China installs more than 100GW of solar in first half of 2024
China installs more than 100GW of solar in first half of 2024 Read more
Clean & renewable energy
World’s biggest geothermal power purchase agreement completed in western U.S.
It’s only been one year since Fervo Energy unveiled a novel concept in geothermal energy harvesting at its Project Red pilot plant in Nevada. Now the company has signed a 15-year agreement with Southern California Edison to provide 320 MW of power to the utility, which will power about 350,000 homes. The power will be provided by Fervo’s Cape Station project that is currently being built in southwest Utah, with the first 70 MW coming online in 2026 and the balance clicking on in 2028.
World’s biggest geothermal power purchase agreement completed in western U.S. Read more
E.U. surpasses 50% renewable power share for first time ever in first half of 2024
Electricity industry association Eurelectric has released figures showing that 50% of public electricity generation in the E.U. came from renewables for the first time in history earlier this year. The association said Europe was decarbonizing at an unprecedented pace, with just over 50% coming from renewable energy and nearly 75% coming from non-fossil-fuel sources, up from 68% last year.
E.U. surpasses 50% renewable power share for first time ever in first half of 2024 Read more
The world’s largest solar farm just came online in China’s Xianjiang autonomous region
The world’s largest solar farm, in the desert in northwestern Xinjiang, is now connected to China’s grid. The 3.5-gigawatt, 33,000-acre solar farm is outside Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital.
Assuming an EV consumes about 3,000 kWh per year, 6.09 billion kWh could power 2.03 million EVs annually.
The world’s largest solar farm just came online in China’s Xianjiang autonomous region Read more
Chinese scientists discover way to make batteries more efficient
A new water-based battery design is safer and more energy-efficient than traditional lithium-ion batteries, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences claim. Today’s lithium batteries have enabled the rise of EVs, but their flammable organic electrolytes make them a fire risk, and their energy density puts a cap on EV driving range. The new water-based design replaces those combustible components with a safer, more stable water-based electrolyte that can pack way more energy into the same space.
Chinese scientists discover way to make batteries more efficient Read more
Coal’s share of power capacity in India drops below 50% for first time since 1960s
India is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse on the world stage with a surge in both capacity addition and tendering to add more plants, according to new research. Renewable energy accounted for 71.5% of the record 13,669 MW power generation capacity added by India in the first quarter of 2024, while coal’s share of total power capacity dropped below 50% for the first time since the 1960s.
Coal’s share of power capacity in India drops below 50% for first time since 1960s Read more
World’s first wooden wind turbine blades installed in Germany
Wooden wind turbines promise to significantly reduce CO2 emissions during construction and production costs compared to current turbine blades. Designed and manufactured by Voodin Blade Technology, a German pioneer in wind turbine blade manufacturing, the laminated veneer lumber blades are a more sustainable construction material than current materials and allow for easier recycling of decommissioned blades.
World’s first wooden wind turbine blades installed in Germany Read more
30% of the world’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2023 for first time ever
Global renewable electricity production is growing at an unprecedented pace, according to a new report from climate think tank Ember. For the first time ever, in 2023, renewables supplied 30% of the world’s annual electricity supply, thanks to the rapid deployment of solar and wind technology.
30% of the world’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2023 for first time ever Read more
Solar is now perhaps being installed faster than any technology in history
Cumulative global installed solar capacity in 2023 passed 1.4 terawatts (TW), which is tenfold larger than ten years ago and doubling every 3 years. At current growth rates (20% per annum), solar will pass fossil gas in 2024 and coal in 2025. Current growth rates also suggest that solar will approach 9 TW in 2031, when there will be more solar generation capacity than everything else combined.
Solar is now perhaps being installed faster than any technology in history Read more
Denmark plans massive 10GW offshore wind tender to insure against “Putin’s black gas”
The Danish Energy Agency announced this week plans for the largest offshore wind tender in the country’s history, which could see anywhere from 6GW to 10GW awarded from six new sites. Denmark is currently operating total offshore wind capacity of 2.7GW, with the 1GW Thor Offshore Wind Farm to be completed in 2027. A further 3GW is expected to be built on the Bornholm energy island being developed between the Danish Energy Agency and Danish TSO Energinet.
Denmark plans massive 10GW offshore wind tender to insure against “Putin’s black gas” Read more