Energy Week #338: 10/3/2019

Visitors Please Note: This blog is maintained to assist in developing a TV show, Energy Week with George Harvey and Tom Finnell. The post is put up in incomplete form, and is updated with news until it is completed, usually on Wednesday. The source is geoharvey.com.

Within a few days of the last update, the show may be seen, along with older shows, at this link on the BCTV website: Energy Week Series.

Energy Week #338: 10/3/2019

Thursday, September 26

Offshore wind turbines (NREL image)

• “Dominion Energy Plans America’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm” • Dominion Energy is planning the construction of the single largest offshore wind project in US waters, consisting of three 880-MW phases. According to the American Wind Energy Association, this presents a huge economic opportunity for the State of Virginia. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
• “The World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Is Nearly Complete. It Can Power 1 Million Homes” • The world’s largest offshore wind farm is taking shape 120 km (75 miles) off England’s Yorkshire coast. Hornsea One will produce enough energy to supply 1 million UK homes with clean electricity when it is completed in 2020. [CNN]

Ocean food (Jay Directo | AFP | Getty Images)

• “Landmark UN Report Warns Sea Levels Will Rise Faster Than Projected By 2100” • Cities from New York to Shanghai could see regular flooding, as sea levels rise faster than previously thought. Glaciers and ice sheets from the Himalayas to Antarctica are rapidly melting. And the fisheries that feed millions of people are shrinking. [CNN]

Friday, September 27

• “Latin America Pledges 70% Renewable Energy, Surpassing EU” • At the United Nations Climate Action Summit, Latin American countries have set a collective target of 70% renewable energy use by 2030, more than double what the EU plans, Colombia’s energy minister said. Her country has a renewables tender scheduled for October. [NBCNews.com]

Western Meadowlark (Matthew Pendleton, Cornell University)

• “Birds Are Dying Off At An Alarming Rate. Here’s How You Can Help From Your Own Backyard” • An alarming study says that since 1970 the US and Canada have lost almost a third of their bird population. Habitat loss, collisions with glass, hunting by cats, and pesticides are the biggest threats, the American Birding Conservancy said. [CNN]
• “Macquarie Reveals Five-Year Plan For Massive Investment In 20 GW Renewables” • Australian based Macquarie Group has announced plans to develop a massive portfolio of clean energy projects, with a goal of investing in 20 GW of new projects across the globe and will be channeled through a subsidiary, the Green Investment Group. [RenewEconomy]

Saturday, September 28

Barrier island creation (MississippiRiverDelta.org)

• “Oil Company Agrees To Pay Up To $100 Million To Restore Louisiana Coastline” • An agreement between Freeport-McMoRan, a company that specializes in drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, and 12 coastal communities in Louisiana may set a precedent. The company agreed to pay up to $100 million to restore the Louisiana coastline. [CleanTechnica]
• “The 3.5% Rule: How A Small Minority Can Change The World” • Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population to be participating actively in the protests to ensure serious political change. She also showed civil disobedience is the most powerful way to shape world politics. [BBC]

Sunny day flooding (Joe Raedle | Getty Images)

• “Climate Change Is Raising Quite The Stink In Florida” • In addition to other problems, the sunny day flooding that comes with rising sea levels threatens to overwhelm septic systems, leading to health issues. A Dade County report estimates it would take more than $3.3 billion to build water treatment facilities to provide sewer hookups. [CNN]

Sunday, September 29

• “Why Vladimir Putin Suddenly Believes In Global Warming” • Some Russians have seen climate change as a “good thing,” with new opportunities for commerce, shipping, and exploration for petroleum sources. But the melting of permafrost poses a huge threat to Russia’s heartlands, as the thawing ground cannot bear the weight of infrastructure. [Bloomberg]

Activists at Merrimack Station (Annie Ropeik | NHPR)

• “Dozens Arrested At Protest Outside New England’s Largest Coal Power Plant, In Bow, NH” • Nearly 70 people were arrested during a protest at a coal-fired power plant in Bow Saturday. The activists had marched onto the grounds of Merrimack Station, the largest coal-burning facility left in New England that is not set to retire. [New Hampshire Public Radio]
• “Big Banks Are Shifting Mortgages Made Riskier By Climate Change Onto Taxpayers” • New research first reported by The New York Times suggests banks are shifting mortgages made riskier by the climate emergency over to financial institutions backed by US taxpayers, a finding that echoes the subprime lending crisis of 2008. [Truthout]

Monday, September 30

Lobster fishing (AK-Bino, Wikimedia Commons)

• “Can A Carbon Fee Save The World’s Oceans? Senator Whitehouse Says ‘Yes'” • Climate change is altering the oceans, and CO₂ is changing their chemistry. In an exclusive comment for CleanTechnica, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) says a carbon fee is the best method to limit emissions and mitigate ocean quality loss. [CleanTechnica]
• “California Governor Newsom And Michael Bloomberg Announce Plan To Use Satellite To Track Climate Change” • Gov Gavin Newsom of California and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a new initiative that will use satellite data from Earth-imaging company Planet to monitor climate change in California. [Newsweek]

New Hanwha Q Cells facility (Hanwha image)

• “Hanwha Q Cells Dedicates Largest Solar Panel Factory In Western Hemisphere” • Hanwha Q Cells opened a 300,000 square foot solar panel factory in Dalton, Georgia. The $200 million factory employs more than 650 workers and is capable of producing 12,000 solar panels a year, enough to generate 1.7 GW of electricity. [CleanTechnica]

Tuesday, October 1

• “Saudi Crown Prince Warns Of Threat To Global Oil Supply” • Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told the BBC that if Iran and Saudi Arabia go to war, oil prices could rise up to “unimaginably high numbers.” He says this is possible if the world doesn’t try to deter Iran, and that escalation will threaten the world’s interests. [CleanTechnica]

Arctic ice (NOAA image)

• “A Formula For Catastrophe In The Arctic” • The White House views the Arctic as a key arena for great-power competition, with the ultimate prize being a great trove of resources, including oil, natural gas, uranium, zinc, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and rare earth minerals. It is possible because of climate change. It will worsen climate change. [CleanTechnica]
• “Renewable Energy Will Provide Discount To Thousands” • Imperial Irrigation District and Citizens Energy Corporation just completed the largest low-income solar project in the country. There are more than 100,000 solar panels in the solar array in Calipatria, California. It will generate 30 MW of power and serve over 12,000 customers. [NBC Palm Springs]

Wednesday, October 2

Coal emissions

• “Feds Seek To Gut Law Boosting Small-Scale Renewables” • Since 1978, the Public Utilities Regulatory Act has boosted renewables by requiring big utilities to buy some power from small solar and wind companies. Now federal regulators are proposing changes that would hurt both the smaller companies and consumers. [Environmental Working Group]
• “Elizabeth Warren’s Climate Plan Is Much Stronger With Addition Of Inslee-Related Commitments” • Elizabeth Warren announced changes to her climate plan inspired by elements of Jay Inslee’s, possibly a gold standard. Warren is nearly tied with Biden in key states and could turn out to be the Democratic candidate in 2020. [CleanTechnica]

Deia Schlosberg (Image from Edward Snowden, via Twitter)

• “The Koch Brothers And Protest In America” • Documentary filmmaker and journalist Deia Schlosberg was arrested and charged with felonies carrying a maximum sentence of up to 45 years in prison for reporting on the Indigenous protests against fossil fuel infrastructure, Common Dreams tells us. What about the First Amendment? [CleanTechnica]

Energy Week #338: 10/3/2019

Energy, renewable energy, wind power, Solar, batteries, Nuclear, coal, oil, gas, Climate Change

Energy Week #337: 9/26/2019

Visitors Please Note: This blog is maintained to assist in developing a TV show, Energy Week with George Harvey and Tom Finnell. The post is put up in incomplete form, and is updated with news until it is completed, usually on Wednesday. The source is geoharvey.com.

Within a few days of the last update, the show may be seen, along with older shows, at this link on the BCTV website: Energy Week Series.

Energy Week #337: 9/27/2019

Thursday, September 19

Roserock Solar Facility, Texas (Recurrent Energy courtesy photo)

• “US Utility-Scale Solar Pipeline Tops 37.9 GW” • The US solar industry now boasts the largest pipeline of utility-scale solar projects in history with a record 37.9 GW of contracted solar, according to the latest figures, in the US Solar Market Insight Report from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Solar Energy Industries Association. [CleanTechnica]
• “California Vows To Fight Trump Administration To Keep Higher Car Emission Standards” • Sacramento has vowed to fight Washington’s attempt to remove the state’s higher car emission standards. “It’s about the oil industry, period, full stop. It’s not about the car manufacturers, … it’s not about our economy,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. [KGO-TV]

