Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  August 18, 2018

Weekend reads: EIA challenges Trump; Jetsons challenge Flintstones

It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these must-read energy stories from around the web:

EIA Data Undermines Trump’s Love Affair With Coal & Nuclear (Clean Technica)  A handful of reports published over recent weeks by the US Government’s own Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) have revealed that coal and nuclear continue their decline across the country, while renewable energy continues to surge with longevity which will quickly take it out beyond the reach of the United States’ traditional generators. So far this month, the EIA has published its “Electric Power Monthly” report and its “Short-Term Energy Outlook” for August, while FERC published its “Energy Infrastructure Update.” 

Formula 1 Open to Going Electric, But Formula E Would Protest (The Drive)  Formula 1's technical director Ross Brawn revealed that the racing series could eventually go all-electric, but that he would wait until the technology advances enough to make the racing exciting. However, it could prove challenging since Formula E has exclusivity in the electric racing realm within FIA. "I think Formula 1 will evolve in the direction that has the right balance of sport, relevance, and engagement with the fans," stated Brawn in a video on F1 Fan Voice.  

The world’s biggest solar power plants (Power Technology)  Declining manufacturing costs and increasing public awareness of environmental dangers means that solar is one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy. Solar capacity has nearly quadrupled over the last five years, rising to nearly 400GW by the end of last year and contributing to nearly 20% of global power growth in 2017. But where are the biggest solar power plants? The nations pulling ahead in the sunny sector are China and the US, which together make up two-thirds of the global growth in solar power. 

Why the future of the power grid depends on giant batteries (The Verge)  Say “battery,” and most people think of the device that powers our phones, our laptops, and — maybe if they’re being ambitious — our electric vehicles. But it’s time to think bigger: at their core, batteries are simply a way to store energy, and, with some creativity, they’re capable of powering electric vehicles, houses, and entire cities. There’s the Tesla batteries acting as backup for a wind farm in Australia. There’s PG&E building the world’s biggest battery in California to store electricity for its grid. And there’s the $3 billion project to turn the Hoover Dam into one big battery. 

Flintstones-Jetsons Song Mashup Powers New Electric Vehicle Awareness Ad (Ad Age) The Jetsons and Flintstones are getting back together again—or at least their theme songs are. The soundtracks of the two classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons are featured in a new ad seeking to raise awareness of electric vehicles. The spot, by Deutsch, is part of the first national campaign by Electrify America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America. The group, created in 2016, is overseeing a 10-year, $2 billion investment on zero emissions vehicle technology and awareness. 

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