Carbon credits still under scrutiny, clean energy at risk and a global grid
In this issue:
Carbon credits still under scrutiny
Corporate Accountability has just published a new report on the world’s 100 largest carbon offsetting projects and describes 80% as “problematic”, with the main failings being either a good chance of emissions benefits being overstated and/or harm to local communities. Forestry and land use projects are reported as carrying the most grey areas, although other projects didn’t receive a completely clean bill of health. 90% of the problematic projects are in the Global South.
Clean energy at risk
There are lessons to be learnt from a new study by Zurich Insurance on the resilience of clean energy assets. While focused on Europe, many of the lessons are transferable. The report states clean energy assets are substantially more at risk from climate change than the fossil-fuel assets they will replace. The report analysed 25,000 power generation sites across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK with the conclusion that, by 2030, 83% of Europe’s clean energy generation, especially solar power, will be at high risk. Energy storage assets could see even greater exposure, with 92% exposed to high levels of climate risk. The report puts forward several recommendations, most notably:
• Upgrading existing infrastructure to withstand extreme weather
• Incorporating climate stress tests in the planning of new projects
• Embedding resilience into energy infrastructure design
• Improving access to reliable climate risk data
• Creating the right incentives and financial frameworks to support investment
A global grid
That’s the proposition being put forward by a team of researchers from China, Denmark and the US. They suggest solar and wind generation could provide three times the world’s electricity demand in 2050. If countries develop the required capacity independently, they predict US$116.9 trillion (NZ$193trn) of investment will be needed. By concentrating generation in areas with good renewables resources, such as the deserts of Australia and North Africa and Patagonia’s windy plains, and connecting them, there could be a reduction in required installed capacity of 22.1% and a reduction in storage needs of 41.6%, saving US$22.47 trillion (NZ$37trn). While the paper acknowledges this may be a bit tricky from a geopolitical perspective, it doesn’t put forward possible solutions for that thorny issue or for satisfying countries’ concerns over energy security.
Biodegradable, passive cooling
Scientists from Zhengzhou University and the University of South Australia have developed a biodegradable window film that can reduce surface temperatures by over 9C and reduce energy use by 20%. In testing, the film demonstrated cooling power of up to 136 watts per square metre under direct sunlight and thermal conductivity of only 0.049 W/(m·K). The creators claim excellent durability, although it’s unclear quite how long the film will remain effective as it degrades.
Congratulations to the Hutt
Congratulations to Lower Hutt for making it through to the final of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, the only New Zealand city to be named in the list of 50 finalists, from 630 applications. Reaching the final comes with a US$50,000 (NZ$83,000) award to help prototype the submitted idea, being one of the 25 eventual winners will receive US$1,000,000 (NZ$1.65m) to bring it fully to life. Lower Hutt’s application is for assistance in the development of an emergency response system.
Toyota on the turn
Having long proffered hydrogen as a transport solution for light vehicles and, alternatively, focused very much on hybrid solutions, it looks as if Toyota is starting to see the benefit of manufacturing pure EVs. Since its launch in March, its bZ3X model has already become the biggest selling overseas vehicle in China, quickly surpassing the likes of VW, Nissan and BMW. Price probably helps, the base model starts at US$15,000 (NZ$25,000), somewhat cheaper than the bZ4X available in New Zealand, which starts at NZ$57,990. Perhaps we should all knock on the dealers’ doors and ask for a 3.
G&T under threat
If you share the late Queen’s, Churchill’s and Frank Sinatra’s penchant for a quick gin and tonic, your favourite drink is under threat from climate change. Scientists from the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (Scotland) believe climate change is altering the flavour of juniper berries, the foundation of any good gin. The berries already display regional variations in taste and a volatile climate is adding to the variability of flavours, even from the same region, making selection of ingredients more tricky, especially for leading brands chasing consistency.
Did you know ……
Sea slugs steal their energy generating source from their prey? It seems the creatures not only feed on algae, they also reuse their chloroplasts, the tiny organelles the algae use for photosynthesis, in effect making the sea slugs living solar panels who generate their energy from photosynthesis.
