This week in cleantech and energy innovation, underwater robots will begin to unravel the microbe mysteries of the ocean, drones continue to give cleantech infrastructure a hand-up, and cow manure makes a debut in the renewables pool. Read on for updates in battery markets, nuclear power, and the energy market surging through Latin America!

What news have you been reading this week? Share with us @GreentownLabs!

 

GreenBiz – How drones are lowering the cost of clean energy

• Emerging drone and computing technology has the potential to lower costs for solar and wind development companies, allowing them to compete with fossil fuel companies on market prices.

“The idea is that drones can handle certain jobs, such as panel or turbine maintenance, much more quickly and for a lower cost than they can be done by human workers.”

 

Futurism – A Fleet of Underwater Robots Will Create Detailed Map of Marine Microbes

• Scientists are testing long range autonomous underwater vehicles (LRAUVs) to collect data on microbes throughout the ocean.

“Now I really think this is going to transform oceanography by giving us a persistent presence in the ocean — a presence that doesn’t require a boat, can operate in any weather condition, and can stay within the same water mass as it drifts around the open ocean.”

 

Futurism –  Congress Hasn’t Given up on Nuclear Power

• Two bills are moving through Congress that will advance research into safer forms of nuclear power. Though nuclear has fallen out of favor in much of the world, it remains a promising option for clean, emissions-free energy.

“Indeed, though there are still huge questions remaining about the high costs and safety risks of nuclear energy, the fact remains that nuclear is one of the few proven emissions-free sources of power that run rain or shine, wind or no wind. Bills like NEICA could be invaluable in compelling research on how to use nuclear power more safely, exploring smaller plants and technology like molten salt reactors that run on alternatives to uranium.”

 

Cleantecnica – US Utilities Turning Shuttered Coal Generating Facilities Into Solar Power Plants

• Two US Utility companies are repurposing coal ash ponds to be used to build solar power plants, making use of what has traditionally been undesirable land due to pollution.

“Repurposing shuttered coal plant sites is ‘an overlooked opportunity to put these sites back into use and bring jobs and investment to communities that have been hit hard,’ says Tom McKittrick, CEO of Forsite Development, a North Carolina company that makes its living finding new and profitable uses for old utility installations.”

 

Bloomberg – No More Room for the Little Guys in Latin America’s Clean Energy Market

• Latin America’s energy market is booming, attracting industry giants, driving prices down, and as a result, pushing out smaller developers.

“Smaller developers were instrumental in taking wind and solar mainstream in the region, making headlines in recent years by offering record low prices at government auctions. Now they’re getting undercut by bigger rivals like Enel SpA, AES Corp. and Iberdrola SA.”

 

Bloomberg –  Add Cow Manure to Your List of Renewable Energy Sources

• Researchers are digging into ways to increase the energy content of cow manure with a refining process that has the potential to produce so much renewable gas that it could be stored as a natural battery.

“The U.S. has the potential to produce enough raw biogas to power 7.5 million homes and reduce emissions that contribute to global warming by equivalent of as many as 15.4 million vehicles, according to the biogas council.”

 

Greentech Media – Battery Markets and Metals Markets Have Officially Collided

• New research suggests the rise of electric vehicles and energy storage is causing lithium, cobalt, and nickel to experience price fluctuations as tech and auto giants compete to lock down battery materials.

“The research suggests that electric vehicles and energy storage, though tiny players now in their respective markets, are already influencing the markets for their core commodities. That influence will only increase as the major global automakers scale up EV production in earnest.”