Of Renewable Energy Capacity In October” • India’s goal is to have 175 GW of installed Renewable Energy capacity in 2022. As of October, a total of 165.94 GW had been installed in the country, according to a written statement by Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh. India’s goal for 2030 is 500 GW. [PSU Connect]
¶ “Solar Farm Will Allow Brewery To Produce Products With Renewable Energy” • Akuo, Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, and Altio confirmed that a solar park in María Trinidad Sánchez province, Dominican Republic, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023, generating 550 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs. [Dominican Today]
¶ “Uranium Price Hits 4-Month Low As Corrosion Problem In French Nuclear Plants Undermine Confidence” • After rallies on pledges by western nations to increase nuclear plant spending, uranium spot prices have fallen to $48.50 per pound. It seems confidence in the nuclear power sector has been hit by corrosion problems at EDF reactors. [The Deep Dive]
US:
¶ “GM Dealer Community Charging Program: Nearly 1,000 GM Dealers Enrolled To Date” • Since the official launch of its Dealer Community Charging Program in late 2021, GM has enrolled almost a quarter of all North American dealers in the program. The first community charging stations were installed in Michigan and Wisconsin. [CleanTechnica]
GM charging station (GM image)
¶ “Do Electric Vehicles Actually Cut Utility Costs?” • A common misperception is that widespread EV charging will strain the grid and require expensive upgrades that raise electricity prices. But a Synapse Energy Economics analysis of the three utility service territories that have the most EVs in the US found that exactly the opposite is true. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hourly Electric Grid Monitor For USA” • Large-scale events that affect normal routines, ranging from major holidays to the COVID-19 pandemic, planned or not, can change the pattern of electricity usage in the country. The DOE’s Hourly Electric Grid Monitor provides up-to-the-hour information on electricity demand across the US. [CleanTechnica]
Have a superbly restful day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 10, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “What is a mass extinction and are we causing one?” • No credible scientist disputes that we are in a crisis regarding the speed at which nature is being destroyed. Some are saying we could be entering a sixth mass extinction. Opening the COP15 conference in Montréal, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said a million species now “teeter on the brink.” [BBC]
Rhinoceros (Rachel Hannah Photo, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “How the IOT is Helping Drive Renewable Energy Innovation” • Environmentalists have always prioritized renewable energy, but it is only recently that technology could help us with cleaner, more sustainable power sources. The internet of things has a major role in this shift, offering new ways to connect devices and collect data. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “Flameproofing Lithium-Ion Batteries With Salt” • Rachel Z Huang and others at Stanford University and the DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory developed a non-flammable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. Their work showed that batteries containing this electrolyte continue to function at high temperatures without igniting. [CleanTechnica]
Rachel Huang at work (Jian-Cheng Lai, Stanford University)
World:
¶ “A New Platinum Mine In Zimbabwe Gets 30 MW Of Solar PV From The Get-Go!” • Construction of a new platinum mine in Zimbabwe started at a Karo Platinum site. It includes a 30-MW solar PV array. The project’s 24-month design and construction schedule started on 1 July 2022, and the first ore in the mill is planned for July 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ampersand Aims To Have 600,000 Electric Motorcycles Across East Africa By 2030” • Ampersand, one of the pioneers in the African electric motorcycle sector, is ramping up operations. The company has prototypes and test production runs on the road, and now it is introducing its first full production run of its commercial motorcycle. [CleanTechnica]
Ampersand electric motorcycles (Ampersand image)
¶ “Volkswagen Reveals Plans For Wolfsburg Factory” • VW says it will invest €460 million in its main factory in Wolfsburg by the beginning of 2025. That investment will be used primarily to make the necessary preparations to produce an updated ID.3 EV. Limited production will start in 2023, with full production slated to start in 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NIMBYs Warm To Renewables In Europe’s Most Polluting Economy” • The Bavarian town of Niederaichbach long opposed a high-voltage line crucial for transport of Germany’s renewable energy. It took a war and nationwide blackout warnings to soften the residents’ resistance. They recently dropped legal action that held the power line up for years. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “European Commission To Fund 600-MW Europe-Africa Renewable Energy Bridge” • The European Commission has announced that it will disburse €307.6 million ($323 million) to finance the construction of a 600-MW undersea interconnection facility between Italy and Tunisia, creating a renewable energy bridge between Europe and Africa. [IEEFA]
¶ “Kivalliq Wildlife Board Uses Inuit Knowledge And Western Science To Study The Impact Of Climate Change On Food Security” • Across Canada’s North, climate change is having a profound impact on ecosystems and food security, including risks to Inuit culture, social relations, health, well-being, and traditional way of life. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “Russian Forces Abducted Two Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Employees” • Two employees of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have been abducted by Russian forces, the Ukrainian state power company Energoatom said. It also said Russian forces placed rocket launchers at the plant “violating all conditions for nuclear and radiation safety.” [UPI.com]
US:
¶ “Big Oil Has Engaged In A Long Climate Disinformation Campaign While Raking In Record Profits, Lawmakers Find” • Big Oil companies engaged in a “long-running greenwashing campaign” while raking in “record profits at the expense of American consumers,” the House Oversight Committee has found after a year-long investigation. [CNN]
¶ “First Commercially Available Electric, Autonomous Smart Tractor Goes Into Production” • Monarch Tractor announced that its Founder Series MK-V tractor is coming off the production line at its manufacturing facility in Livermore, California. The Monarch MK-V is a fully electric, driver-optional, smart tractor with lots of bells and whistles. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The 2022 Standard Scenarios For US Electricity Sector Are Now Available” • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released the 2022 Standard Scenarios. It offers a framework to explore the rapidly evolving US electricity sector, based in part on timely and transparent projections of technology cost and performance. [CleanTechnica]
Transmission lines (Dennis Schroeder, NREL)
¶ “Equinor Secures First West Coast Offshore Wind Leases” • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management conducted the first ever sale of leases for offshore wind along the west coast of the US. Equinor secured a 2-GW lease in the Morro Bay area near San Luis Obisbo. It has the potential to generate enough electricity to power 750,000 US homes. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Governor Hochul Announces Start Of Construction on Smart Path Connect Transmission Line” • Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on Smart Path Connect, a transmission project to rebuild and strengthen approximately one hundred miles of transmission in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley. [Governor Kathy Hochul]
Have an instructively gorgeous day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 9, 2022
Science and Technology:
¶ “Low Cost Sodium Sulfur Battery Shows Promise” • At the University of Sydney, researchers are touting breakthroughs in the lab that they say may lead to new, low cost sodium sulfur batteries with four times the energy storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries. Their research has been published recently in the journal Advanced Materials. [CleanTechnica]
University of Sydney (Image by the University of Sydney)
¶ “Botanical Gardens Are ‘Hot Spots’ For Butterflies In Climate Change” • Many species of butterflies are in decline. Despite their relatively small footprint in urban areas, botanical gardens are important hotspots for butterfly biodiversity in the arid Southwest, a study by University of Arizona scientists shows. It was published in the journal Insects. [Phys.org]
World:
¶ “UK Condemned By Its Own Climate Advisers For Approving First New Coal Mine In Three Decades” • Environmentalists, scientists, and even the UK government climate advisers strongly criticized a decision to approve a plan to open the country’s first new coal mine in three decades, just over a year after pushing the world to abandon coal at COP26. [CNN]
¶ “South Africa’s Eskom Starts Construction Of Its First Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage Project” • Eskom, the South African utility, and Hyosung Heavy Industries, a service provider for the Eskom Battery Energy Storage System, announced the start of construction of the first energy storage facility under Eskom’s flagship BESS project. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Volkswagen Pivots To MEB+ Platform” • A Volkswagen press release announced VW is prioritizing improvements to the MEB platform to give it more range and enable faster charging while increasing interior space. The new chassis is the MEB+ and it promises a range of up to 700 km WLTP (435 miles) and fast charging at up to 200 kW. [CleanTechnica]
Volkswagen MEB+ platform (Courtesy of Vollkswagen)
¶ “Solar Batteries Now Power 1 Million European Homes” • Solar battery-powered homes are increasingly popular, particularly in Germany. Total residential battery capacity in Europe is expected to reach 9.3 GWh by the end of 2022, powering over 1 million households, according to the most recent SolarPower Europe research. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Wind Wipeout In South Africa Auction” • Despite the South African commitment to build renewable capacity, none of the 23 wind projects recently submitted under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme was selected. Only six solar projects with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW were chosen. [reNews]
Wind farm (SAWEA image)
