Empowering the Green Transition - Week 49

In this week's newsletter, we highlight key developments in green energy and electric mobility. The European Union introduces a mandate for solar installations on new buildings, propelling its solar energy initiative. Electric vehicle sales globally continue to surge, led by Tesla and BYD, with the U.S. hitting the 1 million EV sales mark in 2023. Belgium's SnowWorld Antwerp adopts solar energy for its indoor ski facility, while General Motors focuses on profitable, high-margin EVs by 2025. Tesla advances its affordable electric car project, Detroit launches a pioneering wireless EV-charging road, and Vestas' groundbreaking 15 MW offshore wind turbine receives type certification, readying it for commercial deployment.

EU sets new Rooftop Solar Standard

The European Union has established a new standard under the European Performance of Building Directive, requiring solar installations on new public and commercial buildings by 2026, and on new residential buildings by 2029. The directive also includes provisions for non-residential buildings undergoing renovations and existing public buildings. This initiative, part of the EU Solar Rooftop Strategy, aims to enhance solar deployment and integrate solar power efficiently into building designs. The move is expected to streamline construction processes, reduce costs, and support the EU's decarbonization goals.

Our Expert's Comment:

The European Union's new Rooftop Solar Standard represents a significant step forward in the green energy transition. It encourages technological innovation, especially in solar system design and integration. Incorporating solar technology into new and renovated buildings is a strategic move, signaling a shift towards more sustainable and energy-efficient building practices across Europe.

And when it comes to the optimization and integration of solar systems into building infrastructure, software solutions play an important role. They are crucial in designing and fine-tuning solar systems. They facilitate more effective resource utilization, streamline planning processes, and enhance the monitoring of energy outputs. Furthermore, their role in integrating renewable energy into the power grid is vital, ensuring both stability and efficiency. The new EU standard is expected to drive forward innovations in software development related to solar energy, significantly aiding the green energy transition.

Bartosz Majewski , CEO and Renewable Energy Practice Lead, Codibly

Volkswagen's Vehicle-to-Home EV charging pilot in Sweden

Volkswagen has launched a vehicle-to-home charging pilot in Sweden, allowing EV owners to use their car's battery to power their homes during peak times or outages. This bidirectional charging is available for new ID models with a 77 kWh battery and software version 3.5 or higher. The system can provide about two days of backup power for an average home and is initially compatible with HagerEnergy GmbH's S10 E Compact home power station. Volkswagen plans to extend this function to existing ID vehicles through a software update, showcasing a new way to integrate EVs into home energy management.

Global EV sales continue strong pace in October 2023

Global sales of plug-in electric cars nearly reached 1.3 million units in October 2023, continuing a strong growth trend with a 37% increase year-over-year. The Tesla Model Y led as the top-selling model, followed by several BYD models. BYD surpassed Tesla in overall registrations, indicating a shift in market dynamics. The total year-to-date registrations exceeded 10.7 million, with BYD leading at 2.26 million units and Tesla at over 1.43 million. This sustained growth underscores the increasing consumer demand and competition in the electric vehicle market.

U.S. surpasses 1 million EV sales in 2023

The U.S. electric vehicle market has reached a significant milestone in 2023, with 1 million EVs sold within the year, despite initial concerns about demand. This marks a substantial increase from the 250,000 EVs registered in 2020. Globally, EV sales are also on the rise, with an estimated 14.2 million electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles expected to be sold this year. The growth in EV sales highlights a shift in consumer preference towards sustainable transportation, even as the industry navigates challenges in development and supply chains.

Solar panels power Belgium's indoor ski slope

SnowWorld Antwerpen in Belgium has installed 1,452 solar panels on its large roof, partnering with EnergyVision to use the generated clean electricity. The installation, essential for the energy-intensive indoor ski slope, is part of a move towards sustainable energy use in recreational facilities. While the exact solar capacity of SnowWorld Antwerp is not disclosed, similar installations at its sister sites in the Netherlands produce significant clean energy annually.

GM targets EV profitability by 2025 with high-margin models

General Motors plans to reach profitability in its electric vehicle segment by 2025, focusing on higher-margin models and reducing battery costs. GM's CFO, Paul Jacobson, highlighted the company's strategy to overcome current losses on EV sales by enhancing manufacturing efficiency and expanding its EV lineup. 通用汽车 aims to produce one million EVs annually by 2025, leveraging economies of scale. The company also anticipates benefits from upcoming U.S. clean energy tax credits, aligning production with market demand to ensure profitability.

Elon Musk discusses Tesla's low-cost electric car and revolutionary manufacturing

Elon Musk has updated on Tesla's development of a low-cost electric vehicle, known as the "$25,000 Tesla." The project is advanced, with Musk emphasizing Tesla's innovative manufacturing techniques to produce this more affordable model. The vehicle is part of Tesla's strategy to make electric cars accessible to a wider market, with production planned initially at Gigafactory Texas and later at Gigafactory Mexico. This development represents Tesla's commitment to expanding its electric vehicle offerings to include more budget-friendly options.

First wireless EV-charging roadway in Detroit

Detroit has introduced America's first wireless EV-charging roadway, featuring a quarter-mile stretch with inductive charging technology developed by Electreon . The road, embedded with rubber-coated copper coils, allows EVs with special receivers to charge wirelessly while driving. This $5.9 million project, part of a Michigan state initiative, is set to expand and represents a significant advancement in EV infrastructure, aiming to enhance the range and convenience of electric vehicles.

Vestas' 15 MW offshore wind turbine achieves type certification

Vestas has received type certification for its V236-15.0 MW offshore wind turbine, a significant advancement in wind energy. Installed in Denmark, this turbine set a world record by generating 363 megawatt-hours in 24 hours. Standing 280 meters tall with a production output of 80 GWh/year, it's set for its offshore debut in 2024 at Denmark's Frederikshavn wind farm. This certification marks the turbine's readiness for commercial use in large-scale wind energy projects.

Catch up on our expert-led webinars: OpenADR and IEEE 2030.5

Did you miss our latest webinars? No problem – you can still catch all the action! We're excited to share that the recordings of our webinars are now available for viewing on LinkedIn. Dive into the cutting-edge world of renewable energy with our expert-led discussions.

?? OpenADR Evolution: Unlocking Business Opportunities

Gain in-depth knowledge about the evolution of OpenADR, its impact on the energy sector, and the business opportunities it unlocks. Watch it here.

?? IEEE 2030.5 Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Explore the complexities of IEEE 2030.5, its pivotal role in smart grid protocols, and how to navigate its challenges effectively. You can find the recording here.