EVs hit price parity, cooling without refrigerants and a nod to Global Wind Day
In this issue:
EVs hit price parity
At least that’s the case in the US where Bloomberg reports the price of the cheapest 300+ mile range EV is now lower than the average US ICE price. With Europe imposing hefty tariffs on imported EVs and Chinese manufacturers desperate to find alternative markets, maybe we’ll see a similar trend soon.
Self-installing wind turbines
We love simple solutions to complex or expensive problems. SenseWind has come up with a solution to negate the need for expensive, specialist cranes to install wind turbines – a standard crane is still needed. The invention involves running a track up the side of the tower. The nacelle is attached to a moving bracket and blades bolted on at ground level. The complete unit then ascends the tower and tips into place at the top, all controlled from the base. The system is also used to lower the nacelle for inspection or maintenance at ground level.
SAF getting tantalisingly nearer
Emirates has just started adding SAF to flights out of Singapore with 3.3 million litres added to its fuelling system in Changi. Currently, Emirates doesn’t fly directly from Singapore to NZ and so we can’t quite say SAF has landed here for commercial flights but that time is getting a bit closer every day.
Is big beautiful?
With wind turbines seemingly getting bigger and bigger there comes a problem of transporting equipment to sites. Bring on the Radia Windrunner, being designed specifically for transporting these mega-blades. If built, it will be the world’s biggest ever aircraft, dwarfing the Antonov An-225, the current record holder. The Windrunner is being designed to be capable of holding blades up to 105m and has the equivalent cargo volume as 12 Boeing 747s. If it does come about, let’s hope it will run on SAF.
Magnetic cooling
An interesting innovation in the cooling space is now being brought to market by German company Magnotherm. The products are based on magnetic cooling avoiding the need for refrigerants. The company claims its technology eliminates direct emissions and is 40% more efficient than existing, refrigerant based systems. Currently active in water coolers and display fridges, the company is also looking at broader commercial applications.
Olympic emissions
The 2024 Olympics are nearly upon us and organisers are aiming to restrict emissions to around 1.58 million tonnes of CO2e over the Olympics and Paralympics, that’s around half the emissions of London and Rio. Policies to help include using 95% existing buildings, 60% plant based food, 100% renewable electricity and even locating the surfing competition in Tahiti because the site is remote, deterring visitors and eliminating travel and building new facilities for spectators.