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Submission + - Record Low-Carbon Electricity Production in France in 2024 (95% Decarbonized) (rte-france.com)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: France has achieved its lowest reliance on fossil fuels for electricity production since the 1950s and 1960s, while still exporting electricity.

Original report by RTE, the French electricity transmission system operator.

Key figures gathered from the RTE report:
- 95% decarbonized electricity: 67.4% nuclear (361.7 TWh) and 27.3% renewables (148 TWh).
- Fossil fuels at historic lows, generating only 19.9 TWh.
- Carbon intensity: 27 gCO/kWh.
- Record net exports across EU: 89 TWh.

France stands out as one of the EU countries with the lowest carbon emissions from electricity generation, particularly when compared to neighboring countries like Germany. While Germany has achieved a high share of renewables at 63%, its electricity generation still emitted 321 gCO/kWh during the same period, largely due to its continued reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, lignite, and natural gas.

Submission + - Terrestrial carbon sinks reduced by a factor of four in 2023 (arxiv.org)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: A newly published study shows that the terrestrial carbon sink was reduced by a factor of four in 2023.

The chemically inert CO2 added to the atmosphere each year can only be removed by dissolving in the ocean or through photosynthesis. In 2023, global fossil CO2 emissions slightly increased compared to 2022, but atmospheric CO2 levels rose much faster, indicating weakened carbon sinks, particularly terrestrial ones. Heat stress, pest attacks, and fires have intensified, especially in the Amazon, Canada, and Russia, reducing photosynthesis and increasing tree mortality.

This deterioration was anticipated due to climate change but its timing was uncertain. Immediate emission reductions and replanting more resilient tree species are crucial to mitigate further damage, even if it reduces forestry productivity. Trees' economic insignificance compared to their ecological and geographical importance exacerbates the situation, suggesting a need for greater concern and action.

Submission + - Sweden rejects a new electrical interconnection with Germany (enerdata.net)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: Germany's energy transition plan includes extensive interconnection projects to distribute its intermittent renewable energy production. However, these projects face significant challenges. The latest example is Sweden.

One such project, Hansa PowerBridge, announced in 2017, intended to link Germany and Sweden via a 300 km HVDC line through the Baltic Sea. This 700 MW project, estimated at 600 million euro, aimed to stabilize Germany's volatile electricity prices.

However, on June 14, 2024, Sweden rejected the project, citing incompatibility between the countries' electricity systems. The connection would link northern Germany to southern Sweden, an area with insufficient infrastructure. Concerns also arose about the volatile German market disrupting Sweden's and increasing local prices. Energy Minister Ebba Busch justified this decision by saying the German market is currently not efficient enough and a connection would risk leading to higher prices and a more unstable electricity market in southern Sweden

This highlights the difficulty Germany faces with its Energiewende, or energy transition model. This model leads to erratic electricity price behaviors and significant challenges in balancing production capacities.
While a possible solution for Germany lies in interconnection with neighboring countries, the examples of Norway (which cancelled the NorGer project too) and Sweden show that from the perspective of these neighbors, it looks more like an "export of German problems" rather than a solution.

Submission + - Australia backs gas beyond 2050 (bbc.com)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: Australia's decision to escalate gas extraction and consumption until at least 2050, despite global pleas to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, has sparked significant controversy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government argues that this move is essential for securing domestic energy needs while transitioning to net zero emissions. However, critics contend that this stance flies in the face of established climate science, notably the International Energy Agency's insistence on decreasing fossil fuel usage to meet climate targets. Despite being a major exporter of liquefied natural gas, Australia's policy is widely regarded as misguided and out of step with the urgent need for climate action.

Environmentalists vehemently oppose the plan, emphasizing that gas cannot serve as a transitional fuel due to its substantial emissions. Professor Bill Hare and others caution that anchoring a net zero policy to increased gas production risks exacerbating the climate crisis, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. Despite global commitments to limit temperature rise, Australia's prioritization of short-term economic interests over environmental imperatives is seen as shortsighted and detrimental to long-term sustainability efforts.

Submission + - Heat Extremes, Human Health, and the Double-Edged Sword of Air Conditioning (phys.org)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: A collaborative research effort involving the Penn State College of Health and Human Development, Purdue University College of Sciences, and Purdue Institute for a Sustainable Future has quantified the potential health impacts of global temperature increases beyond 1C above pre-industrial levels. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study emphasizes that surpassing the 1.5C threshold could expose billions of people to heat and humidity levels that exceed their physiological capacity to cool naturally. Notably, the ambient wet-bulb temperature limit for young, healthy individuals is approximately 31C, equivalent to 87.8F at 100% humidity, according to findings from Penn State researchers in 2022.

