Connect with us

Published

on

Temperatures across the Nordic countries and central and eastern Europe are also set to drop to close to or below freezing over the coming days.

Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

LONDON — Temperatures in Northern Europe are expected to fall sharply over the coming days as cold air blows in from the Arctic, posing the first major winter test of the region’s energy grids.

The U.K.’s Met Office on Wednesday issued a number of severe national weather warnings for snow and ice, with temperatures set to fall as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) in some isolated spots by the end of the week.

Temperatures across the Nordic countries and central and eastern Europe are also set to drop to close to or below freezing over the coming days.

The projected cold snap is thought to represent a significant stress test for Europe’s fragile energy market systems.

For several months, European governments have been racing to fill underground storage facilities with natural gas supplies in order to secure enough fuel to keep homes warm during winter.

The latest data from industry group Gas Infrastructure Europe shows the EU’s gas storage is estimated to be roughly 90% full. It comes as Russia has sharply cut gas supplies to Europe throughout 2022 following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in late February and the resulting sanctions.

Energy analysts told CNBC that while Europe’s gas storage levels were in a relatively strong position for winter, southern Germany may be “particularly vulnerable” to freezing temperatures partly due to nuclear outages in France. The U.K. could face problems early next year too if energy exports from the EU fall.

Risk of periodic rationing

Raad Alkadiri, managing director for energy, climate, and sustainability at Eurasia Group, said Europe is “well prepared” for the dip in temperatures, helped by this year’s record buildup of natural gas supplies and the late onset of winter temperatures.

“If the period of freezing temperatures is extensive, there remains a risk that gas demand will need to be curbed further in some parts of Europe through periodic rationing,” Alkadiri told CNBC via email.

The U.K.s Met Office on Wednesday issued a number of severe national weather warnings for snow and ice, with temperatures set to fall as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) in some isolated spots by the end of the week.

Jacob King – Pa Images | Pa Images | Getty Images

Deep-rooted problems with France’s nuclear-heavy energy strategy have raised serious questions about its preparedness for the colder months.

In the event of further curbs, Alkadiri said European capitals would seek to ensure they are skewed to industry and preserving supplies to residential households, “which remain their number one priority.”

Government warnings

The French government last week warned strained tensions in the energy market could lead to power outages and rolling electricity outages in the coming weeks.

Britain’s National Grid chief has previously warned of the possibility that households could face blackouts between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on “really, really cold” weekdays in January and February if gas imports are reduced. This scenario, which is seen as “unlikely,” follows a statement from the U.K.’s energy regulator Ofgem that Britain faces a “significant risk” of winter gas shortages.

In Finland, meanwhile, national grid operator Fingrid has reportedly suggested that the winter ritual of people warming the cabins of their cars before they get in may have to be considered as a luxury in order to minimize strain on the power grid.

The Nordic country’s energy authority also warned earlier this month that the risk of short power outages had increased due to uncertainty in domestic production and foreign imports.

“Energy markets feel a bit like boiling the frog at the moment,” Lukas Bunsen, head of research for Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research, told CNBC via email.

“The situation is quite bad — colder weather or any more unexpected outage could lead to power shortages in France,” he added. “Next to this, high prices are damaging to both industry and consumers.”

Bunsen underlined the point that the situation in Europe is not as bad as it could be, however, citing the 27-nation bloc’s “well filled” gas storage facilities.

Continue Reading

Environment

A wind farm in Texas will help power Rivian’s Adventure Network

Published

on

By

A wind farm in Texas will help power Rivian's Adventure Network

Rivian will power its DC fast-charging network with renewable energy company RWE’s Champion Wind farm in Texas.

The two companies just signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for electricity from RWE’s repowered Champion Wind in Nolan and Mitchell counties, west of Abilene.

The 127-megawatt (MW) Champion Wind is getting new turbine nacelles and blades, which will extend the wind farm’s lifespan. Originally commissioned in 2008, the wind farm is expected to be fully upgraded by mid-2025. When the wind farm is back online, it’ll be capable of generating enough electricity to power nearly 1 billion miles of renewable driving every year for Rivian, or the equivalent of powering 36,000 homes annually in Texas.

This wind power is set to support Rivian’s DC fast-charging Adventure Network with renewable energy. Rivian has set a specific goal to enable 7 billion miles of renewable driving.

Paul Frey, Rivian’s VP of propulsion, charging & adventure products, said, “Champion Wind is a powerful enabler for Rivian drivers to become active participants in building a cleaner grid every time they charge their vehicle. This project shows the potential to meaningfully decarbonize the grid and support a more circular economy through reuse and recovery of existing infrastructure, all while maintaining highly competitive economics.”

Siemens Gamesa is supplying 41 turbines with new nacelles and blades on existing towers. The nacelles and blades are being manufactured in the US. In addition, as part of the repowering project, six new Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 3.1 MW each will also be added to the wind farm.

The decommissioned wind turbine blades from Champion will be repurposed. RWE is working with REGEN Fiber, an Iowa-based company that recycles wind turbine blades to make reinforcement fibers for the construction industry. Those fibers are then used in concrete to add strength and durability, extending the lifespan of infrastructure.

RWE is the third-largest renewable energy company in the US.

