Angus Taylor & His Multiverse of Madness
I’m not sure if we are traversing a multiverse or working in a Bizarro world, but just reading the take The Australian has put on Angus Taylor’s coal keeper proposal makes my head spin. It is like two different worlds — one ruled by the laws of physics and economics and the other by 1950s ideology and coal-tainted money.
On Thursday, in The Australian (owned by Rupert Murdoch and decidedly pro coal), the front page headline is: “Grid and Bear it: Subsidize Coal.” Evidence that we need to do so comes from the recent experiences of the supposed failure of renewables in Texas and South Australia. These events have already been shown to be failures of fossil fuels, not renewables, but the editorial and reporting staff of Murdoch’s papers do not read those reports.
Graham Lloyd, Environmental Editor, conjectures that moving to higher percentages of renewable input is uncharted waters. The grid will collapse — blackouts and higher prices for everyone. I find it odd that he can use false examples of renewable failure, domestic and international, but cannot look at examples where grids have transitioned successfully without the arrival of the apocalypse. He should look at Portugal and Spain.
People are frightened — especially by the fear mongering of the federal Liberal/National government — and might need the reassurance provided by a coal-fired power station (or 6) kept idle and being paid for capacity, not generation. But are they frightened enough to pay the coal barons the estimated $7 billion it would cost to keep these plants on standby?
Returning to The Australian — the front page mentions all renewables except solar, which is odd, since that is the fastest growing energy provider. It states that the Energy Security Board has recommended keeping the coal power stations alive to keep the prices down. Who is paying the $7 billion then? Santa Murdoch?
The ESB plan was presented to the state’s energy ministers, and news reports seem to indicate that the states were behind it. However, all is not as it seems. Pushback is coming from states and territories, both Liberal and Labor. “I will not support any plan that unnecessarily prolongs the life of expensive and polluting coal and gas power plants,” Austrian Capital Territory Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Rattenbury said. ACT has a Greens/ Labor coalition.
NSW has a Liberal (Conservative) government, but a forward thinking Energy Minister, Matt Kean. The proposed New England renewable energy zone (in NSW) has received enough registrations of interest from investors to build a total of 34 GW of renewable energy and storage projects, four times more capacity than the government was aiming for. They won’t need a sleeping coal generator.
Neither will the rest of the country! Unless of course the sun don’t shine, the wind don’t blow, the dams dry up, and the battery goes flat.
Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash.
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Leading yard operation 3PL YMX Logistics has announced plans to deploy fully twenty (20) of Orange EV’s fully electric Class 8 terminal trucks at a number of distribution and manufacturing sites across North America.
As the shipping and logistics industries increasingly move to embrace electrification, yard operations have proven to be an almost ideal use case for EVs, enabling companies like Orange EV, which specialize in yard hostlers or terminal tractors, to drive real, impactful change. To that end, companies like YMX are partnering with Orange EV.
“This relationship between YMX and Orange EV is a significant step forward in transforming yard operations across North America,” said Matt Yearling, CEO of YMX Logistics. “Besides the initial benefits of reduction in emissions and carbon footprint, our customers are also seeing improvements in the overall operational efficiency and seeking to expand. Our team members have also been sharing positive feedback about their new equipment and highlighting the positive impact on their health and day-to-day activities.”
This Orange looks good in blue
One of the most interesting aspects of this story – beyond the Orange EV HUSK-e XP’s almost unbelievable 180,000 lb. GCWR spec. – is that this isn’t a story about California’s ports, which mandate EVs. Instead, YMX is truly deploying these trucks throughout the country, with at least four currently in Chicago (and more on the way).
“Our collaboration with YMX Logistics represents a powerful stride in delivering sustainable yard solutions at scale for enterprise customers,” explains Wayne Mathisen, CEO of Orange EV. “With rising demand for electric yard trucks, our joint efforts ensure that more companies can access the environmental, financial, and operational benefits of electrification … this is a win for the planet, the workforce, and the bottom line of these organizations.”
We interviewed Orange EV founder Kurt Neutgens on The Heavy Equipment Podcast a few months back, but if you’re not familiar with these purpose-built trucks, it’s worth a listen.
HEP-isode 26
SOURCE | IMAGES: YMX Logistics.
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On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 9 and its “a “rolling living room” pivoting captain’s chairs, Kia gets a go-fast 7 passenger SUV and an updated EV6, while Honda announces plans to start producing solid-state batteries at its new facility in just a few weeks.
We’ve also got big news for American workers – a Minnesota power company is ditching coal for solar while ExxonMobil and LG Chem get to work extracting thousands of tons of lithium out of Tennessee’s soil.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
You can watch the episode, below.
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Read more: Farm-fegnugen? Volkswagen rolls out an electric tractor.
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Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage – one of the US’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants.
The $529 million project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville, features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage.
Vikings Solar-plus-Storage is designed to take cheap daytime solar power and store it for use during more expensive peak demand times, like late afternoons and evenings. The battery storage system can quickly respond to changes in demand, helping tackle critical grid needs.
Vikings leverages provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that support affordable clean energy, strengthen grid resilience, boost US manufacturing, and create good jobs.
The Vikings project has already brought significant benefits to the local area. It employed over 170 people during construction, many local workers, and boosted nearby businesses like restaurants, hotels, and stores. On top of that, Vikings will pay out more than $17 million to local governments over its lifespan.
“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of US renewable energy manufacturing.”
The project includes Tesla Megapack battery systems made in California, First Solar’s thin-film solar panels, and smart solar trackers from Nextracker. San Diego-based SOLV Energy handled the engineering, procurement, and construction work.
San Diego Community Power (SDCP) will buy the energy from the Vikings project under a long-term deal, helping power nearly 1 million customer accounts. SDCP and Arevon have also signed an agreement for the 200 MW Avocet Energy Storage Project in Carson, California, which will start construction in early 2025.
Vikings is named after the Holtville High School mascot, and Arevon is giving back to the local community by funding scholarships for deserving Holtville High students.
Arevon is a major renewable energy developer across the US and a key player in California, with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.
Read more: Minnesota’s largest coal plant goes solar: Sherco Solar comes online
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