Green Energy Times

On March 1st, new net-metering, 248 CPG, and interconnection rules will go into effect. The implementation of these rules updates is complicated by the fact that the PUC has not yet released the new application forms for net-metering and interconnection specified in the rules revisions.

The PUC will be has announced training on the new net-metering and 248 CPG processes:

1. ePUC Training – Commission Rule 5.400 (Section 248) Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
2. ePUC Training – Commission Rule 5.100 (Net-Metering) Thursday, February 29, 2024, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Participants may access both training sessions online at https://meet.goto.com/556066941, or call in by telephone using the following information: phone number: +1 (571) 317-3116; access code: 556-066-941. These trainings will be recorded and will be available on the PUC website.

Here are a few changes that you should be aware of:

1. Energy storage projects will now be required to complete an interconnection application
2. For projects larger than 15 kW, Interconnection Applications will need to be completed and approved prior to submitting a registration/application for a CPG
3. All timelines in the rules are in calendar days rather than business days

Interconnection of Battery Storage Projects:

Starting 3/1, all battery storage projects will need to complete an Interconnection Application that will be filed with the connecting utility. If this is a storage-only project (smaller than 100 kW), our understanding is that there will not be any parallel PUC process, it will simply be a matter of the utility approving the interconnection. The maximum timeline for utility review is 15 calendar days for projects 15 kW and smaller and 31 calendar days for projects up to 500 kW (if the utility identifies an interconnection issue, the timeline could get longer).

Since companies cannot currently submit these applications, we are asking the PUC to delay this requirement until 4/1. GMP has said that they will file a letter in support of our request but do not know what the PUC’s response will be. In the event that the PUC holds the 3/1 deadline, this could create a disruption in companies ability to install batteries in March as applications could be pending for the first 15 to 31 days after they are submitted. GMP has indicated that they will turn battery storage applications very quickly but this may vary from utility to utility.

We will share the new forms as soon as they are available.

Headline News:

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

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

• “Equinor Secures Final Green Light For Empire” • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the Construction and Operations Plan for Equinor’s 2-GW Empire Wind project. With this key permitting action secured, Empire Wind is on track to begin construction in its federal lease area off the southern coast of Long Island, Equinor said. [reNews]
• “Native American Tribes Gain New Authority To Block Hydopower Projects” • Federal regulators have granted Native American tribes more power to block hydropower projects on their land. A new FERC policy allows tribes to veto proposals, forcing businesses to cooperate if they want the US government to approve projects. [ABC News]
• “290 Civil Society Groups Urge EU And G7 to Stop Funding the Militarization of Russia” • The European Union and G7 must tighten their grip on Russia’s key revenue streams from exports of fossil fuels, say 290 European, international, and Ukrainian NGOs in a joint public appeal to the leaders of the EU and G7 nations. [CleanTechnica]
• “Arevon Secures Over $1 Billion Financing For Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project In California” • Arevon Energy announced that it secured over $1 billion in financing for its Eland 2 Solar-plus-Storage Project in Kern County, California. This project combines a 374-MW solar installation with 150-MW, 600-MWh of energy storage. [SolarQuarter]

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

Headline News:

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

Minesto turbine (Minesto image)

• “From Petrostate To Electrostate: Queensland’s Renewable Energy Push Shows Australia’s Governments Can Move Faster” • Queensland is not just undergoing an energy transition, but a total transformation from legacy petrostate to renewable energy superpower. Its staggering momentum has lessons for the states and the federal government. [The Guardian]
• “Romania Charges Ahead In The Renewable Energy Race With Over 1 GW of New Projects” • In a move that underscores a leap towards sustainability, Romania is making headlines with its latest green initiative. Last month, the nation issued technical connection approvals for new renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of 1.1 GW. [BNN Breaking]
• “Clean Bus Planning Awards Support Fleet Electrification With Custom Transition Plans” • The National Renewable Energy Lab announced the $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards program. It provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for US school and transit fleets through Fiscal Year 2024. [CleanTechnica]
• “Nearly 3 Million Asthma Attacks Could Be Prevented Among Children With Cleaner Energy: Report” • Nearly three million asthma attacks in children could be prevented by 2050 if the US transitioned to EVs and clean power, according to a report from the American Lung Association. Researchers say the goals would also save hundreds of infant lives. [ABC News]

