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Solar panels and wind turbines in the Netherlands.

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Explorer and environmentalist Bertrand Piccard has called for a renewed focus on cutting energy waste, saying it’s “hopeless” to shift to renewables without improving efficiency.

Around three-quarters of the world’s energy is wasted, Piccard told an “IOT: Powering the Digital Economy” panel moderated by CNBC’s Silvia Amaro. This estimate is based on waste “due to inappropriate behaviour and inefficient systems or infrastructures,” he told CNBC separately via email.

Piccard, who is founder and chairman of the environmental non-profit organization Solar Impulse Foundation, said that “we live in a world of waste.”

“So if we try to replace fossil [fuel] energy with renewables without being efficient, without reducing the consumption, it’s hopeless,” he said.

Another issue Piccard highlighted was that some countries only consider wind and solar as alternative renewable energy sources.

Biogas, produced by the breakdown of organic matter such as food, has been “excluded … from the taxonomy” in Europe, he said, and people also forget about geothermal energy, which uses heat from the earth.

Cutting energy waste is key to the transition, environmentalist says

A report published in October by the European Commission showed that while bioenergy continued to be the main source of renewable energy in the EU in 2021 — at around 60% — biogas made up just 10% of this share. Geothermal energy accounted for just 2.7% of renewable energy consumption, while wind power was 13.2% and solar energy was 7.2%. 

“So we focus on producing more, instead of consuming less, and in the production that we want to do, we forget a lot of different types of renewable energies that we don’t take into consideration,” he said.

As a result of these issues, Piccard said there’s a risk that green energy targets could be missed — as well as the opportunity to produce cheaper energy locally.

“So every country wants … energy independence, more competitiveness, and they forget that the only way to reach it is by energy efficiency, and renewables,” he said.

‘Paradox’ of China’s solar panel oversupply

Piccard also discussed the ongoing concerns about the potential oversupply of solar panels from China to the European market.

“It’s a bit of a paradox because the Chinese have killed the European solar industry, but they have saved the world by showing that solar energy can be so [much] cheaper than anything else,” he said.

There have been growing concerns in Europe and the U.S. that a surplus of subsidized clean energy products, including solar panels, from China is making it more difficult for their domestic industries to compete.

Earlier this month, the European Commission launched two investigations into Chinese solar panel manufacturers that it said could have benefitted from “potentially market distortive” subsidies.

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week that she wouldn’t rule out possible tariffs on China’s green energy exports.

It's important to see the positives in China's solar panel influx, environmentalist says

Piccard said it was also important to consider the potential advantages of Chinese solar panels in Europe, however. For example, he said that these panels could be used to generate cheaper electricity in the region, which could then be used to produce hydrogen locally.

“I think, instead of fighting against the obstacle, I think you need to use the situation to see how there will be outcomes on the side of the problem that can that can be beneficial for us,” he said.

Piccard added that when he initiated the Solar Impulse project over 20 years ago, solar energy was 40 times more expensive than it is today. Solar Impulse 2 became the first solar-powered electric airplane to circumnavigate the globe in 2016.

“So I’m sorry, maybe it’s not politically correct but I’m thanking China for the decrease [in] price of solar energy that has given a wonderful push to renewable energies — we would not be at this point without China,” he said.

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Nevada put big battery energy storage where a coal plant used to be

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April 29, 2024

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Nevada put big battery energy storage where a coal plant used to be

Nevada battery energy storage

Nevada utility NV Energy’s largest battery energy storage system sits on a former coal-fired power plant site and will save customers a lot of money.

Swiss-US battery energy storage specialist Energy Vault (NYSE: NRGV) built the 220 MW/440 MWh grid-tied Reid Gardner Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Moapa, Nevada, 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Energy Vault will maintain the system.

The new BESS is on the site of the former 557-megawatt (MW) coal-fired Reid Gardner Generating Station, which was demolished in 2019.

It’s a two-hour energy storage system that stores and dispatches excess wind and solar power. It’s charged and discharged daily and dispatches stored renewable energy at peak consumption hours to help meet demand.

NV Energy CEO Dough Cannon explained to local TV network KTNV:

The hours that [NV Energy] really get concerned about are from about 5 pm to 9 pm. Because what happens, at that point, is the solar energy has really started to ramp off as the sun’s going down. And so, we have often had to go out to the market, the energy market, and buy energy to meet the needs between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Over the last couple of years, on average, we’ve paid $250 a unit of energy during those hours. We look at a project like this, and this can deliver energy for closer to $100 an hour a unit of energy.

The Inflation Reduction Act covered 40% of the project’s $250 million cost. Cannon told KTNV that thanks to the new BESS, the utility’s customers would see a 15-20% reduction in their bills by the end of 2024.

Read more: US, other G7 countries to phase out coal by early 2030s

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –ad*

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Ford just opened orders for its enhanced-range E-Transit

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April 29, 2024

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Ford just opened orders for its enhanced-range E-Transit

Ford E-Transit orders
Photo: Ford

Ford Pro is now taking orders for the newest version of its commercial EV, the E-Transit, with up to 32% more range and faster charge times.

The 2024 E-transit‘s larger 89 kWh battery (up from 67 kWh) provides an estimated range of up to 159 miles. Ford says that makes it capable of new use cases such as refrigerated delivery. 

The enhanced E-Transit also features dual onboard chargers that deliver a 22% faster charge time using Ford Pro’s 80A Series 2 charger and Ford Pro charging software. So, charging at Level 2 brings it from zero to fully charged in just over six hours, making it ideal for overnight charging.

