Peter RileyNext wave of batteries sodium-ion bypassing lithium ? https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05122024/inside-clean-energy-sodium-ion-batteries-ev/
#electricvehicles
#batteries #energystorge #lithium #sodiumion
DoomsdaysCWCutting #forests for #SolarEnergy ‘misses the plot’ on #ClimateAction
By Matthew Lynch
July 26, 2024
"As the world grapples with the urgent need to address #ClimateChange, the transition to renewable energy sources is often presented as a silver bullet. Solar energy, in particular, is championed for its potential to reduce #GreenhouseGas emissions and provide a sustainable alternative to #FossilFuels. However, a disturbing trend is emerging: in the quest to establish new solar farms, some regions are cutting down forests, raising questions about whether these actions truly serve the cause of climate action.
The Dilemma of Land Use
"The push for solar energy has led to significant land-use changes across the globe. In some cases, this has meant the clearing of large forested areas to make way for solar installations. Proponents argue that converting forest land into solar farms can produce clean energy and reduce dependency on non-renewable sources. However, this perspective overlooks the critical role that forests play in the global climate system.
"Forests act as vital #CarbonSinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass and soil. When these forests are cleared, not only is this carbon storage capacity diminished, but the act of deforestation itself releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. In essence, the emissions produced by cutting down trees can offset the climate benefits of the solar energy generated on that land for years, if not decades.
#Biodiversity Concerns
"Beyond carbon emissions, cutting forests for solar farms poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Forests are home to a multitude of species, many of which are already endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. The conversion of these habitats into solar farms disrupts ecosystems and can lead to local extinctions. The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, affecting ecosystem services such as #pollination, nutrient cycling, and #water purification, all of which are crucial for human survival.
A Holistic Approach to #RenewableEnergy
"The key to achieving meaningful climate action lies in adopting a holistic approach to renewable energy development. Rather than viewing solar energy installations solely through the lens of energy production, it is essential to consider the #environmental and #social implications of land-use decisions. This includes prioritizing #brownfield sites, such as abandoned buildings, #industrial lands, and degraded areas, where solar installations can occur without harming forests and other critical #ecosystems.
"Moreover, a combination of strategies should be pursued to maximize the benefits of solar energy while minimizing ecological impact. This could involve integrating solar panels into existing structures, promoting community solar projects, and investing in research on #agrovoltaics, which combines #agriculture with solar energy generation. Such approaches can help meet energy needs while preserving #NaturalLandscapes and promoting #biodiversity."
Read more: https://www.thetechedvocate.org/cutting-forests-for-solar-energy-misses-the-plot-on-climate-action/
#SolarFarms #SolarEnergy #RenewablesNow #EnergyStorge #Brownfields #SaveTheForests #IndustrialSites #SolarSundays
Cutting forests for solar energy 'misses the plot' on climate action - The Tech Edvocate
Spread the loveAs the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, the transition to renewable energy sources is often presented as a silver bullet. Solar energy, in particular, is championed for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. However, a disturbing trend is emerging: in the quest to establish new solar farms, some regions are cutting down forests, raising questions about whether these actions truly serve the cause of climate action. The Dilemma of Land Use The push for solar energy has led to significant land-use changes across the […]
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Feds pick #Hanford #nuclear site for massive #SolarFarm
By Conrad Swanson
July 25, 2024
"While Washington struggles to contend with surging demand for electricity, federal officials on Thursday announced plans for a massive solar farm on the Hanford nuclear site.
"The U.S. Department of Energy is negotiating a real estate deal with Chicago-based #HecateEnergy, which would build a solar farm across 8,000 acres of federally owned lands on the heavily #polluted site.
"If built as planned, the project would have the ability to generate up to a gigawatt of renewable energy, and would rank among the largest solar installations in the country. That’s about enough energy to power half of Seattle City Light’s customers during record peak demand.
"The project would also include #battery storage, which is a critical component that allows electricity generated by solar power to be used at times when the sun isn’t shining.
"Producing #RenewableEnergy at the #HanfordSite would mark a substantial new chapter for the land.
"The site covers 560 square miles, nearly half the size of Rhode Island, said Sean O’Brien, executive director of the renewable nonprofit Energy Forward Alliance. For decades, the government made plutonium for nuclear weapons there.
"Despite its history — and contamination — large swaths of the site are not #radioactive, O’Brien said. And local organizations like his and the Tri-City Development Council share a vision for the place to be a national hub of clean energy generation.
"The solar array and battery storage would make up just one portion, albeit a large one, of the site’s renewable energy potential, Reeploeg and O’Brien said.
"The partnership between federal officials and Hecate — representatives for which could not immediately be reached for comment — could sidestep major hurdles these types of massive projects face, said Glenn Blackmon, manager of Washington’s Energy Policy Office."
#SolarFarms #SolarEnergy #RenewablesNow #EnergyStorge #Brownfield #WashingtonState #SolarSundays