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

Headline News:

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

Dam (American Public Power Association, Unsplash)

• “Rio Tinto Doubles Down To Produce Renewable Aluminium” • Miner and aluminium producer Rio Tinto has doubled down on its moves to decarbonise the aluminium production chain. It announced its second renewable power purchase agreement, which will supply its Gladstone operations in Queensland. It is Australia’s largest PPA. [Australian Manufacturing Forum]
• “Electricity From Renewable Sources Up To 41% In 2022” • In 2022, renewable energy resources made up 41.2% of the gross electricity consumption in the EU, 3.4 percentage points more than in 2021 (37.8%) and well ahead of other electricity generating sources such as nuclear (less than 22%), gas (less than 20%) or coal (less than 17%). [European Commission]
• “China’s Coal Boom Slows As Top Mining Hubs Focus On Renewable Energy” • China’s coal boom is slowing as top mining regions limit growth and steer investment to the clean energy that will replace the dirtiest fossil fuel. Seven straight years of rising output have produced a glut of coal that kept prices low. But there are other costs. [The Straits Times]
• “PLT Energia Forms 1-GW Texas JV” • PLT Energy US Corp, a subsidiary of Italian developer PLT Energia, has entered into a joint venture with GGS Energy to develop more than 1 GW of renewable energy in Texas. The JV’s first project will be Indigo Project Phase I, in West Texas, comprising 150 MW of PV and 180 MW of storage. [reNews]

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

Headline News:

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

Offshore wind turbines (insung yoon, Unsplash)

• “Plug-in Hybrids: Are They Really A Solution To Reducing Emissions?” • Recently GM made headlines in saying they may restart production of plug-in hybrids after moving to battery EVs only in 2019. Are they moving backwards? Not necessarily. We need to move from gasoline to electricity quickly, and there may be a place for plugin-hybrids. [CleanTechnica]
• “Kenyan Startup Roam Secures $24 Million in Funding to Accelerate Electric Mobility Solutions” • The transition to electric mobility is gaining momentum. The electric two-wheeler market has grown rapidly around the world over the past few years due to high fuel prices, rapid urbanization in developing countries, and the need to reduce air pollution. [CleanTechnica]
• “Telis Energy Italy Ignites Renewable Revolution With 3-GW Development Plan” • In a move that signals a major shift towards renewable energy in Italy, Telis Energy Italy, a subsidiary of the British-based Telis Energy, has unveiled ambitious plans to develop 3 GW of battery storage and hybrid renewable energy projects in the country. [BNN Breaking]
• “West Virginia House of Delegates Approves Expansion Of Renewable Energy Capacity” • The WV House of Delegates approved House Bill 5528 to increase the cap on the amount of renewable electricity a facility can generate. It also eliminates the sunset date on a state program aimed at promoting utility-scale renewable power. [Zelosos por Buenas Renovables]

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

Headline News:

• “New Study Projects Geothermal Heat Pumps’ Impact On Carbon Emissions And Electrical Grid by 2050” • Modeling analysis led by the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory gives the first detailed look at how geothermal energy can relieve the electric power system and reduce carbon emissions if widely implemented across the US. [CleanTechnica]

• “Tackling Climate Change: Understanding How Soil Traps Carbon” • A new finding explains how soil sequesters plant-based carbon from the atmosphere. The outcome may promote ideas to help tackle climate change, including strategies to prevent carbon release. With 2,500 billion tons of carbon, soil is one of Earth’s largest carbon sinks. [Digital Journal]
• “The Texas Solar Energy Revolution Is Going Global” • The solar industry of Texas is in a weird situation politically, but that doesn’t seem to stop investors who want to pump money into the state’s economy. The latest news shows how manufacturers in other states and countries can base their clean power profiles on Texas renewable energy projects. [CleanTechnica]
• “’Zombie Fires’ Burning At An Alarming Rate In Canada” • In the dead of Canada’s winter, the embers of last year’s record wildfire season still remain. So-called zombie fires are burning under thick layers of snow at an unprecedented rate, raising fears about what the coming summer may bring. Their smoke can be seen rising, and it can be smelled. [BBC]
• “Greece Set to Become Major Energy Exporter to Europe” • Greece could generate billions of euros of yearly income for its economy by developing an electricity connection to central Europe and exporting the country’s vast potential in renewable energy to consumers in Germany and elsewhere, according to a recent study. [GreekReporter.com]

