(IAN) OXFAM

More like this (Oxfam) - link - More like this (Oxford) - link - more like this (Oxford) - link

(PVM) WORLD'S HIGHEST PV PLANT COMMISSIONED

China Huadian Corp., a state-owned power generator, has commissioned the second phase of its Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station in Shannan, Tibet. The project, at an altitude of 5,228 meters, is the world’s highest-elevation solar installation, surpassing the first phase, which was built at 5,100 meters.

Previously, the highest utility-scale solar-plus-storage project in the world was another installation at 4,700 meters in Tibet. It was completed in 2020.

The second phase of the Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station, spanning 1.4 square kilometers, adds 100 MW of capacity with 170,000 solar panels. It expands upon the initial 50 MW phase that started running in December 2023 and has since generated more than 60 GWh. Together, these project phases aim to alleviate central Tibet’s winter and spring power shortages.

PowerChina, the project contractor, completed the project 42 days ahead of schedule in just 115 days by using pre-installed mounts and on-site assembly lines, which increased construction efficiency by 40%, despite the challenges of the plateau environment. More of this article (pv magazine) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (pv) - link - more like this (high altitude energy) - link

(ELE) GAC LAUNCHES NEW EVTOL

Chinese auto conglomerate GAC Group is delving further into sustainable air transportation with a new eVTOL-centric business venture called Govy. The company unveiled its flagship aircraft, the AirJet, during the announcement of the new brand. AirJet is GAC’s second “flying car” design in two years, but this iteration is more of a traditional eVTOL.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., better known as GAC Group, is a Chinese state-owned automotive conglomerate and the fifth largest manufacturer in the country for its segment. In the past, we’ve focused more on the company’s presence in the EV space, like the technology of its sub-brand GAC Aion, as well as some of its joint ventures with other OEMs like Stellantis.

However, in 2023, GAC unveiled a new EV/eVTOL combo vehicle called “Gove,” which is a combination of the words “GAC, On the Go, Vertical, and EV.” GAC debuted the Gove in front of a crowd during its Tech Day Event in June 2023, sharing hopes that it would become an integral part of its mobility lineup in the future.

We haven’t heard anything since. Well, we know that GAC changed its name from Gove to AirCar.

That should come as little surprise, considering many companies developing standalone eVTOLs are still working toward the necessary certification and infrastructure to begin commercial air taxi rides. Combining an EV design that drives on roads with the eVTOL component only complicates things.

Fellow Chinese automaker XPeng appears the closest to achieving this feat with the “Land Aircraft Carrier” built by its eVTOL venture AeroHT. That EV/eVTOL combo is expected to hit scaled production in 2026. More of this article (electrek) - link - more like this (evtol) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (Stellantis) - link

(TMO) AMERICA'S $75 BILLION H2 INVESTMENT

In an unprecedented move, America is spearheading the largest mobilization in history with a staggering investment of $75 billion dedicated to developing a robust hydrogen infrastructure. 

This effort is crucial as the world grapples with climate change, making the urgency to foster sustainable energy sources more pressing. By investing in hydrogen technology, the country not only aims to lead by example but also to kickstart a global shift toward cleaner energy alternatives.

Committed investments: A surge in hydrogen projects around the world

Per the Hydrogen Council’s recent report, “Hydrogen Insights 2024,” there has been a remarkable evolution in the global clean hydrogen sector. The total committed capital for hydrogen projects reaching final investment decision (FID) has skyrocketed by a staggering seven-fold since 2020, jumping from approximately $10 billion across 102 projects to a whopping $75 billion across 434 projects as of 2024.

The overall project pipeline has also expanded substantially, with more than 1,500 projects worldwide. This shift clearly signals a transition from the planning stages to active implementation.

This swift increase in committed investments signifies a larger shift within the sector, with announced investments through 2030 now totaling $680 billion, marking a 20% increase since previous reports. Importantly, investments past FID have risen by 90%, highlighting a clear trajectory toward realizing hydrogen projects.

Jaehoon Chang, co-chair of the Hydrogen Council, says: “The seven-fold increase in committed capital for hydrogen projects reaching FID over the past four years demonstrates the industry’s progress.”

Building a hydrogen infrastructure: Key to mainstream adoption

Hydrogen is set to become a mainstream energy source, capable of powering homes, businesses, and vehicles. However, the successful implementation of this vision hinges on developing the infrastructure necessary for widespread usage.

America’s $75-billion initiative focuses on establishing robust infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. This approach is crucial for addressing and overcoming the historical challenges of hydrogen storage and deployment.

