Greg Newbloom

I always enjoy reading Andre's Climate Substack from André Meurer. Today I learned a ton about Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) and the HWH replacement process. TL;DR (But seriously you should read it, it's funny and packed with great advice) ➡️Efficiency: Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric models, offering long-term cost savings and environmental benefits. ➡️Installation: Upgrading to a HPWH can be complex, requiring electrical work and careful consideration of sizing (first-hour rating). Choosing an experienced contractor is crucial. ➡️Cost: While initial costs are higher, HPWHs pay for themselves through reduced energy bills and potential rebates. ➡️Additional Benefits: HPWHs dehumidify and slightly cool the surrounding area, which can be beneficial in humid basements. ➡️Considerations: HPWHs might be slightly noisier than traditional models and may require larger tanks to match the hot water output of gas heaters. Sign up for Andre's Climate! https://lnkd.in/e2HzZizE

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WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for 9/8-9/13: Water stakeholders discuss regulatory woes at hearing; Making groundwater sustainability a reality; The CA towns where clean drinking water is out of reach; and more ... A wrap-up of posts published on Maven’s Notebook this week … In California water news this week … Water stakeholders discuss regulatory woes at hearing “California’s role in U.S. #Californiawaternews

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Did you know that the largest geothermal installation in the United States is located in #Wisconsin? Interestingly, it is owned by a high-tech, for-profit company. The reason behind this is that geothermal systems make financial sense. Moreover, the IRA now provides a 30% tax credit for geothermal systems, making them even more attractive. The takeaway is simple: if your new building in Wisconsin does not have geothermal heating and cooling, you are missing out on significant savings. #Geothermal #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #Wisconsin #Sustainabilidad #BadgerState #EficienciaEnergetica

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California is officially in the wastewater to tap water business. Weather forecasts consistently point to a drier California and water purification systems are now extremely effective. For the agricultural community this is a wonderful development. Cities will be the recipient of the recycled water leaving farmers to receive their fair share of reservoir flows while managing the sustainability of their wells. As noted in previous posts farmers are becoming proactive protecting their aquifers. This will be a big long term win for the water well equipment suppliers. Why it matters The climate crisis is driving longer and more extreme droughts, pushing our already overstretched water supplies to the brink. By 2040, California is projected to lose 10% of its traditional water supply — that’s more water than the state’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, can hold at capacity. Recycling more water for drinking is one way Southland cities are working to lessen reliance on imported water from reservoirs fed by the overstretched Colorado River and less reliable snowpack in the Sierra Nevada

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Hyfluence selected to supply hydrogen refuelling and distribution equipment for the Avina Clean Hydrogen project in Southern California Hyfluence Systems Corp. (“Hyfluence”),...READ More #environmentalsustainability #NorthAmericasafetyrecord #700barpressures #storageanddispensing #cleanfuels #hydrogenvehicles #hydrogeninfrastructure #buses #hydrogenproductionfacilityCalifornia #commercialvehicles #energy+ #hydrogendistribution #bulkhydrogendistribution #hydrogenfuelingstandards #hydrogenfuelingtechnology #sustainablefuture #transportation #manufacturing #hydrogenfuelingstations #effortlessrefueling #Howden #ChartIndustries #SouthernCalifornia #hydrogenvehiclerefueling #cleanhydrogenadvancements #faulttolerantsystemarchitecture #highreliability #heavydutyhydrogenvehicles #2000kilogramsperday #marineapplications #climatechange #onsiterefueling #350bar #trucks #onsitehydrogenproduction #tubetrailers #700barfastfillstation #flexiblerefueling #regionalofftakecustomers #AvinaCleanHydrogen #Vancouvermanufacturingfacility #cars #HyLoader #rail #compression