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

Headline News:

• “Climate Change Is Forcing Some Australians To Weigh Up Relocating” • Big environmental changes mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put. Hotter and more humid weather, increased flood risks, droughts, and bushfires are already causing falling populations in some places. [Phys.org]

Australia (Elsa Guyader, Unsplash)

• “Ford F-150 Lightning Makes It To #1 EV Market In The World – How Will It Do?” • The F-150 Lightning had just a little more than 24,000 sales in the US in 2023. That’s a far cry from the 150,000 or so annual sales the company’s targeting. But now, Ford has started exporting the F-150 Lightning, and one early market is Norway. [CleanTechnica]
• “Morocco Will Power Homes In The UK” • UK-based Xlinks has announced the appointment of Vegar Serthwaite Larsen as CTO to lead the £1.4 billion ($1.7 billion) submarine cable project to carry renewably generated energy from Morocco to the UK. Four huge undersea cables are to supply 3.6 GW by 2030, meeting 8% of Britain’s electricity needs. [Atalayar]
• “One Firefighter Killed, Ten More Injured In ‘Catastrophic’ House Explosion In Virginia: Officials” • A firefighter was killed and ten others injured when a house in Sterling, Virginia exploded, the fire chief said. A resident had reported smelling gas. A 500-gallon underground propane tank on the side of the house was leaking gas. [ABC News]
• “California’s Giant Solar And Storage Initiative” • The Edwards Sanborn facility in the Mojave Desert shows innovation and commitment to sustainable practices. It can produce 875 MW from solar PVs and store 3,287 MWh in its batteries. It can power about 238,000 homes and reduce CO₂ emissions by 320,000 tons each year. [Microgrid Media]

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

From Inside Climate News Did Solar Power the Super Bowl? – KileyPrice -Inside Climate News – “The entire 1.8-million-square foot stadium is climate-controlled and boasts more than 2,200 screens for fans who don’t have a front-row seat to the action. Overall, Super Bowl Sunday festivities were projected to use up around 28 megawatt-hours of electricity, which is equivalent to the power required for about 46,000 households to watch the game at home, according to environmental consulting firm NZero. However, this year, all of the electricity powering Allegiant Stadium was supplied by renewable energy, says the firm, which the Las Vegas Raiders hired to monitor the structure’s emissions. More specifically, the Raiders say the energy largely came from their contract partnership with NV Energy, which runs a 621,000-panel solar farm in the desert outside of Las Vegas. “ Article link here.

Headline News:

• “Poland: Spa Town Turns To Renewable Energy For Cleaner Air” • Smog enveloping the Polish spa town of Ladek-Zdroj was anathema to it’s image as a health resort. After choking on polluted air for many years, the town turned to renewables to clean up its act and improve its air quality. It managed to reduce electricity costs a lot in the process. [DW]

Lądek-Zdrój (Aktron, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 3.0)

• “Taiwan: Renewable Energy Hits Record High Production And Penetration Rates” • Wind and solar generation reached 10.01 GW on Sunday, a new record for renewable energy production in Taiwan. Taipower also stated that this year, with wind and solar at more than 52%, renewable energy now makes up over half of all power used. [RTI Radio Taiwan International]
• “Why There May Be Much Fewer Monarch Butterfly Sightings In The US This Summer” • Monarch butterfly sightings may be sparser than usual in the US and Canada following a drastic drop in populations wintering in Mexico, researchers told ABC News. The biggest threats monarchs face are habitat loss and changes in weather patterns. [ABC News]
• “Future Fleet Of Low-Emission RoRos To Use Norsepower Rotor Sails” • French shipowner, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS and the Finnish mechanical sail company, Norsepower Oy Ltd, announced that Norsepower Rotor Sail technology will be installed on a low-emission roll-on/roll-off fleet that will be chartered to Airbus. [CleanTechnica]
• “Wind Turbines Generated Over A Third Of Ireland’s Power Last Month” • Wind turbines supplied over a third of Ireland’s electricity needs in January, 1,379 GWh out of a total demand of 3,831 GWh. Data also show a decrease in the average wholesale price of electricity in Ireland, dropping to €99.90/MWh from €162.16 the previous year. [Big News Network.com]

