Important Innovations

  Global Pursuit of Zero Emissions Driving                          Source:  Tshwane University of Technology Unique Solar Car Technology From a University Faculty and students at South Africa's Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have invented a fourth-generation solar car, called Sunchaser 4. They have been developing this innovative piece of green technology since 2014.  Sunchaser 4 is successfully being driven to locations around Africa to showcase the power of solar driving technology and to get young people, particularly school children, excited about the valuable applications of renewable energy.  The very unusual looking and uniquely designed vehicle is currently being showcased in Namibia. The vehicle has won international awards and delivers the longest distance and lowest energy use of any solar car in Africa.  Sunchaser 4 is yet another example of the global pursuit of zero emissions, solar powered vehicles that travel in harmony with nature, instead of contaminating

California Institute of Technology's New Space-Based, Solar Energy Generating System                             Caltech space-based solar power system                                                                                 Wireless Power Transfer                                                                                  Photovoltaics                                                       Source:  Caltech Ultralight Structures $100 Million Donation Helping to Fund the Research Researchers at California Institute of Technology are preparing to test what they call a "breakthrough" space-based, solar power generating technology system that would beam solar energy to Earth.  Caltech and its Space-based Solar Power Project have received a $100 million donation from Caltech Board of Trustee member and Chairman of the Irvine Co. Donald Bren to fund the research.  The technology that they are preparing to test is phenomenal.  It aims to ultimately produce a global su

Caltech's Solar Power System For Earth From Space                             Caltech space-based solar power system                                                                                 Wireless Power Transfer                                                                                  Photovoltaics                                                       Source:  Caltech Ultralight Structures $100 Million Donation Helping to Fund the Research Researchers at California Institute of Technology are preparing to test what they call a "breakthrough" space-based, solar power generating technology system that would beam solar energy to Earth.  Caltech and its Space-based Solar Power Project have received a $100 million donation from Caltech Board of Trustee member and Chairman of the Irvine Co. Donald Bren to fund the research.  The technology that they are preparing to test is phenomenal.  It aims to ultimately produce a global supply of affordable, renewable energ

 Advanced, Solar Powered EV   by Humble Motors of California                                             Source:  Humble One Highly Advanced Solar Car Technology California based Humble Motors has a goal to build a future of off-grid vehicles.  Their first entry is the Humble One solar electric car concept.  The solar technology they are using in this EV is breakthrough.  And, the elegant styling and fast speed of the Humble One are impressive. Sun Powered Driving There are 80 square feet of photovoltaic cells built into the roof of the EV.  The Humble One has solar array wings that can fold out to soak in the sun while it is parked.  And there are electricity generating sidelites along the EV's exterior sides.  There is also a regenerative braking system that sends back energy to the vehicle. Fully Solar Powered The Humble One is an EV that is fully solar powered, with zero emissions and totally sustainable. The solar technology features on the EV, like the solar wings, add from 1

One of the World's Largest Floating, Hydro-Solar Energy Systems                                   Source:  Thailand's Electric Generation Authority Floating Renewable Energy on a Dam On a reservoir in northeast Thailand, nearly 145,000 solar panels are being installed to complete one of the world's largest floating hydro-solar hybrid energy systems on a reservoir/dam.  Backing it up are seven solar farms covering 300 acres of water.  Thailand has been criticized for its reliance on fossil fuels.  The government of Thailand is now changing the nation's energy mix.  The Thai government and the state run Electric Generation Authority are promising 8 more renewable energy dam projects over the next 16 years.  They will generate 2,725 megawatts of energy. Transitioning to Renewables Thailand has long relied on coal for its energy.  By 2037, it is targeting 35% of its energy coming from renewables. Thailand is developing a hybrid system of continuous power generation between