¶ “New Transmission System Plan To Meet 500 GW Renewable Energy Target” • India’s Union Ministry of Power launched a plan to support 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of this decade. The plan calls for an investment of ₹2.44 trillion ($30 billion) in transmission projects to connect huge solar and wind parks to the grid. [Construction World]
¶ “Green Hydrogen Exports From Western Australia Seen As Possible Power Source For Europe” • Wind and solar power generated in WA’s Midwest could be helping to power Europe by the end of the decade. The plan for a huge green hydrogen facility in WA caught the attention of Europe’s largest importer of energy, the port of Rotterdam. [ABC]
¶ “India To Almost Double Its Renewable Power Capacity In Next 5 Years: IEA Report” • Renewable energy will comprise 90% of global electricity capacity expansion in the next five years, and much of it will be in India, according to a new study by the autonomous intergovernmental organisation, International Energy Agency. [Down To Earth]
¶ “Climate Change Is Driving Up Food Prices” • There is a strong link between climate change and the increasing food costs. A sixth of agricultural production is traded internationally, which means that what happens in highly climate-vulnerable countries will impact what Americans eat or drink. Damage from climate change is already happening. [WhoWhatWhy]
¶ “Ukraine Says Russia Put Rocket Launchers At Nuclear Power Plant” • Russian forces have installed multiple rocket launchers at Ukraine’s shut-down Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, Ukrainian officials claimed, raising fears that Europe’s largest atomic power station could be used as a base to fire on Ukrainian territory and increasing radiation dangers. [Radio Free Europe]
US:
¶ “Solar Power And Farming: US DOE Providing $8 Million For Agrivoltaics” • The US DOE announced $8 million for six solar energy research projects that will provide opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and the solar industry. The funding is to support agrivoltaics, the co-location of agriculture and solar energy on the same land. [CleanTechnica]
Byron Kominek, Jack’s Solar Garden (Werner Slocum, NREL)
¶ “US Battery Storage Capacity To Increase Significantly By 2025” • Developers and power plant owners plan to increase utility-scale battery storage capacity in the US significantly over the next three years, reaching 30.0 GW by the end of 2025, based on a new US DOE report, Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Electrifying Federal Buildings And Cutting Pollution” • The Biden–Harris Administration, through the DOE, announced a proposal to reduce emissions from federal buildings. Starting 2025, new and renovated facilities will be required to have on-site emissions from energy consumption reduced by 90% from what they might have had in 2003. [CleanTechnica]
Have an impressively rewarding day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 8, 2022
World:
¶ “Czech Republic Says Hello To Hydrogen Trains, Buh-Bye To Russian Gas” • In another sign that Russia’s murderous rampage through Ukraine has done nothing to slow down the clean power revolution, the leading locomotive manufacturer Alstom made a deal with the Air Products to bring zero emission hydrogen trains to the Czech Republic. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Janus Converts Cement Truck” • The last time I spoke with Lex Forsyth of Janus Trucks, he spoke of an ever-expanding backlog of trucks lining up for conversions from diesel power to electric. Now, Cement Australia has just delivered its first load in New South Wales with an electric Janus JE410, the latest addition to its fleet. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Germany’s EVs Near 40% Share – Tesla Model 3 Bestseller” • Germany’s plugin EV share set records in November, with 39.4% of the auto market, up from 34.4%, year on year. Overall auto sales were 260,512 units, up 31% YOY, though still down around 10% from pre-2020 seasonal norms. The Tesla Model 3 was the bestselling full electric. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Demand Set To Soar In 2023” • Solar is likely to be fastest growing energy sub segment in 2023 with demand set to increase 20-30%, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Growth in solar demand could surpass 20% in 2023-25 with industry-wide revenue for the companies in BI’s global solar theme basket on track to exceed $220 billion in 2023. [reNews]
¶ “Solar Power Will Beat Out Coal In Three Years, IEA Predicts” • An IEA report predicts that over the next five years, the world will increase its renewable power capacity by 75%, an amount equivalent to all of today’s installed power capacity in China. By 2027, the biggest source of the world’s electricity will be solar, followed by coal, natural gas and wind. [MSN]
Hauling coal ore (Dominik Vanyi, Unsplash)
¶ “Schneider Electric And ORPC Join To Advance Marine Energy As A Renewable Source Of Energy For Remote Communities” • Schneider Electric and ORPC have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on microgrid projects to advance marine energy as a commercially viable renewable energy source. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “Vestas Wins 236-MW Finnish Turbine Order” • Vestas won a 236-MW turbine order from Suomen Hyotytuuli to power the Siikajoki wind project in North Ostrobothnia in Finland. The order consists of 38 V162-6.2MW wind turbines and includes supply, installation, and commissioning of the turbines, as well as Vestas’ Anti-Icing System. [reNews]
Wind farm (Vestas image)
¶ “India Announces Plans To Build More Nuclear Power Plants” • The Indian government has said it intends to build more nuclear power plants to boost the country’s clean energy generation. Ten pressurised heavy water reactors are planned to be built over the next three years, each with a capacity of 70 MW, so the total capacity will be 700 MW. [Power Technology]
¶ “Renewables Providers To Be Paid To Ensure Stable Electricity Supply” • In Australia, the Federal and state-level governments have unanimously signed on to developing an energy “capacity mechanism” to pay renewable energy providers to be available to increase electricity supply at a moment’s notice, providing dispatchable renewable power. [ABC]
Solar farm (Gunnar Ridderström, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Five Companies Will Pay $750 Million For The Opportunity To Build Huge Floating Wind Turbines Off The West Coast” • The Biden administration’s first offshore wind energy lease sale for federal waters off the West Coast generated over $750 million, as energy companies competed for five areas that could be made homes to massive floating wind turbines. [CNN]
¶ “More Americans Are Moving Into Harm’s Way As Climate Disasters Increase” • A study by researchers from the University of Vermont found that Americans have moved out of some areas prone to scorching summer heat waves and hurricanes in the last ten years. Yet many are migrating into regions hit by extreme wildfires, heat, and worsening drought. [CNN]
¶ “GM And Flo Partner To Bring EV Charging To Rural Drivers” • GM has selected Flo as the supplier for its “Dealer Community Charging Program” coming to Chevrolet dealerships in Michigan and Wisconsin, an early step towards the company’s stated goal of putting 40,000 Level 2 chargers in the ground in underserved communities. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “BLM Announces Geothermal Lease Sale In Southwestern Utah” • The Bureau of Land Management proposes to offer two geothermal lease sale parcels in Millard County, Utah, totaling about 3,045 acres. The land is in the Fishlake National Forest, where the BLM Fillmore Field Office manages the subsurface minerals. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
Fishlake National Forest (Robert Merrill, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “GM To Invest $275 Million More, Create 400 New Jobs In Tennessee” • Ultium Cells LLC, the battery-making JV between LG Chem and GM, announced plans to invest $275 million more in a Tennessee plant. The cash infusion is expected to increase the plant’s battery production capacity by more than 40% and create more than 400 jobs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “State Farm Will Power Illinois Corporate Facilities With Renewable Energy” • As part of its broader decarbonization effort, insurance company State Farm announced signing an agreement with Constellation, a leading US power and natural gas supplier, to power the SF Illinois corporate facilities with renewable energy. [Live Insurance News]
Have an incontrovertibly relaxing day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 7, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “Macron’s French Nuclear Farce” • French President Macron is still trying to sell the EPR, a nuclear reactor that ended up mostly on paper. I’ve been searching for the equivalent word in French for ‘chutzpah,’ but ‘insolence’ or ‘audace’ just doesn’t quite cover President Macron’s renewed pitch to sell the French nuclear technology to the US. [Counterpunch]
¶ “Analysis: IEA’s Renewables Forecast Grows 76% In Two Years After ‘Largest Ever’ Revision” • The International Energy Agency raised its global forecast for renewables growth in what it calls its “largest ever upward revision” for the sector. The agency now forecasts 76% more growth than it did just two years ago, Carbon Brief analysis shows. [Carbon Brief]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Wind Power To Cut Cargo Ship Emissions 20%” • Here is one more threat to fossil energy stakeholders who plan to continue enjoying that “high-carbon lifestyle.” Seawing, a retrofit for cargo vessels that applies old-fashioned sailing ship technology to harvest energy from wind power, aims to cut emissions 20% by reducing fuel consumption. [CleanTechnica]
Good old fashioned wind power (Courtesy of Airseas)
¶ “Heat Pumps Getting Much More Popular Globally” • Heat pumps are a hyper-efficient and climate-friendly way to cut reliance on imported fossil fuels. Worldwide sales of heat pumps are set to soar to record levels in the coming years as the global energy crisis accelerates their adoption, the International Energy Agency says in a special report. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Co-Location Of Renewables Leads To ‘Significant Cost Savings’” • Using one grid connection for multiple renewable generation or storage assets could result in significant cost savings, according to a report from Cornwall Insight and law firm Weightmans. Co-location could include a number of sources, such as solar, wind, and batteries. [reNews]
Solar and wind (Pixabay, Pexels)
World:
