Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Storage, GHG Emissions  -  September 7, 2024

Weekend Reads: Volvo Rescinds EV Goals; The Rise of Batteries

It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:

Volvo gives up plan to sell only EVs by 2030 (BBC)  Car company Volvo has abandoned its target to produce only fully electric cars by 2030, saying it now expects to be selling some hybrid vehicles by that date. The carmaker blamed changing market conditions for its decision to give up a target it had announced only three years ago.

Fracking led the U.S. to pump more oil than any country in history — here’s what that means for the green energy transition (CNBC)  In August 2024, U.S. oil production hit a record 13.4 million barrels per day. This comes as the Biden administration has led an expansion into subsidies for renewable energy projects through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included $369 billion to combat climate change.

WEBINAR: Unlocking Chiller Plant Efficiency Gains with Digital Twin Technology (Siemens)  Is an underperforming central chilled water system costing you money? Your central plant cooling system can account for more than 50% of your facility's electricity use, so its performance has a significant impact on your bottom line. Unfortunately, many chilled water systems operate far below peak efficiency, often due to flawed system design, deferred maintenance, and inefficient operations. Join this informational webinar with Siemens experts — including real-life case studies — to learn how to address these challenges head-on by optimizing system performance without large capital investments. REGISTER HERE

Batteries are a fast-growing secondary electricity source for the grid (Energy Information Administration)  Utility-scale battery energy storage systems have been growing quickly as a source of electric power capacity in the United States in recent years. In the first seven months of 2024, operators added 5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to the U.S. electric power grid, according to data in the EIA's July 2024 electric generator inventory. 

How 6 heavy-emitting industries are working to decarbonize (World Economic Forum)  Aviation, shipping, trucking, aluminum, cement and concrete, and steel account for around 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which could rise to 50% by 2050 if left unchecked. But today, these six sectors are taking crucial steps to decarbonize through the work of the 99 members of the First Movers Coalition (FMC) and its 13 government partners.

When did the climate crisis begin? (The Conversation)  Earth is not only hotter as a result of all this additional greenhouse gas, it is also getting hotter at a faster and faster rate. Where did it all begin? Figuring that out can tell us who or what is responsible – and what a possible solution looks like.

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