Energy

As Trump Shutters US Offshore Wind, Asia’s Renewables Promise Cheaper Manufacturing, Trade Surpluses

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Trump has halted the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from granting new offshore wind licenses. This move will gut the growing US offshore wind industry, though it does not necessarily affect already-granted licenses. Gavin Maguire at Reuters explains the outcome of this policy will be high energy costs for Americans, […]

China

China dominates Middle East Solar Sector as Trump hobbles Renewables in US

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Chinese firms dominate the manufacture of photovoltaic solar panels, accounting for 80% of the global market (along with most elements of the supply chain). Volumes in China’s solar sector, including panels, batteries and EVs, expanded by a third in 2024, even though panel prices had plummeted. The Chinese will, however, […]

Donald Trump

Trump’s offshore Wind Energy Freeze: What States lose if the Executive Order remains in Place

The Conversation

By Barbara Kates-Garnick, Tufts University (The Conversation) – A single wind turbine spinning off the U.S. Northeast coast today can power thousands of homes – without the pollution that comes from fossil fuel power plants. A dozen of those turbines together can produce enough electricity for an entire community. The opportunity to tap into such […]

Climate Crisis

China’s Wind and Solar Soar by 357 Gigawatts, as Trump Mires us in backward, Planet-Wrecking Fossil Fuels

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – President Trump’s attempt to derail the wind and solar industries in the United States in favor of dirty fossil fuels is a threat to the health of the planet, of course. But it is also a threat to the US economy. Fossil fuels are sources of short term profits. As […]

Donald Trump

How Fossil Fuel Billionaires Are Cashing in on Trump

OtherWords

Fossil fuel billionaires are being rewarded for investing in Trump’s campaign. By Chuck Collins | – ( Otherwords.org ) – As he left office, President Biden warned of an emerging oligarchy in this country — rule by and for a small number of wealthy people and corporations. After donating heavily to President Trump’s campaign, the […]

Featured

New Solar Installations double to 24.5 Gigawatts in 2024 in India — World’s 5th Largest Economy

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – India installed 24.5 new gigawatts of solar power in 2024, along with 3.4 gigawatts of new wind. That represented a doubling of solar installations over 2023. This surge in renewables installations is unprecedented in the country’s history. In all, India has roughly 100 gigawatts of installed solar capacity. The United […]

Featured

How Solar Power could save Fossil Gas Giant Iran from its Energy Crisis

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Iran has for weeks been in the midst of an energy crisis. It may seem paradoxical given that it has some of the biggest oil and gas fields in the world. Some 70% of Iran’s electricity is generated by fossil gas. Power blackouts have inflicted billions of dollars of losses […]

Batteries

We need better ways of storing renewable electricity for later: ‘flow batteries’ can help

The Conversation

By Maria Skyllas-Kazacos, UNSW Sydney (The Conversation) – As more and more solar and wind energy enters Australia’s grid, we will need ways to store it for later. We can store electricity in several different ways, from pumped hydroelectric systems to large lithium-ion battery systems. We can also use flow batteries. These are a lesser-known […]

Australia

First Nations Peoples are now Key to Australia’s clean Energy Revolution, after 65,000 Years of Caring for this Land

The Conversation

By Heidi Norman, UNSW Sydney (The Conversation) – Australia is on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation transformation, as our energy systems shift to clean, renewable forms of power. First Nations peoples, the original custodians of this land, must be central to – and benefit from – this transition. That is the key message of the […]