Greta Thunberg (Alex Wong | Getty Images)

• “Greta Thunberg Has A Suggestion For Congress On How To Take Real Action On The Climate Crisis” • Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg appeared in front of Congress before a hearing on climate change, just days after she met with former President Barack Obama. She said, “I don’t want you to listen to me. I want you to listen to the scientists.” [CNN]

Friday, September 20

• “US To Stage Its Largest Ever Climate Strike: ‘Somebody Must Sound The Alarm'” • Climate strikes will take place in more than 1,000 locations in the US on Friday, with major rallies in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. Globally, more than 4,500 strikes are planned across 150 countries. [The Guardian]

Disused cooling towers (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images)

• “The Famous Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Is Closing” • The famous Three Mile Island nuclear plant is officially shutting down September 20, a plant spokesperson confirmed to CNN. Exelon Generation announced in May that it would officially close the plant by September 30, citing a lack of state action in subsidizing clean energy. [CNN]
• “Ørsted To Pioneer Deployment Of GE’s Next Generation Offshore Wind Turbine” • Subject to required approvals and final contract signing, Ørsted will deploy Haliade-X 12-MW wind turbines on the two offshore wind farms in Ørsted’s Mid-Atlantic cluster. They would put 120 MW off the coast of Maryland and 1,100 off New Jersey. [EnerCom Inc]

Saturday, September 21

Flooding after Imelda (Kim Brent | The Beaumont Enterprise Via AP)

• “Tropical Storm Imelda Will Likely Be Southeast Texas’ Fifth 500-Year Flood In Five Years” • Tropical Storm Imelda was incredible. Though it might be too soon to tell how climate change shaped the intensity and speed with which Imelda struck Texas, Imelda will likely be Southeast Texas’ fifth 500-year flood event in as many years. [The Texas Observer]
• “After Stalling Last Year, Renewable Power Capacity Additions To Hit Double-Digit Growth In 2019” • After stalling last year, global capacity additions of renewable power are set to bounce back with double-digit growth in 2019, driven by solar PV’s strong performance, according to the International Energy Agency. [Modern Diplomacy]

Over four million people may have taken part (Reuters image)

• “Climate Protests: Marches Worldwide Against Global Warming” • Millions of people around the world held a global climate strike on Friday, inspired by activist Greta Thunberg. Protesters across continents waved placards and chanted slogans in what could be the biggest ever demonstration over global warming caused by humans. [BBC]

Sunday, September 22

• “How Russia Seized Control of the Uranium Market” • Mines in Canada and elsewhere, which have supplied uranium for nuclear fuel, have been closing, as Russia and Kazakhstan put pressure on the market. The US imports 93% of its nuclear reactor fuel, and much of this is from Russia, but President Trump says this is not a problem. [The Market Oracle]

Mine and turbines (S Zeise | ©Picture Alliance | DPA)

• “Germany To Join Alliance To Phase Out Coal” • In the wake of the global student climate strike, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said Germany would move further in its efforts to phase out coal. Berlin is hoping to shut down all its coal-fired power plants by 2038. The country will be joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance. [Deutsche Welle]
• “Trump Administration Suppressed Over 1500 Climate Change Studies” • The Trump administration systematically suppressed and minimized the results of more than 1,400 studies related to climate change at the Department of Agriculture, information released by Sen Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) shows. Farmers are not getting facts they need. [The National Memo]

Monday, September 23

Offshore wind farm

• “Dozen Renewable Energy Projects Approved” • The UK approved electricity supply deals for a dozen major renewable energy projects, including the world’s largest wind farm, the £9 billion Dogger Bank project off the Yorkshire coast. The projects will provide 6 GW of electricity, enough to power over seven million homes. [Construction Enquirer]
• “Countries Must Triple Climate Emission Cut Targets To Limit Global Heating To 2°C” • An assessment backed by the world’s major climate science bodies has found commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions must be at least tripled and increased by up to fivefold if the world is to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. [The Guardian]

Boat and ice (Getty Images)

• “Climate Change: Impacts ‘Accelerating’ As Leaders Gather For UN Talks” • The signs and impacts of global heating are speeding up, the latest science on climate change, published ahead of key UN talks in New York, says. The data, compiled by the World Meteorological Organization says the five-year period from 2014 to 2019 is the warmest on record. [BBC]

