Henry Harrell"s Blog: April 18 Green Energy News

Headline News:

In March, Germany conducted successful tests of the world’s first “Hydrail,” a hydrogen powered, zero-emission train. “The new train is 60% less noisy than a traditional diesel train, completely emission free,” said Jens Sprotte of Alstom, train’s producer. “The only sound it gives off comes from the wheels and air resistance.” [CNN]

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Renewable energy has hit a new record in Germany. It made up just over 41% of Germany’s power supply last month, the most ever at around 19.5 TWh. It’s a good thing, too, because nuclear power production may have fallen to its lowest monthly level since the 1970s – even though no nuclear plant has been shut off since 2015. [CleanTechnica]
Energy Secretary Rick Perry ordered the DOE to conduct a study of renewable energy on the US electric grid. His Monday morning memo said that the review would assess whether federal environmental policies have hurt the power grid’s ability to supply baseload power, which depends on fossil fuels, over the past few years. [Washington Examiner]
President Donald Trump’s top advisors will meet today, April 18, to discuss whether to recommend that he withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord, a White House official said. The accord, agreed upon by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015, aims to limit planetary warming in part by slashing carbon dioxide and other emissions. [The Wire]
Southern California Edison, General Electric Co, and Wellhead Power Solutions partnered to install 10-MW lithium-ion batteries at two of the utility’s gas generators. During periods of peak demand, the batteries can provide instant power while gas turbines ramp up. They are expected to reduce emissions by at least 60%. [BloombergQuint]

Henry Harrell"s Blog