Rooftop Revolution, China's Green Steel, and Free Bikes in Chicago

The Clean Energy Show

The new UK government has announced plans for a rooftop revolution. Cycling in Chicago has surged as the city continues to hand out free bicycles. The city said the program was necessary since Oprah stopped giving out free cars in 2004. Yes, 2004. That reference is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. China’s battery prices are at a point where the whole world is going to start to change. And you know what? I would like a battery to power me. China is taking steps to green their steelmaking industry. All new steel plants permitted so far this year will be run by electric arc furnaces rather than coal.

Main Stories:

UK Government’s Rooftop Revolution: Keir Starmer’s Labour government announced plans for a “rooftop revolution” to fit millions more homes with solar panels, lowering energy bills and tackling climate change. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband approved three solar farms this weekend, generating 500 MW and 350 MW of power, respectively.

• Electrek: New UK Govt Approves 3 Huge Solar Farms, Wants to Expand Rooftop Installs
• The Guardian: Labour’s Rooftop Revolution to Deliver Solar Power to Millions of UK Homes

China’s Battery Prices: Over the last year, the price for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells in China has dropped by 51% to about $53 per kilowatt-hour. This price drop is driving a significant shift in global energy dynamics.

• Bloomberg: China’s Batteries Are Now Cheap Enough to Power Huge Shifts

China’s Green Steelmaking: China is forbidding new coal-based steelmaking for the first time in years, shifting to electric arc furnaces for all new steel plants permitted this year.

• Bloomberg: China Forbids New Coal-Based Steelmaking

Chicago’s Free Bicycles: Cycling in Chicago has surged as the city continues to hand out free bicycles. The program aims to improve mobility justice.

• Next City: Bike Chicago Cycle Giveaway Program Is a Win for Mobility Justice

Lightning Round:

• Vehicle fleet age is on the rise, with the average now being 13 years.
• If all clean electricity projects in Canada currently planned or under construction are successfully implemented, clean electricity capacity would grow by an additional 32%.
• China’s thermal power generation fell 7% year-on-year in June.
• New research from UCalgary shows that plugging into a standard 120-volt Level 1 charger meets the daily charging needs of 29% of electric vehicle drivers.
• Brazil leads the G20 in renewable electricity, with 89% of its electricity coming from renewables in 2023.
• EPA reaches a $241 million settlement with Marathon Oil for illegal pollution at nearly 90 facilities in North Dakota.
• Hankook Tire has developed EV-specific snow tires that increase range without sacrificing grip in cold weather.
• Houston seniors are struggling with heat and power outages following Hurricane Beryl.
• Gogoro’s battery-swapping system launches in Bogota, Colombia.
• JD Vance is picked as Trump’s VP, promoting the ‘Drive American Act’.
• Tesla’s California virtual power plant delivers 100 MW to help the grid during peak demand.
• BP projects oil demand growth to peak next year.
• Europe is facing heat-related disruptions at oil refineries.
• China’s carbon dioxide emissions are on track for a first annual decline since 2016.

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