J1. Green Tech Industry & Utilities

Considerable progress has been made over the past decade in advancing Indigenous-owned renewable energy projects in remote diesel communities. Despite this, independent power producers (IPPs) continue to face strong headwinds as they navigate...

Rate design can reduce grid costs, but first utilities need upgraded billing systems.

Improve your storm response with targeted design approaches on the distribution grid.

Storage is no longer about the breakthrough tech, but who can build and deliver a system at scale.

Headline News:

• “Why Rolls-Royce Is Hiring Cabinet Makers And Tattoo Artists To Build Its Cars” • Last month, British automaker Rolls-Royce showed off what is called “Project Nightingale.” It is a car, the company’s new, electric two-seater. Production begins at the factory in Goodwood, England, next year, but there’s one catch: all 100 units are already sold. [ABC News]

Project Nightingale (Rolls-Royce image)

• “Two Years After Completion, Plant Vogtle Still Looms Over The Nuclear Debate” • As states across the country weigh a new wave of nuclear energy, many in Georgia urge caution. Plant Vogtle’s newest reactors came online there two years ago. The customers are paying for the project, and many say they are not getting their money’s worth. [Inside Climate News]
• “‘Triple Whammy’: Antarctica’s Sea Ice Collapse Is No Longer A Mystery” • A study found that deep ocean heat, strong winds, and a self-reinforcing feedback loop have destabilized the ocean around Antarctica since 2015. Researchers warn that the losses could disrupt ocean currents, accelerate warming, and add to rising sea levels worldwide. [Euronews]
• “Gujarat Launches 870 MW Of Battery Storage for Stable Renewable Power” • Gujarat commissioned 870 MW of battery storage in five sites. This capacity is crucial for a more resilient renewable power grid capable of integrating intermittent solar and wind sources. The initiative upholds the Gujarat Integrated Renewable Energy Policy. [Whalesbook]
• “Microsoft Weighs Abandoning Renewable Energy Target In AI Boom” • Microsoft is in the spotlight amid reports that the tech titan is considering delaying or abandoning its ambitious 2030 goal of meeting 100% of its hourly electricity use with renewable energy. This shift shows friction between hyperscalers’ climate pledges and AI’s power demands. [MSN]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “California, Nevada, And Arizona announce temporary plan to save water from Colorado River” • Absent a longer term deal on how to share a key water source in the US West, three states say they’ll cut back to prop up reservoirs in a short-term agreement following the driest winter on record. The plan is to save up to 44 billion cubic feet of water through 2028. [ABC News]

Colorado River (Steve Gribble, Unsplash, cropped)

• “Europe’s Airlines Face Jet Fuel Shift As Safety Concerns Grow” • The EU’s Aviation Safety Agency warned Europe’s aviation sector that potential shortages of domestic aviation fuel could force airports and airlines to adapt to a different type of fuel across regions. The problem is that such a change would require heightened safety measures. [Euronews]
• “Review Finds ‘No Infrasound Harm Risk'” • Green Power Sweden commissioned a review, which finds that infrasound from wind turbines does not have a negative impact on nearby residents. The audit by Akustikkonsulten and Akustikverkstan concludes that recent research claims suggesting harm are not supported by the broader body of evidence. [reNews]
• “After Months Of War With Iran, People Across The US Say They’re Feeling The Strain Of High Gas Prices” • The war in Iran is inflicting economic pain across the US as many Americans report struggling with higher costs, particularly the record rise in gas prices. Nearly a quarter of Americans polled said they are falling behind financially. [ABC News]
• “So Much For The War On Solar Power: 4-GW Factory Coming To The US” • President Trump’s war on wind turbines goes on, but his efforts to stop solar power have fallen flat. A case in point is the SEG Solar. Despite the U-turn in federal energy policy, SEG just announced the addition of a new 4-GW solar module factory to its US portfolio. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Demand for key grid hardware has soared since 2019, due to large load growth, integration of new energy generation resources, and investment to modernize the aging grid. This demand is driving up equipment lead times and prices. In fact, if you need a large power transformer, you may have to wait up to four years. The stakes are high for American businesses and consumers: the grid supply chain crunch is already impacting utility bills, threatening reliability, and stalling critical projects, from power plants and data centers to new housing construction.

While recent investment announcements in domestic grid component manufacturing will help ease shortages in the coming years, these developments on their own are not enough to secure America’s grid supply chain. Policymakers can leverage a range of proven industrial policy tools to boost the capacity, coordination, and competitiveness of US grid component manufacturing. Addressing the gridlock is an opportunity to reinvigorate domestic manufacturing, strengthen US energy security, improve energy affordability, and propel economic growth.

