
Archive for December 25th, 2020

December 25 Energy News

December 25, 2020

Opinion:

¶ “Fossil Fuel Vehicles Are Hitting Their Expiration Date” • The signs of Big Oil’s impending demise are all around us. Electric vehicle sales are soaring in Europe. The cost of a lithium-ion battery pack dropped by 87% from 2010 to 2019. One EV-maker has even reported a pack-level battery cost below the much-discussed $100/kWh price point. [CleanTechnica]

Tesla Model Y (Daniel.Cardenas, CC-BY-SA 4.0)

¶ “2020 Climate Action From Wall Street: A BlackRock Review” • The Biden team is set to include Gina McCarthy, Deb Haaland, Jennifer Granholm, John Kerry, and other climate actors, is a significant shift from the what Bill McKibben calls “the coterie of coal lobbyists and oil-industry operatives that have decorated the current Administration.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Trump’s Threat To Veto $900 Billion Covid Relief Bill Puts Major Climate Legislation At Risk” • President Donald Trump’s opposition to a $900 billion coronavirus aid package passed overwhelmingly by US lawmakers late Monday jeopardizes the first significant climate change legislation to win congressional approval in about a decade. [CNBC]

Wind turbines (Alessandro Stigliani, Unsplash)

¶ “The Path To Renewables Is The Path To Lasting Peace In The Caucasus” • In early November, a cautious ceasefire was brokered between Azerbaijan and Armenia, ending one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. A lasting peace will depend largely on renewable energy – and closing one of the most dangerous nuclear plants in the world. [Modern Diplomacy]

Science and Technology:

¶ “The Atlantic Hurricane Season Typically Brings About A Dozen Storms. This Year It Was 30” • A record-setting Atlantic hurricane season was fueled by warmer than normal ocean and Gulf waters that scientists say were, at least in part, caused by climate change. In all, there were 30 named storms, the greatest number on record. [InsideClimate News]

Hurricane mishap (John Middelkoop, Unsplash)

World:

¶ “Ecolohas Builds Sustainable Homes With Smart Energy Storage System Technology” • Ecolohas Energy Technology Co, Ltd is a new social enterprise focusing on distinctive green energy solutions in Taiwan. The company invests many research resources resulting in innovations in renewable energy and consumption efficiency. [Taiwan News]

¶ “Japan’s Renewable Energy Sector Seeks Carbon-Neutral Windfall” • Since announcing the 2050 renewable energy target, the Japanese government has pledged to spend $20 billion on green tech and set ambitious new wind power targets. But the country has a lot of catching up to do, according to industry players and energy experts. [Japan Today]

Offshore wind farm (Anke Hueper, CC-BY-SA 3.0)

¶ “GE’S Newest Renewable Energy Project Is A Giant Turbine That Powers A Home For Two Days With Just One Turn!” • GE’s Haliade-X prototype is the first wind turbine to generate 288 MWh of electricity in just 24 hour. Towering above Rotterdam, the 12-MW prototype was able to power 30,000 homes. Now, a 14-MW version is coming. [Yanko Design]

¶ “Port Of Milford Haven Shows Commitment To Renewable Energy” • The Port of Milford Haven has joined RenewableUK, the trade association for the renewable energy industry. Milford Haven is the UK’s largest energy port and has for many years supported the oil and gas industries with infrastructure and services. [Western Telegraph]

Docks at Milford Haven (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)

¶ “Alberta Decision To Open Rockies To Coal Mining To Face Court Challenges In New Year” • The Alberta government has two court challenges over its decision to rescind decades-old protections and open the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to coal mining. Plaintiffs argue that legally required consultations were not made. [Globalnews.ca]

US:

¶ “Proterra: New Community Benefits Agreement, Battery Center, And Fleet Charging Solutions” • Proterra is an industry leader in powering commercial vehicles and buses without fossil fuels. But while it leads with customized charging centers and new battery technology, it is also providing good jobs to workers in disadvantaged communities. [CleanTechnica]

Proterra buses charging (Proterra courtesy image)