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EPA regulations would be a disaster for the US grid. We recently performed a reliability analysis for EPA's Carbon Rule in Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and found that EPA's modeled grid would lead to massive blackouts that would leave millions of people without power. How did this happen? First of all, despite EPA regulations causing a dramatic overhaul of the electric grid and forcing thousands of megawatts of thermal capacity off the grid, the EPA doesn't perform hourly reliability analyses, so it has no idea if its modeled grid can meet demand 24/7, 365 days of the year. Second, it uses indefensible assumptions regarding solar energy that resulted in SPP being over reliant on the sun shining to meet peak demand. For instance, EPA gives new and existing solar capacity values of 80-100% in SPP, even though SPP itself accredits the same amount of solar at 40% in the summer and 6% in the winter. Instead of a robust reliability analysis, EPA simply assumes that wind and solar generation will magically meet demand at all hours of the day, without concerning itself with when that generation would occur. However, when comparing the EPA build out of capacity in SPP with historical hourly profiles of SPP, the grid wasn't able to meet demand at all hours. In one instance, 13 separate capacity shortfall events occurred in February 2040 using 2021 historical data, with one event lasting for 41 straight hours. Needless to say, the EPA doesn't belong anywhere near the electricity grid. Read more from my and Isaac Orr's latest piece on Substack 👇 https://lnkd.in/g5p6vAiY

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This Thursday, April 18th: Carbon Business Council is hosting a Pacific Northwest Symposium in Seattle! Nori's Radhika Moolgavkar, JD, Ross Kenyon, and Jada Dormaier will all be there — say hello if you see them 👋 ⛰️   The symposium will dig into several topics like: - What are the carbon removal opportunities in the Pacific Northwest and who are the regional innovators working towards responsible carbon removal deployment? - What are the policy trends and developments that are attracting carbon removal deployment in the region? - What is needed to accelerate the regional market?   Thank you to Carbon Business Council, RMI, Building Tribal Leadership in Carbon Removal, Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy, Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission, Clean and Prosperous America, and Carbon Development Council for organizing this event. We're excited to connect with the local carbon removal community in person!   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gdBPAcUC   #carbonremoval #seattle #climateevents #PNWevents #climatechange

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California’s new Climate Accountability Package (SB 253 & SB 261) infographic explanation. As sustainability executives, we are all closely monitoring the shifts in climate-related legislation. #VesselBot has developed an infographic that breaks down California’s new Climate Accountability Package (SB 253 and SB 261), which introduces important reporting requirements for many large companies operating within the state. Download the infographic: https://lnkd.in/dQWuJ7yd VesselBot-Enabling Sustainable Supply Chains #SB253 #SB261

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I have commented on the circular economy and the need for manufacturers to think about reclaim, recycle, renew, repair and reuse for the products manufactured here on earth. Tonight I attended a presentation by Starfish Space, courtesy of the Seattle Astronomical Society. Ari Juster from Starfish Space talked about applying the circular economy principles in space through orbital servicing of satellites, traveling at 28200 km/hr! Fascinating! Starfish Space's Otter is designed to be an autonomous space vehicle with vision guidance and docking capabilities to service different types of satellites, each traveling at 7 to 8 km per second. Currently their focus is either maintaining orbital position or deorbiting failing satellites, thus preventing Low Earth Orbit (200 to 2000 km altitude) from becoming an unusable debris field. No junkyards in space! I have worked in the robotics, autonomous vehicle and automation spaces for quite some time and I truly appreciate the vision, technology and effort that must have gone in to making Otter a reality. #circulareconomy #space

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Hyfluence selected to supply hydrogen refuelling and distribution equipment for the Avina Clean Hydrogen project in Southern California Hyfluence Systems Corp. (“Hyfluence”),...READ More #environmentalsustainability #NorthAmericasafetyrecord #700barpressures #storageanddispensing #cleanfuels #hydrogenvehicles #hydrogeninfrastructure #buses #hydrogenproductionfacilityCalifornia #commercialvehicles #energy+ #hydrogendistribution #bulkhydrogendistribution #hydrogenfuelingstandards #hydrogenfuelingtechnology #sustainablefuture #transportation #manufacturing #hydrogenfuelingstations #effortlessrefueling #Howden #ChartIndustries #SouthernCalifornia #hydrogenvehiclerefueling #cleanhydrogenadvancements #faulttolerantsystemarchitecture #highreliability #heavydutyhydrogenvehicles #2000kilogramsperday #marineapplications #climatechange #onsiterefueling #350bar #trucks #onsitehydrogenproduction #tubetrailers #700barfastfillstation #flexiblerefueling #regionalofftakecustomers #AvinaCleanHydrogen #Vancouvermanufacturingfacility #cars #HyLoader #rail #compression

