THIS WEEK
Japan's quiet energy revolution, a prediction for 2030, and will Ontario choo-choo-choose hydrogen power for its commuter trains?
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Is your car a Nokia flip phone in 2007?
The biggest disruption since the iPhone: that's how a new feature story from Bloomberg puts it when describing the transition from fossil-fuel-powered cars to electric ones. The chart above forecasts a growth trajectory that would have electric cars passing diesel and gas vehicles by 2038—just about two decades from now.
Mosts forecasts see the shift to electric cars as gradual, where adoption is merely a reflection of incremental technology improvements and policy changes. But reality could deal a different hand—not unlike Apple's iPhone in the cell phone market (see the chart below).
For Uber and Lyft and other taxi or carshare services, the savings that come with going electric are particularly pronounced. Self-driving cars, meanwhile, are likely to hit the market soon and could have a huge impact on buyer behaviour and the ways cars are used on the road. And as Francesco Starace, CEO of Italy's largest utility, puts it, “I don’t see driverless [technology] being pushed into internal combustion engine” vehicles.
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Railroad switch
Ontario's Metrolinx is weighing two options to replace its diesel-powered commuter trains: wired electric and hydrogen. The province is requesting proposals on the feasibility of a less conventional "hydrail." Both, of course, are better options than diesel. Let the train wars begin.
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The tipping point
India's only electric-car maker, Mahindra & Mahindra (which teamed up with Ford last week in areas like EVs), says the business case for electric cars has changed for the better: “We’ve just been believers for a while... but now the tipping point seems to be reached."
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Off-grid in Japan
A number of cities and towns across Japan are changing the way they generate power—by generating it themselves. In the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the northern city of Higashi Matsushima now has a self-sustaining grid providing 25 per cent of its power.
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Same skills, new opportunities
The true value of human capital may be its adaptability. In the wake of Canada's telecom golden age (think Nortel, BlackBerry), skilled professionals with years of experience are applying their know-how to energy and the environment. A new golden age, perhaps?
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States without Trump
Following President Donald Trump's declaration that the U.S. would leave the Paris Agreement, 14 state governors have replied with a resounding "Speak for yourself." But just how much can these states do without support from the federal government? Here's some insight.
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Mark you calendars, auto industry
Chinese automaker BYD has a prediction: all cars in China will be electrified by 2030 (if that seems overly bold, keep in mind that "electrified" includes hybrids). China recently said the country was putting together a plan to ban the production and sale of gas and diesel cars.
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Walmart or Wal... smart?
Walmart Canada has put in a fresh order for lithium-ion battery systems for its forklifts—$4.3 million worth—and fulfilling that order is Ontario cleantech company Electrovaya. The deal follows Walmart Canada's decision to install the technology after successful testing.
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Sight unseen
As the B.C. Utilities Commission reviews the $8.8-billion mega-dam, Site C, in northern B.C., one question that's front of mind: what are the alternatives, and what makes the most sense financially now that ground has been broken? Here's what we know. Stay tuned for more.
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Is ideology our true oilsands enemy?
In discussions about climate change, Alberta's oilsands have become an ideological war zone. That's almost so obvious it need not be said, but less obvious is whether it's a problem. Writing for the Walrus, Chris Turner says compromise would be better for both sides.
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Clean Energy Review is sponsored in part by Genus Capital Management, a leading provider of fossil-fuel-free investments.
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FRONT BURNER
Net Positive Symposium
October 30-31 | Vancouver
The International Living Future Institute is partnering with Passive House Canada to present the Net Positive Symposium in Vancouver. This two-day event will take a deep dive into zero energy and passive house ideology, focusing on the connections between the two and providing an in-depth exploration of solutions to the challenges being encountered by today’s project teams. Learn more and register here.
Sept. 27, 2017 | Calgary
Just Transition and Good Green Jobs for Alberta 2017
This day-long event will bring together workers, labour representatives, environmental organizations, community members and other stakeholders to discuss and work through some tough issues related to the phase out of coal-fired electricity generation, including how to ensure good green jobs for Albertans. Learn more.
September 27, 2018 | Vancouver
Women in Renewable Energy Meet-up
Women in Renewable Energy—or WiRE, for short—is hosting a meet-up in Vancouver later this month. The event is open to both professionals in the renewable energy sector as well as students and those looking to pivot into the industry. Women only. Learn more.
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