Reeling in renewables

Good afternoon. Single-use plastic has become public enemy number one but it's not easy to give it up every day, day in, day out. Plastic Free July, the annual challenge to say no to single use, is a concentrated effort to give up single use plastic for the month, with the support of the Marine Conservation Society. Every year, more and more countries and people participate in the eye-opening challenge with now over 200 countries taking part. Learn more and take part here.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Water battery

A water battery capable of storing electricity equivalent to 400,000 electric car batteries has just begun operating in Switzerland. The pumped storage power plant was built into a subterranean cavern in the Swiss canton of Valais. With the ability to store and generate vast quantities of hydroelectric energy, the battery will play an important role in stabilising power supplies in Switzerland and Europe. A water battery or pumped storage power plant is a type of hydroelectric energy storage. The Swiss power plant, constructed by the company Nant de Drance, began operating on 1st July. The plant has six pump turbines and a total power output of 900 MW, enough to power as many as 900,000 homes. It took 14 years to complete because of considerable logistical and engineering challenges. To create the plant, 18 kilometres of tunnels had to be dug through the Alps. With a storage capacity of 20 million kWh of electricity, it is hoped the water battery will play a significant role in stabilising Switzerland and Europe’s energy grids. During periods of high demand, such as during heatwaves, the battery can reduce the likelihood of a grid overload.

INNOVATION

Reeling in renewables

With an ever-increasing focus on companies’ environmental footprint combined with record-high and volatile electricity prices, the need for solutions that facilitate the green transition while ensuring financial certainty for companies has never been more urgent. Enter Copenhagen-based climate tech company Reel which has raised €2.3 million to transform electricity procurement and accelerate the renewable energy transition. The Danish startup enables companies to buy electricity on commercially attractive terms while contributing to the renewable energy transition. It ties companies’ electricity procurement directly to the construction of new solar and wind parks. Launching as a certified electricity provider in Denmark in the fall of 2022, the company aims to be the go-to green electricity provider by offering a full-service solution with the delivery of electricity, reporting on CO₂ accounting, and advice on climate communication. Reel will use this fresh funding boost to scale up operations and launch its new solution in Denmark.

THE LOW DOWN

Supreme Court limits Biden's power to cut emissions

Nearly a quarter of Earth's seafloor is now mapped

G7 to create ‘climate club’ to boost action on crisis

UK’s first national contact lens recycling scheme extended

FCA ready to regulate ESG ratings firms to stop greenwashing

EU countries approve climate laws, 2035 fossil fuel car ban

#ShowerThoughts

Tell someone you like a glass of wine in the tub: they think you're practicing self-care. Tell someone you like a beer in the shower: they think you're an alcoholic.

Mario Kart is the most kid-friendly game where you can throw bombs in an airport.

The woman selling seashells by the seashore probably has terrible business sense.

One day there will be no one on earth who's birth year starts with 1.

A sundial is technically a nuclear powered clock.

r/Showerthoughts

SUSTAINABILITY

INNOVATION

THE LOW DOWN

#ShowerThoughts

#RiddleMeThis