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

Headline News:

• “UK Largest Renewable Energy Supplier Building Longview Plant Along Columbia River” • Drax, the self-described largest power station in the UK, is building a plant along the Columbia River in Longview, Washington, to harvest wood pellets for Asia to generate power. Drax aims to use Pacific Northwest forests to replace coal overseas. [Longview Daily News]

Columbia River (Elena Kuchko, Unsplash)

• “How California’s Hurricanes Are Predicted To Become More Severe With Climate Change” • Most of the rain in California and the West comes from atmospheric rivers. Scientists estimate that atmospheric rivers will get stronger as temperatures continue to rise, making this a bigger problem. dominant driver water supply and flooding in California. [World Nation News]
• “Olivine: Natural Solution To Combat Climate Change” • Sahit Muja, the Founder and CEO of Global Mining, Green Minerals, and Albanian Minerals, emphasizes magnesium olivine’s role as an eco-friendly building block poised to eliminate 1 trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. It could be a natural solution to climate change challenges. [EIN News]
• “Govt Weighs The Use Of Green Hydrogen For Peak Power Generation” • India’s Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy proposed using green hydrogen for power generation to ensure round-the-clock availability of green power and ensure peak grid power supply. A plan for a 100-MW pilot project is already under way. [domain-b.com]
• “Transforming The US Steel Industry: A Great Lakes Memo Series” • The Great Lakes, from Minnesota to Pennsylvania, are a regional powerhouse of steel-making. The region has 60% of all steel production capacity in the US and 100% of coal-based steel production. RMI has produced a series of state-specific memos on reducing emissions. [CleanTechnica]

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

Headline News:

• “Critical Atlantic Ocean Current System Is Showing Early Signs Of Collapse, Prompting Warning From Scientists” • A crucial system of ocean currents may already be on course to collapse, a report says. The implications are alarming for sea level rise and global weather, with temperatures that plunge dramatically in some regions and rise in others. [CNN]

Atlantic Ocean (Jacob Buller, Unsplash)

• “‘Super El Niño’ Is Here, But La Niña Looks Likely” • This El Niño is one of the strongest on record, a rare “super El Niño,” but forecasters believe that La Niña is likely to develop in the coming months. The switch could get flipped to La Niña, with cooler than average conditions in the eastern tropical Pacific, as soon as summer, but more likely by fall. [CNN]
• “Electric Vehicle Sales Growing Fast!” • A full 16% of global auto sales were plugins vehicles last year, up from 14% in 2022, 9% in 2021, and 4% in 2020. Going from a negligible 4% to a notable 16% so quickly is a thing of S-curves and disruptive technology. For December of 2023, the plugin vehicle market share was up to 22% globally. [CleanTechnica]
• “Greece Breaks Records In Renewable Energy For 2023” • The share of renewable electricity production, including hydropower plants, reached a historic high in 2023 in Greece at 57%. It was the first time more than half of the Greek electricity was generated by renewable resources. This came about as Greek windpower capacity exceeded 5 GW. [Greek Herald]
• “Michael Mann Awarded $1 Million By Jury In Defamation Suit” • Climate scientist Michael Mann is known for developing the image called the “hockey stick” graph. That image has been used in many papers and reports over the years. It also induced attacks on Mann that were funded by fossil fuel interests. Mann sued his attackers and won. [CleanTechnica]

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

Headline News:

• “Scientists Set New Record Of Nuclear Fusion” • Using the Joint European Torus, a large toroidal device known as a tokamak, scientists sustained a record 69 megajoules of fusion energy for five seconds, using only 0.2 milligrams of fuel. This amount of energy is sufficient to power approximately 12,000 households for the same duration. [NEWS.am TECH]

Tokamak reactor, 2016 (US DOE via Wikimedia Commons)

