Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Regulation  -  June 3, 2023

Weekend Reads: Achieving Full Industrial Electrification; Scientists Make Electricity From Thin Air

It's the weekend! Kick back and catch up with these must-read articles from around the web:

Full industrial electrification could more than double US power demand. Here’s how renewables can meet it. (Utility Dive) Nearly all industry in the United States relies on fossil fuels. And all that manufacturing is responsible for a quarter of U.S. GHG emissions. We won’t have a shot at solving climate change unless we transform how we produce nearly everything in our economy. So how can we meet climate goals without breaking the grid? Thankfully, electrifying industry can actually make the grid more reliable by adding new clean energy generation.

Gasoline use isn’t falling fast enough. Targeting ‘superusers’ could help. (Grist) Given America’s penchant for gas-guzzling pickup trucks and SUVs, you might be surprised to learn that the country’s gasoline usage is going down. With policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biden administration’s new emissions rules, gasoline demand could decrease almost a quarter by 2030. That’s still not fast enough to hit important targets to slash GHG, says Janelle London, the co-executive director of Coltura, an organization advocating for the end of gasoline.

Tackling 'financed emissions' as the gateway to a greener economy (World Economic Forum) The urgency of addressing climate change and transitioning to a greener economy has become increasingly evident. As countries and industries strive to cut their carbon footprints, the concept of "financed emissions" has gained widespread attention. The term refers to the emissions resulting from investments and financial activities. Understanding and mitigating financed emissions presents an opportunity to drive the transition toward a greener economy.

DOE Launches Cool New Decarbonization Effort (CleanTechnica) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently introduced the Clean Fuels & Products Shot, an initiative focused on decreasing GHGs originating from carbon-based fuels and products. This project aims to lower carbon emissions from the fuel and chemical industry by utilizing more environmentally friendly carbon sources, targeting a minimum reduction of 85% in GHG emissions compared to fossil-based sources.

Scientists Figure Out How To Make Electricity From Thin Air (Newsweek) Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have found a way to generate electricity by harvesting moisture in the air. According to a paper, electricity can be harvested from air using a device, merely requiring the material to be dotted with nanopores less than 100 nanometers (nm) in diameter. "This is very exciting," Xiaomeng Liu said. "We are opening up a wide door for harvesting clean electricity from thin air."

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