Joe Seaman-Graves, urban planner for the blue-collar city of Cohoes, New York, was astonished when he stumbled upon the concept of "floating solar" while trawling the internet. Recognizing the pressing need for cost-effective electricity in his humble town, and constrained by a shortage of vacant land, he noticed the potential of their vast 14-acre water reservoir.

This chance discovery led Seaman-Graves to realize that his reservoir could house a floating solar array that could fully energize the city's public infrastructure and streetlights, leading to an annual financial saving of more than half a million dollars. He had inadvertently uncovered a rapidly scaling, renewable energy solution.

The floating solar industry, following a fast-paced growth trajectory in Asia, is now on the cusp of a significant breakthrough in the United States. The popularity of these water-based solar systems stems not only from their clean energy output and minimal land requirement, but also from their ability to conserve water through evaporation prevention.

Research in Nature Sustainability, published in March, reveals that more than 6,000 cities across 124 countries could meet their entire electricity needs through floating solar. This strategy could also save enough water annually to fill 40 million Olympic-sized swimming pools, highlighting its potential as a viable climate solution.

Zhenzhong Zeng, co-author of the study and associate professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, mentioned that several US counties, especially in Florida, Nevada, and California, have the potential to generate surplus power using floating solar. However, he emphasized the need for an energy mix to ensure round-the-clock power supply.

Floating solar technology is quite straightforward, it involves attaching solar panels to rafts, enabling them to float on water, thereby sparing valuable land for agricultural or infrastructural use. These floating installations reduce evaporation to a bare minimum, offering significant advantages to drought-prone areas like California. The cooling effect of the water enhances the performance of the solar panels, making them more efficient than land-based systems.

Chris Bartle, Director of Sales and Marketing for floating solar company Ciel & Terre, shared that installers are fond of this alternative method, as it provides a refreshing change from rooftop installations. Bartle's firm has successfully completed 28 floating solar projects in the US so far.

Limited available land has encouraged Asian countries like Japan and Malaysia to embrace floating solar technology, while the significant reduction in solar prices globally has further fueled its adoption.

Fairfield Market Research, based in London, estimates that Asia contributes to 73% of the global floating solar revenue but predicts considerable growth in North America and Europe due to policy incentives.

Ciel & Terre has also constructed one of the largest floating solar farms in the US, a 4.8 MW project in Healdsburg, California. However, the world's biggest array is the 320 MW Dezhou Dingzhuang Floating Solar Farm in Shandong, China. North America's largest equivalent is just 8.9 MW, located at the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn, NJ.

Initial higher costs are a challenge for floating solar technology. Bartle estimates an upfront cost of 10-15% more than land-based solar. However, the long-term savings offset these expenses. The technology faces other limitations too, including its inability to function on fast-moving water, open oceans, or shores with large waves.

Simultaneously, efforts are underway to address potential challenges. For example, if the solar arrays cover too much of the water surface, it could alter dissolved oxygen levels and water temperatures, potentially affecting aquatic life. Researchers are examining the possible impact of the electromagnetic fields produced by the underwater cables on aquatic ecosystems.

Meanwhile, Duke Energy, a prominent US utility, is testing a small floating solar pilot in Bartow, Florida, as part of its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In Cohoes, the city officials are gearing up for the installation of their floating solar project this year, with an estimated final price tag of $6.5 million. The federal government is shouldering nearly half the cost through a federal Housing and Urban Development grant, with an additional $750,000 contributed by National Grid, the utility. The city is also exploring New York solar incentives and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Seaman-Graves believes their project is the first of its kind in the US, being municipally-owned. He sees this as a significant opportunity for low to moderate-income cities to emulate their approach, paving the way for a sustainable future.

Source : wspa.com (Reporting by ISABELLA O'MALLEY)

In the land of the rising sun, Japan, the beach season is in full swing, signaling a surge of seafood-loving holiday-goers and prosperity for local businesses. However, a looming issue in Fukushima threatens to put a damper on this festive period.

In a few short weeks, the once devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, hammered by a tsunami years ago, is anticipated to commence discharging treated radioactive wastewater into the ocean. This controversial plan continues to incite powerful demonstrations both within and beyond Japan's borders.

The folks of Fukushima harbor concerns that this water discharge, a haunting echo of the nuclear calamity from 12 years ago, might further tarnish the region's reputation and consequently, negatively impact their livelihoods and businesses.

Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old host at Usuiso beach in Iwaki, a quaint town situated roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the south of the plant, shared his concerns, "I rely on a clean, thriving ocean to make ends meet". Unfortunately, the government remains tight-lipped about the precise commencement date for the water release.

Although officials downplay the potential fallout, claiming it may be restricted to mere rumors, the impact on the local economy remains ambiguous. Amid this uncertainty, the locals are left feeling "shikataganai", a term signifying helplessness.

Suzuki has voiced a request to the officials to postpone the plan until the end of the swimming season in mid-August.

He lamented, "Regarding the water release, I stand against it. But I feel powerless to halt it since the government has unilaterally drafted the plan and is set to implement it, irrespective of my opinions." He added, "To release the water while folks are enjoying their swim seems wholly inappropriate, even if there's no immediate harm."

He anticipates that his beach will lie in the trajectory of the treated water, carried south by the Oyashio current off the Fukushima Daiichi coast. This spot, where the cold Oyashio current merges with the warmer Kuroshio heading north, is a fertile fishing territory.

The government and the power plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), have been grappling with the colossal volume of contaminated water amassed since the nuclear catastrophe in 2011. They have indicated intentions to dispose of it into the ocean during the summer.

Their strategy involves treating and diluting the water with over a hundred times the seawater volume, before discharging it into the Pacific Ocean via an undersea tunnel. They argue that this approach surpasses national and international safety standards.

Source : hawaiitribune-herald.com (Reporting by Mari Yamaguchi)

CALIFORNIA, Sacramento – It's good news for California this summer as the state's regulators anticipate a reliable flow of electricity, thanks to a significant boost in power storage and a healthy rainfall that has rejuvenated hydroelectric power plants previously silenced by drought.

Typically, the Golden State, the most populated in the U.S., comfortably produces ample electricity to meet the demands of its over 39 million residents. However, the power grid becomes stretched during severe heatwaves when everyone cranks up their air conditioners simultaneously.

In August 2020, such a heatwave overwhelmed California's power grid, leading the state's top three utilities to cut power to hundreds of thousands of homes for several hours over two days. Similar circumstances occurred in 2021 and 2022, pushing the state to its limits again. In response, state officials successfully mitigated blackouts through public conservation efforts and by utilizing emergency gas-powered generators.

The power grid's strain was compounded by an intense drought that depleted reservoirs to perilous levels, restricting water flow through hydroelectric power plants. The situation became so dire in 2021 that officials had to close a hydroelectric power plant at Lake Oroville, capable of powering 80,000 homes.

Fast forward to this year, and a turn of the weather has brought much-needed relief. Winter storms have replenished California with substantial rain and snowfall. Moreover, by September 1, an additional 8,594 megawatts of power from wind, solar, and battery storage will be introduced, according to Neil Millar, the Vice President of Transmission Planning & Infrastructure Development for the California Independent System Operator.

To put this in context, one megawatt of electricity can power about 750 homes. 

“I am thrilled to announce that we are in a significantly better position compared to the beginning of 2022,” said Siva Gunda, Vice Chair of the California Energy Commission.

California's attempts to power the state during intense heatwaves have proven challenging for Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. His efforts to transition the state from fossil fuels to sources like wind and solar has faced difficulty as these energy sources are not always readily available.

To prevent blackouts during such high-demand periods, Newsom and the state Legislature allocated $3.3 billion to form a “strategic reliability reserve." This fund extended the operational lifespan of several gas-fired power plants slated for retirement and financed large diesel-powered generators. This reserve proved its worth last September when a severe heatwave caused a record demand for electricity, contributing up to 1,416 megawatts of energy.

However, the reliance on this reserve contradicts the state's goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045. The state's non-fossil fuel energy dropped to 59% in 2021 from a peak of 64% in 2019, largely due to the drought's impact on hydroelectric power production.

California is forging ahead with solar power storage, a promising method of capturing energy during daylight hours for use at night. Gunda stated that by June 1, the state should have approximately 5,000 megawatts of battery storage capacity, a substantial increase from just 250 megawatts in 2019.

On Thursday, Newsom took a tour of a battery manufacturing plant and expressed enthusiasm for his updated plan to streamline the permitting process for new clean energy projects.

“I firmly believe the key is to go big, go bold, and overcome any obstacles that stand in our path,” Newsom stated.

However, despite these positive outlooks, officials caution that unpredictable weather and wildfires, which could disrupt vital power transmission lines, still pose a risk. In such circumstances, a “flex alert” may be issued, urging residents to conserve energy.

California Public Utilities Commission President, Alice Reynolds, stated, “Although we hope for the best, people should be prepared for the possibility of a flex alert. We’re dealing with extreme heat and unpredictable events that are challenging to manage.”

Source : clickondetroit.com

NEW YORK, July 28 - An optimistic streak ran through the oil market on Friday as oil prices climbed, marking the fifth consecutive week of gains. Investors believe robust demand and trimmed supply will help maintain a healthy market environment.

Enthusiasm in broader financial circles has been kindled by a growing sense that key institutions, like the U.S. Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, are nearing the closure of policy tightening drives. This change may bolster the global growth perspective and enhance energy demand.

The OPEC+ alliance's recent supply reductions have reinforced both oil standards, contributing to an approximately 5% increase over the week - the fifth successive weekly rise. Both standards are poised to attain an over 13% increment for the month.

Brent crude finished 75 cents up, settling at $84.99 per barrel, while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surged 49 cents, ending at $80.58 per barrel.

Investors briefly pulled back after WTI broke the $80 per barrel barrier, leading to a momentary drop of about $1 in both standards, according to Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group.

Sentiments of strong demand got a shot in the arm on Thursday following a higher than projected 2.4% growth in U.S. second-quarter GDP, endorsing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's optimism about a possible "soft landing" for the economy.

Investor sentiment is coalescing around the likelihood of peak rates drawing near, while the chances of the U.S. dodging a recession seem to be on the rise, remarked Tamas Varga, PVM analyst.

Surprisingly sturdy performances from some of Europe's top economies in Q2 were revealed in Friday's fresh data, despite signs of impending weakness as manufacturing struggles and services decelerate.

Concurrently, Chinese authorities have committed to bolstering stimulus tactics to energize the post-COVID comeback, following a slow Q2 growth rate in the world's second-largest economy.

Exxon Mobil's chief, Darren Woods, declared in a Friday interview his expectation of record-breaking oil demand for this year and the next.

In terms of supply, the number of U.S. oil rigs dipped to 529 this week, the lowest since March 2022, according to energy services company Baker Hughes. This data hints at prospective supply patterns.

Tightening indications, such as dwindling U.S. stockpiles and Saudi Arabia's voluntary curtailment of 1 million barrels per day, are becoming more pronounced, noted Commerzbank analysts, suggesting that OPEC's oil production this month could have slumped to its nadir since autumn 2021.

Analysts anticipate Saudi Arabia extending their voluntary oil production reduction into September, lending extra buttress to the oil market.
Report by Stephanie Kelly in New York, with Natalie Grover in London, Laura Sanicola in Washington, and Andrew Hayley in Beijing contributing; Edited by Deepa Babington and Kirsten Donovan.

Source ; Reuter (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly)