A flooded solar supply chain – This Week in Cleantech

A flooded solar supply chain – This Week in Cleantech

This Week in Cleantech is a new, weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in cleantech and climate in 15 minutes or less. Produced by Renewable Energy World and Tigercomm, This Week in Cleantech will air every Friday in the Factor This! podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts.

This week’s episode features Maddie Stone from Grist, who wrote about how Hurricane Helene caused the temporary closure of Spruce Pine, NC’s two main quartz mines, which has disrupted the solar supply chain.

This week we have multiple “Cleantechers of the Week.” The industry has truly come together to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene:

  • Maggie Sasser from Pine Gate Renewables has organized efforts to help rebuild.
  • Nico Johnson from Suncast Media and Tom Weirich from EDP Renewables have raised awareness and shared ways to support affected communities.
  • Jason Grumet and the American Clean Power Association co-hosted a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund Reception. 
  • Also thanks to all the other cleantechers this week who donated and helped John Engel bring gas cans, water, food and blankets to those in Asheville, NC. 

1. Cost of Producing Green Hydrogen Makes It Prohibitive, Says Study – Wall Street Journal

According to a Harvard University study, carbon capture and storage is more cost-effective than producing green hydrogen. The study found that green hydrogen costs between $500 and $1,250 per metric ton of CO2, while carbon capture and storage is more cost-effective at $100 to $1,000 per ton. 

While hydrogen demand is increasing, most production plans are still in the works, and for the full project pipeline to materialize, the industry would need to grow more than 90% each year from now through 2030 — much faster than solar ever has.

2. Form Energy raises $405mn to develop rust-powered batteries – Financial Times

The process that creates rust — iron combining with oxygen — can be used to store and discharge up to 100 hours of battery power. Iron-air batteries use non-toxic, non-flammable materials — iron, water and air — eliminating the risk of dangerous fires that comes with lithium-ion batteries. These materials are also cheaper than those used in lithium-ion batteries.

3. U.S. Ramps Up Hunt for Uranium to End Reliance on Russia – New York Times

Uranium, the key ingredient that fuels nuclear power plants, is being mined across the western U.S., driven by rising electricity demand and federal efforts to reduce reliance on Russia, which supplies about a quarter of the enriched uranium used in US nuclear reactors. Both pressures have pushed uranium prices to a 15-year high. If prices remain elevated, they could further accelerate the reopening of long-dormant mines. 

Also, a law that went into effect this year will block US power plants from buying Russian uranium by 2028. However, some people worry about the environmental and health impacts of mining radioactive materials near homes and livestock.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

4. This country ditched coal. Here’s what the world can learn from it – Washington Post

Britain is closing its last operating coal plant this week, ending 140 years of coal-burning for electricity. This was done mostly because of Britain’s growth of wind and solar. 

The country has set binding targets to cut carbon pollution, has regulated air pollution, and promoted renewable energy by ensuring stable, profitable prices for wind and solar developers. The US also has pollution controls and incentives for renewable energy developers and coal use is declining quickly here. However, changes in party control of Congress and the White House have led to fluctuations in policy.

5. The solar supply chain runs through this flooded North Carolina town – Grist

Spruce Pine, NC is home to the world’s purest quartz, essential for making computer chips and solar panels. But, Hurricane Helene caused the temporary closure of the town’s two main quartz mines, which has disrupted the solar supply chain. Quartz from Spruce Pine is estimated to supply over 80% of the ultra-pure quartz used in solar crucibles, which is crucial for this polysilicon production.

Restarting the mines quickly is critical for the local economy, as quartz mining is the largest private employer in Spruce Pine.

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