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California's Solar Surplus: A Roadmap for a Resilient, Low-Carbon Future The recent article discussing California's solar power challenges highlights the growing pains states may encounter as they transition to renewable energy. However, it's crucial to recognize that these challenges are manageable. California's surplus solar power presents a unique opportunity to build a more resilient grid, reduce carbon emissions, and create innovative financial mechanisms to drive the clean energy transition forward. One key solution is to invest in transmission infrastructure, enabling surplus solar power export to other states. By sharing clean energy across state lines, California can help its neighbors reduce their reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring its solar resources are fully utilized. This strategy reduces the need for curtailment and negative prices and fosters regional cooperation in the fight against climate change. California could explore innovative policy mechanisms that link infrastructure development to carbon emissions reductions to finance these transmission investments. By quantifying the CO2 avoided through solar power exports and assigning a monetary value to those reductions, the state could offer carbon credits (offsets) or other financial support to transmission project developers. This approach recognizes the environmental and social benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creates a powerful incentive for investment in clean energy infrastructure. Furthermore, California's surplus solar power presents a unique opportunity to create a new carbon offset market. By establishing a framework for quantifying, verifying, and certifying the CO2 reductions achieved through solar power exports, the state could issue carbon credits that companies can purchase to offset their emissions. The carbon credit market would provide a new revenue stream to finance transmission investments while supporting corporate sustainability efforts. Moreover, by addressing the root causes of the state's solar power challenges, California can help prevent the kind of supply shortages and blackouts that have plagued the state in recent years. A more interconnected grid with greater regional cooperation and resource sharing can help balance supply and demand, ensuring reliable electricity. As other states look to follow California's lead in deploying solar power and other renewables, they should view the state's experiences not as cautionary tales but as valuable lessons. By embracing innovative solutions and regional cooperation, states can overcome the challenges of the clean energy transition and build a more sustainable, resilient future for all. #climatesmart #solar #carboncredits #powergrid

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New study alert: Berkeley Lab analysis finds substantial value of adding up to 4-hour duration batteries to solar or wind power plants located in regions facing transmission congestion. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/g8XiSqAH   Some key findings : 🧿Adding up to 4 hours of storage substantially boosted energy value for solar and wind plants. In wind/solar-rich areas, adding one hour of storage boosted energy value for both wind and solar by ~80%, and extending storage from 1 to 4 hours duration boosted energy revenue by a further ~30%. 🧿But little additional energy value was found beyond 4 hours of battery duration in most locations. Notably, and somewhat surprisingly, this was true even in locations with locally very high penetration of renewable energy. 🧿Wind required longer-duration storage to earn capacity credits than did solar: capacity credit, measured here simply as the ability to supply energy during the 100 highest net-load hours per year, reached 90% with four hours of battery duration for solar plants, but required 8 hours for wind plants. 🧿Battery degradation impacts results: More sophisticated treatment of battery degradation may allow for greater value maximization--see the paper for more details, too much for a Linkedin post!

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Estimates vary, but using very rough numbers, 0.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity can be generated per dry ton of municipal solid waste, and 1.0 gigawatt-hours can be generated per dry ton both from forest materials or from agricultural waste. From here, the math is easy. Ten million tons of forest materials at 1.0 gigawatt-hours per ton will provide 10,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Ditto for agricultural waste. Municipal solid waste at twice the volume and half the energy density – 20 million tons at 0.5 gigawatt-hours per ton – will also provide 10,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity. This is an over-simplified analysis, but if fully realized, and applied 100 percent to electricity generation, California’s annual waste stream could contribute about 30,000 gigawatt-hours to the state’s grid, which is about 10 percent of the total electricity currently being consumed by Californians each year. It is important to note that in many cases there will be much better uses for California’s waste stream than conversion to electricity. As new conversion technologies are commercialized, turning waste into ammonia, for example, may be a superior value proposition. And in other cases, simply harvesting methane from existing landfills, as is already done throughout the state, may remain the most economical solution.