Tuesday, September 24

• “23 States Sue Trump To Keep California’s Auto Emission Rules” • California sued Friday to stop the Trump administration from revoking its authority to set greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, enlisting help from 22 other states in a battle that will shape a key component of the nation’s climate policy. [Associated Press]

Greta Thunberg scolding the UN (UNTV)

• “Angry Greta Thunberg Tells Global Leaders She ‘Will Never Forgive’ Them For Failing On Climate Change” • Greta Thunberg doesn’t mince words. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth,” the Swedish climate activist told the UN General Assembly. “How dare you?” [CNN]
• “South Australia Unveils Plans For 100% Renewable Hydrogen Economy” • South Australia has outlined plans for a 100% renewable hydrogen economy, saying that with its enormous wind and solar resources, there is nowhere else in the world as well positioned to produce, consume, and export 100% green hydrogen. [RenewEconomy]

Wednesday, September 25

GE wind turbine (GE Renewable Energy image)

• “GE Renewable Energy Goes Carbon Neutral” • The wind, hydropower, energy storage, and grid operations business of GE has committed to going 100% carbon neutral by the end of 2020. GE Renewable Energy chief executive Jerome Pecresse said, “This is a decision that makes business sense.” Natural Capital Partners will advise GE on the move. [reNEWS]
• “Trump Is Weaponizing The EPA Against California” • President Donald Trump continues to make political war on California over the environment. Last week the Trump administration went after the state for doing too much under the Clean Air Act. This week it’s alleging that California isn’t doing enough under the same law. [CNN]

Green Mountain Power solar array (Glenn Russell | VTDigger)

• “In The Renewable Energy Credit Market, Some Are Greener Than Others” • Vermont’s energy may not be as green as it seems. Rep Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Bradford, said the Vermont Climate Solutions Caucus, which she vice chairs, will push to update the state’s renewable energy standard to require more in-state generation. [vtdigger.org]

Energy Week #337: 9/27/2019

Energy, renewable energy, wind power, Solar, batteries, Nuclear, coal, oil, gas, Climate Change

Energy Week #336: 9/19/2019

Visitors Please Note: This blog is maintained to assist in developing a TV show, Energy Week with George Harvey and Tom Finnell. The post is put up in incomplete form, and is updated with news until it is completed, usually on Wednesday. The source is geoharvey.com.

Within a few days of the last update, the show may be seen, along with older shows, at this link on the BCTV website: Energy Week Series.

Energy Week #356: 9/19/2019

Thursday, September 12

House with Tesla solar + storage system (Tesla image)

• “Tesla & Green Mountain Power Launch New Flat Rate Solar + Storage Bundles” • Tesla and Vermont’s Green Mountain Power kicked off an initiative that lets customers lock in a flat monthly price for a solar-plus-storage system. Tesla’s tiered approach to solar rentals and loans can include two Tesla Powerwalls for $30 per month extra. [CleanTechnica]
• “Renewables, Storage Poised To Undercut Natural Gas Prices, Increase Stranded Assets: RMI” • If all proposed gas plants are built, 70% of those investments will be rendered uneconomic by 2035, according to two new reports from the Rocky Mountain Institute. Carbon-free resources are now cost competitive with new natural gas plants. [Utility Dive]

Indonesian forest fire (Wahyudi, AFP, Getty Images)

• “Indonesian Forests Are Burning, And Malaysia And Singapore Are Choking On The Fumes” • Intense forest fires have raged across the Indonesian regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan in recent weeks. More than 930,000 hectares (about 2.3 million acres) of land have been burned and hundreds of residents evacuated. [CNN]

Friday, September 13

• “Greta Thunberg Responds to Cost of Climate Action Critics: ‘If We Can Save the Banks, We Can Save the World'” • During an event with Naomi Klein, 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg had a message for those people who claim it is “too expensive” to boldly confront the climate crisis with sweeping policies like a Green New Deal. [EcoWatch]

Kayapó and Panará, once rivals (Lucas Landau | Rede Xingu+)

• “Brazil Amazon: Old Enemies Unite To Save Their Land” • While the world’s attention has been focused on the fires raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, indigenous people warned that policies of President Jair Bolsonaro pose a bigger threat to their existence. Rival groups are uniting to fight government plans for their home region. [BBC]
• “Satellite Data Reveals Link Between Hotter Temperatures & Forest Fires” • NASA satellites have been gathering data for many years. Now, in a report by the Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA scientists say analysis of all that data shows a strong link between higher global temperatures and the frequency and severity of forest fires. [CleanTechnica]

