Renewable Energy

Biden Administration Makes it Easier for ChargePoint to Sell to the Federal Government Summary The Biden Administration has announced its plans to make it easier for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure company, ChargePoint, to sell its products to the federal government. Despite the administration's inability to require people to buy EVs, it aims to support the EV market through other means, such as expanding EV charging infrastructure. With this new move, ChargePoint will have better opportunities to offer its products and services to government agencies, as well as federally funded facilities. Main Points The Biden Administration is striving to support the EV market by expanding EV charging infrastructure. The federal government cannot mandate individuals to purchase EVs, ...

Infographic: Electrify America's Accomplishments in 2023 Key Points: Electrify America has played a significant role in expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the United States. By the end of 2023, Electrify America had successfully deployed over 1,800 charging stations with more than 7,000 individual chargers across the country. These charging stations included both brand-specific chargers for major EV manufacturers like Ford and General Motors, as well as universal chargers compatible with all electric vehicles. Electrify America's charging network covers various locations, such as highway rest stops, shopping centers, and workplaces. In 2023, Electrify America facilitated more than 2 million charging sessions, delivering a total of 20.2 GWh of electricity to EVs...

Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $254 Million for Decarbonization and Manufacturing Main Ideas: The Biden-Harris administration has announced $254 million in funding to support decarbonization efforts and revitalize domestic manufacturing in the United States. 49 projects across 21 states will receive a portion of the funding to advance next-generation technologies and significantly reduce emissions in the industrial sector. The projects aim to develop and deploy innovative solutions, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, energy-efficient processes, and renewable energy integration in manufacturing. This funding opportunity will help accelerate the transition to a clean and sustainable industrial sector while creating job opportunities and strengthenin...

U.S. Department of Energy Supports Conversion of Mauna Loa Observatory Main Points: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $5 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help convert the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii to a net-zero facility. The Mauna Loa Observatory plays a crucial role in monitoring greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and providing data for climate research. The funding from DOE will be used to upgrade the observatory's power supply, improve energy efficiency, and add renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and battery storage. The goal is to make the facility carbon-neutral, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and lowering its environmental impact. Author's Take: The U.S. Department of Energy's support for co...

How Extreme Weather & System Aging Affect the US Solar Photovoltaic Fleet Main Ideas: A massive data set of photovoltaic (PV) system performance in the United States has revealed the impacts of extreme weather and long-term degradation on the solar PV fleet. The study found that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy precipitation, can have small but significant impacts on the performance of PV systems. Long-term degradation, which occurs as PV systems age over time, was also found to have a noticeable effect on system performance. The researchers analyzed more than 39,000 PV systems across diverse climates and found that extreme weather events can decrease PV system performance by up to 7%, while long-term degradation can lead to an average decline of 1.5% per y...

Glow-in-the-Dark Red Herrings & Dead Whales — Offshore Wind Nonsense in Oz Summary: Australia made progress towards its goal of 82% renewable energy in the grid by 2030. The Australian federal government is considering the development of offshore wind farms. Opponents of offshore wind farms have raised concerns, including the potential impact on marine life and the visual impact on coastal landscapes. However, experts argue that these concerns are exaggerated and based on misconceptions. Offshore wind farms have been successfully implemented in other parts of the world, providing clean and sustainable energy. Author's take: The pushback against offshore wind farms in Australia seems to be based more on fear and misinformation rather than sound scientific evidence. While concerns about t...

Ann Arbor Ponders Microgrid Alternative To Coal And Gas Powered Local Utility Main Ideas: The city of Ann Arbor in Michigan is considering the implementation of a city-owned sustainable energy unit alongside the local utility company, in order to create a microgrid alternative to coal and gas-powered utilities. Author's Take: The city of Ann Arbor's decision to explore a microgrid alternative to traditional coal and gas-powered utilities reflects a growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions. By embracing a city-owned sustainable energy unit, Ann Arbor has the potential to reduce its carbon footprint and promote a cleaner and greener future. Click here for the original article.

Segway Enters the Portable Power Station Market Segway, known for its electric scooters and personal transporters, is now entering the energy storage market with its new line of portable power stations. The power stations are designed to provide portable and reliable energy solutions for outdoor activities, emergencies, and off-grid locations. Segway offers three models with different power capacities, ranging from 150Wh to 600Wh, all equipped with various outlets and ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. These power stations are lightweight, compact, and feature a user-friendly interface, making them easy to transport and use. Segway's move into the energy storage sector reflects the growing demand for renewable and reliable power solutions, especially in outdoor and off-grid ...

USPS introduces electric vehicle charging stations at sorting and delivery centers The United States Postal Service (USPS) has installed its first set of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at sorting and delivery centers. The initial charging stations have been deployed in California, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington. The USPS aims to expand its EV charging infrastructure nationwide. This initiative is part of the USPS's efforts to reduce emissions and transition to a greener and more sustainable fleet. Author's take: The United States Postal Service is taking steps towards sustainability by introducing EV charging stations at sorting and delivery centers. By initially deploying them in various states and with further plans for expansion, the USPS is showing a commitment to...

Summary: The sudden popularity of liquid green hydrogen could be a reason for a potential slowdown in approvals for new LNG terminals in the US. Liquid green hydrogen is a carbon-free alternative to natural gas and can be produced by electrolysis using renewable energy. Several countries, including Germany, South Korea, and Australia, are investing in the development of liquid green hydrogen as a way to decarbonize their energy sectors. The Biden administration's focus on clean energy and climate change may also contribute to the increased interest in liquid green hydrogen. Main Ideas: There is a growing interest in liquid green hydrogen as a carbon-free alternative to natural gas. Liquid green hydrogen can be produced through electrolysis using renewable energy sources. Countries like...