Plus: Canada to add 2 big e-ferries; China building 1600 km ultra high voltage transmission line
Hi Everyone,
I am watching more closely for circular economy stories, such as by companies or cities. If you come across some great examples, send them please. In doing so, I came across the Nine Planetary Boundaries, by the Stockholm Resilence Centre. It’s a quick read, with some that will be familiar and others not. I’m certainly seeing more momentum behind questioning consumption.
I also want to put in a plug for Quest Canada (new website!). I met Tonja Leach recently, their new Executive Director and learned how her team is working to accelerate the adoption of efficient and integrated community-scale energy systems in Canada. Check it out.
Thanks,
Peter
Tesla and others to deliver over 2 GWh of energy storage in California project to replace 3 gas plants
Excerpt: The California Public Utilities Commission approved this week a very important proposal from PG&E to deploy over 2 GWh of energy storage capacity from battery systems by Tesla and other companies that will replace three gas plants. …more from Electrek
China starts construction of 1600 km ultra-high voltage power transmission line to deliver clean energy
Excerpt from Weekly Climate Review by the MacArthur Foundation:
Construction of a 986-mile, ultra-high voltage power transmission line to deliver clean energy from China’s isolated northwest to central China began Wednesday, the official Xinhuanews agency reported. The $3.26-billion project is meant to link one of the country’s top renewable energy producing regions with some of its largest energy consumers. Substantial amounts of China’s clean power currently go unused due to lack of distribution capacity.
Veligo set to rollout in Paris as world’s largest electric bicycle fleet
Excerpt: The program will see up to 20,000 e-bikes rented out by the end of the month to local residents. As part of the new Veligo program, the electric bicycles will be rented out on a per month basis, and will stay at home with customers. According to Reuters, the electric bikes will cost approximately €40 per month. Additionally, commuters may be able to have half of the monthly fee covered by their employers. …more from Electrek
Off-grid school Australia’s first to run 100% on solar, battery storage
Excerpt: The switch to solar – which was completed this month – was coordinated by Sydney-based company Upstream Energy, allowing the College to switch to solar and storage for no up-front cost. To pay for the system, ABBC buys the solar power at a fixed rate from Upstream each month, just as it would do for grid power, with an electricity retailer. …more from One Step Off The Grid
China’s biggest flow battery project so far is underway with hundreds more megawatts to come
Excerpt: The China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has called for greater investment in flow batteries and set up programmes to develop vast projects in excess of 100MW capacity each. One such project already under way is a 200MW / 800MWh vanadium energy storage project in Dalian Province, by Chinese system manufacturer Rongke Power and UniEnergy Technologies (UET). …more from Energy Storage News
Britain Now Has More Green Capacity Than Any Other Power Source
Excerpt: Green energy connected to Britain’s electricity grid increased to a record 42 gigawatts in the third quarter, giving it the largest share of the nation’s energy mix, according to Drax Electric Insights. …more from Bloomberg
Powered up: New database reveals stellar growth of UK energy storage sector
Excerpt: The UK’s nascent energy storage sector is surpassing all expectations and is set to deliver close to 7GW of capacity in the next few years, over a decade earlier than previously thought. …more behind paywall from Business Green
Renewables, sensors connected in wireless blockchain ‘proof of concept’ demonstration
Excerpt: Devices connected to the chain have their identities verified and their outputs certified, meaning that they could potentially engage in transactional behaviour through blockchain-enabled smart contracts if an end user was also connected to the chain. …more from Current
A new Tesla ‘shared Powerbank’ launches as a community alternative to individual Powerwalls
Excerpt: …two energy companies have decided to use Tesla’s bigger solution generally reserved for commercial and utility applications, the Powerpack, to create a new ‘shared Powerbank’ as a community alternative to individual Powerwalls. …more from Electrek
Scientists Reveal Strange Molecule That Can Store Sun’s Energy For 18 Years
Comment: I almost never post about new battery technologies because even though they sound exciting, they rarely become commercial. Yet, this one felt different somehow. Judge for yourself, though be careful to manage your excitement.
Excerpt: A Swedish research team believes it found the breakthrough renewables was looking for, a solar thermal fuel that can store the sun’s energy for up to 18 years. …more from Forbes
Two big new all-electric ferries are coming to Canada
Excerpt: Electric propulsion is coming for virtually every mode of transportation, including maritime transportation. Ferries are a good place to start since they cover the same routes again and again. It makes it easy to plan for the range and charging solution of all-electric ferries. Now Canada has got on board with the concept and ordered its first two new giant all-electric ferries. ..more from Electrek