  President Joe Biden Pledges Aggressive Action on Climate Change                                                                                                  Source:  The White House White House Virtual Climate Summit on Earth Day At the White House Virtual Climate Summit, President Joe Biden pledged to cut US greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.  The pledge will require massive changes and breakthrough renewable energy innovations for the US energy and transportation industries. President Biden says it is absolutely necessary and doable.  Biden made the pledge before more than 40 government leaders from around the world at his virtual, 2 day Leaders Summit on Climate, designed to demonstrate that the US is once again a strong force in the fight against Climate Change.  The previous Administration scoffed at Climate Change, withdrew from the Paris Accords and derailed efforts to fight global warming.  One of President Biden's first acts as President was to rejoin the Pari

Uber's Major Commitment to EVs and Hybrid Vehicles For 0 To Low Emissions                                        Source:  Uber Electric Vehicles More Than 1400 Cities in North America Involved Ride sharing company Uber is expanding its electric car and hybrid vehicle ride service.  It will be offered in more than 1400 cities in North America.  The cities include Miami, New York City, Washington, DC, Houston, Tucson, Calgary and Winnipeg.  The company says drivers can rent zero emissions vehicles through their partner Avis.  The service is available in Los Angeles but it is being rolled out nationally this year. Green Goals By 2040, Uber wants all of its vehicles in its global ride sharing service to be electric.  It is also contributing through 2025 $800 million as incentives to help drivers switch to electric vehicles.  This Green Trips program includes discounts on electric vehicles bought or leased through Uber partner automakers.  Uber is clearly encouraging drivers to take gre

  First Offshore Wind Farm Auction In a Decade                                       Source:  UK Offshore Wind Farm BP, Total and RWE Are Big Winners The United Kingdom has just held its first major wind farm lease auction in more than a decade.  A total of six projects proposed by BP, France's Total and Germany's RWE were successful bidders.  The projects will generate 8 gigawatts of capacity which would be enough electricity to power 7 million homes. By 2030, Britain plans to generate one-third of its electricity from offshore wind.  This is part of its effort to be carbon neutral by 2050. Global Wind Power is Ramping Up Countries around the world are building green energy projects such as offshore wind farms to slow global warming and abide by the Paris Climate Accords.  The government of South Korea announced yesterday that it is investing $43.2 billion to build the world's largest offshore wind farm by 2030.  Right now, Britain has the largest offshore wind market with

  South Korea Investing $43.2 Billion in Offshore Wind Farm                         Source:  Stock Image of Offshore Wind Farm South Korea's Green Eco-Environmental Recovery   South Korea is investing $43.2 billion to build the world's largest offshore wind farm by 2030.  This is a big part of the South Korean government's effort to rebuild its economy from the COVID-19 pandemic through building environmentally friendly big projects.  The green economic recovery effort is SK President Moon Jae-in's Green New Deal. Global First The size and scope of this offshore wind project is a global first. It  will have a capacity of 8.2 gigawatts.  Through this major offshore wind project, the South Korean government says that it is accelerating its eco-friendly energy transition and moving toward carbon neutrality by 2050.  South Korea is a major, global innovation hub and it is Asia's #4 largest economy. Big Power Source The offshore wind farm will boost the nation's wind

  Prime Minister Suga's Green Growth Strategy                                                                 Source:  Tokyo Traffic                                                  Source:  Tokyo Highways Reaching New Zero Emissions  Japan has very ambitious green, zero emissions plans.  It plans on eliminating gas powered vehicles within 15 years or by 2035.  It also wants to reach net zero carbon emissions and achieve $2 Trillion a year in green growth by 2050.  The sales of gas powered car would be replaced by electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell cars.  To spur electric vehicle sales and reduce EV costs, the government wants battery costs to be cut in half. Prime Minister Suga's Green Growth Strategy The moving force behind the green energy plan is Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and his Green Growth Strategy.  The plan heavily relies on the hydrogen and automotive industries.  His targets to hit zero carbon emissions are bold. The Prime Minister has made green investments

  Hydrogen to Power Cars, T rucks, Boats and Trains                                                  Source:  Hyundai Hyundai's New HTwo Hydrogen Powertrain Hyundai recently unveiled some key components of its strategy for the future, including hydrogen powered vehicles.   Hyundai has unveiled its new hydrogen fuel cell powertrain HTwo.  It stands for hydrogen's molecular structure H2.  HTwo will be the hydrogen powertrain for Hyundai's next generation fuel cell vehicles.  And Hyundai wants cars, boats, trains and future large scale vessels to be powered by HTwo.  Hyundai's ultimate goal is to seriously fight climate change as hydrogen is emissions free.  The South Korean company is currently prioritizing increased energy density and affordability of its hydrogen powered vehicles. Flying Hydrogen Taxis Hyundai is also focusing on urban air mobility vehicles or flying taxis.  It is aiming to power flying taxis with its HTwo powertrain, which would make them green, clean

  Big Bucks to Back Green Energy & Climate Projects                               Source: Renewable energy stock image "Green Roadmap" to Greener Environment Europe is putting big money behind its .commitment to a greener future.  European Union governments have approved $1.2 trillion in funding, which they call a "green roadmap" for the European Union's lending.  This new funding plan will stop financing of fossil fuel projects and move the lending over to green projects, such as renewable energy.  It's the European Investment Bank's Climate Bank. $1.2 Trillion For This Decade The $1.2 trillion in funding will be spent by 2030.  All the financing activity will be in sync with the Paris Climate Accord goals. Projects particularly in focus are those related to climate, biodiversity and sustainably focused projects.  The European Union has stated on many occasions that it desires to "lead on the fight of Climate Change" and play a leading rol

  European Union May Vastly Expand Wind Power Capacity                                  Source:  German Offshore Wind Farm 2030 and 2050 Green Goals For the European Union, energy produced by wind power generation is now cheaper than that produced by fossil fuels.  As a result, the EU is considering a huge investment in offshore wind power technology and infrastructure. The nearly $Trillion investment is aimed at creating five-times or 60 gigawatts of offshore wind generated energy by 2030.  The current level is 12 gigawatts.  By 2050 the EU is targeting 300 gigawatts.  They are also targeting 60 gigawatts of wave and tidal energy by 2050. Massive Renewable Energy Agenda These renewable energy goals are unprecedented and would require a major change of scale for the energy sectors of the 27 nation European Union.  The cost is estimated at $937 billion.  The EU plan is still being worked on and should be finalized by mid-November.  If put into action, it will result in a five-fold incre

  Germany's Innovative New Sources of Green Energy                             Source: Renewable Energy stock images 2020 Record Year for Renewable Energy In Germany Germany's prestigious Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has determined that 2020 is a record year for renewable energy production and use in Germany.  Renewable energy sources equalled 53% of national public electricity production from January to October 2020 in Germany.  Last year in the same period, 46% of energy in Germany was from renewable sources.  The acceleration in renewable energy sources is historic and it demonstrates Germany's commitment to a green, carbon free future.. Solar Energy is Dominating as a German Energy Source According to German Energy Provider Eon, solar energy has provided 43 billion kilowatt hours of electricity into Germany's national grid in 2020.  That's 1 billion kilowatt hours more than in 2019. Solar energy in Germany is now covering the electricity n

  Next Generation of Renewable Energy Source:  Virtual Power Plant stock images Homes, Working Together, Forming a Virtual Power Plant The concept of virtual power plants is compelling and already in practice.  The plant consists of homes powered by solar panels working together and turning neighborhoods into virtual power plants that can feed excess energy back to the grid.  These virtual power plants are already deployed in locations around the world such as public housing in South Australia and apartment complexes in Utah and California.  It's the next generation of solar power technology.  At some point in the future, virtual power plants may consist of fleets of electric vehicles. Gaining in Popularity Virtual power plants are gaining in popularity for a number of reasons.  They are a promising, green replacement for aging electricity infrastructure and their power plants powered by polluting fossil fuels.  Virtual power plants can distribute energy over a much wider area and

