Richard McDonagh’s Post

Europe’s journey towards a cleaner energy future reached a significant milestone in the first half of 2024, with renewables accounting for over 50% of all power generation and nuclear energy maintaining a stable share of 24%. This remarkable achievement is highlighted in the latest data from Eurelectric’s Electricity Data Platform (ELDA). However, the challenge of low power demand persists, influenced by sluggish economic growth, deindustrialization, and mild weather conditions. Addressing this demand issue is crucial to sustaining investments in clean energy generation. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eQAJsz2N #cleanenergy #sustainable #eu #energy #nuclear

Battery storage becomes biggest source of supply in evening peak in California, the world’s fifth biggest economy and one of the world’s biggest grids. Pretty amazing that stationary storage overtook gas, hydro, nuclear and renewables as the biggest source of supply for a period of about two hours in the evening peak. About another 1.9 GW of battery storage capacity is in the process of commissioning, and the CEC estimates that the stage needs about 52 GW of battery storage to meet its 2045 goal of getting all of its power from carbon-free sources. The macro trend is unstoppable and critical metals will be essential to achieve the energy transition goals globally. #SouthStar #Graphite #Brazil #Alabama #CriticalMetals https://lnkd.in/ePsZVTga

Solar and wind overtake fossil fuels on the EU power grid ☀️🔋https://lnkd.in/evg5xdyb In a major milestone, the European Union generated more electricity from solar and wind than from fossil fuels in the first half of this year. A new report from think tank Ember shows that in the first six months of 2024, solar and wind rose to account for 30 percent of the region’s electricity generation, while fossil fuels slipped down to 27 percent. The Great Stranding of Coal, Oil & Gas: ⛽️For the last decade, mainstream analyses have significantly underestimated the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from conventional power plants. ⛽️Mainstream analysts assume these plants will be able to successfully sell the same quantity of electricity each year from now through 2040 and beyond. ⛽️This assumption has been false for at least ten years. ☀️The rates at which conventional power plants are utilized will continue to decrease as competitive pressure from near-zero marginal cost solar photovoltaic and onshore wind power, and battery energy storage continue to grow exponentially worldwide. Read RethinkX's 2021 Energy report The Great Stranding: https://lnkd.in/g6sgBx27 The Rise of Solar, Wind & Battery: ☀️Solar and wind are already the cheapest new generation options, and cost less than existing coal, gas, and nuclear power plants in many areas. 💸The cost of SWB systems will fall another 70% by 2030, making this disruption inevitable. 🔋When costs are optimized correctly according to our Clean Energy U-Curve, it becomes clear that 100% SWB systems are not only achievable but are in fact the cheapest available option for new power generation on a timeframe to 2030 – and in many cases will be less expensive than continuing to operate existing conventional power plants as well. Read RethinkX's 2020 Rethinking Energy report: https://lnkd.in/gyu9Gaye

Commercial nuclear fusion may be years away but the benefits have already started. If you want to understand how technological advances driven by the pursuit of game changing fusion power are already helping fight cancer, could clean up the waste produced by today’s nuclear fission reactors, and why the US government is partnering with a UK firm to explore how advanced magnets can change the way maritime vessels are powered, take a look at this interesting article in The Guardian. With governments and energy companies like Chevron and Equinor already investing in nuclear fusion, interest is growing and real progress is being made, but it seems we are already benefiting across a number of potentially very high value areas. #energytransition #nuclearfusion #nuclearenergy #energy #lowcarbon #netzero

Our study is covered by Mainichi Newspaper. I truly hope current discussion around next Strategic Energy Plan considers recent development of integration technologies, and the trend of cost increase in building new nuclear power plants. https://lnkd.in/gWnuTQtT

Czechia, historically a strongly industrial country, has shaped its energy sector. The energy mix has significantly diversified, with the highest share still coming from fossil fuels. The integration of nuclear energy, following the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the 1980s, has led to a halving of CO2 emissions, a significant environmental achievement. Notably, there has been a substantial increase in energy generation from renewable sources, a commendable achievement for Czechia, with this value more than doubling in the past 15 years. Read more https://lnkd.in/dw2uwfrK #Statista

US utility Xcel Energy has announced plans to decarbonise its operations in the US Midwest, which involve the construction of 3.6GW of new renewable power generation capacity and 600MW of new battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities. While the utility did not specify where the projects would be built, or how the new capacity would be split between solar and wind projects, it noted that the initiative would reduce the company’s carbon emissions by 80-88% by 2030. A core component of the plan is the extension of work at the company’s two nuclear plants in Minnesota, the Monticello and Prairie Island plants, which have a combined capacity of 1.7GW. Xcel Energy https://lnkd.in/e79T-2SX

Discover the future of energy in France. 🔍 In our latest article, we provide an in-depth analysis of the ongoing transformation within the French energy sector. From the modernization of nuclear infrastructure ⚛️ to the accelerated adoption of renewable energy sources 🌱, we examine the strategic initiatives driving France toward a more sustainable future. 🌍   Discover the details and insights by reading our article here: https://lnkd.in/ekTKVj7T   #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #AmarisConsulting

Do you know about Energy Pathfinder❓ Hear what Sylvia Buchan from North Sea Transition Authority has to say about this 🆓 tool via #NOF Supply Chain Insights 🤩 Energy Pathfinder provides the #SupplyChain with upcoming contract opportunities on the #NorthSea with real-time visibility of activity for new #OilandGas field developments, decommissioning and projects to support the #EnergyTransition for example, carbon capture and storage #CCS on the #UKCS Sylvia said 💬 “Energy Pathfinder has all energy projects and provides information on upcoming tenders, contact details within the companies and it really is a very important and vital tool for the industry going forward.” Thanks for taking part and sharing your insights, Sylvia! 😊 Find out more about Energy Pathfinder here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ekWWpVrC We are NOF, the strongest energy sector network in the UK 🇬🇧 providing #BusinessDevelopment support to members and partners UK wide in Offshore Wind, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) and Hydrogen #Energy sectors. #KeepConnectedWithNOF #Insights #JoinTheNOFNetwork #NOFSupplyChainInsights

Only 18% of our total power comes from non-fossil fuels, highlighting the work ahead to achieve Net Zero by 2025 to 2050. To navigate this path, natural gas and nuclear energy are scalable and reliable options. While nuclear offers a low total carbon footprint, it requires decades to implement. States and provinces in North America are already taking steps towards this transition. How can we ensure natural gas reaches coal-reliant regions, reducing energy carbon intensity during this time? More about global energy production trends in the link: https://lnkd.in/gpcZZsnH