Preview Text: Plus: Frustration Free Packaging by Amazon; EV sales hit 4 million; US home batteries grow 200%
Hi Everyone,
For regular readers, you’ll see me sneak in a ‘circular economy’-oriented story every now and then – like the great videos from Amazon showcasing their work to help us with ‘Frustration Free Packaging’.
Lots of stories about how governments or their regulators are directing more money towards renewables. California continues to impress with big investments of rate- or tax-payers money.
Ask yourself: who else would appreciate getting these free updates? Then forward this on and encourage them to subscribe using the link provided.
Thanks,
Peter
Cumulative Global EV Sales Hit 4 Million
Excerpt: Cumulative passenger EV sales are set to hit 4 million this week. If we include e-buses, the 4 million milestone was reached at the beginning of July. The time needed to reach each consecutive million EVs sold has shrunk from 17 months for the second million to 6 months for the fourth million. Bloomberg NEF
$1 Billion Program Aims To Put Solar On Low Income Multifamily Housing In California
Excerpt: The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program will be administered by a coalition of established clean energy and affordable housing organizations in the state with $100 million annually for the first 10 years, provided by CPUC. Funding for the program will come from California’s impressive cap-and-trade auctions that extract compensation for large emitters of CO2 and equivalent greenhouse gases. Clean Technica
Led by Surging Residential Sector, Q2 US Energy Storage Deployments Grow 200% Year-Over-Year
Excerpt: Residential deployments were concentrated in two states, California and Hawaii, which together account for 72 percent of megawatt-hours on the quarter. Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables senior analyst Brett Simon notes that there are no signs these two states will relinquish their residential market lead; however he posits that there is an exciting race for the No. 3 spot. Simon points to both Massachusetts with its new SMART program and Arizona which may see some new tariff structures as key contenders. Greentech Media
California Passes Bill to Extend $800M in Incentives for Behind-the-Meter Batteries
Excerpt: The bill, now at Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for signature would authorize the continuation of Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) through 2025, with funding to supply roughly $166 million per year in incentives for qualifying behind-the-meter energy storage technologies, or $830 million total. Greentech Media
Rooftop solar saves New England power customers $20M during July heatwave
Excerpt: The report says the amount of solar produced during the week-long July heatwave was the equivalent of removing 1.37 million homes from the grid. Smart Cities Dive
Scottish government pledges to roll out 1,500 electric vehicle chargers
Excerpt: The Scottish government is to invest £15 million in the deployment of 1,500 electric vehicle (EV) charge points across homes, businesses and the public network under plans outlined officially today. Current
South Australia commits $180m to batteries, storage and virtual power plants
Excerpt: The South Australia Liberal government is getting ready to finally roll out its Home Battery Scheme after confirming $180 million has been allocated for the promised installation of small-scale battery storage in 40,000 homes, as well as large-scale batteries and demand management schemes, including virtual power plants. The budget papers suggest it is largely along the lines foreshadowed – a total of $100 million budgeted over four years to allocated $2,500 grants for battery storage for up to 40,000 homes. Renew Economy
How Amazon is helping with ‘Frustration Free Packaging’
After you’ve bought something online, the packaging no longer needs to scream ‘buy me’; it just needs to get it to you undamaged.
Excerpt: Ever experience “wrap rage” when shopping online? You wrestle with kitchen scissors through inches of sealed plastic to get that new pair of headphones free and think, “Why is there so much?” And have you ever removed a product from a box within a box within a box and think, “There has to be a better way”?
Comment: Check out the funny short video above to see a classic example of over-packaging. Then learn how Amazon is working with suppliers to deliver ‘Frustration Free Packaging” (FFP), by watching this slightly longer video to hear from Kara Hurst, Amazon’s head of worldwide sustainability, at GreenBiz 17.
Dyson announces move to commence £2.5 billion EV plan
Excerpt: So far, the vacuum company has invested around £84 million on the project, and plans to bring that amount up to £200 million to redevelop the 45,000 m² aerodrome site, which will be built to accommodate more than 2,000 employees. The Driven
Calgary launches driverless shuttle pilot to test autonomous vehicle technology
The first autonomous shuttle in Western Canada called ELA, Electric Autonomous at Telus Spark in Calgary, on Wednesday September 5, 2018.
Excerpt: Visitors to the Calgary Zoo and science centre won’t have to rely on a driver to hitch a ride between the two attractions this month, thanks to the arrival of the first autonomous vehicle in Western Canada. After more than 170 deployments in 20 countries around the world, there have been zero accidents, according to Finley. Calgary Herald