This investment will ensure that all aspects of hydrogen storage and utilization are developed effectively. As such, it reflects a commitment to advancing clean energy solutions that can benefit the global community and contribute to a green future. More of this article (The Moment) - link - more like this (hydrogen) - link - more like this (America) - link

ALFRED MONK - 1898 - 21/12/1978

19th (St Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment - link

(ICN) SUNBELT - CLIMATE HAZARDS INCREASING

Counties across the southern half of the U.S., especially those with large and socially vulnerable populations, will be much more exposed to wildfire, drought and extreme heat than other parts of the country as the region’s climate warms in the coming decades, according to new research from the U.S. Forest Service and Resources for the Future.

The report, “Changing Hazards, Exposure, and Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States, 2020–2070,” builds on the Forest Service’s 2020 Resources Planning Act Assessment, which makes 50-year projections on the conditions of renewable resources across the country’s forests.

In the study, researchers identified the continental U.S. counties that are especially exposed to natural disasters stemming from water shortages, extreme heat and wildfires, as well as those with socially vulnerable populations. The study’s various models, based on rates of growth and warming, show communities from Arizona to Florida at particular risk as states in the southern half of the country are seeing booming populations, long-standing inequities in their communities and increasing climate-driven threats.

The models give researchers, federal agencies and states not just an idea of how at-risk a county is to those natural disasters, but also how communities living within them could be impacted as people continue to move in. Much of the risk for communities from all three types of natural disasters stems from population growth. More of this article (Inside Climate News) - link - more like this (climate change) - link - more like this (United States) - link

(D24) JAPAN SETS NEW PV RECORD

Japan has done what it does best, and that is, breaking innovation boundaries with the goal of making the world a better place while pushing to be a leader in technology advancement as well. 

This time around, the nation has developed a solar panel that is more powerful than 20 nuclear reactors. This development is called Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC).

A technological marvel that redefines energy potential is the solar supercell

Japan’s solar supercell is something that we have never seen or heard of before in the energy sector. It has smashed all the world’s solar panels because of its advanced photovoltaic technology. This supercell’s efficiency is what sets it apart from other solar panels; it uses state-of-the-art materials and designs to collect sunlight much more efficiently.

PSCs provide a novel method of capturing solar energy in locations where traditional solar panels would not be feasible because of their seamless integration into windows, car roofs, building facades, and even streetlights. For nations like Japan, where real estate is expensive and space is scarce, the potential for PSCs in urban settings is particularly significant.

PSCs can be put on existing structures, turning common surfaces into energy-generating assets, in contrast to standard solar panels that need large, open spaces. Perovskite technology is a game-changer for sustainable energy since it can maximise energy production in cities with little space, and Japan has made sure to capitalise on this advancement.

Japan’s supercell outperforms nuclear power and challenges traditional energy sources

The fact that it is said to have smashed the world’s solar panels is an indication that this supercell is one of a kind that is changing everything we know about renewable energy. Nuclear power has been hailed for decades as a renewable energy resource, with countries like Saudi Arabia utilising it. However, Japan’s perovskite solar cell produces cleaner, safer, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Think about it, the nuclear reactor is 20 times less powerful than a solar super panel. This new technology could have a big impact on how energy is produced in the future. Designed to offer a more sustainable and efficient power source, it is a significant advancement in renewable energy. Global energy production and consumption patterns may shift as a result of the development of this cutting-edge solar panel.

The worldwide effect: Revolutionising energy for households, companies, and countries

Japan’s breakthrough in this solar development does not only benefit a certain category but households, businesses, and other countries too. Nations are looking to be sustainable and what better way to learn from giants like Japan and follow suit? This supercell’s power and scalability make it a perfect solution for both developed and underdeveloped countries.

By lowering dependency on fossil fuels, the supercell may provide homeowners with dependable, reasonably priced renewable energy. This technique could potentially be used by businesses and industries, which frequently need large energy inputs, to reduce costs and run more sustainably. Governments might incorporate these supercells into infrastructure initiatives at the national level to build smart cities that run solely on renewable energy.

Japan’s investment in perovskite solar cells demonstrates a strong dedication to innovation and sustainable development. PSC technology can change the renewable energy environment by tackling issues like the demand for affordable energy solutions and the constraints of urban areas. These panels will probably be crucial in lowering the cost and increasing the viability of clean energy in both urban and rural settings as technology advances. More of this article (The Diary 24) - link - more like this (solar) - link - more like this (Japan) - link

(GRE) SAD SINGLE FRUIT ADOPTED BY SHOPPERS

New research has found that associating lone fruits with ‘sad’ emotions can make supermarket shoppers feel sorry for them, increasing sales and mitigating food waste.