The research, which models scenarios ranging from 1.5C to 4C of global warming, identifies regions facing heightened risks. For instance, if temperatures increase by 2C above pre-industrial levels, the 2.2 billion residents of Pakistan, India's Indus River Valley, eastern China, sub-Saharan Africa could annually experience prolonged periods of heat surpassing human tolerance. Regions experiencing high-humidity heat waves, like these, pose elevated dangers due to limited evaporative cooling and lack of access to air conditioning, especially in lower-to-middle income nations. The study underscores the urgency of re-evaluating heat mitigation strategies and emphasizes the necessity for global collaboration to comprehend and address the intricate interplay between climate change and human health.

It's crucial to note that while access to air conditioning is often considered a relief in the face of extreme heat, its widespread use contributes significantly to climate change. The energy consumption associated with air conditioning, especially when powered by fossil fuels, releases greenhouse gases, exacerbating the very environmental issues that drive rising temperatures. This creates a concerning feedback loop where the solution to immediate heat-related challenges inadvertently adds to the long-term problem of climate change.

Submission + - Germany keeps burning coal for another winter (euractiv.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Amidst a winter marked by scarce gas supplies, the German government has opted to retain its lignite coal power plants on standby for another season. Originally, Germany had planned a phased shutdown of coal plants in exchange for a portion of the government's €40 billion coal phase-out fund. However, last year, disruptions in Russian gas supplies post-Ukraine war prompted an emergency decision to keep coal plants operational. This measure is now extended for the upcoming winter, maintaining 1.9 GWs of lignite capacity alongside the existing 45 GW of coal power plants.

The primary purpose of these lignite plants is to alleviate gas demand during peak times and stabilize prices. Despite the economic benefits, the move raises environmental concerns, given lignite's status as a major climate polluter. The government acknowledges this and plans to assess the additional carbon emissions resulting from keeping coal plants on standby, estimated to be between 2.5 and 5.6 tonnes of CO2.

The German government emphasized the persistence of the goal to ideally complete the coal phase-out by 2030 and meet climate targets. However, skepticism surrounds the likelihood of achieving these objectives. This makes it even more challenging for Germany's message to be heard by Southern countries, particularly South Africa, urging them to shut down their coal power plants.

Submission + - Germany to fall significantly short of EU climate targets (euractiv.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Germany is on track to breach the EU's Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) by emitting approximately 150 million tonnes more CO2-equivalent gases than permitted. This violation could result in a significant penalty of up to €30 billion. The ESR serves as a supplement to the emissions trading scheme and allocates emission reduction targets based on countries' economic status. Wealthier nations, including Germany, must achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, while less affluent counterparts face less stringent goals.

Projections indicate that Germany's building and transport sectors will fall notably short of their climate targets, leading to an anticipated 150 million tonne gap relative to ESR requirements. To compensate for this deficit, Germany may need to purchase emission allowances from other nations, although specific costs remain uncertain. Experts predict a potential overshoot of over 200 million tonnes by 2030. In 2022, Germany procured 11 million carbon certificates at relatively low prices. However, the expected gap between Germany's emissions target and actual output for the 2021-2027 period could lead to penalties ranging from €7.5 billion to €30 billion.

As the EU pursues increasingly ambitious emission reduction goals, prices for emission allowances are expected to rise. Experts estimate potential costs exceeding €50 per emission allowance, and potentially much higher. Uncertainties surrounding penalty amounts raise questions about Germany's ability to acquire the necessary emission allowances. The European Environmental Agency's forthcoming analyses could provide insights into countries' ability to meet climate targets.

Furthermore, it's crucial to recognize that CO2 offsetting schemes still result in the emission of CO2, contributing to worsening climate change. This situation prompts inquiries about why wealthy nations continue to emit substantial CO2 in 2023 and are projected to do so until 2030-2035.

Submission + - LNG on Par with Coal in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: The prevailing notion that natural gas is a cleaner alternative to coal and oil as a fossil fuel is facing increasing scrutiny. While it is true that natural gas emits less carbon dioxide (CO2) per unit of heat generated when burned, the picture becomes more complex when considering other factors that contribute to its overall environmental impact. One significant concern with natural gas is the release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, during its extraction, production, transportation, and processing. Methane is approximately 30 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2 over a 100-year period. Methane leaks can occur at various stages of the gas supply chain, from wellhead emissions during drilling and extraction to leakage during transportation and distribution. Additionally, intentional venting or flaring of methane also contributes to the problem.

Recent research, highlighted in an article published in Environmental Research Letters, challenges the assumption that natural gas is a cleaner energy source compared to coal or oil. The study takes into account the full lifecycle emissions of natural gas, including methane leakage rates, and arrives at a different conclusion. With a methane leakage rate of 7.5% and other relevant factors considered, the greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas can be on par with or even exceed those of coal. Even a lower methane leakage rate of 2% can diminish the environmental advantage of natural gas significantly.