Saturday, September 14

Tongass Forest (Julian Quinones | CNN)

• “How Trump May Bulldoze ‘America’s Amazon'” • Nature lovers and earth scientists have been fighting Alaskan politicians over ANWR and King Cove Road for decades. Now, Trump’s mention of “logging” reopens a different front in an old war because everyone knows he’s talking about Tongass, the crown jewel of the National Forest system. [CNN]
• “IRENA And UN Ink Agreement To Combat Desertification With Renewables” • Renewable energy plants can do more than provide cheap, emission-free energy. The shade cast by PV modules can help mitigate the adverse effects of desertification. The advantages of shade under solar PVs for agriculture are becoming known. [pv magazine International]

Harbor in Greenland (Ray Swi-hymn, Wikimedia Commons)

• “15 To 20 Foot Sea Level Rise Possible Sooner Rather Than Later” • A draft of a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says rising sea levels and warming waters are about to unleash “misery on a global scale.” The final report warns that ocean levels could rise by several feet before the end of this century. [CleanTechnica]

Sunday, September 15

• “Coordinated Strikes Knock Out Half Of Saudi Oil Capacity, Five Million Barrels A Day” • The strikes on key Saudi Arabian oil facilities, among the world’s largest production centers, have disrupted about half of the kingdom’s oil capacity, or 5% of the daily global oil supply. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have taken responsibility. [CNN]

Solar system (www.tesla.com/energy/design/commercial)

• “Tesla Announces Simple Pricing On Commercial Solar, $1.01/Watt (Will Blow Some Minds)” • Elon Musk announced California customers can now order commercial sizes of solar power in five minutes at Tesla.com/bigsolar. Tesla is getting within a penny of the psychologically magical $1 for a watt of solar generation capacity. [CleanTechnica]
• “We Can Still Save The Earth From Climate Change. Here’s How” • A years-long research project simulating a global pathway towards 100% renewables across all energy sectors, bears a clear message: A global energy transition, with real climate action, is not only technically feasible but also cheaper than our current energy system. [CleanTechnica]

Monday, September 16

Teaching about weather (Impact Media Lab | AAAS)

• “How American Communities Are Preparing For The Impacts Of Climate Change” • A study from the American Association for the Advancement of Science found that many communities across the US are addressing their own unique challenges associated with climate change. Some communities are also working to reduce emissions. [Earth.com]
• “Faster Pace Of Climate Change Is ‘scary,’ Former Chief Scientist Says” • Speaking to the BBC, Professor Sir David King, a former chief scientific adviser to the government of the UK, said, “It’s appropriate to be scared. We predicted temperatures would rise, but we didn’t foresee these sorts of extreme events we’re getting so soon.” [BBC]

Gulf of Maine (Yoon S Byun | The Boston Globe)

• “Maine Ocean Institute Launching New Climate Center” • The Gulf of Maine Research Institute says its new climate center will be “a new interdisciplinary center focused on solutions to local, regional, and global challenges related to ocean warming.” The Gulf of Maine has numerous fisheries and is warming faster than most ocean waters. [Boston.com]

Tuesday, September 17

• “Solar Power To Drive Renewable Energy Investments To $2.6 Trillion By 2019 End” • Solar power, which has seen a significant increase in capacity investments in the last decade, is set to drive the global investment in new renewable energy capacity to $2.6 trillion by the end of 2019, a report by the UN Environment Programme said. [Down To Earth Magazine]

Beijing (Image courtesy of the Government of China)

• “China Is Doing A Lot Better On Climate Action Than Most People Realize” • China may be the biggest CO₂ emitter, but China is turning on more low-carbon electrical generation annually in the form of hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear than any other country. China invested $3 in renewable energy for every $1 the US invested in 2017. [CleanTechnica]
• “Climate Change And Health: Interactive New England Journal Of Medicine Report” • The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s most prestigious medical journals, has created an interactive online presentation, The Climate Crisis – Health and Care Delivery. It illustrates the relationship between climate change and health. [CleanTechnica]

Wednesday, September 18

Greta Thunberg (Getty Images)

