Discussions continued this week on the security of U.S. infrastructure following the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack. President Biden met with Russian President Putin this week where he outlined critical infrastructure that should be “off-limits” to cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act was introduced in Congress this week. If passed, this legislation will help to establish additional investments in Gulf States to help implement and fund coastal protection and restoration projects, hurricane protection programs, and support coastal, marine, and conservation management plans.
In other news from the Gulf, a federal judge in Louisiana this week issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Biden administration from pausing new oil and gas leases on federal land.
Oil futures rose today for a fourth week of gains, as OPEC expects U.S. oil growth to remain limited this year despite rising prices.
Catch up on more of this week’s energy news below!
5Companies to develop hydrogen-powered locomotives
General Motors Co. signed a deal to develop railroad locomotives powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and battery system. E&E News via the Associated Press breaks down how batteries and hydrogen technology will be used in locomotives to help railroads decrease carbon emissions.
4Solar + storage can boost reliability
Researchers have discovered that when a power system combines energy storage and solar power generation, it can be relied upon to provide up to 40% more power during peak demand than if you just added the output from each source. Futurity explains how solar power and energy storage systems can unlock reliability value that neither technology would provide on its own.
3Old wind turbines are now being used as bridges
With many wind turbine blades now reaching the end of their lifespan, the industry is looking at how to turn decommissioned turbine blades into something new. Euronews shares how bridge building is one innovative solution being put forward as a way of dealing with a major recycling problem facing the industry.
2News ways to unlock the ocean’s energy potential
Researchers are examining how tidal turbines harness the power of underwater currents to turn turbine blades and produce electricity. Slate reports on how new technologies may offer the potential of harvesting low-carbon renewable energy from the ocean with minimal impact to the surrounding environment.
1DOE awards millions to small businesses to help develop clean energy solutions
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced 235 small businesses, across 42 states, will receive $54 million in “critical seed funding for 266 projects that are developing and deploying proof-of-concept prototypes for a wide range of technological solutions needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.” Energy.gov details how these effort will help to create novel solutions for advanced grid technologies, solar and hydrogen power, carbon capture and storage, artificial intelligence, electric vehicle batteries and more.
