Around The Web

AEMO ready for summer heat after finding 2GW of new capacity

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 23:12
AEMO says it "ready for summer". While it expects no major outages, the biggest risk remains catastrophic failure of network or fossil fuel assets, and highlights importance of demand response, storage, solar PV, and new market rules.
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American leaders should read their official climate science report | John Abraham

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-11-27 21:00

The United States Global Change Research Program report paints a bleak picture of the consequences of climate denial

The United States Global Change Research Program recently released a report on the science of climate change and its causes. The report is available for anyone to read; it was prepared by top scientists, and it gives an overview of the most up to date science.

If you want to understand climate change and a single document that summarizes what we know, this is your chance. This report is complete, readily understandable, and accessible. It discusses what we know, how we know it, how confident we are, and how likely certain events are to happen if we continue on our business-as-usual path.

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Balkan hydropower projects soar by 300% putting wildlife at risk, research shows

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-11-27 18:00

More than a third of about 2,800 planned new dams are in protected areas, threatening rivers and biodiversity

Hydropower constructions have rocketed by 300% across the western Balkans in the last two years, according to a new analysis, sparking fears of disappearing mountain rivers and biodiversity loss.

About 2,800 new dams are now in the pipeline across a zone stretching from Slovenia to Greece, 37% of which are set to be built in protected areas such as national parks or Natura 2000 sites.

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How to get the most out of cycling in winter | Peter Walker

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-11-27 17:00

Cycling has its challenges as the nights draw in and the frosts arrive – but it can also be more rewarding and straightforward than one might think

The nights have well and truly drawn in, and for many Britons the frosts have arrived. Time to pack away the bike for a few months?

Don’t be tempted. Cycling, particularly bike commuting, can bring its challenges in winter. But it’s compellingly rewarding, and can be much more straightforward than many would think.

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Scientists warn Lake Victoria is dying

BBC - Mon, 2017-11-27 16:26
Biodiversity in Lake Victoria has fallen by 50% since the 1980s.
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Country diary: herding wild ponies from hill to homestead

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-11-27 15:30

Brendon Common, Exmoor The ponies have been part of Exmoor’s bleak uplands for hundreds, probably thousands, of years

When the first of the herd appeared on the horizon over Withycombe Ridge, the horse I was riding began to tremble. Excitement pulsed up the reins and I could feel his heartbeat thumping through the saddle. He stared transfixed, head high, pink nostrils flared, as the feral ponies flickered into view, their dark brown coats almost plum-coloured next to the dun moorland. They came closer, flowing down the hillside and splashing through the tiny ford at Lank Combe. We could see the light, mealy-coloured patches marking out their eyes and muzzles: a distinct feature of the Exmoor pony, Britain’s oldest native pony breed.

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ARENA still has $700m to spend, to bring down cost of storage

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 13:53
ARENA says much of its remaining $700m-plus could be could be directed towards large-scale energy storage projects, to bring down costs as it has done with large-scale solar.
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Kidston solar project set to start sending power to the grid

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 13:07
The first stage of huge solar and "water battery" storage project in an old gold mine in Queensland about to start exporting to grid.
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Tesla big battery ramps up, AEMO seems happy so far

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 12:50
Tesla battery testing shows major charging and discharging – a novelty to the grid. Both AEMO and SA government sound pretty happy.
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The net cost of using renewables to hit Australia’s climate target? Nothing

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 10:37
Our modelling shows renewable energy can help hit Australia’s emissions reduction target of 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030 effectively for free.
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First Solar Panels installed at White Rock Solar Farm

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 10:31
The first panels have now been installed at White Rock Solar Farm, the development is a solar-wind hybrid renewable energy facility.
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Frydenberg condemns Lord Howe to fossil fuel future. It’s just not acceptable

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 10:12
Lord Howe Island wanted renewables to lessen its reliance on imported fossil fuel, but the idea has been killed by environment and energy minister Josh Frydenberg. This is why he has made the wrong decision.
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SGS Awards JinkoSolar with the First C2C Certificate in China

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 09:24
The issuance of the C2C certification demonstrates JinkoSolar’s commitment to high environmental, health, and safety standards in its products and manufacturing processes as well as the promotion of environmental and sustainable best practices within the solar industry.
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Ecological historian argues koala population decline is 'not a crisis'

ABC Environment - Mon, 2017-11-27 06:53
You've likely heard the reports in recent years that populations of one of our best-loved national icons — the koala — are in worrying decline, but Vic Jurskis says we've got it all wrong.
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CWP plans second major solar and battery storage project in NSW

RenewEconomy - Mon, 2017-11-27 06:37
CWP proposes a second major solar and storage project for New England region of NSW, this time based around 600MW of solar.
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What's the net cost of using renewables to hit Australia's climate target? Nothing

The Conversation - Mon, 2017-11-27 05:08
New modelling suggests that Australia could use renewable energy to hit its 2030 emissions reduction targets, without it costing any more overall than maintaining the status quo. Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Bin Lu, PhD Candidate, Australian National University Matthew Stocks, Research Fellow, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.
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Boom in renewables weakens fracking's case in UK, says Tory MP

The Guardian - Mon, 2017-11-27 00:47

Chair of policy committee also points to action to extract more North Sea gas and oil, suggesting support for shale gas is cooling

The case for fracking in Britain has weakened because of government action to extract more oil and gas from the North Sea and meteoric growth in renewable power, according to a Conservative MP tasked with developing the party’s energy policy.

James Heappey said the new rules on tax relief for offshore oil and gas fields announced in last week’s budget could change the energy landscape.

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The eco guide to yoga

The Guardian - Sun, 2017-11-26 16:00

Mindfulness helps us deal with the stress of climate trauma, and seek solutions. Make sure your kit’s sustainably sourced and exercise outside

Daily yoga sessions were the unexpected hit at the recent Cop23 climate talks in Bonn. Delegate demand was so high that the organisers (the Indian delegation) ran out of mats.

Yoga is an accessible route to mindfulness, and a crucial tool for exposing environmental emergency

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Queensland chooses sunshine over coal, to relief of solar industry

RenewEconomy - Sun, 2017-11-26 15:00
Large scale solar industry breathes sigh of relief after Queensland poll shows likely return of Palaszczuk government, and the retention of 50 per cent renewables target.
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Great Barrier Reef coral-breeding program offers 'glimmer of hope'

The Guardian - Sun, 2017-11-26 12:02

Project, which could help restore damaged coral populations, has seen success in the Philippines

Scientists have stepped in as environmental matchmakers by breeding baby coral on the Great Barrier Reef in a move that could have worldwide significance.

Coral eggs and sperm were collected from Heron Island’s reef during last November’s coral spawning to produce more than a million larvae.

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