• “Greta Thunberg To US Politicians: ‘Sorry, You’re Not Trying Hard Enough'” • Greta Thunberg has told US politicians that they’re not doing enough to combat climate change. She also told the Senate climate task force to save their praise. “Don’t invite us here to just tell us how inspiring we are without actually doing anything about it,” she said. [BBC]
• “EPA Set To Revoke California’s Authority To Set Vehicle Standards” • The EPA is preparing to revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle emission standards, a source familiar with the plans told CNN. The Trump administration is in an ongoing fight with the state as it works to reduce former President Obama’s environmental legacy. [CNN]

San Francisco (Paul Chinn | The Chronicle)

• “SF Approves Legislation Requiring Renewable Electricity Sources For Commercial Buildings” • The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that requires commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet to begin relying on electricity generated from renewable sources. The legislation, was passed by unanimous vote. [San Francisco Chronicle]

Energy Week #356: 9/19/2019

Energy, renewable energy, wind power, Solar, batteries, Nuclear, coal, oil, gas, Climate Change

Energy Week #335: 9/12/2019

Visitors Please Note: This blog is maintained to assist in developing a TV show, Energy Week with George Harvey and Tom Finnell. The post is put up in incomplete form, and is updated with news until it is completed, usually on Wednesday. The source is geoharvey.com.

Within a few days of the last update, the show may be seen, along with older shows, at this link on the BCTV website: Energy Week Series.

Energy Week #335: 9/12/2019

Thursday, September 5

Destruction (Adam Stanton | US Coast Guard)

• “This Is The Bahamas. This Is What Hurricane Dorian Did To It” • The pictures coming out of the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian are truly frightening. Whole neighborhoods were under water. Apocalyptic destruction seemingly was everywhere. But it is not true that the entire country was flattened by the storm. [CNN]
• “What Happened During CNN’s Climate Town Hall And What It Means For 2020” • Ten Democratic presidential candidates took to the stage for CNN’s climate town meeting as Hurricane Dorian menaced the East Coast and at a time when the impact of a warming Earth is no longer just a vision of a catastrophic future but is increasingly visible. [CNN]

Olli 2 (Local Motors image)

• “Local Motors Will Introduce Its Olli 2 Autonomous Shuttle This Fall” • Olli is designed to provide shuttle service at colleges, hospitals, military installations, and other campus environments. As long as it stays within the confines of the space it is configured for, it is capable of Level 4 autonomy and requires no human driver/attendant. [CleanTechnica]

Friday, September 6

• “Donnie Dim Bulb Channels David Koch To Save The Incandescent Light Bulb” • The latest lunacy from the former coal lobbyist now running the EPA is a proposal to eliminate a regulation scheduled to go into effect next year to halt the sale of virtually all incandescent light bulbs in the US and replace them with more energy efficient lights. [CleanTechnica]

Solar array on a pond in China (Stringer | AFP | Getty Images)

• “Renewable Energy’s Booming, But Still Falling Far Short of Climate Goals” • Renewable energy capacity quadrupled worldwide over the past 10 years, with an estimated $2.6 trillion invested in its growth, a UN report shows. But the speed of that growth still falls far short of what researchers say is needed to deal with global warming. [InsideClimate News]
• “Solar Tops Coal As World’s Biggest Source Of New Capacity Over Past Decade” • The Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2019 report, shows that solar power accounted for the largest single share of the net 2,366 GW of new power capacity installed over the past decade, at 638 GW. That includes coal and other fossil fuels. [RenewEconomy]

Deep water platform (Dazman | Getty Images | iStockphoto)

• “Oil And Gas Companies Undermining Climate Goals, Says Report” • Major oil and gas companies have invested $50 billion (£40.6 billion) in projects that undermine global efforts to avert a runaway climate crisis, according to a report. The report from financial thinktank Carbon Tracker analyzed individual projects for climate effects. [The Guardian]

Saturday, September 7

• “Four Automakers Bucked Trump Policy On Emissions. Now They Are Under Antitrust Investigation” • Four automakers agreed in July to meet the tougher standards set by the California Air Resources Board rather than the Trump administration’s rules. Now, the Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into them. [CNN]

Making a car (Credit: World Steel Association)

• “Hydrogen Could Replace Coke In Steelmaking And Lower Carbon Emissions Dramatically” • Industry depends on steel to make everything from consumer goods to buildings, but steelmaking accounts for about 9% of all carbon emissions. A report claims hydrogen could replace coke for making 10 to 50% of all steel by the year 2050. [CleanTechnica]

