April 6 NEC Energy News
¶ “$19 Million For Innovative Solar Panel Installation Over Canals” • The Interior Department announced a $19 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to install solar panels over irrigation canals in California, Oregon, and Utah. This reduces evaporation of needed water while it increases clean energy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “China’s Quiet Energy Revolution: The Switch From Nuclear To Renewable Energy” • In late 2011 China’s National Energy Administration announced that China would add up to 300 GW of nuclear capacity over the next ten to twenty years. Now it aims for nuclear energy to supply 15% of China’s total electricity demand by 2035. [Pearls and Irritations]
¶ “US Geothermal Capacity Set To Grow by 1,900% by 2050” • In March, the US DOE announced it would invest $60 million in funding to demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems to access underground heat to be used as renewable energy. The DOE said it expects geothermal capacity to supply 10% of US electricity by 2050. [OilPrice.com]
¶ “The Potential Of Solar And Mesh-Grids” • While the power potential of mini-grids make them viable for densely populated areas, they are too expensive for rural areas with low population densities. Mesh-grids are offer a more affordable system than traditional off-grid installations, often with a cost just 60% of that of mini-grids. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Austria Likely To Be Largely Ice-Free Within 45 Years As Its Glaciers Recede Quickly, Experts Say” • Austrian glaciers receded rapidly last year and the country is likely to be largely ice-free in 40 to 45 years as the process continues. The Austrian Alpine Club said that, of the 93 glaciers its volunteers measured, all but one receded in 2022-2023. [ABC News]
¶ “World EV Sales Now 13% Of World Auto Sales” • Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 3% in February 2024 compared to February 2023. There were 830,000 registrations, making it possibly the last month with fewer than one million sales per month ever for plugin EVs. Year to date, plugin EV market share was at 14% (9% battery EV). [CleanTechnica]
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