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🔧 Join the California Labor Lab for an Innovative Webinar on Exoskeletons in Construction! 🦾 Construction workers face significant physical demands, leading to increased risks of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in the lower back, knees, and shoulders. On 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 25𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 3:00 𝐏𝐌, the CA Labor Lab will host a webinar exploring the use of passive arm support exoskeletons as a potential solution to reduce fatigue and injuries in shoulder-intensive tasks. Key Highlights: Overview of a 5-year grant study on exoskeleton efficacy Examination of musculoskeletal pain in the construction industry Future directions in construction technology This is a must-attend event for professionals interested in construction safety and worker health. https://lnkd.in/eFEpThSx 📅 Date: September 25, 2024 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM #ConstructionSafety #WorkplaceHealth #Exoskeletons #MusculoskeletalDisorders #InnovationInConstruction #CALaborLab #Ergonomics

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Grassroots efforts are the best Grassroots efforts to drive homes off fossil fuels and electrify, even better! The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EEBC) effort by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stands to help hundreds of communities to build knowledge and capacity at the city-level to drive adoption. This is a big deal and will push many cities waiting on the sidelines wait for funding to wade into these waters. Bravo DOE for recognizing this need and to the The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for taking action to deliver! ______________ I'm Grant Gunnison Click my name + follow + 🔔 to learn how to get off gas and electrify P.S. If you'd like early access to our platform, repost this! #decarbonization #heatpumps #electrification

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☑️ California's Community Renewable Energy Act (AB 2316) aims to promote the use of solar energy through community projects, yet recent proposals by the CPUC have created uncertainty. ☑️ The US community solar market is predicted to grow by 118% over the next five years, showcasing the massive potential if the guidelines are clear. ☑️ The takeaway for property owners is that solar power is not just for individual residences and can help to create a more resilient energy grid. People, let's dive into the exciting yet complex terrain of California's community solar project regulations! With the surge in popularity solar energy has seen recently, coupled with the introduction of innovative solutions for capturing the sun's bounty, the solar industry is thriving more than ever. But, a recent revised proposition by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regarding AB 2316 has whipped up a sector-wide uproar. The issue lies in the alleged conflict between Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT) and federal laws, making the future of community solar program vague. Despite such a setback, the immense potential of community solar projects is undeniable, with predictions indicating a whopping 118% growth in the US community solar market over the next few years. If regulated properly, California could spearhead a thriving solar market in the US, encouraging homeowners to invest in solar arrays and decentralized energy production. Let's keep an eye on community solar programs, making every home and business an ally towards achieving energy independence. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

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Yet another study says things are bad for groundwater. Across vast regions. When do we get to actually doing something about it? We don't have time for more studies that repeat the same old stuff; we know the problem. What we need is direct action on the ground to fix this at nation scale speeds. More direct action is what JalTara by Save Groundwater Foundation is about. We have solved the groundwater crisis in 125 villages in the last four years. With your help, our goal is to solve it for 100,000 villages within a decade. More action, less words!! If you agree, do support the Jaltara initiative! https://lnkd.in/g49jCSu4

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NOTICE of Certification for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the Pulse Flows Component of the Water Storage Investment Program Groundwater Projects From the Department of Water Resources: The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has certified  the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR; SCH # 2022080216) for the Pulse Flows Component of the Water Storage Investment Program Groundwater Projects (Pulse Flows Component). #Environmentaldocuments #WaterStorageInvestmentProgram

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Attention UC-CSU Researchers! 🔍 California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment is looking for Coordinating Lead Authors in the development of topical synthesis reports. This is your chance to bring together existing research, resources, and findings from the Fifth Assessment's climate research programs. While the focus is on synthesizing current knowledge, there may be opportunities to develop new insights as needed.📋 ECCLPs is passionate about advocating for environmental and climate change education and pushed for a dedicated education assessment report in this. While this was not selected as a topical focus area, we encourage authors to contribute expertise to critical areas such as Racial Equity & Climate Justice, Climate-Induced Human Displacement & Migration, and Climate Impacts to the Economy. We invite researchers and representatives to join this initiative! 🌎💡 Interested in being part of this important work? Join us in making a difference! For more information, scan the QR Code or visit https://lnkd.in/gPR4JeqE. 🔗 #ECCLPs #ClimateEducation #EnvironmentalEducation #ClimateAction

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