¶ “Tesla Model S Tops Euro NCAP Safety Tests” • Just months after the Tesla Model Y earned the highest score in history on a European safety index, another Tesla model set another record. The luxury Model S sedan broke the record for the European New Car Assessment Program’s safety score ceiling, surpassing even the Model Y’s record. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Zimbabwe Only Gets Electricity Between Midnight And 4 AM” • While there are floods Pakistan and Nigeria, other places in East and Southern Africa have citizens bearing the brunt of prolonged dry spells and feeling the effects of low water levels in reservoirs. The Zambezi River Authority is only supplying electricity from midnight to 4:00 am. [CleanTechnica]
Kariba Dam (Image from ZRA)
¶ “BrightDrop Expands Into Canada With New DHL Deal” • BrightDrop, the General Motors subsidiary that manufactures battery-electric delivery vehicles, announced that it will begin supplying vehicles to DHL Express in Canada soon. Entering the Canadian market is BrightDrop’s latest action to address the $250 billion last mile delivery industry. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Billionaire Andrew Forrest Increases Exposure To Renewable Energy With Acquisition” • Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has significantly increased his exposure to the renewables sector through an acquisition worth more than A$4 billion. One of his companies acquired CWP Renewables, which with solar, battery, and wind farms. [Sky News Australia]
CWP Renewables wind farm (Supplied)
¶ “Joe Biden And Rishi Sunak Agree To Increase Gas Exports From US To UK” • Joe Biden has agreed a deal to ramp up gas exports from the US to the UK as part of a joint effort to cut bills and limit Russia’s impact on western energy supplies. They also plan to further collaborate on nuclear, hydrogen and carbon capture projects. [The Guardian]
¶ “Maintaining The Future Of The World’s Energy With Smart Technology” • McKinsey & Co research projects that fossil fuel demand will peak between 2023 and 2025. The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2022 report shows the global energy crisis can be a turning point towards a cleaner and more secure future. [Energy Magazine]
US:
¶ “Power May Be Back For Thousands On Wednesday Night As Authorities Are Going Through Tips On Electric Substation Attack” • The tens of thousands of customers in North Carolina who haven’t had power since weekend attacks on two utility substations should see the lights come on by late Wednesday, a spokesperson for Duke Energy said. [CNN]
¶ “65% Of Dealers Say Yes To Ford’s No Haggle EV Sales Policy” • In September, Ford CEO Jim Farley delivered an ultimatum to its dealers: If you want to sell our battery-electric cars and trucks, you will have to commit to making certain upgrades, and you will need to agree to a “no haggle” sales process. Two-thirds of dealers agreed. [CleanTechnica]
Ford F-150 Lightning (Ford image)
¶ “Biden And Harris: Here’s $80 Million for Energy Upgrades in Public Schools” • The Biden-Harris Administration announced that applications are open for the Renew America’s Schools grant program. This initial funding round of up to $80 million is available to public schools for energy improvements in the highest-need K-12 districts. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Farm Powered Strategic Alliance Grows, Turns Food Waste To Renewable Energy” • Great Lakes Cheese has joined the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, which aims to boost food waste recycling and renewable energy production. The program commits to diverting organic food waste to on-farm anaerobic digesters. [Environment + Energy Leader]
Have a comprehesively copacetic day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 6, 2022
World:
¶ “Tesla China Sets Sales Record In November” • Tesla sold more electric cars made at its factory in Shanghai in November than in any previous month, 100,2921 to be exact. CnEVPost says that is up 90% from the 52,859 vehicles sold in November of last year and up 40% from the 71,704 vehicles sold in October. Many of the cars were for export. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Model 3 in Qinghai (Tesla and Tesla Greater China)
¶ “11% Of Global New Vehicle Sales Were 100% Electric Vehicles!” • Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 55% in October of 2022 compared to October of 2021. They reached 932,000 units, a result second only to the previous month. Plugins represented a 16% share of the overall auto market. Full electrics reached 11% share of the market! [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Global Renewables Capacity Is To Double In The Next Five Years” • Global renewable energy capacity is predicted to double in the next five years, driven by energy supply concerns due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency said. Growth in renewables is also being driven by new policies in the US, China, and India. [Energy Live News]
Wind turbines (Narcisa Aciko, Pexels)
¶ “Renewables To Overtake Coal And Become World’s Biggest Source Of Electricity Generation By 2025” • Renewables are on course to overtake coal and become the planet’s biggest source of electricity generation by 2025, according to the International Energy Agency. The increased speed of transition is due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [CNBC]
¶ “North Star Secures Financing For Offshore Wind Fleet” • North Star has secured a £140 million financing package to support the next phase of its offshore wind fleet growth plan. The firm entered the offshore wind market last year after winning all four long-term charter SOV awards for the highly competitive Dogger Bank Wind Farm. [reNews]
Offshore support ship (North Star image)
¶ “South Australia’s Premier, Peter Malinauskas, Is In ‘Furious Agreement’ With PM That Nuclear Power Would Not Work For Australia” • After a statement South Australia’s premier made was interpreted to support use of nuclear generators in Australia, he has comprehensively rejected the idea, saying nuclear power is “completely uneconomic.” [ABC]
¶ “Winds Of The North To Power Cairns To Net Zero” • In a leap towards achieving its commitment to net zero, Cairns Regional Council has signed an agreement with CleanCo Queensland that will see 80 of the Council’s largest facilities acquire 100 percent of their electricity requirements from renewable sources from July 2024. [Media Statements]
¶ “Russia Says Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Is On Its ‘Territory.’ It Won’t Withdraw” • Russia says that it will never cede control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, insisting that the occupied plant sits on “Russian territory.” Nuclear experts have safety concerns and Ukraine accused Russia of using the facility to store weapons and ammunition. [MSN]
US:
¶ “The Clean Energy Company Turning City Blocks Greener” • BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based clean energy company, is bringing all-electric heating and cooling systems to older buildings in lower income areas to reduce carbon footprints and energy bills. BlocPower saves building owners between 20% and 40% annually and increases property values. [CNN]
¶ “FBI Investigates Gun Attack On Power Grid In Moore County, North Carolina” • The FBI is investigating after two power stations were damaged by gunfire in North Carolina, plunging tens of thousands into darkness. No motive or suspect has been announced since the attack on Saturday evening, but police said it was intentional. [BBC]
¶ “AAA Expanding Service, Now Offers Mobile EV Charging And Electrifying AAA Member Benefits” • AAA has been taking steps to make the transition to EVs more secure. It announced that it is expanding its services for EV owners across the US. And it is launching a pilot program to offer roadside charging for EVs in 16 metro areas. [CleanTechnica]
AAA van (AAA image)
¶ “Ford And SK Innovation Break Ground On EV Battery Factory In Kentucky, Create 5,000 New Jobs” • Ford and SK Innovation broke ground today in Glendale, Kentucky, on a battery factory that will create 5,000 new jobs. The battery factory will sit on about 1,500 acres and be able to produce more than 80 GWh of batteries per year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Rivian Makes Huge Investment Into Renewables To Power Operations” • Rivian signed a power purchase agreement with Apex Clean Energy to supply their manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, with wind power. Rivian will invest an unstated amount in 50 MW of wind energy that will supply the company’s operations at the factory. [Teslarati]
Wind farm (Rivian image)
¶ “As Land Washes Away, Native Tribes Start To Receive Funding To Relocate Inland” • The climate crisis is altering ecosystems, coastlines, and ways of life in the Northwest. Native villages in Alaska are particularly at risk. Their situation is untenable, and the US government is stepping in with federal funding so select tribes can relocate inland. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Secretary Haaland Announces New Steps To Accelerate Solar Energy Development On Public Lands In The West” • Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced efforts to support solar energy development on public lands across the West and help meet the Biden-Harris administration’s renewable energy and conservation goals. [US Department of the Interior]
Have a deeply appreciated day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 5, 2022
Science and Technology:
¶ “New Ultra-Fast Charging System With Integrated Battery Storage And Large Screens” • ADS-TEC Energy added a new battery-based charging system to its existing lineup of charging solutions. ChargePost uses an integrated battery to operate on existing power connections without the need to extend the existing grid. [CleanTechnica]
ChagePost (ADS-TEC Energy image)
¶ “Recycling To Close Synthetic Fabric Window On Fossil Energy Stakeholders” • As the decarbonization trend accelerates, fossil energy stakeholders have counted on petrochemicals to maintain a foothold in the global economy. Synthetic fabrics offer one such niche. But expansion opportunities are limited as recycling picks up steam. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “’Weather Whiplash’ Could Be a Disturbing New Normal in a Weird, Warming World” • In northern New Mexico, the year began with months of unseasonal heat, dryness and extreme wind that fueled the largest wildfire of the year in the lower 48 states. Then, the annual monsoon rains dumped nearly twice as much moisture as the previous year. [CNET]
Monsoon coming (Chaz McGregor, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “EU Must Act Over Distortions From US Climate Plan” • The EU must address “distortions” created by a $430 billion US plan to incentivise climate-friendly technologies, the bloc’s chief says. Some EU members criticised the US Inflation Reduction Act, raising fears of a trade war. There are concerns that tax breaks may lure away or disadvantage EU businesses. [BBC]
