Empowering the Green Transition - Week 40

Dive into this week's electric news roundup. Join the conversation on LinkedIn and stay charged with the latest in sustainable mobility and renewables!

Shell opens world's largest EV charging station

Shell has inaugurated its most extensive EV charging station globally in Shenzhen, China , boasting 258 fast-charging stalls. This move is part of Shell's strategy to transition from traditional gas stations to EV charging hubs, incorporating solar cells for additional power generation. The Shenzhen station, which has already catered to over 3,300 EVs in a 24-hour cycle during its trial phase, offers amenities like a driver's lounge, Shell Cafe, vending machines, and a convenience store. The station also utilizes solar panels, generating 300,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. Shell's initiative reflects a broader industry trend, with other companies also exploring large-scale charging plazas combined with convenience stores.

From power lines to batteries: Vermont's innovative energy pivot

Green Mountain Power in Vermont is shifting its approach to ensure continuous power for its customers by installing batteries in homes . Instead of expanding power lines, the utility plans to buy batteries and enhance existing infrastructure. Building on their 2015 Tesla home battery leasing program, this initiative is seen as a cost-effective alternative to traditional power infrastructure expansion. With an investment of around $1.5 billion over seven years, the company aims to eliminate power outages by 2030.

Norway: Plug-In car market share reaches record 93% in September 2023

In September 2023, Norway saw a decline in new passenger car registrations by over 29% year-over-year , totaling 10,342. Despite this, the market share for rechargeable cars reached an all-time high. The Norwegian Road Federation reported 9,617 new passenger plug-in cars were registered, accounting for 93.0% of the total volume. This includes 9,000 all-electric cars and 617 plug-in hybrids. The Tesla Model Y dominated sales with 2,476 units registered in September, solidifying its position as the best-selling car in the country. Other notable sales were from Skoda Enyaq iV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Toyota bZ4X

World’s largest offshore wind farm project begins powering UK grid

The Dogger Bank project, set to be the world's largest offshore wind farm located in the North Sea, has initiated power production for UK homes and businesses . The first of its 277 turbines was connected to the electricity grid over the weekend. Jointly developed by the UK's SSE and Norway's Equinor and V?rgr?nn, the wind farm will generate 3.6 gigawatts of power, sufficient to power 6 million homes, upon its completion in 2026. The ￡9bn development is seen as a significant step towards enhancing the UK's energy security, creating jobs, reducing electricity bills, and progressing towards the net zero target.

Using space for sustainability: UK's ambitious solar farm project

Space Solar, a technology firm based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, is developing solar farms for space that could contribute to the UK's future energy needs . The company is designing a 2km-long solar array that would orbit 36,000km above Earth and transmit energy back to Earth, similar to mobile phone signals. The project, which could be operational by 2035, is seen as a significant step towards achieving clean energy goals. The Space-based solar technology is expected to produce more renewable energy than its terrestrial counterparts and remain active continuously. The government has invested in space solar research, with ￡6m allocated for UK projects and ￡5m for the international project CASSIOPeiA.

Tesla's $25,000 EV inspired by Cybertruck design

Tesla's upcoming $25,000 EV, unofficially dubbed the Model 2 (though Musk has said it won't be called that), is expected to feature design elements reminiscent of the Cybertruck . Elon Musk's recent biography highlights this "futuristic design." Renderings showcase the vehicle with straight, flat surfaces, aiding in cost reduction. With a 53-kWh LFP battery, it's anticipated to offer a 250-mile range. Production is slated to begin between 2024 and 2025 at Tesla's Giga Texas plant.

Honda unveils new electric SUV and Sedan concepts [video]

In a recent video, Honda showcased its next-generation electric SUV and sedan concepts . Following the introduction of the 2024 Prologue, Honda's first electric SUV co-developed with General Motors, the company has revealed two new EV concepts. The Prologue, priced starting in the upper $40,000s, is expected to be a significant player in Honda's goal of achieving 2 million global EV sales by 2030. The video titled “Keep Dreaming” emphasizes Honda's innovative journey and previews its future, including an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and two electric car concepts. Honda aims to launch 30 new EVs worldwide by 2030, with two being electric sports cars. The company's first self-developed EV is anticipated in 2025.

Australian student develops affordable electric car conversion kit

Design student Alexander Burton has developed REVR , a prototype kit that economically converts traditional cars into hybrids. Unlike full conversions, REVR adds a compact motor between the car's rear wheels and a battery system in the spare wheel area, without removing the existing engine. The kit, priced at AU$5,000 (￡2,640), recently won Australia's James Dyson Award.

Tesla Lathrop Megafactory spotted with 270 Megapack batteries as Q4 begins

Tesla Energy is gearing up for a robust end to 2023, as evidenced by a fleet of 270 Megapack batteries recently seen at the Lathrop Megafactory in California +. The Megapack, Tesla's premier battery storage unit for grid use, has two variants and has been deployed in significant projects worldwide. The recent sighting indicates a strong finish for Tesla Energy this year, with the Lathrop Megafactory playing a pivotal role in the division's growth. In Q2 2023, Tesla highlighted a 222% YoY increase in energy storage deployments, attributing much of this success to the Lathrop Megafactory's ramp-up.