BrightNight’s Post

Exploring a transformative journey, West Virginia's coal country stands on the brink of a clean energy makeover. This pivotal shift highlights the potential for renewable resources to rejuvenate regions historically dependent on fossil fuels. The Lewis Ridge Project will use pumped hydro - a way to store clean power and help even out the peaks and valleys of power demand. This reduces the need for fossil fuel "peaker plants" typically used to meet sudden demand spikes and can also help make the grid more resilient to potential disruptions. We're paving the way for a brighter, greener future in Appalachia. Read the full article from Newsweek here: https://lnkd.in/ekJpbGFS #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Innovation #WestVirginia

https://lnkd.in/gvPB7Qaj Both B.C. and Manitoba, where the majority of power is hydroelectric, are experiencing low reservoir levels that have negatively affected electricity production this fall and winter. In Manitoba, below-normal reservoirs and river levels mean that since October, Manitoba Hydro has periodically supplemented hydro production by firing up its natural gas-fired turbines.  This is only a sample of what will come as the climate continues to warm. As the IESO has already reported, hydropower is intermittent and unreliable, especially in the face of extreme drought. Does Ontario really plan to build more of these unreliable and dirty methane factories? Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)

File under "RENEWABLE" SUBSTITUTES IN THE SAME MARKET / REGULATORY SYSTEM ... What are the detrimental impacts of the Industrial Renewable Revolution on Central Appalachia and other rural areas where poverty and environmental (in)justices were exasperated during the first Industrial Revolution? Are we just planning, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Department of the Interior, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), to remove the remaining mountaintops leftover from a century plus of previous mining efforts to fuel coal burning power plants to now get the remaining seams to make silicon metal to make solar panels? Is the remediation and economic development plan to plant solar panels where the former mountains once stood? #coal #renewableenergy #solar #lithium #silicametal #communities #localimpacts #publicgood #colonization #systemsthinking

To reach our climate goals, we need to build a lot of renewable energy infrastructure – and fast. But how can we do this without converting green space and agricultural lands? A new report from The Nature Conservancy makes the case for developing solar and wind energy projects on former mine lands and brownfields, which are a largely untapped resource in the clean energy transition. Mining the Sun shows that repurposing mines and brownfields for renewable energy can reduce costs, accelerate clean energy development and protect wildlife habitat and nature. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3UdTx6Z

Sometimes I am asked at conferences what tangible opportunities are there for the private sector to incorporate climate, conservation, and community values in their line of business to help advance a rapid and responsible clean energy buildout. I had to advise on one thing, it's see if you can find a way to set some type of organizational commitment and/or goal to get involved in a project/policy/fund that is focused on repowering minelands with large-scale clean energy technologies while respecting and amplifying host community values and goals. See below for more of TNC's perspectives on this topic:

Mines, landfills and other brownfields are an untapped resource for accelerating the #cleanenergy transition. Repurposing them for #wind and #solar can reduce costs, streamline #deployment and protect #wildlife: a win-win #solution for #climate, #conservation and #communities. Check out #TNC's new report, which includes valuable information and instructive case studies on this key opportunity: https://lnkd.in/e3UdTx6Z

Hydropower is the leading source of renewable electricity generation, but it can disrupt aquatic habitats and hinder migratory species. It is imperative that we work to protect aquatic species while maintaining hydropower's benefit to the grid. Gia Schneider talked with MIT Technology Review's Casey Crownhart about how FishSafe™ turbines are one tool we can use to balance river ecosystem health with global climate goals. Read the full story to learn more! 🐟💧🌍 #Hydropower #RenewableEnergy #SustainableTech #ClimateAction #FishSafe #CleanEnergy #MITTechReview #WithHydropower https://lnkd.in/g-8uHwtY

Major infrastructure program…has potential to be very beneficial…but I am curious about the implications and real world implementation. Thoughts? #hydrogen #cleanenergy https://lnkd.in/gBS8rpt7

"Mining the Sun shows that repurposing mines and brownfields for renewable energy can reduce costs, accelerate clean energy development and protect wildlife habitat and nature." Read more below!

There is no denying we must reach net zero to tackle the climate crisis at hand. It's going to require renewable energy infrastructure and a lot of it. According to a new report from The Nature Conservancy, "if clean energy continues to be sited the way it always has been, the U.S. will need an area the size of Texas to meet our climate targets." How do we then ensure we are protecting biodiversity, landscape connectivity and wildlife corridors in the renewable transition? TNC is suggesting siting clean energy infrastructure on degraded lands like mining sites, landfills and brownfields which can be a win-win solution for climate, conservation and communities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ec6tcRC6