Read more: This renewables giant is going to use wooden wind turbine towers


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. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Rivian offers $3k discount to buyers switching from a gas car, with a catch

Published

on

By

Rivian offers k discount to buyers switching from a gas car, with a catch

Rivian is bringing back its “All-Electric upgrade offer” from now until November 30th, but with some changes to the program.

Earlier this year, Rivian offered $1k-$5k off a new Rivian if you trade in an old gas car, from April to June. The offer was available for specific vehicles, and with a sliding discount scale based on which Rivian vehicle you order.

Now the program has come back, but with quite a few changes from the previous version.

As of today, October 31, if you buy a new Rivian R1T or R1S new inventory vehicle from the R1 Shop, you can get a $3,000 discount if you also prove that you own or lease a qualifying gas-powered vehicle.

This is simultaneously simpler, more lenient, and more restrictive than the previous offer, in various ways.

First, the discount is a flat $3k (or $4,100 CAD), rather than having a scale based on what model you order, which is more streamlined.

Second, the discount applies to every gas or hybrid vehicle owner – you don’t have to trade in your vehicle, and you’re not limited to a specific list of vehicles. Just prove that you own or lease a gas car (copy of registration, proof of insurance, etc), and you get the discount.

However, third, it’s more restrictive as to what vehicles you can purchase. The current offer applies only to Rivian new inventory vehicles in the R1 Shop, and excludes demo vehicles, pre-owned vehicles, or custom build vehicles. It also does not apply to Rivian’s base Dual Standard models, but everything else is fair game.

In order to qualify, you need to place your order between today and November 30, and you must take delivery of the vehicle before December 31. Check out all the specifics of the offer on Rivian’s site here.

Electrek’s Take

Rivian is clearly trying to round out its yearly numbers with this offer, as the market for pricy cars is somewhat soft with increased interest rates. It just slightly lowered its annual delivery guidance, now planning to see roughly similar deliveries this year than last.

But its R1 vehicles just got a huge refresh to help the company with costs and to offer new features. The R1S is still one of the most popular high-priced vehicles in the US, and the company’s products earn universal acclaim from owners.

The interesting thing is that Rivian had a similar offer earlier this year, before the refresh, to help clear out inventory of older vehicles. It didn’t see it fit to offer the discount last quarter, perhaps buoyed by the updated model, but after a rough Q3 of deliveries it now brought the offer back.

Rivian is still guiding to reach a slight gross profit in Q4, though we’re sure we’ll hear more about that in its upcoming quarterly earnings next week.

If our coverage of Rivian has helped inform you about the brand, feel free to use our Rivian referral code to get 6 months of free charging or 750 Rivian Rewards points with your purchase.


Charge your electric vehicle at home using rooftop solar panels. Find a reliable and competitively priced solar installer near you on EnergySage, for free. They have pre-vetted installers competing for your business, ensuring high-quality solutions and 20-30% savings. It’s free, with no sales calls until you choose an installer. Compare personalized solar quotes online and receive guidance from unbiased Energy Advisers. Get started here. – ad*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Hyundai Casper EV Cross spotted for the first time with new design upgrades [Video]

Published

on

By

Hyundai Casper EV Cross spotted for the first time with new design upgrades [Video]

Hyundai’s new low-cost EV is getting a bold design upgrade. The Hyundai Casper EV Cross was spotted for the first time in public, revealing new design elements.

Although we knew a rugged “Cross” variant was headed to Europe, this was the first time the domestic model was spotted with an upgraded design.

Hyundai unveiled the Inster EV Cross earlier this month, giving the electric city car an off-road new look.

The Inster EV is Hyundai’s overseas version of its domestic Casper Electric model. In Korea, Hyundai’s Casper EV starts at around $20,000 (27.4 million won). Hyundai said its new EV can be bought for under $8,000 (10 million won) with subsidies.

In Europe, it starts at under $27,000 (25,000 euros). The Cross variant is built for “those looking for an EV with a more adventurous look,” Hyundai said.

Although it offers the same versatility as the standard model, the Inster EV Cross gains rugged design elements, including new front and rear bumpers, black claddings, skid plates, a roof rack, and more.

Hyundai-Casper-EV-Cross
Hyundai Inster EV Cross (Source: Hyundai)

Here’s our first look at the Hyundai Casper EV Cross

After a rugged new variant with the Casper EV logo was spotted in Korea for the first time, a Cross model is expected to debut shortly.

The new video from HealerTV reveals added design elements, including the roof rack and more aggressive black trim.

Hyundai Casper EV Cross spotted for the first time (Source: HealerTV)

The reporter notes that the Hyundai Casper EV Cross has a “much more mechanical and futuristic feel than the existing model.”

It almost appears “robot-like” with an added off-road feel. The Inster EV Cross gets up to 223 mi (360 km) WLTP driving range. In Korea, the Casper Electric is rated with up to 195 miles (315 km) driving range.

Hyundai-Casper-Electric
Hyundai Casper Electric (Source: Hyundai)

Although Hyundai Casper (Inster) EV is not expected to launch in the US, the low-cost model was spotted driving in California for the first time this month.

In the meantime, off-road fans can get in line for Hyundai’s upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which will be available with a rugged XRT trim. The 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT model was also recently caught testing ahead of deliveries.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending