electricity
Newsletter
Credit: Ben Scherjon/Pixabay
India turns to coal amid rising electricity demand
India is increasing its coal usage to meet soaring electricity demands, despite its efforts to expand renewable energy.
In short:
- As demand for electricity rises, India relies heavily on coal, with over 70% of its electricity still generated from coal-fired plants.
- India has increased renewable energy capacity but lacks sufficient battery storage to replace coal during peak demand periods, particularly at night.
- The government's focus on coal is also driven by economic factors, including millions of jobs tied to the coal industry and its related sectors.
Key quote:
"We know the Indian government is serious about its climate commitments. We don’t believe that India will be a front runner in the coal transition."
— Carlos Fernández Alvarez, International Energy Agency
Why this matters:
India's reliance on coal challenges global climate goals, as its energy demands continue to grow rapidly. The situation underscores the difficulty of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy in developing nations with large populations and growing economies.
Related:
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Credit: slidezero/Big Stock Photo
Israel's Gaza war disrupts climate cooperation with Jordan
An ambitious climate deal between Israel and Jordan, known as Project Prosperity, has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In short:
- Project Prosperity aimed to exchange Israel's water surplus for electricity from Jordan's solar farms, but the October 7 Hamas attack halted progress.
- Jordan, heavily affected by regional instability, canceled the deal and is accelerating its own desalination project to ensure water security.
- The collapse of the deal highlights the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on regional cooperation and climate initiatives.
Key quote:
“Why would we collaborate with someone killing us and controlling our resources? How can I collaborate with someone occupying me? Controlling me?”
— Anonymous Palestinian official
Why this matters:
The conflict disrupts not only political relations but also crucial climate cooperation in a region severely affected by water scarcity and climate change. Without such collaborations, effective climate adaptation in the Middle East becomes even more challenging.
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Credit: Shane Rounce/Unsplash
Trump blames Biden for high electricity prices to gain political edge
Former President Donald Trump criticizes President Joe Biden for rising electricity costs, leveraging it as a campaign issue.
In short:
- Trump vows to reduce energy prices and blames Democrats for the current high costs.
- Republicans criticize Biden’s climate policies, linking them to a 20% rise in electricity prices since 2020.
- Experts say short-term electricity prices are more influenced by state regulators and natural gas prices than federal policies.
Key quote:
“They could say we’re just going all in on fossil fuels and to hell with the carbon emissions. That would probably have some effect but relatively small.”
— Severin Borenstein, professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley
Why this matters:
Electricity prices are becoming a significant political issue, with Republicans using them to attack Democratic climate policies. As energy costs rise, voters may become more concerned about the economic impact of these policies.
Be sure to read EHN’s piece:
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Credit: Evgeniy Alyoshin/Unsplash
A simple upgrade could expand the US electricity grid
A straightforward solution could double the capacity of the U.S. electricity grid, enabling a more efficient transition to renewable energy.
In short:
- Replacing old steel power lines with new carbon-fiber ones can double the power capacity without building new infrastructure.
- The new wires, which sag less under heat, could handle increased electricity demands from renewable sources.
- Regulatory changes and federal goals aim to expedite these upgrades, addressing grid congestion.
Key quote:
“This is something that could be a triple win. A win for the electricity system, a win for utilities and a win for consumers.”
— Brian Deese, innovation fellow at MIT
Why this matters:
Upgrading existing power lines with advanced materials is a cost-effective and rapid solution to enhance the electricity grid's capacity. This approach supports the integration of renewable energy sources, crucial for combating climate change and meeting growing energy demands.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Karsten Würth/Unsplash
Opinion: Rethinking utility incentives is key to meeting rising US electricity demands
As electricity demand spikes, a shift from traditional fossil fuel plants to renewable energy sources is critical to avoid compromising U.S. climate objectives.
In short:
- Utilities like Duke Energy plan to build more gas-fired plants to meet rising electricity needs driven by digitalization and electric vehicles.
- Innovative solutions such as virtual power plants and enhanced energy efficiency could meet these demands more sustainably.
- Changes in regulatory frameworks are being tested to incentivize utilities to invest in green technologies.
Key quote:
"We need to electrify everything from cars to appliances to slow climate change, but we won’t be able to reach our climate goals if we power all of those machines with dirty energy."
— Jonathan Mingle, independent journalist and the author of “Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future”
Why this matters:
As demand for electricity increases, the adoption of sustainable practices and regulatory changes could significantly reduce carbon emissions and foster an equitable, modern electric grid.
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Energy storage surge reshapes US electricity landscape
Giant batteries are increasingly used to deliver solar power into the evening and stabilize electricity grids across the U.S., showcasing significant technology growth.
Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich report for The New York Times.
In short:
- California leads with the world's second-largest battery storage capacity, enhancing evening electricity supply without fossil fuels.
- Nationwide, battery storage capacity has expanded dramatically, supporting grid stability and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
- Advancements in battery technology and significant cost reductions have accelerated their adoption, influenced by both government policy and market dynamics.
Key quote:
"What's happening in California is a glimpse of what could happen to other grids in the future."
— Helen Kou, head of U.S. power analysis at BloombergNEF
Why this matters:
Large-scale battery systems are pivotal in addressing one of the longstanding challenges of renewable energy: variability. Solar panels, for instance, produce power only when the sun is shining. But as we push toward a more sustainable grid, balancing supply with demand becomes crucial. Here, giant batteries play a critical role. They not only store excess energy generated during peak sunlight but also help stabilize electricity grids, smoothing out the fluctuations caused by the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy.
Some more good news: Solar power on the rise at US schools.
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Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Winnipeg transit's golden age was electric — its future will be too
As the world looks to reduce carbon pollution, cities like Winnipeg are coming full circle in a return to electric transit.
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