Have you ever felt so sorry for a single banana that you’ve ended up buying it?

I know I have – and apparently, I’m not alone. Research suggests that labelling loose bananas as “sad singles” moves grocery shoppers on an emotional level and increases the chances of it being bought, helping supermarkets reduce food waste.

Academics from the University of Bath, RWTH Aachen and Goethe University Frankfurt sought to compare the efficacy of such labels with “happy singles” signage for loose bananas and tomatoes. Both sentiments were found to be more effective than a sign that showed no emotion – “Here are single bananas that want to be bought as well” – but the sad label turned out to be the most influential.

Sad bananas make for happier sales

The study, published in the Psychology & Marketing journal, observed the purchasing behaviours around single bananas – often separated as a result of shoppers tearing others from a bunch – of over 3,800 countries in the German supermarket chain Rewe. The retailer had previously labelled bananas as single and wanting to be bought, but minus the emotional element.

This in-store study was adapted as an online experiment, asking 745 consumers to imagine themselves in the situation. Shoppers were confronted with a sign showing a banana bearing a sad face under the message: “We are sad singles and want to be bought as well.”

The intervention increased the number of single bananas sold per hour by 58%, from 2.02 (when they were next to an emotionless sign) to 3.19. In contrast, the ‘happy banana’ signage drove up sales to 2.13 per hour (a 5.8% hike), proving that the more gloomy messaging was nearly 50% more effective on supermarket shoppers.

“As far as we know, this is the first study comparing happy and sad expressions on bananas separated from their bunch to look at the impact on sales,” said University of Bath’s Lisa Eckmann, a co-author of the study. More of this article (green queen) - link - more like this (fruit) - link - more like this (food waste) - link

(NAT) LABOUR BACKS WASPI (BEFORE BEING ELECTED)

Eight times Labour figures showed backing for Waspi compensation; several senior Labour figures have been called out on social media for previously showing their support for Waspi women.

It comes after the UK Government announced it would not be paying any compensation in a statement from Liz Kendall on Tuesday afternoon. The move has been met with widespread fury with Stephen Flynn calling for a vote in the House of Commons.

Keir Starmer

Images have been shared of the now-Prime Minister pictured at Scottish Labour conference in 2021 with two Waspi campaigners. In the image, he’s holding a sign which supports “fair and fast compensation”. More of this article (The National) - link - Women Against State Pension Inequality - link - WASPI website - link - more like this (Starmer) - link

(UKP) OFFENCE AGAINST A SHOPWORKER

Following an increase in violence towards shopworkers, the government has announced it will create a new specific offence of assaulting a shopworker.

This Insight looks at the background to the government’s announcement, including the rise in violence and abuse towards shopworkers, existing criminal offences and the calls for a specific offence.

How often are shopworkers assaulted?

In 2024, the Home Office’s annual Commercial Victimisation Survey found that 12% of retail premises in England and Wales had experienced assaults or threats against employees or customers in the previous 12 months.

According to the British Retail Consortium’s 2024 Crime Survey, there has been a “massive increase in violence and abuse” towards shopworkers, with respondents recording 475,000 incidents in 2022/23. This is a 50% increase on the 316,000 incidents recorded in 2021/22 and a 206% increase on the 154,760 incidents recorded in 2020/22.

While most of these incidents were verbal abuse, respondents recorded 41,000 violent incidents; equivalent to over 100 incidents a day. More of this legislation (UK Parliament) - link - more like this (Reading) - link - more like this (theft) - link

(ECN) THE AIR POWERED CAR - WHAT WENT WRONG

Tata Motors, one of the biggest automobile companies in India, planned in the mid-2000s to change the face of the automotive business by developing an automobile that runs on compressed air.

The idea offered a future of cars without any emissions that could be powered by compressed air, the perfect solution for a world dealing with pollution and higher fuel costs. However, as with many such ambitious projects, the plan did not succeed.

The ambitious vision: Tata’s partnership with MDI

In 2007, Tata Motors unveiled yet another historic deal with Motor Development International (MDI), a luxury firm based in Luxembourg involved in developing automobiles using compressed air.

The design concept was to develop a vehicle powered only by compressed air, thus providing a more environmentally friendly solution than standard gasoline engines. The first press release was followed by great interest, and many people were already picturing themselves in air-powered cars only.

MDI, headed by the former Formula 1 engineer Guy Negre, had already worked on several prototypes, including the MiniCAT, a small city car that runs on compressed air. The idea was radical yet crucial – no toxic emissions and eco-friendly fuel. Tata Motors perceived this as a chance to diversify and change the world auto industry. However, this project had many technical issues right from the word go, and therefore, the following account of events provides an accurate picture of what transpired.