A key aspect of the study is its focus on real-world methane leakage rates. Aerial measurements conducted in various oil and gas production regions in the United States revealed substantial methane leak rates ranging from 0.65% to a staggering 66.2%. Similar leak rates have been identified in other parts of the world. These findings raise serious concerns about the climate impact of natural gas and cast doubt on its role as a so-called "transition energy" in the quest for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

This challenges the idea of natural gas, especially liquefied natural gas (LNG), as a suitable transition energy source and raises doubts about its environmental benefits. This complexity complicates the search for sustainable energy solutions, especially in Europe where gas was included in the green taxonomy following push from Germany.

Submission + - Norfolk coast giant offshore windfarm halted due to spiralling costs (theguardian.com)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: The government's green energy plans faced a setback as the Norfolk Boreas offshore windfarm project by Vattenfall was halted due to soaring supply chain costs and rising interest rates. Vattenfall's chief executive Anna Borg said: "It’s important to understand that our suppliers are being squeezed. They have problems in their supply chain so it’s not so easy to mitigate these situations.”

The 40% increase in expenses was driven by high global gas prices impacting manufacturing costs, making the project unprofitable. The decision to halt work on the Norfolk Boreas windfarm has cost Vattenfall £415 million, but Borg said the move was “prudent” given the impact of costs on the project’s future profitability.

In a related news, energy majors BP and TotalEnergies have won a 7GW offshore wind site auction in Germany worth a record $14.1 billion. However, even back in 2022 market experts were warning governments that those additional costs for energy producers have negative impacts. It is important to bear in mind that negative bidding places extra financial burdens on wind farm developers. These additional costs need to be transferred to someone else, either to consumers through increased energy bills or to suppliers, as the developers have less money to invest in the turbines.

Those two news are related in the sense that what has been shown so far is that in a world where fossil fuels are cheap and abundant, renewables, and especially offshore windfarm, are cheap and easy to deploy. However, signs are pointing toward a world where fossil fuels supply is not as cheap and abundant as expected, and that may have an impact on plans made by governments to reach Net Zero, or to even just reduce their CO2 emissions.

Submission + - Ecosystem collapses may occur much sooner than expected (phys.org)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: An article in Nature Sustainability suggests that models may have underestimated the impact of warming on ecosystems. Two main reasons for this are the difficulty in accounting for variability and combining climate change with other pressure factors: for instance, pollution, excessive exploitation of species, deforestation due to increased demographics growth and meat consumption, ecosystem fragmentation, also harm wildlife.

Climate models operate under constant non-climatic pressures and do not consider the combined effects of a more hostile climate and increasing pressures. The models also fail to account for the decreasing resilience due to declining resource availability like fossil fuels.

Climate averages are typically calculated over a 30-year period, but extreme events can significantly affect ecosystems even if they fall within the overall margin of error. It is important to consider variability and the frequency of extreme deviations from the average. The climate system is becoming increasingly volatile, as observed in recent years.

In the linked article, researchers have studied the impact of introducing more volatility (noise) into climate simulations. The result suggests that ecosystem collapse could occur 80% earlier than anticipated by less volatile models, indicating that the impacts described by the IPCC Working Group II may greatly underestimate the consequences.

Submission + - China's experimental molten salt reactor receives operating licence 1

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: China's National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) has granted a license for the operation of the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor — Liquid Fuel 1 (TMSR-LF1), a Generation IV reactor, by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP). The project, costing $450 million, was completed in 2021. China is not the first to build a thorium reactor, but previous attempts had only reached the experimental stage.

This reactor, utilizing a special salt coolant, is designed to run at high temperatures for up to 10 years. These new reactors do not need to be built by the seaside and can reach very high temperatures, significantly increasing electricity production efficiency. But that's not the only advantage, as Thorium, which serves both as fuel and coolant, produces very little radioactive waste and is a much more abundant resource than Uranium. In fact, China possesses one of the world's largest thorium reserves, which experts believe are sufficient to power the country for over 20,000 years.

If successful, China plans to build larger Generation IV reactors by 2030, and export this technology, particularly to countries in the Global South..

Submission + - World's first cross-border CO2 storage site (euractiv.com)

Submitted by sonlas
sonlas writes: Denmark is inaugurating Project Greensand, the first cross-border CO2 storage site, shipping CO2 from Belgium to store it into a depleted oil field under the Danish North Sea.

With the first injection taking place on Wednesday, the project aims to safely and permanently store up to eight million tonnes of CO2 every year by 2030, the equivalent of 40% of Denmark’s emission reduction target and over 10% of the country’s annual emissions.

This is however to be put in perspective with the total of world CO2 emissions, which were in 2022 of 36.8 billions tons. A report by Rystad Energy shows that if investments were to quadruple, we should be able to capture 150 million of tons of CO2 per year by 2025, still a drop of water in, or under, the ocean.

Furthermore, the whole process of sequestering CO2 underground emits itself ~21% of the amount of CO2 stored, as shown in a study by Australian think tank IEEFA.

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