¶ “Lone Star State Looks To Become A Leader In Renewables” • Texas is already the biggest producer of electricity from wind farms in the US. Now it is on track to become the biggest US producer of solar power, too. A private company, Invenergy, is building a 1.31-GW solar farm in Texas that is going to be the largest in the country. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “Senate Energy Infrastructure Commission Leaves Out Environmental Groups” • The first meeting of the Rhode Island Senate commission on electric and natural-gas infrastructure was strictly informational. But we have to note that it steered clear of the controversy surrounding fossil-fuel infrastructure and had no environmental representation. [ecoRI news]

Projections for renewable energy in New England (ISO New England image – Please click on the image to enlarge it)

¶ “Cal-ISO Renewable Capacity Climbs, Storage Resources Coming Onto System” • The California Independent System Operator has had 2.1 GW of capacity added to its grid so far in 2020 with another 3.3 GW permitted with online dates in 2020 or 2021, as the state works to achieve its mandate for 100% clean energy mandate in 25 years. [S&P Global]

¶ “States Racing To Set Goals Toward Net-Zero Emission, 100% Renewable Electricity” • The governors of Louisiana, Michigan, Connecticut, and New Jersey announced putting their states on paths toward 100% renewables or carbon-free emissions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]

Eat slowly and chew your food well.

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{"cc_re__cc_re__cc_by_sa_3_0_en": ["ke-hueper-cc-by-sa-3.0.jpg?w=760 760w, https://geoharvey.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/offshore-wind-farm-anke-hueper-cc-by-sa-3.0.jpg?w=150 150w, https://geoharvey.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/offshore-wind-farm-anke-hueper-cc-by-sa-3.0.jpg?w=300 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" /></a><p id=\"caption-attachment-92561\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Offshore wind farm (<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scrobysands04.11.2005.a.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anke Hueper</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC-BY-SA 3.0</a>)</p></div>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\u00b6 &#8220;GE\u2019S Newest Renewable Energy Project Is A Giant Turbine That Powers A Home For Two Days With Just One Turn!&#8221; \u2022 GE&#8217;s Haliade-X prototype is the first wind turbine to generate 288 MWh of electricity in just 24 hour. Towering above Rotterdam, the 12-MW prototype was able to power 30,000 homes. Now, a 14-MW version is coming. [<a href=\"https://www.yankodesign.com/2020/12/24/ges-newest-renewable-energy-project-is-a-g"], "cc_re__cc_re__cc_by_sa_4_0_en": ["as-cc-by-sa-4.0.jpg?w=150 150w, https://geoharvey.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/tesla-model-y-daniel.cardenas-cc-by-sa-4.0.jpg?w=300 300w, https://geoharvey.files.wordpress.com/2020/12/tesla-model-y-daniel.cardenas-cc-by-sa-4.0.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" /></a><p id=\"caption-attachment-92567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tesla Model Y (<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tesla_Model_Y_front_passenger_side_view.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel.Cardenas</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC-BY-SA 4.0</a>)</p></div>\n<p style=\"text-align:justify;\">\u00b6 &#8220;2020 Climate Action From Wall Street: A BlackRock Review&#8221; \u2022 The Biden team is set to include Gina McCarthy, Deb Haaland, Jennifer Granholm, John Kerry, and other climate actors, is a significant shift from the what Bill McKibben calls \u201cthe coterie of coal lobbyists and oil-industry operatives that have decorated the current Administration.\u201d [<a href=\"https://cleantechnica.com/2020/12/24/2020-climate-action-from-wall"], "copyright__copyright__copyright": ["ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE.", "ions. Now, twelve states have done so. The recent stimulus package could be a major driver for the transition. [S&P Global]\n\nEat slowly and chew your food well.\n\ngeoharvey is free and without ads.\ngeoharvey is not tax-deductible.\n\nWe are at that time of the year when Energy Week asks for donations to BCTV. The show needs a bit over $300, a small fraction of the cost to bring it to you. When you donate, please be sure to leave instructions that the donation is for Energy Week. Please DONATE HERE."]}