High-pressure air storage was dangerous in a vehicle and demanded strong, costly tanks, making production on a large scale improbable. However, the energy used to compress the air reduced some of the company’s environmental gains.

Technical and logistical challenges: The roadblocks to success

The technical problems of creating a car that could be marketed as being run on air were immense. One of the significant highlighted problems was how to store compressed air.

To have the practical range, the air had to be stored at extremely high pressure, and this required powerful tanks, which were expensive. The cost and the complexity of manufacturing such tanks made the whole project economically unviable. The other big issue was the energy efficiency used in the system. Even though the air-powered engine emitted no pollution (alongside other advantages that made it excellent), compressing air required significant energy. This energy was often generated from non-renewable sources, thus reducing the general environmental returns on the technology.

Another challenge that made the situation worse was logistical. Lack of experience also manifested in delays and high costs associated with establishing capacity for the Nano. The people of the region protested the first location in West Bengal, and after much loss, the company had to move to Gujarat.

The silent demise: Why the air-powered car never took off

However, the reader can surmise that the air-powered car project died slowly. By the end of 2012, the first testing phase was over, but the firm was progressing slowly towards commercial production. The company ceased reporting progress on the particular project, and it was soon lost in the news cycle. There are several reasons why this was a silent death. First, it was doubtful the air-powered car could be economically feasible. Such a short range and lower performance were not enough to compensate for the high costs of the technology.

Moreover, they identified that the availability of EVs provided a better, long-term solution to the issue related to car emissions. Other advantages for EVs entailed by fast tech advancement were more efficient batteries, which afforded better range and performance and were cheaper. More of this article (Econews) - link - more like this (Tata) - link - more like this (air transport) - link

(TST) HYUNDAI EVTOL - 2028 LIFT OFF

A commercial air taxi service backed by South Korean car giant Hyundai can start as early as 2028. Its initial markets could include the US, where an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi prototype is being developed; and South Korea, where Hyundai is headquartered.

However, the expansion of its air taxi services to other countries, including Singapore, will depend on the regulators of the various countries. The latest timeline for the Hyundai electric air taxi was disclosed at a media briefing on Nov 6 in Irvine, California, at the engineering headquarters of Supernal, the Hyundai subsidiary developing the aircraft.

Supernal in January unveiled its S-A2 electric flying taxi, which is a hybrid between a helicopter and light aircraft.

The company has started talking to operators interested in the aircraft and prototype flight testing is scheduled for 2026. This will be followed by certification and delivery of the first units in 2028, Supernal senior director of strategy and commercialisation David Rottblatt said at the briefing.

“It is an ambitious timeline,” he said, but added that it can be achieved with discipline and funding from Hyundai.

Supernal’s aircraft has a pilot and seats for four passengers.

It has a range of about 100km and it can cruise at 190kmh at an altitude of 457m, according to official data on Supernal’s website. It has eight tilting rotors powered by battery packs. Mr Rottblatt said that there are several uses for the electric aircraft.

Operators are interested in the aircraft as an airport shuttle, “so the first and last mile legs of your journey could go from your neighbourhood to your local international airport, or you just get off your flight and then you could take an eVTOL from the airport by just switching gates, and it’ll take you closer to your home”, he said. He noted that there are several companies in the US that have been pioneering the air taxi industry with conventional helicopters and passengers already use the service from downtown Manhattan in New York City to Newark airport or John F. Kennedy airport.

The electric aircraft can also be integrated into the public transportation system for daily commutes within a city, such as in Brazil’s Sao Paulo, where demand for an alternative way to commute is rising. More of this article (The Straits Times) - link - more like this (electric air taxis) - link - more like this (Hyundai) - link - more like this (California) - link

(EUN) THE BEST AIR IN THE WORLD

Concentrations of PM2.5 around the globe. IQAir

Only seven countries in the world met safe air pollution levels in 2023, according to a report by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.

The World Air Quality Report, released earlier this year, draws on data from more than 30,000 monitoring stations in 134 countries, territories and regions. Of these, 124 were found to breach safe levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

These microscopic particles, measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, can be inhaled deep into our lungs and even reach our bloodstreams. They have been linked to heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, increased asthma risk, depression and anxiety, and premature death.

The seven countries that met the safe guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3) or less were Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand.

Puerto Rico, Bermuda and French Polynesia also fell within safe levels.

