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Energy Week #298, 01/03/19
Because the BCTV studio was closed during the Christmas week, this edition of Energy Week covers a two-week period.
Thursday, December 20:
Wind-powered, unmanned Arctic Saildrone
- “NOAA’s 2017–2018 Arctic Report Card: Arctic Air Temperatures Warming at Twice Global Rate”
NOAA’s brilliant, visually beautiful, and timely Arctic Report Card for 2018 is an immensely telling work containing the research of over 80 scientists from 12 countries. Since 1900, average temperatures have increased 6.3° Fahrenheit. [CleanTechnica] - EDF, Shell Swoop for New Jersey Offshore Acreage”
An alliance between EDF Renewables and Shell acquired a lease area off New Jersey that has the potential for a 2.5-GW offshore wind project. The partners have named the venture Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind. They said the site has “steady wind resources in relatively shallow water.” [reNEWS]
Friday, December 21:
Solar array
- “New Jersey Moves to End Solar RECs, Take Next Steps Toward 100% Renewables”
The next phase of solar development in New Jersey will require a new initiative beyond SRECs, say officials, as part of the state’s goals of moving to 100% renewable energy. The state’s current renewable portfolio standard has a goal of 50% renewables by 2030. [Utility Dive]
Saturday, December 22:
- “Bill Gates-Led Fund Is Investing in a Startup to Build a Cheap Battery Using a ‘Refrigerator on Steroids'”
The Boston-based startup Malta thinks it has one answer for energy storage. At a time when lithium-ion battery packs cost, on average, $176/kWh, the Malta system could be as low as $12.7/kWh, though it does have much reduced efficiency. [Quartz]
Golden pathos (Credit: Mark Stone | University of Washington)
- “Rabbit Gene Turns Houseplant into Air Detoxifier”
Scientists at the University of Washington made the golden pothos, a houseplant, remove toxic gases from the air by inserting a rabbit gene called CYP2E1 into its DNA. The plant’s DNA was altered by adding a gene from a rabbit, enabling the plant to break down volatile organic compounds. [CNN]
Sunday, December 23:
- “Climate Commitments by over 9,000 Cities: UN Yearbook”
Commitments to climate actions have been made by more than 9,000 cities from 128 countries, around 240 states and regions from over 40 countries and more than 6,000 businesses in 120 countries, says a UN yearbook for 2018. Together, they represent $36 trillion. [Outlook India]
Monday, December 24:
Hydrogen fuel-cell ferry
- “Full Steam Ahead For First Ever Diesel-Killing, High Speed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry”
Last summer CleanTechnica took note of plans for a futuristic new fuel cell ferryboat slated to ply the waters of San Francisco Bay. Now the vessel is on track to launch (literally) next year according to its developer, Golden Gate Zero Emissions Marine. [CleanTechnica] - “Greenfield Light & Power to Offer 100% Local Renewable Power”
Greenfield Light & Power can finally offer 100% local renewable power to its customers. The announcement was rolled into the release of a two-year contract for energy users in the Massachusetts town. The GL&P rate will be 10.565¢/kWh. The standard utility rate is 11.516¢/kWh. [The Recorder]
Tuesday, December 25:
Driver and sled dogs
- “Alaska Husky Racing Threatened by Receding Ice”
For now, the centuries-old tradition of husky racing is still alive and well in Alaska. But a changing climate means the competition season for these canine athletes is shrinking. The smooth, deep snow that is required for the dogs to run at full strength arrives a little later each year. [BBC]
Wednesday, December 26:
- “Looking for a Shred of Good News on Global Warming? Consider the Explosion of Cheaper Clean Energy”
It is clear that 2018 was a terrible year for Earth’s climate, with long lists of weather events and dire assessments. While it may seem there is nothing to be optimistic about, there is one very good reason for hope: renewable energy. [Common Dreams]
A sign (Photo courtesy of the University of New South Wales)
- “2018: The Year of Day Zero and the Mega-Drought”
In 2018, Cape Town, South Africa, one of the wealthiest cities in Africa, faced the prospect of running out of water. This city of four million people was counting down the days to “Day Zero,” when their taps would be dry. Conservation measures have put off reaching Day Zero, for now. [DeSmog]
Thursday, December 27:
- “Mercury Emissions From Power Plants Drop 81.7%”
Mercury emissions from power plants fell 81.7% from 2011 through 2017, after establishment of the EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, data from the Center for American Progress shows. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is considering rolling back key standards elements. [Daily Energy Insider]
Demonstration in France (Piroschka van de Wouw | Reuters)
- “1.7 Million People Have Signed a Petition in Favor of Suing France over Climate-Change Inaction”
More than 1.7 million people have signed a petition in favor of suing the French government for inaction on climate change. Four NGOs have initiated legal proceedings saying France has defaulted on its environmental obligations. [Quartz]
Friday, December 28:
- “Volkswagen’s New Mobile EV Charging Solution”
VW is offering a glimpse of its mobile quick charging station. It works according to the principle of a power bank, to charge an EV’s battery from its own internal battery. It has quick charging technology, and can charge a car with suitable connections in 17 minutes. [CleanTechnica]
Saturday, December 29:
- “NREL Details Great Potential for Floating PV Systems”
In a paper that was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, researchers at the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated that floating solar PVs on the more than 24,000 man-made US reservoirs could provide about 10% of the nation’s electricity. [POWER magazine]
Brandon Shores power plant (Mark Wilson | Getty Images)
- “EPA Proposes New Rule That Could Allow Fewer Restrictions on Toxins”
The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is proposing new rules for the regulation of hazardous air pollutants, potentially making way for fewer restrictions on various pollutants in the future. A number of groups were quick to criticise the move. [CNN]
Sunday, December 30:
- “Zimbabwe Saves Fortune on Energy Bill”
Zimbabwe’s bill for energy imports dropped from at least $48 million to about $1.2 million monthly, as efforts to invest in local electricity generation to underpin economic growth begin to bear fruit. With new power projects, Zimbabwe is moving towards energy self-sufficiency. [Bulawayo24 News]
Monday, December 31:
Willow growing along the River Eden (Photo: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian)
- “Flood Defences: How Willow Proved to Be a Natural Defender”
Planting willow trees on farm land along a river to grow fuel for a biomass plant had an unexpected benefit for a farmer in Cumbria. As heavy rain produced a flood that washed gravel and debris onto exposed fields, the willow trees provided protection to the adjacent fields. [The Guardian]
Tuesday, January 1:
- “Ocasio-Cortez Slams Democrats for Deeming Climate Goals ‘Too Controversial'”
Rep-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is ripping her fellow Democrats for failing to take up her proposed special climate change committee for a Green New Deal because it was deemed “too controversial.” Its aim is to have 100% of grid energy be renewably generated. [The Hill]
Wednesday, January 2:
Wind turbines (Joe Amon | The Denver Post via Getty Images)
- “A Clean Energy Revolution Is Rising in the Midwest, with Utilities in the Vanguard”
Midwestern utilities are abandoning fossil fuels. First Xcel Energy of Minnesota said it would go to zero carbon emissions. Next came Consumers Energy in Michigan and NIPSCO in Indiana. They made 2018 the fulcrum year in the energy transition. [InsideClimate News] - “Bill McKibben Has a New Year’s Message About Climate Change – Act Quickly”
Have we waited too long to take bold action on climate change? McKibben argues there is still a slim chance that a total collapse of the Earth’s ecosphere is still mathematically possible. “Win soon,” he said, “or suffer the consequences.” [CleanTechnica]
Battery storage
Energy Week with George Harvey and Tom Finnell 