The E-Transit also has improved DC charging, with 176 kW charging capability, up from 115kW. As my colleague Jameson Dow explained in March, “When connected to a suitably quick charger, this means a 2024 E-Transit (low roof model) can get 67 miles of range in 15 minutes, an improvement of 49% over the previous model.” All new E-Transits will have access to Ford’s new NACS adapter in addition to its CCS port.

Ford offers the E-transit in two lengths, three roof heights, three body styles, and up to 487 cubic feet of cargo volume.

The latest iteration of the US’s best-selling commercial EV costs $1,100 more than 2023’s base price. So before destination fees, the 2024 enhanced E-Transit’s price starts at $51,095. But it qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which brings its price down to $43,595, excluding possible state and utility incentives. Ford E-Transit orders can be placed through a Ford dealer.

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – ad*

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Get Blix’s Ultra e-bike with free accessories from $1,399, Anker PowerCore Reserve Power Station $110, and more

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April 29, 2024

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Get Blix's Ultra e-bike with free accessories from ,399, Anker PowerCore Reserve Power Station 0, and more

Kicking off this week’s Green Deals is a new Spring Savings sale from Blix Bikes that is taking up to $700 off its e-bike models and also giving you up to $465 in free add-on accessories, with the Ultra Fat-Tire All-Terrain e-bike hitting a new $1,399 low. It is joined by the return of the Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station to $110, as well as the Bosch Tronic 4000 6.5kW Electric Tankless Water Heater at $158. Plus all of the other green deals that have dropped today or are still hanging on from last week.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Blix Ultra Fat-Tire All-Terrain e-bike hits new $1,399 low with $328 in free accessories

Blix Bikes has an ongoing Amazing Spring Savings sale that is taking up to $700 off its e-bikes and also including up to $500 in free add-on accessories while supplies last. One of the notable standouts is Blix’s Ultra Fat-Tire All-Terrain e-bike for $1,399 shipped, with $328 in free accessories along with your purchase. Down from its $2,099 price tag, today’s deal gives you back a combined $1,028 in savings and lands at a new all-time low, beating out Black Friday prices. Along with the e-bike you’ll also be receiving your free accessories package that includes both a front and rear rack, a cushion for the rear rack, and passenger foot pegs for the rear as well. Blix also offers an additional way to save by using the promo code RIDETOGETHER for $200 off when purchasing two e-bikes together.

The Blix Ultra e-bike is equipped with a 750W geared rear hub motor and your choice between one or two 48V batteries that pushes this e-bike up to max speeds of 20 to 28 MPH and travels a range of 40-80 miles, depending on your choice of battery setup. It offers five levels of pedal-assist with a 12-magnet cadence sensor, and a full digital display that relays real-time information such as battery level, odometer, speedometer, travel distance, pedal assist settings, and also supports Bluetooth connectivity to the Blix app for more comprehensive performance data. It also comes stocked with an integrated LED headlight and a pair of 26-inch fat tires for a smoother ride. Plus, with this deal you’ll also be getting the rear rack that can hold cargo and passengers alike with the added foot pegs should you be bringing another person along with you.

Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station returns to $110

The official Anker Amazon storefront is offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station for $109.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $40 off coupon. Recently fetching $150, with an original $170 MSRP, this device rode its MSRP throughout 2023, with only a few discounts ever occurring – the biggest of which dropped costs to a $119 low. In the new year we saw a drop down to its new list price as the company switched from LiFePO4 batteries to typical models, followed by a drop in price to its new $105 low at the start of last month. Today’s deal comes in as a repeat 27% markdown off the going rate that lands at the second-lowest price we have tracked.

This power station has a 60,000mAh (192Wh) capacity that is tailored for personal use throughout your days rather than powering your camping sites. It sports a compact design of 4.59 inches by 4.59 inches by 8.17 inches and only weighs 5 pounds, making it easy to store and carry. You can even connect it to a solar panel for solar charging on-the-go, taking just 4 hours with a 60W input. It features a built-in retractable light with two brightness modes alongside an S.O.S. button to provide emergency lighting for safety during power outages or other emergency situations. You’ll also get four output ports to cover your personal devices: two USB-As and two USB-Cs. And for protection, you can even get a custom co2CREA Hard Case for $33.

Bosch Tronic 4000 6.5kW Electric Tankless Water Heater now $158

Amazon is offering the Bosch Thermotechnology Tronic 4000 6.5kW Electric Tankless Water Heater for $158.40 shipped. Down from $250, it spent the first half of 2023 keeping between its MSRP and $200. It wasn’t until Labor Day sales that we saw it drop further to its former $160 low, which we didn’t see beaten until March when its fell to the new $154 low. Today’s deal comes in as a 37% markdown off the going rate that gives you a solid $92 in savings and returns costs to the second-lowest price we have tracked. This 6.5kW under-sink tankless water heater is designed to provide an endless supply of instantaneous hot water to one or more commercial/residential sinks. It can be installed in a 360 degree orientation, with its 13-inch by 8.5-inch by 4.5-inch size making it easy to fit in tight under-counter spaces, and its low 0.55 GPM activation flow rate works perfectly for commercial low-flow faucets. It boasts a 96% thermal efficiency rate with no standby heat loss, saving you time, water, and money.

Spring e-bike deals!

Hover-1 Instinct e-bike standing on kickstand with NYC skyline in background, within post for Blix Ultra Fat-Tire All-Terrain e-bike

Other new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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