Sunday, September 8

• “Gujarat Says ‘No’ To New Thermal Plants” • In a major development, the government of Gujarat has decided not to allow any new thermal power plants to be built in the state from now on. The decision comes following the state government’s commitment to encourage clean environment and green energy in the state. [The Hindu BusinessLine]

“The Blob,” 2015 and 2019

• “Marine Heatwave Hits Pacific, Raising Fears Of A New Hot ‘ Blob'” • The ocean off the western coast of North America is 5°F hotter than usual after warming at an unusually rapid rate. If the abnormal patch does not dissipate soon, it could become as destructive as the so-called “blob” of warm water in the same area that, in 2014-2016. [The Guardian]
• “Why US Renewable Energy Production Declined 1.1% In The First Half Of 2019” • Renewable electricity generation declined 1.1% from the year-ago period, according to data compiled by the US Energy Information Administration. The observation is far from ideal, but it should be only a short-term hiccup. There are promising numbers as well. [Motley Fool]

Monday, September 9

Bolivian fire (Natalie Gallon | CNN)

• “Fires Destroy More Than 4.2 Million Wild Acres In Bolivia” • It’s not just the Brazilian Amazon burning. Fires burned more than 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres) in Bolivia, officials said. That’s more than double the damage from just two weeks ago. Fires are leaving blackened trees and ash-covered forest floors in their wake. [CNN]
• “ASU And Phoenix Are Working Together To Meet Solar Sustainability Goals” • Arizona State University and the city of Phoenix have been working together to build their sustainable practices, and both credit their strong relationship as a reason they were able to meet many of their goals. ASU set ambitious sustainability goals in 2011. [The State Press]

Solar farm, Tay Ninh Province (Quynh Tran | VnExpress)

• “Southeast Asia’s Largest Solar Farm Begins Operations In Southern Vietnam” • A 420-MW solar power project, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, has officially started production in Tay Ninh Province. The $391 million complex, covering 540 hectares, lies on semi-submerged land at Vietnam’s largest artificial lake. [VnExpress International]

Tuesday, September 10

• “Combining Solar And Farming Benefits Both” • Researchers at the University of Arizona confirmed the benefits of growing crops beneath the shade provided by solar panels – more electricity, higher yields, and less water used. That last part is of vital interest to farmers in Arizona where access to water for irrigation is crucial. [CleanTechnica]

Electric VW Beetles (VW image)

• “Every Automaker Should Develop Conversion Kits For Their Gas Vehicles” • We recently learned Volkswagen is going to sell an EV retrofit kit for its classic Beetle. It’s the true revenge of the electric car. If a 70 year old vehicle that was not developed for electrification can be retrofitted successfully, then many other vehicles can as well. [CleanTechnica]
• “Climate Change: ‘Invest $1.8 Trillion To Adapt'” • Investing $1.8 trillion over the next decade, in measures to adapt to climate change, could produce net benefits worth more than $7 trillion, according to a global cost-benefit analysis by the Global Commission on Adaptation. GCA is a group of 34 leaders in politics, business and science. [BBC]

Wednesday, September 11

Road in Norway (Credit: Norwegian Electric Car Association)

• “EV Boom In Norway Is A ‘Smug National Fraud’ According To RT” • How’s this headline? “Norway’s electric car miracle is a smug national fraud built on subsidizing rich people with Teslas.” Does that sound like something inspired by groups inspired by Koch Industries? It’s not. It’s actually from RT, a propaganda arm of the Russian government. [CleanTechnica]
• “Neoen Unveils 2.7 GW Hybrid Giant In Oz” • Renewables developer Neoen is planning to build a hybrid wind, solar and energy storage facility in South Australia with a combined capacity of 2700 MW. The Goyden South project aims to deliver 1.2 GW of wind power, 600 MW of solar and 900 MW of energy storage capacity. [reNEWS]

8minute Solar Energy solar system (Screenshot)

• “Los Angeles Says “Yes” To The Cheapest Solar Plus Storage In The USA” • Los Angeles’ municipal utility voted 5-0 to approve a 25-year contract with 8minute Solar Energy for a 400-MW solar plus 300-MW / 1.2-GWh energy storage facility. The aggregate price of the electricity from the project, with adders, came to 3.962¢/kWh. [pv magazine USA]

 

Energy Week #335: 9/12/2019

 

Energy, renewable energy, wind power, Solar, batteries, Nuclear, coal, oil, gas, Climate Change