In Europe, Iceland had the cleanest air, with 4µg/m3, followed by Estonia with 4.7µg/m3 and Finland with 4.9µg/m3. A colour scale was used to indicate pollution levels, with many European countries falling in the green category, denoting levels up to double the safe standard.

Starting with the least polluted, these included Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Denmark, United Kingdom, Andorra, Latvia, Ukraine, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Spain and Russia. European cities have shown improvement since the 2022 report, with 54 per cent classified green in 2023 compared with 39 per cent the year before.

In the yellow category - denoting pollution levels up to three times above the safe standard - European countries included Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Cyprus, Slovenia and Italy. Croatia showed the most progress in 2023 in lowering PM2.5 levels, with the annual average dropping more than 40 per cent compared to 2022. It has achieved this by increasing its use of renewables, which so far make up more than 31 per cent of the country’s energy mix - well above the EU average of 23 per cent.

Croatia has also introduced policies to phase out coal before 2033, reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030, and end deforestation by 2030. In the orange category - up to five times above safe levels - were Moldova, Romania, Albania, Greece, Turkiye, Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia and Herzegovina saw an 18 per cent decrease in PM2.5 levels in 2023 compared to 2022, but remains the most polluted country in the region, followed by North Macedonia - both of which fell in the red category with pollution levels over five times the safe standard.

Iğdır in Turkiye is Europe’s most polluted city, with PM2.5 levels over nine times the safe standard.More of this article (Euro News) - link - more like this (air quality) - link - more like this (Australia) - link - more like this (PM2.5) - link

(REA) LA TO SAN FRANCISCO - ELECTRIFYING (NOT)

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have begun identifying specific government programs that their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would target in the next presidential administration, including California's high-speed rail project.

In 2008, California voters approved a plan to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco via electrified high-speed rail by 2030. Since then, the project's timeline has been repeatedly extended and its budget increased. As with other large infrastructure projects contingent on federal funding, California high-speed rail has been delayed by cronyism, political horse trading, and regulatory inefficiencies (parts of Southern California still haven't completed the necessary environmental reviews to lay track).

What was originally expected to cost $33 billion, 75 percent of which would be paid for by the federal government or private funders, has ballooned to over $128 billion.* In March, the then-CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority told lawmakers that the project would need roughly $100 billion more to be completed.

The project is funded primarily by federal grants and California's cap-and-trade program. Since 2009, it has received nearly $6.8 billion from the federal government. Revenue from the state's cap-and-trade program has generated $6.4 billion for the project, as of November 2023.

Despite 16 years and billions of dollars, high-speed rail in the Golden State has yet to transport a single passenger. With population declines in the state after the pandemic, expected ridership has fallen from 41 million people (2009 projection) to 28.4 million people (2024 projection). Nevertheless, funding for the project continues. The Rail Authority is currently constructing a 119-mile segment of track in the Central Valley, which it hopes to extend to 171 miles and complete between 2030 and 2033. The full 494-mile system was originally expected to be operational by then.

Any spending cuts proposed by DOGE would need congressional approval to be implemented, but there seems to be support in both chambers for ending federal funding for California high-speed rail. In November, Sen. Joni Ernst (R–Iowa) sent a letter to Musk and Ramaswamy recommending that DOGE target several public transit systems in California, including high-speed rail. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R–Calif.) has called the project one of the most wasteful in U.S. history. More of this article (reason) - link - more like this (trains) - link - more like this (USA) - link

(MON) BURNING RAINFORESTS

Biomass energy subsidies in South Korea and Japan are threatening Southeast Asia’s tropical forests, warns a new report by environmental NGOs. Of particular concern is the nascent but rapidly growing woody biomass industry in Indonesia, where rainforests are already being cleared to make wood pellets to be burned for electricity.

The report, published in October by Earth Insight, Auriga Nusantara, Forest Watch Indonesia, Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC), Trend Asia, and Mighty Earth, notes that South Korea received around 62% and Japan 38% of Indonesian wood pellet exports over 2021-2023. During that same period, Indonesian wood biomass export volumes grew by orders of magnitude, rising from a trickle of just over 100 metric tons annually to more than 1,000 times that.

However, Indonesia’s biomass production isn’t only for export. Thanks to the support of Japanese businesses and government institutions, Indonesia has begun burning wood pellets alongside coal in many of its own power plants, a practice known as cofiring, in order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (at least on paper). Plans to further expand in-country biomass use are in the works. Meanwhile, deforestation for biomass projects has already arisen in the country’s Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua regions. More of this article (Mongabay) - link - more like this (rainforests) - link - more like this (biomass) - link - more like this (Indonesia) - link