¶ “Oil Prices Rise As Cap On Russian Crude Looms” • Oil prices rose on Monday after an agreement by the G7 group of nations and its allies to cap the price of Russian oil at $60 (£49) a barrel. Brent crude added around 0.7% to above $86 in Asia trading. The move, which about to come into force, raises Western pressure on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. [BBC]
¶ “Italy’s EV Slump Is Far From Over – Plugins Were At 8.3% In October” • October 2022 was another month of misery for Italy’s once promising EV market. In stark contrast with the rest of Europe’s main auto arenas, which keep making strides in electric mobility adoption, the Mediterranean country is still in the midst of an identity crisis. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EU Agrees To Include Shipping In Emissions Trading System” • The EU Emissions Trading System is the oldest and largest program of its type, but it has had a big weakness. It covered power stations and factories but did not cover emissions from shipping. In a landmark accord last week, negotiators agreed to correct that oversight. [CleanTechnica]
Container ship (Maersk image)
¶ “Major Businesses Urge Government To Power Wind And Solar Investment” • Tesco, Morrisons, M&S, the Co-op Group, Central Co-op, and Midcounties Co-operative, along with Community Energy England, have joined forces to call on the Government to “green the energy grid” by powering investment in renewable energy. [The Co-operative]
¶ “Airbus Looking At India For Green Hydrogen Supplies For Its Ambitious Zero-Emission Aircraft” • European aerospace major Airbus is looking to source green hydrogen from markets like India, Australia, and Latin America as part of its decarbonisation efforts, a senior company official said. Airbus will use the fuel for hydrogen-powered airplanes. [Zee News]
¶ “Nuclear Off Table As States Seek Power Fix” • South Australia’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, left the door open to nuclear, as he seeks to advocate its safety. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek were quick to shoot their Labor colleague down, pointing out nuclear energy will not work out financially. [Great Lakes Advocate]
¶ “NSW Tops Renewable Energy Superpower Scorecard For First Time” • The winner of the Renewable Superpower Scorecard for this year is New South Wales. The state implemented Renewable Energy Zones and industrial precincts plans, issued First nations guidelines for energy projects, and allocated $1.2 billion to fast track transmission infrastructure. [Renew Economy]
Wind turbine blades (Acciona image)
¶ “Iran Starts Work On Second Nuclear Power Plant” • Iran has begun work on a 300-MW nuclear power project in the southern Khuzestan province. It will be the country’s second nuclear reactor project. The project is projected to take eight years and cost $2 billion to build, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. [The National]
US:
¶ “The Great Solar Panel Tariff Debate Heats Up” • The Biden administration is putting $37 billion into incentives to help US companies manufacture the products needed to fulfill the US renewable energy goal using American workers and materials wherever possible. But the US needs foreign PVs and does not want to get them from China. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Activists Say DTE’s Plan Won’t Meet Michigan’s Renewable Energy Goals” • Michigan regulators have set long-term targets for emission-reductions by the state’s power utilities. They are to have carbon neutral power in 2050. But clean-energy advocates are concerned that one company, DTE Energy, is not on track to meet its goals. [Public News Service]
¶ “Windar Renovables Transfers First Vineyard Transition Piece” • The first of the 62 transition pieces for the 800-MW Vineyard Wind project has been transferred from Windar Renovables’ offshore facilities to the port of Aviles in Spain. Avandgrid, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, is developing the wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. [reNews]
Have a perfectly agreeable day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 4, 2022
World:
¶ “Endangered Seals Found Dead On Russia’s Caspian Shore” • Around 700 endangered seals have been found dead on Russia’s Caspian coast in the North Caucasus. Caspian seals are the only mammals found in the Caspian Sea. The cause of death is not known, but they are under pressure from over-hunting, habitat degradation and climate change. [CNN]
¶ “Cutting Energy Prices Will Take Years, Power Boss Says” • It “will take years” to get energy prices back to pre-Ukraine war levels, the boss of one of the world’s biggest energy firms has told the BBC. Francesco Starace, CEO of Enel, said bringing prices down depends on new sources of energy such as renewables and heat pumps. [BBC]
¶ “New Mercedes eSprinter Goes 475 Kilometers In Real-World Driving” • The Mercedes eSprinter has been for sale in Europe for some time, but its range of just under 100 miles is too short for most customers. Now, Mercedes is about to start production of the next-generation eSprinter, which was able to go over 475 km (295 miles) on a single charge. [CleanTechnica]
Mercedes eSprinter (Courtesy of Mercedes)
¶ “Lightyear 0 Solar-Powered Car Begins Production” • Lightyear now has a production successor to Lightyear 1, a prototype that introduced the possibility of an electric car powered by sunlight. The company announced this week that it has begun production of its first vehicle, the Lightyear 0, at the Valmet Automotive facility in Finland. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Italian Minister ‘Opens Doors Wide’ For Tesla, Musk” • Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini said that the country would “open [its] doors wide for” Tesla and CEO Elon Musk. Salvini noted Italy’s diminishing car industry during a webinar held by the Italian outlet Il Messaggero and detailed in a report from Teslarati. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Norway BEVs Hit Record Volume In November – Tesla Model Y Leads” • Plugin electric vehicles took 89.3% share of Norwegian auto sales in November, down from 91.2% year on year. However, full battery EVs grew from 73.8% to 81.6%, YOY. Plugin hybrids continued to tail off, down to 7.7% from 17.4% YoY. Overall auto sales were up almost 28%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Parking Lots Are Becoming As Important As Cars In Climate Change Efforts” • A new law in France requires that parking lots with 80 or more spaces be covered by solar panels within five years. The biggest parking lots, those with over 400 spaces, have been given three years for at least half of the parking lot’s surface area covered by solar. [CNBC]
Solar parking lot, Disneyland, Paris (Jay Black, Unsplash)
¶ “It’s Possible To Power 10 Million Nigerian Homes With Renewable Energy By 2030 – Greenforce CEO” • The Chief Executive Officer of Greenforce Group, Chidera Ejiofor, believes it is possible to power 10 million Nigerian homes with renewable energy by 2030. He also said there are still not enough renewable energy companies in Nigeria. [Nairametrics]
¶ “Coalition MP’s ‘Grassroots’ Nuclear Power Survey Linked To Consulting Firm” • In Australia, a Coalition frontbencher doing a “grassroots” survey about nuclear power is using a website registered by a business that helps an American small modular reactor company, records reveal. Website owner Helixos lists NuScale Power as a client. [The Guardian]
NuScale plant design (NuScale image)
¶ “IAEA Says Deal Over Ukrainian Nuke Plant ‘Almost There’” • A deal aimed at safeguarding Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is close at hand, the head of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency said. The power plant, which was seized by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine, has since come under repeated shelling. [KDAL 610]
US:
¶ “Restoring Observatory Access Key To Climate Science” • So far the Mauna Loa lava flow has been a spectacle and not a disaster, except for the Mauna Loa Observatory, which is the worldwide headquarters for collection of climate-change data. Lava from the volcano’s eruptions has cut off access and power for the foreseeable future. [KHON2]
¶ “Northeast Iowa Coal-Fired Power Plant Nears End Of Long Run” • Alliant Energy’s coal-fired Lansing Generating Station has operated for nearly 75 years on the bank of the Mississippi River in Northeast Iowa. After this year, it will not produce electricity. A spokesman said closing the plant will “help to control long-term costs for customers.” [KTTC]
¶ “Oil And Gas Led New Mexico Land Use In 2022, As State Looked To Diversify” • The New Mexico State Land Office saw increases in revenue from both fossil fuels and renewables this year. New Mexico is the second-largest producer of crude oil in US, largely from the Permian Basin. Oil and gas provide about a third of its budget. [Carlsbad Current-Argus]
Have a sufficiently impeccable day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 3, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “How Green Schools Can Help Save Our Planet” • Local schools are our most powerful mechanism for shaping the future. They teach critical skills and knowledge. Many promote equity and, through free breakfast and lunch programs, ensure that no child goes hungry. Think what they might accomplish if we tapped them to combat climate change. [CleanTechnica]
School (Image courtesy of Zūm)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Field Testing Printed Solar Panels” • What is the best way to field test printed solar panels? After 20 years in development in the lab at the University of Newcastle, it was decided to invite Stuart McBain to drive 18,000 km around the coast of Australia for 3 months as a test. This made the point that there is no range anxiety when you plan well. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “PV Windows Cut Energy Use By 40% In Glazed Buildings, Says NREL” • The US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has shown that perovskite-based thin-film PV, transparent PV, and dynamic PV glazing technologies can reduce the energy use of glazed buildings by around 40% across eight regions in the United States. [PV Magazine]
How PV windows work in a building (NREL, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “Impacts Of Wind Power On Air Quality, Premature Mortality, And Exposure Disparities In The US” • Wind power relating to renewable portfolio standards in 2014 resulted in $2.0 billion in health benefits from improved air quality. Health benefits could have been $8.4 billion if displacement of fossil fuel generators prioritized the most polluting. [Science]
World:
¶ “Ukraine War: G7 And Allies Approve Cap On Price Of Russian Oil” • The G7 group and its allies have officially approved a cap on the price of Russian oil. The price cap will come into force on 5 December or “very soon thereafter.” The plan, which stops countries paying more than $60 (€57, £48) a barrel, needed the agreement of all EU states. [BBC]
