September 17 NEC Energy News

¶ “How Vanadium Flow Batteries Expand Applications” • There are many reasons why microgrids with battery backup have such great popularity now. Vanadium flow batteries, have commercial advantages over other energy storage systems because of their inherent efficiencies and life cycles, which do not exist with with energy storage technologies. [CleanTechnica]

Work on a small flow battery (StorEn Technologies, detail)

¶ “Nuclear Power Still Doesn’t Make Much Sense” • The case for significantly ramping up the production of nuclear power falls short. That’s because the nuclear industry has long been hobbled by two problems that its boosters can’t really wish away: Nuclear is far slower to build than most other forms of power, and it’s far more expensive, too. [ Moneycontrol]

¶ “BMW To Recycle Fishing Nets In New Electric Cars” • In what BMW is calling “a first for the automotive industry,” its Neue Klasse EVs, set to launch in 2025, will feature plastic parts made from 30% recycled fishing nets and ropes, resulting in trim pieces with a 25% smaller carbon footprint than plastic parts made more conventionally. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “An Architect Asked AI To Design Skyscrapers Of The Future. This Is What It Proposed” • An architect and computational designer based in New Delhi, Manas Bhatia, has a bold vision of the future – one where residential skyscrapers covered in trees, plants and algae act as “air purification towers.” His ideas were rendered into images by AI. [CNN]

Skyscrapers designed using AI (Courtesy Manas Bhatia)

¶ “European Parliament Votes To Raise Targets For Renewables, Energy Savings” • The European Parliament voted to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 45% from 40%, under the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. The European Commission proposed the same target under its REPowerEU package. [Balkan Green Energy News]

¶ “Illinois Dakota Access Pipeline Expansion Gets Approved In Misguided Decision” • The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the Dakota Access Pipeline and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Pipeline expansion in its state. A previous approval had been vacated because the benefit to Illinois citizens was unclear and operator has a troubling record. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ford Drops A Bomb On Dealers: Either You’re In Or You’re OUT!” • In Las Vegas, Ford CEO Jim Farley delivered a message at the annual convention of Ford dealers: “When it comes to selling battery electric Ford products that are part of the new Model E division, you’re either on the bus or off the bus and you have just six weeks to decide.” [CleanTechnica]

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