• “Council Approves West Of Orkney Wind Farm” • Orkney Island Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee gave its backing to the 2000-MW West of Orkney offshore wind farm. The West of Orkney wind farm will have up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations 30 km west of the Orkney Mainland. First power is planned for 2029. [reNews]
• “Hawaii Drops Last Coal-Fired Plant After Launch Of Tesla Megapack Battery System On Oahu” • A Tesla Megapack battery system led the state of Hawaii to bid farewell to its last coal power plant, ushering in a new era powered by clean, renewable energy. The Kapolei Energy Storage, on the west side of Oahu, is operational. [Yahoo Finance]
• “Bill Would Create New Tax Credits For Renewable Energy Facilities” • A New Mexico Senate bill aims to make the state more attractive for renewable manufacturing. The Advanced Equipment Income Tax Credit bill would create a tax credit for qualified manufacturing facilities related to solar and wind energy components. [KUNM]
• “Climate Scientist Michael Mann Wins Defamation Lawsuit” • In a major victory, renowned climate scientist Michael Mann has emerged triumphant in a defamation lawsuit against right-wing bloggers Rand Simberg and Mark Steyn. The jury awarded Mann $1,001,000 in punitive damages, a resounding blow to those who defame climate scientists. [BNN Breaking]

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

Headline News:

• “World’s First Year-Long Breach Of Key 1.5°C Warming Limit” • For the first time, global warming has exceeded 1.5°C across an entire year, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. World leaders promised in 2015 to try to limit the long-term temperature rise to 1.5°C, which is seen as crucial to help avoid the most damaging impacts. [BBC]

What we are doing‽ (Marek Piwnicki, Unsplash)

• “Wind Power Returns To Cargo Ships, And Now With Plastic Bottles” • The cargo shipping industry is slowly moving towards low emission fuels, but in the meantime wind power is ready and eager to go. Various forms of high tech sails are showing up on shipping lanes, and to gild the sustainability lily, some are made with recycled plastic bottles. [CleanTechnica]
• “Super Bowl To Be Hosted In First 100% Renewable Energy NFL stadium” • Super Bowl LVIII will pit the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11. This will be the first Super Bowl that takes place in Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders, which is 100% powered by renewable energy. [pv magazine USA]
• “A Bill That Would Reform The Renewable Energy Standard In Vermont Clears Key Panel” • The Vermont House Environment and Energy Committee voted in favor of H.289, a bill that would increase the amount of renewable energy that Vermont utilities are required to purchase to 100% by 2030. It heads to the House Ways and Means Committee next. [VTDigger]
• “Ethiopia Banning Non-Electric Car Imports” • Details are a little thin at this point, but the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, recently said the country will not allow cars to enter the market unless they are EVs. “A decision has been made that automobiles cannot enter Ethiopia unless they are electric ones,” he said. [CleanTechnica]

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

Headline News:

• “What Is The Pineapple Express And Why Has It Drenched California?” • Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of rain that hit the west coast of the US and Canada endwise, bringing lots of rain. If one starts near Hawaii, it is called the “Pineapple Express.” Studies from NOAA suggest that they will bring more rain with climate change. [BBC]

Atmospheric river (Naval Research Laboratory, public domain)

• “‘Unprecedented Collapse’ In EU Coal And Gas Electricity Generation Last Year, Report Reveals” • According to a report by Ember, more of Europe’s electricity came from wind power than fossil gas for the first time last year. Wind and solar produced a record 27% of the bloc’s electricity in 2023. Coal and gas took corresponding nosedives. [Euronews]
• “China Accounts for Nearly All New Coal-Fired Power Plant Construction” • According to data from Global Energy Monitor, a group that tracks global power generation projects, China was responsible for construction of 96% of all new coal-fired facilities last year, and for almost 70% of all new coal-fueled power plants that came online. [POWER Magazine]
• “The UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Holds Promise For A Greener And More Sustainable Future” • Construction has begun for the UK’s first geothermal power plant, marking a significant milestone for UK renewable energy. Geothermal Engineering Limited expects the plant, sited in Cornwall, to start generating electricity this year. [Open Access Government]
• “Ford Teases Not-So-Secret Affordable EV, Again” • Word leaked out that the Ford Motor Company has assigned a secret task force to develop an affordable EV, aimed at competing with the low-cost lineup of Tesla and various Chinese auto makers. It’s pretty much the same secret that CleanTechnica’s Jennifer Sensiba noted in May of 2022, [CleanTechnica]

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

Headline News:

