News for the Week (12/14/2018)

Investors Managing $32 Trillion in Assets Call for Action on Climate Change

Over 400 investors who manage a combined $32 trillion signed the 2018 Global Investor Statement to Governments on Climate Change. Talks continue on the best way to approach the issue. “The global shift to clean energy is underway, but much more needs to be done by governments to accelerate the low carbon transition and to improve the resilience of our economy, society and the financial system to climate risks,” the statement reads. (Link)

Giant Tesla Battery Plant Saved $40 Million in the First Year of Operation

A 100 megawatt (MW) battery power plant was built using Tesla batteries in Australia to serve as a “peaking” plant at a cost of $66 million. Within the first year, the plant has saved $40 million while emitting zero emissions and operated cheaper and quicker than traditional “peaking” plants. (Link)

Image Credit: Electrek

Costa Rica Went 300 Days Using Renewable Energy Alone for Electric Grid

Using a combination of technologies including hydropower, wind and geothermal, Costa Rica met all of their electricity demands for 300 days using only renewable energy. (Link)

Image Credit: Google

Largest Maritime Shipping Company Pledges Zero Carbon Emissions

The world’s largest shipping company, Maersk, based out of Denmark, recently said it will cut its carbon emissions to zero by the year 2050. To put this in perspective, if shipping were a country it would be the 6th largest greenhouse gas emitter. Maersk accounts for 20% of sea-based freighting. (Link)

Image Credit: Maersk

Voyager 2 Probe Leaves the Solar System

NASA’s Voyager 2 probe has left the heliosphere, a protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields around Sun, marking the second time a manmade object has left the solar system. The probe is now 11 billion miles away from Earth, meaning it takes 16.5 hours for communications traveling at the speed of light to reach the probe. (Link)

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Scotland Produced More than 100% of Its Energy Needs With Wind Power

The country of Scotland produced more than 100% of its electric needs with wind power for the first time ever. On November 28th, wind generated over 116 gigawatts (GW) which is enough to power 9.6 million homes. (Link)

Image Credit: Woldcam/Jan Arne Wold

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