NZ missing in action, firm renewables cheaper than fossil and half price trucking
In this issue:
Where was NZ?
The Santa Marta conference has concluded with high expectations of more national fossil fuel transition roadmaps being published over the next 12 months. 53 nations participated in the event including Australia, Canada, the UK and numerous EU countries. New Zealand was not represented. Media coverage of the conference indicates it was seen as more collegial and productive than COPs. Outcomes included three key workstreams:
- For participants to develop roadmaps to a fossil fuel free future.
- Developing a financial architecture to support the transition away from fossil fuels.
- Developing a fossil fuel free trade system.
The 2027 conference will be co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland.
Firm renewables cheaper than fossil fuels
New renewables have been cheaper than new fossil fuel generation for some time but suffer from that intermittency issue. Not any more. A new report from IRENA demonstrates that in regions of favourable wind and irradiance, wind and solar generation supported by battery storage to provide 24/7 supply are cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. The data, from 2025, indicates firm, levelised cost of electricity from solar plus storage configurations ranges from US$54-$82 (NZ$90-$137)/MWh, compared with US$70–$85 (NZ$117-$142)/MWh for new coal in China and more than US$100 (NZ$167)/MWh for new gas globally. Wind plus storage configurations are slightly more expensive, coming in at US$59-$94 (NZ$99-157)/MWh, still highly competitive against fossil fuels and beating them in many places. Of course with battery prices continuing to fall, the balance will shift even more towards renewables going forward.
Health messaging triggers stronger action
Generating awareness and, even more so, action on climate change is always difficult. A new study from CORE (Climate Opinion Research Exchange) tells us messaging linking climate change to health issues is twice as effective at provoking action as straightforward messaging on climate change. In a study spanning Brazil, India, Japan and South Africa, the survey found 80% of the public were concerned about climate change and 75% made the linkage to health issues.
Cheap, efficient windows
US start-up V-glass has developed a new double glazing system that is just as effective, but substantially cheaper, than gas filled units or triple glazing. According to V-glass, a typical home loses 30% of its heat through its windows and new US window insulation standards can no longer be met by dual configuration systems, including argon filled double glazing. Triple glazed windows can meet the standard but are 50% thicker, 50% heavier, 50% more expensive to manufacture and cost more to install. V-Glass’s solution is a double glazed system with a vacuum between the panes rather than gas. As the vacuum does not conduct heat, the units can have very small gaps and be much thinner and lighter than triple glazed systems.
Storage in a spin
Flywheel storage systems are capable of delivering high power over short durations but often have limited overall storage capacity. US/China start up Qnetic is developing a flywheel based system that will greatly extend the duration of delivery while retaining moderate power levels. The key differences between Qnetic’s and standard flywheel systems is the use of lightweight, high-strength fibre flywheels and a levitation system to reduce friction. The result is a faster spinning flywheel capable of storing more energy. The levelised cost of storage for the system is US$101 (NZ$169) per megawatt-hour, compared with US$164 (NZ$274) for lithium-ion batteries and US$147 (NZ$246) for compressed air systems.
Half price trucking
Diesel prices in China have increased 27% because of the Iran conflict. The price hikes have accelerated the switch to electric propulsion for heavy freight that China was experiencing anyway and sales of heavy EV trucks are up 45% over this time last year, according to a report from Reuters. Perhaps even more telling is that the lifetime costs of EV trucks are around half those of diesel equivalents. EV trucks now take 25% of the market, with reports of 30% in April. Even if diesel prices ease later this year, it seems the EV juggernaut will roll right on.
Did you know …..
On 27th April, every one of the world’s top 50 hottest cities was in India? So, no place in the top 50 for Africa, the Middle East or Australia. The hottest of the hot was Banda with a peak temperature of 46.2C and an average of 40.5C.