• “Increasing Alternative Energy Standards Would Bring Billions In Investment To Pennsylvania” • The governor of Pennsylvania pledge 30% renewable energy by 2030. Three business groups crunched the numbers and found that if that happens, more than $13.1 billion could be invested in Pennsylvania over the next seven years. [pv magazine USA]

Solar installation in Pennsylvania (US DA, Public domain)

• “Rising Temperatures And Rising Authoritarianism – Trends That Are Intertwined” • As Earth’s annual average temperatures push against the 1.5º C limit, social scientists warn that we may move into a dangerous new era in human history. Research shows the increasing climate shocks could trigger unrest and authoritarian backlashes. [CleanTechnica]
• “World EV Sales Report – Tesla Model Y Is The Best Selling Model In The World!” • The last months of 2023 brought a record-fest for world plugin vehicle sales, with three months out of the last four setting new sales records. December had over 1,550,000 registrations. In the overall market, the Tesla Model Y was the global best seller. [CleanTechnica]
• “EVs At 93.9% Share In Norway – Record High” • January saw plugin EVs at 93.9% share in Norway, a new record high. All but battery EV powertrains faced higher taxes from January 1st, and had low sales, following December’s pull forward. Overall auto volume was subdued, at 5,122 units. January’s best seller was the Tesla Model Y. [CleanTechnica]
• “Celebrating Another Breakthrough In Domestic Lithium Production” • Last week, Controlled Thermal Resources broke ground on a geothermal power plant in California’s Salton Sea. The facility will not only generate electricity from geothermal energy, but also serve a vital, dual purpose: extracting lithium from the hot brine that powers it. [CleanTechnica]

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

Headline News:

• “How Fruit Farmers In Tohoku Are Coping With Climate Change” • The area of Yamamoto and Watari, in southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is known for its relatively warm climate. But the unusual sight of tangerines, which are vulnerable to cold, coexisting with apples, which are vulnerable to heat, may be a symbol of rapid global warming. [The Japan Times]

Tangerine on a tree (Mateus Bandeira, Unsplash)

 

• “Average Cost Of Car Insurance Up More Than 20% In Last Year” • Yahoo! Finance reports that car insurance costs were 20.3% higher in December than they were a year earlier, with the average annual premium costing $2,542, according to Bankrate. Part of that increase is due to inflation. But part of it is due to the weather brought by climate change. [CleanTechnica]
• “The War On Renewables Heats Up Across America” • Climate change is a threat to our way of life. Only renewables can help slow the changing climate. But due largely to misinformation disseminated by fossil fuel companies, people all across America believe that renewables like wind and solar are a threat to their way of life and must be stopped. [CleanTechnica]
• “Sandia Uses Electric Grid Analytics To Combat Wildfire Risks And Aid Post-Wildfire Recovery” • Sandia National Labs’ wildfire grid resilience program aims to determine and mitigate risk of ignition, reduce wildfire spread, and decrease consequences of major wildfires through new tools and better informed decision making. [CleanTechnica]
• “Five Years Later, New Hampshire’s Community Power Law Is Reshaping The Electricity Market” • New Hampshire member towns in the year-old Community Power Coalition are reaping the benefits of banding together for electricity. Small customers in the coalition’s sixteen active member towns will buy electricity at a 26% reduced rate. [New Hampshire Bulletin]

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

Headline News:

• “Google Signs Its Largest Offshore Wind Power Agreement To Date” • Google has signed power purchase agreements with CrossWind and Ecowende consortia, joint ventures of energy companies Shell and Eneco. This announcement is in line with its goal to achieve net-zero emissions across all of its operations and value chains by 2030. [Inceptive Mind]

Google data center in Eemshaven, Netherlands (Google image)