¶ “Europe Electric Car Sales Report: 13.6% Of New Cars Fully Electric” • The European automotive market is back in the black, with a 14% growth rate in October, its third growth month in a row. Plugin hybrids, which had been in the red, grew 10% in October. Full battery EVs grew 17% year over year in October to 124,000 registrations. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Electric Vehicle Leasing Firm Equator Mobility Ramping Up In Kenya” • Equator Mobility is ramping up leasing operations in Kenya to catalyze the transition to electric mobility. It launched its operations last year by introducing a program with the option of direct sales for commercial electric vehicles. The leases range from 6 months up. [CleanTechnica]
EVs in Kenya (Courtesy of Equator Mobility)
¶ “Industry Leaders Sound Alarm Over Need To Broaden Supply Chain Of Renewables” • The global energy crisis sparked by war in Ukraine shows how parts of the renewables supply chain might face similar struggles if not quickly diversified, energy executives told the Reuters NEXT conference. For one example, China dominates the PV market. [The National]
¶ “The UK Still Has Some Way To Go To Meet Its Renewable Electricity Target” • Some 39% of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources in Q2 of 2022, the latest available data shows. The UK has steadily increased the amount of power generated from renewables. In 2015 just 25% of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources. [New Statesman]
¶ “Macron Shamed As France Caught In ‘Scandalous’ Buying Of Russian Nuclear Fuel” • Russia is still selling uranium to Europe, filling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pockets with cash despite his brutal invasion of Ukraine. Campaigners called out French President Emmanuel Macron after Russian nuclear fuel arrived at a French port. [Daily Express]
¶ “IAEA Gives Update On Demilitarising Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant As War Attacks Continue” • The International Atomic Energy Agency carried out a nuclear safety and security mission to the plant this week. The agency announced that it hopes for a deal on the demilitarized zone around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by the end of 2022. [Republic World]
US:
¶ “Feds Find Four Chinese Solar Panel Companies Have Been Evading US Tariffs” • After a months-long investigation, US officials have preliminarily determined that four Chinese solar panel companies have been avoiding US tariff laws by routing their operations through Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. [CNN]
¶ “Tesla Semi Reveal – Huge Power, Huge Charging Ability” • Tesla held its long awaited ceremony to introduce its electric Class 8 tractor, known simply as the Tesla Semi, on December 1. You can watch a video of the event here. In it, you will see Elon Musk drive a white Semi on stage followed by two others decked out in Pepsi and Frito-Lay livery. [CleanTechnica]
Hardcore testing (Tesla image)
¶ “Earthshot Prize: Prince William Announces Five Winners” • Prince William announced the five winners of the Prince of Wales’s prestigious Earthshot Prize at an awards ceremony in Boston. The annual awards were created by Prince William to fund projects that aim to save the planet. Each £1 million ($1.2 million) prize is to develop innovation. [BBC]
¶ “Honda To Build Fuel Cell Car Based On CR-V In 2024” • Honda announced this week that it will begin manufacturing a fuel cell vehicle based on the popular CR-V at its Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio in 2024. The car will be North America’s first production vehicle to combine a plug-in feature with fuel cell EV technology. [CleanTechnica]
Have a nicely ordered day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 2, 2022
Science and Technology:
¶ “Agrivoltaics: Solar Panels And Tomatoes May Be Perfect For Each Other” • Agrivoltaics can increase yields for farmers. A research paper published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory surveyed agrivoltaic research all across America. It noted that, on average, yields of tomatoes doubled compared to non-agrivoltaic sites. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Philippines Will Explore For Oil In South China Sea Even Without A Deal With Beijing: Marcos” • The Philippines must find a way to explore for oil and gas in the South China Sea even without a deal with China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said. He emphasized his country’s right to exploit energy reserves in the contested waterway. [CNN]
¶ “Airbus Reveals Plans For Hydrogen Fuel Cell Aircraft” • Airbus announced it is developing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine, and it plans to test it on the largest commercial airplane ever to fly. It will mount the engine between the wings and the tail of a modified A380 superjumbo. Test flights are expected in 2026, and a zero-emission aircraft by 2035. [CNN]
Rendering of Airbus test aircraft (Airbus SAS 2022)
¶ “Modi Urges Unity On Climate Change, Terrorism, Pandemics As India Assumes G20 Presidency” • The world must cooperate to tackle the greatest challenges of climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, as India began its year-long presidency of the Group of 20. He said this is not a time for war, but for unity. [CNN]
¶ “5 Million More Londoners To Breathe Cleaner Air Thanks To ULEZ” • London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone will be expanded on 29 August 2023. It will operate London-wide across all London boroughs, up to the current Low Emission Zone boundary. To be clear, this means five million more Londoners will soon breathe cleaner air. [CleanTechnica]
BYD electric bus in the UK (Spsmiler, public domain)
¶ “Indian Coal Magnate Gautam Adani Goes Green” • Asia’s richest man, Gautam Adani, made his vast fortune betting on coal as an energy hungry India grew swiftly after liberalizing its economy in the 1990s. He’s now set his sights on becoming the world’s biggest renewable energy player by 2030, aligning his investments with India’s priorities. [MSN]
¶ “AEMO Rolls Out Its Roadmap To 100% Renewables” • The Australian Energy Market Operator has published its latest assessment of what will be required to ensure that the National Electricity Market can operate securely and reliably at 100% instantaneous renewable penetration for the first time by as early as 2025. [pv magazine Australia]
¶ “Cold Spell Could Lead To French Power Cuts Next Week” • As a cold spell arrives in north-western Europe this weekend, the situation could become critical. France could face power cuts because of cold weather and delays to the restart of nuclear power after repair work, which will lead to demand outstripping supply, analysts said. [The National]
US:
¶ “Insured Losses From Disasters Will Exceed $100 Billion For Second Year In A Row, Led By Hurricane Ian, New Data Shows” • Preliminary analysis by Swiss Re found that 2022 was the second year in a row in which insured losses are expected to exceed $100 billion. Swiss Re said losses trended up each year at a rate of 5 to 7% over the past decade. [CNN]
¶ “US Rail Strike: Senate Passes Bill To Avert Labour Stoppage” • The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a measure to block a strike by railway workers that could have a devastating impact on the US economy. In an 80 to 15 vote, the Senate passed a bill that imposes a contract deal on a dozen unions representing railway workers. [BBC]
¶ “Canoo Delivers Modular Light Tactical Vehicle To US Army” • In July, the US Army signed a contract with Canoo in which it agreed to evaluate the company’s Light Tactical Vehicle for its uses. This week, Canoo announced that it has delivered the first LTV to the Army so it can be put through its paces in a real world combat environment. [CleanTechnica]
Canoo Light Tactical Vehicle (Courtesy of Canoo)
¶ “Corvette Plans To Follow Porsche Into The Electric Passenger Car And SUV Market” • The Corvette brand is set to expand to include a 4-door car and an SUV, a move that mirrors the pivot Porsche made to cars and SUVs many years ago. GM president Mark Reuss told investors the car would arrive in 2025 with “incredible performance.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ford To Bump Mustang Mach-E Production To 270,000 A Year” • Ford is the second bestselling electric car brand in the US. Now, it is accelerating Mustang Mach-E production and targeting global annual production rate of 270,000 as part of its plan to scale to a rate of 600,000 electric vehicles annually by the end of 2023 and 2 million by 2026. [CleanTechnica]
Ford Mustang Mach-E (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)
¶ “Vermont Officials Seek To Engage Public In Renewable Energy Policy Review” • Vermont is reevaluating its renewable energy policies and want to engage the public in the process, especially disadvantaged people who may have been left out of the process in the past. The three-phased process will being with engaging Vermonters on the issue. [WCAX]
¶ “Entergy Texas Issues An RFP For 2,000 MW Of Renewable Resources” • Entergy Texas issued a request for proposals for 2,000 MW of solar and wind generating capacity. The solicitation for emissions-free renewables can provide cost-effective energy supply, capacity, fuel diversity and other benefits to customers for years to come. [Entergy Newsroom]
Have a significantly beautiful day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
December 1, 2022
Science and Technology:
¶ “Underground Water Battery To Bust Energy Storage Dam Wide Open” • The Texas firm Quidnet Energy has won a $10 million grant from the US Department of Energy to put the finishing touches on a new type of pumped storage. Their “water battery” uses underground rock formations instead of having to rely on elevated reservoirs. [CleanTechnica]
Water battery (Courtesy of Quidnet Energy)
World:
¶ “Canadian Ambassador Tells EU That Deforestation Rules Are ‘Burdensome’” • Canada’s ambassador to the EU voiced concern with proposed EU rules to curb deforestation. The regulation is intended to limit the trade of products linked to deforestation worldwide. Climate campaigners have called Canada’s resistance to the rules “shocking.” [BBC]