The post Solving the Gridlock: America’s Electric Supply Chain Opportunity appeared first on RMI.

The company says it remains “the nation’s largest distributed power plant operator,” with about 4.3 GWh of networked storage capacity as of March 31 — a 50% increase year over year. It aims to have 10 GWh of dispatchable capacity by the end of 2028.

Critical grid work becomes harder for utilities to keep on budget when schedules are repeatedly disrupted by missing or delayed equipment, writes ULE Group President Danielle Pirrone.

Data centers are of “no value to our residential customer — actually, any customer,” said Eversource Energy CEO Joe Nolan. “It's only going to drive up the price of energy.”

In response, Evergy has increased its planned gas-fired generation in Missouri to 4.7 GW. Separately, it slashed its long-term renewable energy plans more than 90%.

Headline News:

• “Battery Array As Powerful As Twelve Nuclear Plants Comes To Major Milestone In California” • While Californians were getting ready for spring break in late March, the state quietly broke an energy grid record: For the first time, its battery fleet discharged more than 12,000 megawatts of power, roughly the output of twelve large nuclear plants. [Yahoo]

Diablo Canyon Power Plant (Doc Searls, CC BY-SA 2.0)

• “US Air Force Sets Its Sights On Space Solar Power” • Despite the sharp U-turn in federal energy policy, the US Air Force is continuing its pursue of the next generation of decarbonization, and space solar is in the mix. Yes, space solar. That nutty idea about beaming solar energy down to Earth. It may not be all that nutty after all. [CleanTechnica]
• “Air Conditioning Battery Program For Renters Could Help Manage Grid Stress” • A renter-friendly pilot program in New York City is testing a different approach to AC: plug-in batteries that can power air conditioners offline during peak demand, helping take pressure off the grid at its most stressed moments while still keeping residents cool. [ABC News]
• “El Niño Looms: Near-Record Sea Temperatures In April Raise Fears Of More Global Heat” • Data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service show average sea surface temperatures reached 21°C in April, the second-highest level ever recorded for the month. Parts of the tropical Pacific were especially warm, and the heat can intensify storms. [Euronews]
• “NY Pension Fund Mulls TotalEnergies Divestment” • The New York State Common Retirement Fund told TotalEnergies that it is considering divesting its stock, the Financial Times reported. The state’s pension fund’s motivation is the French developer’s decision to scrap two US offshore wind leases for a refund of nearly $1 billion in lease payments. [reNews]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

A big battery project being proposed for construction by a group of farming landholders and a local renewables developer has been waved through EPBC approvals.

The post Landholder-led 4-hour big battery gets federal environmental all-clear in just over four weeks appeared first on Renew Economy.

Fortescue's green grid rides through bushfire-caused transmission failure with just solar and batteries and no spinning machines - defying conventional thinking.

The post “I thought this was impossible:” Fortescue green grid rides through transmission failure with no fossil fuels appeared first on Renew Economy.

Listed fund hopes to press go on its first big wind and storage projects soon, with an extension to the Victoria Big Battery likely first to go.

The post Fund nears financial close for wind and storage projects, with Victoria Big Battery extension first to go appeared first on Renew Economy.

Opposition plan to review state transmission roadmap and pause major network upgrades has been called out as "wedge" politics and could lead to blackouts, state energy minister warns.

The post “Definitely not good policy:” Experts skewer LNP plan to pause major transmission upgrades appeared first on Renew Economy.

A new species of wasp has been named after Sir David Attenborough as the naturalist celebrates his 100th birthday.

The post “Completely overwhelmed” Attenborough feted on 100th birthday, new wasp species named after him appeared first on Renew Economy.

Clean Energy Finance Corporation will underwrite a transmission project crucial to the connection of Marinus Link, in a move it says will slash costs to consumers.

The post Federal green bank backs contentious state transmission project, to “significantly lower costs to consumers” appeared first on Renew Economy.

Smart Energy Council's John Grimes on the death of coal power in Australia, panel by panel, home battery by home battery. He joins to discuss what's next. Plus: Twiggy's green grid, W.A.'s renewables rush, and other news.

The post Energy Insiders Podcast: The man who saved solar and helped kill coal appeared first on Renew Economy.

The Department of Energy wants to collaborate with states that agree to take in and possibly recycle used nuclear fuel, and some have responded positively. But practical and policy challenges remain.