• “Regional Communities Gather From Latrobe Valley To Wollongong To Say Yes To Renewables, Community Power, Climate Action” • Regional communities gathered in Australia to send a strong message that they support renewable energy and want to see stronger action on climate change and new jobs in wind and solar power. [The National Tribune]
• “Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited Illuminates Asia’s Largest Tea Estate With Innovative Solar Technology” • Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited commissioned a 1040-kW bifacial solar system at Chengmari Tea Estate, Asia’s largest tea estate. This project is the first deployment of on-ground bifacial modules in eastern India. [SolarQuarter]
• “Nevada Supreme Court Ruling Says That Surface Water And Groundwater Are One And The Same” • The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled in a unanimous decision that the state may restrict new groundwater pumping if it will impact other users and wildlife. The decision will change how the state manages its groundwater. [CleanTechnica]
• “US Counties Are Blocking The Future Of Renewable Energy: These Maps, Graphics Show How” • At least 15% of counties in the US have effectively halted new utility-scale wind, solar, or both, USA Today found. But the opposition to renewable energy isn’t as simple as left vs. right. There’s no one group fighting renewables. [USA Today]

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

Headline News:

• “The Solar Electric Car That Looks Like An Airplane Is Almost Ready For Takeoff” • The Aptera has been a long time coming. It was launched in 2006, only to hit a wall in 2011. A relaunch in 2020 got the gears in motion again, and now the long-awaited, futuristic, solar-powered three-wheeled electric car is almost ready to hit the road. [CleanTechnica]

Aptera (Aptera image)

• “$230 Million Wind Farm Near Glenrock Could Bring 200 Jobs And Power 44,000 Homes” • AES Corp, a Virginia-based energy behemoth shedding coal-fired plants as part of a yearslong restructuring effort to focus on renewables, unveiled plans to build a $230 million wind farm south of Glenrock, Wyoming. Its capacity will be 150 MW. [Cowboy State Daily]
• “UN Climate Chief’s Message: Fewer Loopholes, Way More Cash To Halt Climate Change” • United Nations’ climate chief Simon Stiell says to keep Earth from overheating, the nations of the world need to put fewer loopholes in climate agreements and far more money – trillions of dollars per year – into financial help for poor nations. [ABC News]
• “The US Added 1.2 Million EVs To The Grid Last Year, And Electricity Use Went Down” • 2023 set another record for EV sales in the US. About 1.2 million vehicles, or 7.6% of all sales, were electric according to Kelley Blue Book. Nevertheless, the data on electricity use through November 2023 shows that it was down by 1.1%. [CleanTechnica]
• “Amazon Warns Climate Change Could Disrupt Its Business In Annual Filing” • Amazon is warning its investors that climate change could affect it negatively. In the risk factors section of its 2023 financial filing, Amazon added language that says climate change could cause its sales and operating results to fluctuate, possibly resulting in decreased revenue. [CNBC]

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

Vermonters Together – Building a Better Future
March and Rally   Saturday, January 27, 2024, 1-3 PM
Meet at Montpelier City Hall on Main Street And March to the Vermont Statehouse

Headline News:

• “Lowering Energy Costs And Emissions In Rural America” • Updates are needed with climate change. So the NRDC endorsed the REAP Modernization Act, introduced by Senators Tina Smith and Ben Ray Luján and Representatives Abigail Spanberger and David Valadao, and the Rural Energy Equity Act, introduced by Senator Peter Welch. [CleanTechnica]

Sheep and solar panels (Courtesy of Lightsource bp)

• “Euro 2024 E-Mobility Partner Is … BYD!” • Europe has a huge legacy auto industry, and many of these new electric cars come from those German, French, and other European auto brands. But the automotive company sponsoring UEFA’s Euro 2024, set to be its official e-mobility partner, is Chinese. BYD is the largest EV maker in the world. [CleanTechnica]
• “BEV Sales Shoot Past All Expectations in Brazil In December, Rise 700%!” • Not long ago, Brazil’s battery EV sales were just symbolic: a fraction of a fraction. But the second half of 2023 has broken record after record, breaking all expectations and closing in on 3% battery EV share of the overall automobile in December, 700% growth YOY. [CleanTechnica]
• “NI Saves £243 Million From Wind Power In 2023” • Wind Energy Ireland, with the help of energy specialists Baringa, reported that Northern Irish wind farms saved £243 million in 2023. The Irish renewable energy organisation confirmed in its annual report that 35% of the whole island’s electricity was provided by wind farms. [Current News]
• “The $1.6 Trillion Future Of The Auto Tech Opportunity” • The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with autonomous driving, EVs, connected and software-defined vehicles, and in-cabin monitoring at the forefront. Such changes are expected to create a market opportunity some estimate to be worth $1.6 trillion by 2034. [CleanTechnica]

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