¶ “Some 200 Irish Businesses Get To Try Out Electric Vehicles For Free” • As part of a goal to have roughly 1 million EVs on Irish roads by 2030, the Irish government is aiming to boost the electrification of commercial fleets. A new project will allow 200 Irish businesses to test out EVs for free as part of initiatives aimed at reducing pollution. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The Semiconductor Shortage Could Soon Become A Glut Of Chips” • The shortage of chips needed for advanced technologies may soon turn into a surplus, ending the semiconductor shortage that has afflicted the automotive industry for almost two years. VNC Automobile, an in-vehicle networking specialist, believes recession could cause the change. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Volkswagen In Talks With Foxconn And Magna To Build Scout Vehicles” • Volkswagen seems to be moving ahead with a plan to build an electric SUV and pickup truck under the Scout brand it got when it bought the successor to International Harvester. According to media sources, Foxconn and Magna Steyer are both in talks with VW. [CleanTechnica]
Scout (Scout image)
¶ “AMEA Power Completes $1.1 Billion Deal To Deploy 1 GW Of Wind And Solar Energy In Egypt” • AMEA Power announced that it has achieved the financial close to deliver 1 GW of renewable energy projects in Egypt. The landmark 500-MW wind and 500-MW solar projects represent $1.1 billion of investment into the Egyptian economy. [Yahoo News NZ]
¶ “Brookfield Signs 600-MW Deal With Amazon” • Brookfield Renewable, a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management, will provide over 600 MW of clean wind and solar capacity to power Amazon’s operations in Europe, North America, and India. In total, these projects are expected to generate 1,370 GWh, a year’s power for 120,000 US homes. [reNews]
Wind turbine (Brookfield image)
¶ “Europe Embarks On Solar Power ‘Revolution’ To Solve Its Energy Crisis And Fight Climate Change” • Spurred by Russia’s war in Ukraine and its own pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, the EU is aggressively ramping up its use of solar power, installing panels on everything from city rooftops to farmland. [Yahoo News]
¶ “Austria Loses EU Court Case Against Hungarian Nuclear Power Plant” • The General Court of the EU has dismissed an action brought by Austria in an attempt to annul the European Commission’s decision to approve the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary, the Luxembourg-based court announced. [Hungary Today]
Paks nuclear plant (Paksi Atomerőmű Zrt via Facebook)
US:
¶ “Biden Commits To Protect Nevada Sacred Tribal Lands” • President Joe Biden committed to protecting Spirit Mountain and the surrounding area in Nevada, a sacred site for Native American tribal nations. The anouncement is part of a process to make the site a national monument, to be klnown as the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. [CNN]
¶ “More Than 70 Water Agencies In California Could Face Water Shortages In The Coming Months” • The California Department of Water Resources issued a report on its water supply. Nearly 20% of the urban water agencies said they could see significant water shortages in the coming months in the state’s potential fourth consecutive year of drought. [CNN]
¶ “North Carolina’s Governor Highlights Cleantech Progress In The State” • Governor Roy Cooper recently spoke at the North Carolina Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicle State Policy Bootcamp to highlight how crucial it is for North Carolina to electrify the vehicles. He showcased the policies the state has put in place to make this happen. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “After A Long, Hard Road, Lordstown Endurance Truck Gets Regulatory Approvals, Shipping Out” • Lordstown announced that its Endurance pickup finally has regulatory approval. It said in a press release that 500 of the battery-electric pickup trucks have been homologated and are now leaving Foxconn EV’s Ohio plant for customer delivery. [CleanTechnica]
Lordstown Endurance (Courtesy of Lordstown)
¶ “Governor Hochul Announces The Start Of Construction On The 339-Mile Champlain Hudson Power Express Transmission Line” • New York Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the start of construction of the 339-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line to deliver reliable clean energy from Hydro-Québec to New York City. [NYSERDA]
¶ “Bringing Nuclear Power To Montana More Expensive Than Originally Forecast” • The cost of power from a small nuclear reactor, which has been eyed by Montana legislators and utility commissioners as a potential lifeline for the Colstrip Power Plant, has nearly doubled according to reports from early adopters in Utah and Idaho. [The Billings Gazette]
Have a fabulously advantageous day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
November 30, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “Vehicle-To-Grid Solutions Could Open Fast Lane To Net-Zero Future” • MIT Research published in Energy Advances shows that as the number of EVs rises, the collective fleet’s batteries might function as a cost-effective, large-scale energy source. This could have significant effects on the energy transition, both for EVs and for the grid. [CleanTechnica]
V2G charging site (Nuuve image)
¶ “No Kidding: The Tesla Semi Launch Is About To Change Everything” • The Tesla Semi, with its 500 mile range, is the proof-of-concept that a business needs to have. It will prove that it’s time to start to the transition to fully electric deliveries, since it will prove that anything in the fleet can be electrified. More importantly, it will save money. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “The Alpine Villages Producing Their Own Power” • There are about 1,000 hydropower plants in South Tyrol, and the vast majority of them are small or medium-sized, ranging from tiny ones powering a single farm, to clusters of more sizeable ones covering an entire valley’s supply. With Europe in an energy crisis, they are getting a lot of attention. [BBC]
South Tyrol, Italy (Lukas Leitner, Unsplash)
¶ “Airbus Designed A Cold Heart For Its New Zero-Emission Plane In Record Time” • One challenge for fueling aircraft with liquid hydrogen to power aircraft is that it has to be kept at -253°C (-423.4°F). But Airbus is serious about doing that. It took an empty warehouse in Nantes, and in a little over a year built its first cryogenic hydrogen tank. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “London Mayor Unveils New Charging Strategy Towards Net Zero 2030 At Plug It In Summit” • At the Evening Standard’s Plug It In Summit at the Design Museum, Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, outlined his plans to keep London in front of the EV revolution and his commitment to making London a cleaner, greener, and healthier city. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “More Utility Scale Battery Projects For The UK To Help With Wind Curtailment Issues” • When a grid can’t manage excess electricity from wind farms, they are curtailed. Technological advancements and price reductions for battery storage are now making batteries more useful to avoid curtailment. The result of this is some exciting news. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “ACWA Power To Develop 2060-MW Solar Project” • Saudi renewables developer ACWA Power is to build a 2060-MW solar plant in Saudi Arabia. In partnership with Water and Electricity Holding Company, the project is expected to be the largest facility of its kind in the Middle East to date. It is expected to be in commercial operation by Q4 2025. [reNews]
Solar panels (ACWA Power image)
¶ “Rio Invests Further In Renewable Energy” • Diversified major Rio Tinto will invest a further A$600 million ($404 million) in renewable energy assets in the Pilbara as it works to decarbonise its Western Australian iron-ore operations. Rio Tinto will fund construction of two 100-MW solar power facilities and 200 MWh of on-grid battery storage by 2026. [Mining Weekly]
¶ “Community Battery A First Step For Renewable Energy In Docklands” • The government of Victoria has announced a new community battery for Docklands. It will give locals and small businesses owners without roof access the chance to benefit from renewable energy. The battery will be charged by rooftop solar and windpower. [Docklands News]
¶ “Urgent Need For Mandates Around Home Based Renewable Energy” • A New Zealand solar energy installer is warning that electrifying New Zealand – EVs, trains, and digital technologies – while building thousands of homes that can’t generate their own renewable energy is foolhardy, given Transpower’s warnings of strain on the national power grid. [Scoop NZ]
¶ “UK’s Nuclear Dreams Face Obstacle As Hinkley Point C Plant At Risk Of 11-Year Delay” • According to a new contract between the UK Government and EDF, Hinkley will still be funded even if it does not start operating a decade after its original deadline of 2025. This contract sparked fears that the delay could become a reality. [Daily Express]
US:
¶ “US Rail Strike 2022: What Would Be Affected If It Happens?” • President Biden asked Congress to prevent a looming rail strike. If the workers walk out, that would knock roughly 7,000 freight trains per day out of service, wreaking havoc on supply chains across the country, driving up prices, and causing a political mess just before Christmas. [BBC]
¶ “Tesla Model 3 Highland Project Aims To Reduce Complexity And Boost Profitability” • Tesla insiders claim the company has been working behind the scenes to improve the Model 3 by simplifying the production process, Reuters reports. The changes will reduce the cost of manufacturing, which could lead to lower prices or higher profits. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Model S interior design (Courtesy of Tesla)
¶ “Green Jobs Are Flourishing And Winning Over The Hearts Of Conservative Workers” • At least $25.7 billion in new US clean energy factories are in the works, thanks in part to the subsidies in Biden-Harris administration’s landmark climate law. Most of these projects – and the jobs they create – are in traditionally conservative states. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Company Decommissioning Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station May Dump Water Without Permit” • Activists on the South Shore are angry over the latest message from Holtec, the company decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. Holtec wants to dump radioactive wastewater into Cape Cod Bay, which it insists is safe and legal. [CBS News]
Have a pleasantly fantastic day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
November 29, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “Want Your Mercedes EV To Accelerate Faster? Get Your Credit Card!” • Automakers can get a little sneaky. Instead of leaving bells and whistles out of the car unless you buy them as original equipment, they decided to put them in the car and charge a monthly fee to use them. We can see examples of the practice by BMW and Mercedes. [CleanTechnica]
Mercedes-Benz EQS (Courtesy of Mercedes)
¶ “Small Modular Reactors Will Not Save The Day” • Wind and solar are much cheaper than new nuclear plants even when storage is added. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated the cost of unsubsidized utility-scale solar plus battery storage in 2021 was $77/MWh, about half the cost Lazard has estimated for new nuclear. [Utility Dive]
