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○n Thursdaythe Department of Energy announced, $540 million in grants Awards are presented to 54 universities and 11 national laboratories for research into innovations in clean energy technologies and manufacturing methods that produce lower carbon dioxide emissions. These projects include research into better commercial solar energy technologies, research into capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air, reducing the cost of hydrogen production and grid-scale long-term energy storage.
“The research projects announced today will strengthen the scientific foundation America needs to remain a world leader in clean energy innovation, from renewable energy to carbon management,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
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University of Utah
Utah fintech entrepreneur Clay Wilkes and his wife Mary donate $20 million to University of Utah’s new climate center
Wilkes, who founded and sold fintech company Galileo Financial Technologies, said tackling climate change was a priority — and he hoped other universities would take up the same challenge.
Read more here.
Discovery and Innovation
Pepsi It has announced that it will expand its use of supply chain materials, such as displays and shipping pallets made of biodegradable plastic produced by UBQ Materials.
researchers from MIT Have Developed battery architecture Use cheap materials like aluminum and sulfur instead of rare materials like lithium. Batteries can be used for a variety of applications.
Concerns about climate change have prompted researchers to look for greener air conditioners.A possible new solution: air conditioning solid refrigerantone of the Harvard researchers has developed a prototype.
Sustainability Deals of the Week
carbon cycle: carbon management company carbon direct declare that it has Raised $60 million in financingwhich will be used to expand its business of helping customers meet their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
Rural Solar: Solar contractor ES Solar and energy storage company Sonnen are teaming up with utility Rocky Mountain Power expand Its Wattsmart program, which provides batteries to customers purchasing solar systems.
Wildfire Extinguishing: Germany-based Dryad, which makes solar-powered sensors for early wildfire detection, has announced that it has $10.5 million raised Series A financing.
on the horizon
High temperatures and low precipitation have pushed the Colorado River to a “tipping point,” causing the federal government to drastically reduce the amount of water available. If trends continue, this could threaten some activities, including electricity production at the Hoover Dam.
What are we still reading this week
The driest riverbed since 1865 is hammering China’s fragile economy (Bloomberg)
Why Congestion Charging Reduces Traffic More Than New Freeway Lanes (Popular Science)
Climate change action is far more popular than Americans realize (Scientific American)
Green Transportation Update
California Transportation
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CCalifornia is the biggest buyer Electric vehicles are the largest market among U.S. passenger cars, with battery-powered models accounting for 15 percent of new vehicle sales so far this year. But the Golden State has bigger goals for zero-emission vehicles: This week it formally approved a rule that would ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, the most aggressive goal set so far. The state accounts for about 11 percent of all U.S. new car purchases, and states including New York, Massachusetts, Washington and Oregon follow California’s auto pollution rules, so the new law has the potential to become a de facto national standard.
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plug power
Amazon buys Plug Power’s ‘green’ hydrogen for $2.1 billion in stock options
Hydrogen is gaining increasing attention from governments and heavy industry, who are looking for an additional tool to reduce carbon emissions. Now Amazon is making a big bet on clean fuels, planning to buy up to $2.1 billion worth of “green” hydrogen — made from water and renewable electricity — from fuel cell maker Plug Power. Amazon could also end up owning 16 million Plug shares as part of the deal.
Read more here.
More Green Transportation News
Plunging gas prices expose fickle EV flirtation
Meet Electrify America’s Roaming EV Test Fleet
Gatik and Cummins collaborate on powertrain optimization
Audi E-Tron GT, the EV that the letters really mean for luxury travel
European EV sales expected to accelerate, but doubts remain
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