Green Hydrogen Trains from Siemens Energy & Siemens Mobility Source:  Stock Image of Hydrogen Trains Green Sustainable Energy and Green Travel Newly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Siemens Energy has signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Siemens Mobility to jointly develop and sell hydrogen systems to power trains.  This is another new and important example of the hot and expansive development of hydrogen fuel cell technology.  The two companies have several goals.   They want to standardize the technology for fully hydrogen powered trains made by Siemens Mobility.  They also want to sell the technology to external companies to promote the "hydrogen economy of Germany and Europe". Smart Green Linkage Siemens Energy is developing green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable sources like wind and solar power.  Siemens Mobility specializes in transportation and is still part of the parent company Siemens.  Siemens Energy was spun off from the parent in

Secret Battery Breakthrough Teased by Elon Musk Source:  Tesla manufacturing line Tesla's Expected, New Low Cost, Long Lasting EV Battery Tesla has a secret battery, that is low cost, long life and will power Tesla's Model 3 electric sedans in China later this year.  The battery is so revolutionary it's expected to bring down the cost of electric vehicles to that of gas powered cars.  It's a breakthrough piece of e-battery technology that essentially reconfigures the math of pricing EVs.  It's also said to allow EV batteries to have second and third lives. Elon Musk's Electric Agenda CEO Elon Musk has been teasing investors and his rivals about the battery, promising to hold a "Battery Day" to detail it in late May.  There are many parts to Musk's electric agenda. He wants low-cost batteries that go for a million miles.  He also is positioning Tesla as a global electric utility. It is already the global leader in electric v

Based On Photosynthesis in a Leaf, Artificial Photosynthesis Source" stock image of leaves in the Sun Lawrence Berkeley National Lab The new technology is an artificial version of photosynthesis.  It's a dreamed-for renewable energy technology that top scientists and engineers have been chasing for decades.  Artificial photosynthesis has just been achieved by a team of scientists at the renowned Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in California. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the sunlight-driven, chemical reaction process that leaves and algae use to convert CO2 into cellular fuel.  Led by scientist Heinz Frei, the Berkeley Lab team has developed an artificial photosynthesis system.  It's composed of nano-sized tubes capable of all of the key steps in fuel generation. Big Green Deal This new green, renewable energy technology is a very big deal.  The new technology has the potential to generate vast amounts of renewable energy by using the CO2 i

British Petroleum Goes Green - "Reimagining Energy" Commitment Source:  BP Aggressive Commitment to Eliminate or Offset Carbon Emissions Big oil is at the epicenter and the primary cause of global climate change.  So it is major news when the British oil giant BP promises to eliminate or offset all carbon emissions from its operations and from the products it sells globally by 2050. This is the most radical strategic position that BP has taken in its 111 year global oil and gas history. They call their commitment "Reimagining Energy". The question being asked by many around the world is:  How is BP going to do it? Huge Amounts of Carbon Emissions Yearly The amount of toxic carbon emissions that BP is committing to eliminate is huge.  Every year, 55 million metric tons of carbon emissions spew into the atmosphere from BP operations. That amount is dwarfed by carbon emissions from BP customers using their energy products.  Global BP produ

Green Tech Investments Up 28% in US 2019, a Record Source:  Wind, Solar Energy Stock Image Wind and Solar Lead the Way Despite the Trump Administration's views on Climate Change and renewable energy, US companies broke records in their investments in green technology in 2019.  Investments hit $55.5 billion, which is up 28%.  That catapulted the US to second place in renewable energy investments behind China, whose financial bet on renewables fell 8% to $83 billion. Clearly, China remains the far ahead leader in pushing renewables.  Europe's renewable energy investments fell 7% to $54 billion, right behind the US. Interestingly, Brazil's financial investment soared by 74% to $6.5 billion.  The data was collected by Bloomberg. New Green Energy Technologies The big investment push in the US for new renewable energy technologies and expansions is by wind and solar energy companies.  They're rushing to qualify for federal tax credit that end later this year.  The