World:
¶ “Great Barrier Reef Should Be Placed On The ‘In Danger’ List, UN-Backed Report Shows” • The Great Barrier Reef should be added to the list of world heritage sites that are “in danger,” a team of scientists concluded after conducting a mission to the world’s largest coral reef system. The scientists said action to save it is needed “with upmost urgency.” [CNN]
Clown Anemonefish (David Clode, Unsplash)
¶ “Canada Ups Pollution Pricing” • The Canadian government is increasing the costs of polluting under a policy that guarantees it no longer costs nothing to pollute the country’s air. Under the new rules, eight out of ten Canadian families who get Climate Action Incentive payments will actually see some extra money deposited into their accounts. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “South Africa Turns To Solar To Help Stop Power Cuts” • To try to help solve the problem of frequent power cuts and boost its environmental credentials, the South African government is undertaking efforts to boost its solar power generation capacity. To do this it is encouraging firms in the solar sector to tender for contracts. [BBC]
Solar array in South Africa (Art Solar image)
¶ “Renewable Boom Saves India From String Of Mass Blackouts” • India’s power grid has been more resilient over the past weeks than it was at the same time last year, when a coal shortage led to widespread blackouts. Part of the reason for the enhanced resilience was the surging renewable capacity which has reduced the stress on coal-fired generators. [Oil Price]
¶ “Europe’s First All-Season EV Tire” • The Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV, Europe’s first all-season EV tire developed specifically for battery EVs and hybrids, was unveiled by Apollo Tyres, Apollo Vredestein BV’s Indian parent company. It was touted as setting new norms for grip, efficiency, noise, and environmental impact in its hot new market. [CleanTechnica]
Apollo Tyres tire (Apollo Tyres)
UK:
¶ “Nottingham To Receive 78 New Electric Buses” • The city of Nottingham will get 78 zero-emission electric buses to electrify its fleet as part of a Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas fund. The Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Transport were able to secure £15.2 million of funding to help achieve the city’s goal of carbon-neutrality by 2028. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Boom Power Secures Planning For 50 MW Of Solar” • Boom Power secured planning permission for a 50-MW solar project in Yorkshire. The developer plans to construct Kenley Solar Farm on approximately 94 hectares of land, near Hull, East Yorkshire. The wind project will generate electricity for distribution to the national grid. [reNews]
¶ “Octopus Identifies 2.3 GW Of UK Wind Potential” • Octopus Energy Generation has identified 2.3 GW of potential new British onshore wind energy. Developing all this onshore wind energy would be the equivalent of building a large nuclear power plant. It wouldprovide enough home-grown, cheap, green energy for 1.85 million homes. [reNews]
¶ “Maple, Mainstream Partner For Celtic Sea Floater Tender” • Maple Power and Mainstream Renewable Power have teamed up to explore the Crown Estate’s tender for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, which will be launched in 2023. The tender for floating wind is expected to deliver a total of 4 GW of renewable energy by 2035. [reNews]
Floating offshore turbines (Principle Power image)
US:
¶ “Hyundai Plans Three Battery Factories With Annual Capacity Of 90 GWh” • Motivated by the Inflation Reduction Act, Hyundai broke ground on a $5 billion electric car factory near Savannah, Georgia. Also, with partners SK On and LG Energy Solution, it is building three battery factories there, with a total capacity of 90 GWh annually. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Caterpillar Makes One Gigantic Electric Truck To Rule Them All” • The latest electric truck from Caterpillar is a zero-emission version of the company’s massive diesel-powered 793 mining truck. It will help push EVs for heavy duty use, as it demonstrates a battery-powered electric drive that can tackle some of the toughest jobs on Earth. [CleanTechnica]
Caterpillar 793 truck (Courtesy of Caterpillar)
¶ “Environmental Groups Propose A Cleaner Power Generation Plan In Iowa” • MidAmerican’s Wind PRIME project would add 2,042 MW of wind power and 50 MW of solar, but the company plans to keep operating five large coal plants in Iowa. The plan would make MidAmerican the state’s largest carbon polluter. A plan for cleaner power is cheaper. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Study Projects Health Benefits Of Rapid Renewables And EV Adoption” • The journal Nature Communications has published a study showing that a rapid transition to EVs and heat pumps for buildings would dramatically reduce hazardous air pollutants in the US. One reviewer pointed out that the benefits to our health would be tremendous. [Environment America]
Have a splendidly comfortable day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
November 28, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “Vermont’s Climate Plan Is Built On A Foundation Made Of Paper” • Vermont has a plan to combat climate change. But the plan rests on a foundation of paper because Vermont’s most consequential energy policy papers over our region’s fossil use and does not move the needle when it comes to making our region’s power supply more renewable. [VTDigger]
World:
¶ “Russian Attacks On Energy Grid Amount To Genocide, Says Ukraine” • Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure amount to genocide, the Ukrainian prosecutor-general told the BBC. Millions of Ukrainian people face power cuts in freezing weather, following sustained Russian attacks. Strikes on key facilities targeted “the full Ukrainian nation.” [BBC]
¶ “Rolls-Royce Tests A Jet Engine Running On Hydrogen” • Rolls-Royce is putting a small aircraft jet engine through tests that could one day lead to huge changes within the aviation industry. The engine itself is almost completely conventional. But this is the first time a modern aircraft engine has ever been run on hydrogen. [BBC]
Engine test (Rolls-Royce image)
¶ “UK Government Supports Energy Storage With Over £32 Million Funding” • Five projects based across the UK will benefit from a share of over £32 million in phase two of the Longer Duration Energy Storage competition, to develop technologies to store energy as heat, electricity, or a low-carbon energy carrier like hydrogen. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “$90 Million To Set Up Net-Zero Energy Solutions Platform For South Africa” • African Infrastructure Investment Managers will provide the initial equity of up to $90 million to establish a new renewable energy platform for net-zero energy solutions for Africa. The platform will provide energy for the commercial and industrial sectors. [ESI Africa]
¶ “Ireland Mulling Mandatory Renewables Quota For Heat Sector By 2024” • The Irish government wants to introduce an unspecified renewable energy quota for the heating sector by 2024. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland recently predicted that heat pumps could cover 20% of the country’s heating demand in 2030. [PV Magazine]
¶ “Ukraine’s Nuclear Chief Says He Sees Signs Russia May Be Leaving Occupied Nuclear Plant” • The head of Ukraine’s state-run nuclear energy firm said on Sunday there were signs that Russian forces might be preparing to leave the vast Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which they seized in March soon after their invasion. [Reuters]
Australia and New Zealand:
¶ “Electric Trucks Take The Load On The Road In New Zealand” • Reliance Transport, a last-mile cartage specialist based in South Auckland, New Zealand, commissioned two battery-powered Scania electric trucks, with the help of the Low Emission Transport Fund managed by Australia’s Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Queensland Windfarm To Provide Enough Power For 1.4 Million Homes With New $2 BIllion Investment” • With an investment of A$2 billion ($1.34 billion), one of Australia’s biggest windfarms will double its capacity to 2,000 MW, providing power for 1.4 million homes and accelerating Queensland’s exit from fossil fuels. [The Guardian]
¶ “Councils Commit To Solar-Driven Renewable Energy Power Plan” • Seven New South Wales local councils united to buy electricity from the 115 MW Metz Solar Farm under a long-term power purchase agreement. They will buy enough renewable energy to allow their facilities and assets to transition eventually to 100% renewables. [pv magazine Australia]
¶ “Demonstrating The Micro Power Of Hydrogen” • Denham, a small coastal town in Western Australia, 820 km north of Perth, has the attention of the country as it trials a renewable hydrogen microgrid. The microgrid, believed to be one of the first of its kind worldwide, this month began producing hydrogen in the community. [Cosmos Magazine]
US:
¶ “Prince William And Kate To Visit US For Climate Change Prize” • In their first trip abroad since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine will visit the US this week for an environmental prize. They will show their support for finding ways to tackle climate change, at the second annual Earthshot Prize awards in Boston. [BBC]
¶ “Renewables Providing Nearly A Quarter Of US Electricity In 2022” • US renewable energy sources provided almost 23% of the nation’s electrical generation during the first three-quarters of 2022, according to a report by the SUN DAY Campaign, which reviewed data released the day before Thanksgiving by the US Energy Information Administration. [reNews]
Wind turbine (Trygve Finkelsen, Pexels)
¶ “Ford Keeps Top Human Rights Ranking” • Ford has been named the top automotive brand in the World Benchmarking Alliance’s 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark for the second consecutive year. Ford came in at number one on a list of 29 automotive companies. The benchmark examines corporate policies, processes, and practices. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “State Of Colorado Launches First EV Education Campaign” • The Colorado Energy Office and the Colorado Department of Transportation started an EV education campaign. They did this to raise awareness of state and federal EV tax credits and state EV infrastructure investments. They also did it to help first-time EV buyers prepare for EV ownership. [CleanTechnica]
Have a fundamentally superior day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
November 27, 2022
Science and Technology:
¶ “Could Centuries-Old Wheat Help Feed The Planet?” • Could the key to feeding the world with a changing climate be hiding in a 300-year-old museum collection? That’s a hope of scientists combing through 12,000 specimens of wheat and its relatives archived at the Natural History Museum, as Climate change, pests, and diseases pressure wheat crops. [BBC]
