Guangzhou, part of the Pearl River Delta megalopolis, showcases innovative urban planning strategies that prioritize sustainability and quality of life. The city's advanced urban design features vertical greenery, parks over shopping malls, and well-landscaped public spaces, contributing to a pleasant and livable environment. With a focus on sustainable transportation, renewable energy sources, and efficient land use, Guangzhou serves as a model for reducing emissions and promoting green living. Despite facing challenges like scooter traffic and the need for more electrification, embracing clean technology can lead to a cleaner and better future in this vibrant and technology-driven city.
Category: Buildings
Cut Emissions:
– Shift Energy Sources
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Growing agri-PV tomatoes while producing hydrogen for smart windows
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a concept for a residential building in the UK that combines rooftop agrivoltaics with onsite hydrogen production. The electricity generated by the solar system is used to produce hydrogen for hydrogen vehicles and smart windows, with the system able to meet the annual demand of the smart windows and support up to 64.23 km of driving per day. The study also discusses the thermal performance of vacuum gasochromic windows and the potential of small rooftop areas to support building-scale hydrogen applications. The impact of agrivoltaics on home insulation and the use of produced hydrogen for home heating are areas of future research, as detailed in the publication in Energy and Buildings titled "Rooftop agrivoltaic powered onsite hydrogen production for insulated gasochromic smart glazing and hydrogen vehicles: A holistic approach to sustainable residential building."
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Argentina’s YPF Luz begins 100 MW output at El Quemado solar park
YPF Luz has activated the first 100 MW of its El Quemado solar park in Mendoza province, the first renewable energy facility to operate under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI). With an estimated investment of $210 million, the project is progressing towards a total capacity of 305 MW, generating enough electricity for over 233,000 Argentine households. This milestone marks a significant step towards the country's renewable energy goals, showcasing the potential for large-scale projects in energy infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources.
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Massive Solar Plus Storage Facility To Replace Coal And Gas, Too
The article discusses the transition from coal power plants to cleaner energy solutions at the Sherco Energy Hub in Minnesota, where Xcel Energy is replacing coal with renewable energy sources. Xcel plans to retire all remaining coal power plants in the region and focus on leveraging renewable energy assets, including a large solar array and significant battery energy storage system. The company intends to offset costs for battery and solar projects, with construction on the battery storage projects starting in 2026. Xcel sees energy storage as a critical part of Minnesota's energy future, allowing for a diversified energy mix that excludes coal. Additionally, Xcel has incorporated solar grazing at the Sherco Energy Hub, with nearly 2,000 sheep helping to maintain the PV array and provide environmental benefits.
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Charting The Changes That Will Lead To Renewable Energy Dominance In 2026
Bill McKibben, a climate realist, acknowledges the dire state of the planet due to global warming but sees hope in the increasing use of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. He notes the significant progress made in countries like China and Australia in transitioning to renewable energy. McKibben emphasizes the importance of shifting away from fossil fuels towards clean energy solutions to combat the climate crisis. The article also touches on the challenges posed by the current capitalist system that benefits from the extraction and distribution of fossil fuels. The shift towards renewable energy is noted, with examples like China exporting more green technologies than fossil fuels, and the potential for a more sustainable and equitable energy future is emphasized.
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Sembcorp completes acquisition of 300 MW solar project in India
Sembcorp Industries has expanded its renewable energy operations in India by acquiring a 300 MW solar project in Rajasthan, connected to the national grid and operating under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. This acquisition boosts Sembcorp's renewable energy capacity in India to over 7.6 GW, furthering its global renewables portfolio to 20.2 GW. This move highlights the company's commitment to sustainable energy solutions and contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change through the expansion of renewable energy sources.
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Earth blocks keep homes cool while cutting emissions in Kenya’s drylands
In Laikipia County, Kenya, the use of compressed earth blocks in housing construction is highlighted as a sustainable and climate-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. Initiatives like the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Initiative and the Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing are aiming to decarbonize the industry and promote sustainable building practices. The International Coalition for Building Climate Resilience (ICBC) emphasizes the importance of affordable, resource-efficient, low-carbon housing in achieving climate goals and sustainable development. This traditional building approach is gaining renewed attention in low-income communities facing the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat. Additionally, buildings in West Africa, like the Museum of West African Art in Benin City, Nigeria, are being constructed using eco-friendly methods such as compressed earth blocks and rammed earth architecture, offering low-cost and energy-efficient solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings in the region.
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AMEA Power and Kyuden partner with IFC for solar battery storage project in Egypt
AMEA Power, Kyuden International Corporation, and Hover Energy are leading the way in climate solutions with innovative projects and technologies. AMEA Power's 1GW solar PV plant in Egypt, in collaboration with IFC, aims to enhance energy security and reduce carbon emissions, creating over 4,000 jobs during construction. Hover Energy's AI-enabled Microgrid Management SystemTM has won three awards for its contribution to rebuilding the grid for a more flexible and resilient energy future. These initiatives are crucial in the transition to renewable energy and cutting down CO2 emissions.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/amea-power-kyuden-partner-ifc/
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Environmental News Network – New Window Insulation Blocks Heat, but Not Your View
Physicists at CU Boulder have created a groundbreaking material called MOCHI that can be applied to windows to improve energy efficiency in buildings globally. This transparent and long-lasting insulator does not obstruct the view through the window, unlike traditional materials. MOCHI addresses the need for transparent insulators to block heat exchange, offering a promising solution for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Climate solutions experts should take note of this innovative technology as a potential tool for combating climate change.
https://www.enn.com/articles/77569-new-window-insulation-blocks-heat-but-not-your-view
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Q&A: Five key climate questions for China’s next ‘five-year plan’
China's upcoming 15th five-year plan in China will have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions, influencing clean energy growth and meeting climate commitments. The plan is crucial for aligning with Paris Agreement goals, setting clean-energy targets, capping coal consumption, and preventing emission rebounds. China faces challenges in meeting its climate targets, with a marked slowdown in carbon intensity reduction. To achieve the required reduction in carbon intensity, China would need to increase the share of non-fossil energy and reduce coal consumption. Policymakers are working on implementing a "dual control of carbon" system to manage emissions and face a choice between slowing down the clean-energy boom or retiring older coal-power plants to address challenges.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-five-key-climate-questions-for-chinas-next-five-year-plan/