https://cleantechnica.com/2023/06/1...ing-more-electricity-than-fossil-fuels-in-eu/ Crossover — Solar & Wind Power Now Producing More Electricity Than Fossil Fuels In EU! ByZachary Shahan The European Union (EU) has hit a crossover point. For the first time in history, solar power and wind power have combined for more electricity generation than fossil fuels in the EU. Last month, the two core renewables of the new clean energy era achieved that historic crossover point. New data from Ember came out at the end of last week provides us with the news. To push them over the edge, solar power provided a record 14% of the EU’s electricity, from a record 27 TWh. That May total even beats the solar record set in the middle of summer, July, last year. This is also the first time that solar electricity beat coal electricity — 14% versus 10%. Wind power provided 17% (32 TWh) of the EU’s electricity in May. Clearly, that beats both of those other sources, but it’s not wind power’s record. Wind power’s best month ever was 23% (54 TWh). “The strong performance of wind and solar meant that EU coal generation fell to an all-time monthly low in May, with just 10% (20 TWh) of EU electricity coming from the most polluting source,” Ember writes. “The record-low coal generation in May was just below the previous record set during the pandemic lockdowns, when coal power generated slightly above 10% of EU electricity in April 2020. Fossil gas recorded the lowest share of generation since 2018 at just 15% of EU electricity during May. … “From January to May this year, coal and gas generation have fallen by 20% and 15% respectively compared to the same period in 2022, whilst solar has increased by 10% and wind is up 5%. Ember’s European Electricity Review published in January identified that wind and solar generation overtook gas in the EU in 2022, the first full year this had happened. Now wind and solar have produced more than all fossil fuels combined in a single month.” Across European countries, solar and wind electricity have been growing while fossil fuels have been declining. As one examaple, in Poland, long dominated by coal, the dirty fossil fuel source dropped to a record low 62% (7 TWh). There’s still a long way to go. “Solar and wind are helping to cut fossil fuel use. Not only did coal power set new lows, but gas is also tumbling. The EU is on track for a huge collapse in fossil power this year, as wind and solar emerge as the backbone of the future electricity system,” Ember’s Europe lead, Sarah Brown, noted. We’ll see how solar and wind do by the end of 2023, and in 2024. No doubt about it, new records are coming.
I see that combined, China and the US burn more coal than the rest of the world combined... Wonder if that's the privilege of military dominant nations.
In Germany, electricity prices are experiencing a slight decrease. However, I believe that the decision to phase out nuclear power plants was a mistake. Nuclear energy provides a reliable and consistent source of electricity. Additionally, nuclear power is a low-carbon energy option that can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The increased reliance on other forms of energy has resulted in higher energy costs for consumers. Therefore, reconsidering the abandonment of nuclear power plants could help stabilize electricity prices and ensure a more secure and sustainable energy future.
Analysis-GM could reap billions by building combustion trucks and SUVs through 2035 BY PAUL LIENERT AND JOSEPH WHITE, REUTERS - 35 MINUTES AGOTOP NEWS DETROIT(Reuters) -General Motors( GM )has signaled in a series of recent announcements on plant retoolings that it plans to keep its largest and most profitable combustion trucks and SUVs in production longer than expected - another 10 to 12 years, according to analysts and suppliers.
At this point in time, GM has no choice but to hang on to their profit centers as long as possible since they've done so poorly with their EV transformation and are unlikely to become competitive anytime soon. They aren't the only one, Japanese brands (Toyota in particular) are very slow transitioning as well. Leaders of industry have a notoriously difficult time adjusting to new paradigms and tend to disappear when faced with newer, more nimble competitors.
Well, at least with the Japanese companies, if the CEO f's up, he jumps out a window. In Detroit they get bonuses.
Currently, GM doesn't have a wide range of electric models, but they are introducing new ones, such as the Hummer EV. However, in my opinion, there is already Rivian, and they are making awesome vehicles.