Wheat (Pixabay, Pexels, cropped)
¶ “MIT Researchers Solve Dendrites Mystery To Creating Smaller And Lighter Batteries” • A breakthrough on dendrites by MIT researchers may lead to building a new type of rechargeable lithium battery that is safer, lighter, and more compact than existing models. It’s a concept that has been pursued by labs all over the world for years. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solving The Hydrogen Transportation Conundrum” • The dream of a global economy powered by renewable hydrogen is coming into sharper focus, except for one key sticking point: Transporting it adds costs. An inexpensive, efficient, and sustainable transportation medium would help, and apparently green ammonia is first in line. [CleanTechnica]
Green ammonia project (Courtesy of GeoPura)
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Wave Energy: The Potential Of Wave Power Plants To Power Our Future” • Though solar and wind energy has been receiving the most attention in recent years, wave energy has the potential to be a bigger and more reliable form of renewable energy. Here, we will explore the potential of wave power plants and how they could help power our future. [Greener Ideal]
World:
¶ “How Much Damage Has Russia Done To Power Supplies?” • After facing setbacks on the battlefield, Russian forces have been concentrating on attacking Ukrainian power facilities, fuel depots and water works. Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national power company, says damage to electricity installations is so great that 50% of the demand cannot be met. [BBC]
¶ “The Better Car Company” • The Good Car Company is getting better. With A$200 million ($135 million) in financial backing from Boundless Earth, which was founded and funded by Mike Cannon-Brookes, the Good Car Company is now able to increase its imports to Australia tenfold. They are rising from 200 cars per year to 2000. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Don’t Forget The 2-Wheel Electric Revolution In Southeast Asia” • The summit season has kicked off big time in Southeast Asia, and green vehicles are in the spotlight. Local police are even riding electric motorcycles to escort delegates. Southeast Asia’s cities are crowded, and smaller, more nimble vehicles make more sense. [CleanTechnica]
Electric motorcycles (Courtesy of Business Wire/Zero Motorcycles)
¶ “Rural Properties Going Off-Grid With Renewables For Energy Security And To Reduce Costs” • The Queensland Farmers’ Federation said a number of its members were considering a move to operating off-grid. Their reasons ranging from wanting to be energy independent, to saving money or reducing their farm’s operating emissions. [ABC]
¶ “Lake District’s National Trust Adds New Power Unit” • The National Trust welcomed a new power unit in Barrowdale as part of an ongoing multi-million pound project. The installation of this hydro, and a biomass boiler at Sizergh, have helped the Trust generate 50% of its own energy in an ambition to become net carbon neutral by 2030. [Westmorland Gazette]
Lake District (imagenation.jpeg, Unsplash)
¶ “Two Major UK Renewable Energy Projects Delayed Due To Red Tape” • The UK could add enough renewable energy to power a million homes by channelling water from the Scottish Highlands, yet two large projects aiming to do that will be tied up in government red tape until at least 2024. The stations could generate as much as 2 GW. [The National]
¶ “‘Goodbye to them:’ Victoria votes to end coal and make radical shift to renewables” • Labor Party faithful gathered on Saturday night to celebrate their stunning win of Victoria’s government, and the near complete evisceration of the Liberal Party’s belief that promises of a gas led recovery could somehow lead to salvation at the polls. [Renew Economy]
¶ “Fears For All Ukraine’s Nuclear Plants After Emergency Shutdowns” • There are growing fears that Russia’s relentless targeting of Ukraine’s electricity grid will threaten the safety of the country’s nuclear power plants, after of an unprecedented emergency shutdown on Wednesday, in which all of Ukraine’s nuclear plants were forced to go offline. [The Guardian]
US:
¶ “VinFast To Deliver First 999 EVs In USA” • VinFast just marked a major milestone in its global expansion, with a ceremony for the first batch of its EVs being exported to the US. The first batch includes 999 VF 8 SUVs. They are expected to arrive in a port in California in about 20 days after departing from MPC Port in Haiphong, Vietnam. [CleanTechnica]
VinFast VF 8 loading in Haiphong (VinFast image)
¶ “Aptera Officially Announces It Will Use The Tesla Charging Connector” • In some ways, this is hardly news at all. Since Aptera re-emerged in 2019-2020, all of the vehicle’s prototypes have had a Tesla plug behind the small license plate. The whole vehicle’s aerodynamic design would be compromised by trying to use a larger plug. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Florida Leaders to Avoid Saying ‘Climate Change’” • Following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, Florida’s new House Speaker and Senate President have pledged to do more to strengthen the state’s coastlines. Republican lawmakers, environmental groups say, are omitting a crucial element of the puzzle. They can’t say “climate change.” [NewsBreak Original]
Have a magnificently cozy day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
November 26, 2022
Opinion:
¶ “A Conservative Recalibration on Climate Is Inevitable” • Given the Democratic Party’s stronger-than-expected performance in the recent midterm elections, and given climate as an apparent factor in a stronger-than-expected youth vote, we may see more Republican politicians rethinking their positions on climate change. [Treehugger]
Climate protest sign (Markus Spiske, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Vanadium Flow Batteries Could Leapfrog Over Pumped Hydro For Long Duration Energy Storage” • Russia’s murderous war in Ukraine makes the importance of energy storage more clear. A German firm, CellCube, has a Strategic Manufacturing Cooperation Agreement with the Australian firm North Harbour Clean Energy for flow batteries. CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “BYD To Build 20-GWh Battery Factory In Wenzhou, China” • Yesterday, a CleanTechnica article looked into whether BYD might start making sodium-ion batteries. BYD denied it. But today, BYD announced it will build a new battery factory in Wenzhou, China, that will produce 20 GWh of batteries per year by the time it is finished in 2024. [CleanTechnica]
Wenzhou-kean University (Roderick Hou, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “East Africa Breweries PLC To Increase The Use Of Solar PV At Its Production Facilities” • East Africa Breweries PLC contributes about 1% of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product and engages over 60,000 farmers across its supply chain. It is switching to biomass to help reduce its carbon emissions by 95%, saving 34,000 tonnes of emissions per year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Europe’s Biggest Battery Storage System Goes Online Four Months Early” • Renewable power company Harmony Energy Limited has completed work on Europe’s biggest battery four months early because energy demands are expected to rise due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The system can store up to 196 MWh of electricity. [TechSpot]
Europe’s biggest battery (Harmony Energy image)
¶ “World’s Largest Isolated System Achieves A New Record For Renewable Energy” • In Western Australia, the instantaneous renewable energy share reached a new peak of 81% on November 12, at about 12:30 PM. This is considered outstanding for the world’s largest isolated system. The previous record of 79% was set in September 2021. [Energy Matters]
Ukraine:
¶ “Ukraine War: Six Million Without Power As Winter Bites” • Ukraine’s president says six million Ukrainian households are still without power, after massive missile strikes hit the country this week. The number of affected households has reduced by half since Wednesday, but millions have been left without light, water or heat as winter sets in. [BBC]
Power line repair (Антон Дмитриев, Unsplash)
¶ “Ukraine’s Battle To Restore Power Slowed By Sub-Zero (C) Weather Conditions” • The race to restore power to homes in Ukraine is being slowed by “strong winds, rain and sub-zero temperatures,” the state energy supply company said in a statement. It is the second day since a brutal Russian assault on Ukrain’s power infrastructure. [CNN]
¶ “Ukraine Restores Power To Millions As Nuclear Plants Come Back Online Following Russian Missile Strikes” • Ukrainian authorities yesterday gradually restored power to millions of people left in the dark after the most devastating Russian air strikes so far. They reconnected four nuclear plants. Millions of people still have no power. [Independent.ie]
US:
¶ “Vantem Offers Energy Efficient Factory-Made Modular Dwellings” • Vantem manufactures energy efficient modular dwelling units. Now, thanks to a Series A investment round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Quadrant Management, and TEM Capital, the company plans to build 15 factories in the US over the next seven years. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Sunrun Is Adding Ford F-150 Lightnings To Its Fleet” • Sunrun has entered into an exciting partnership with Ford, teaming up to make vehicle-to-home technology available to people who buy F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks. Sunrun also offers electric vehicle chargers and has a goal of having half of its fleet electric or hybrid by the end of 2025. [CleanTechnica]
Sunrun F-150 Lightnings (Sunrun image)
¶ “General Motors Vows To Avoid ‘Opportunistic’ EV Prices” • At the General Motors Investors Day event earlier this month, GM president Mark Reuss told those in attendance that the company wants to avoid “opportunistic” pricing of its upcoming electric vehicles, several of which are scheduled to appear in showrooms next year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “What Higher Natural Gas Prices Mean For CT’s Clean Energy Push” • United Illuminating and Eversource, Connecticut’s two largest power utilities, announced last week that electric bills for most customers would increase between $79 and $85 a month as a result of the global natural gas shortage precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. [CT Insider]
Have a totally ducky day.
geoharvey is free and without ads.
geoharvey is not tax-deductible.
Posted in nuclear power, renewable power, solar, wind | Leave a Comment »
Tags: nuclear, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, solar power, wind power
geoharvey 