Clean Currents #12
Clean Currents brings you the top news and stories in clean energy generation each week, plus highlights for EVs, electrification trends, and more. If you’re enjoying Clean Currents, please consider sharing with your friends, coworkers, and loved ones!
California Exceeds 178,000 Electric Vehicle Chargers, 50% More Than Gas Pumps
The California Energy Commission released data showing that EV Level 2 and DC fast chargers now greatly exceed the number of gas pumps in the state, with more than half of the 178k+ total installed just in 2024 alone. The Commission also found there are more than 700,000 at-home Level 2 chargers installed throughout the state.
Germany’s RWE is building battery storage facility with an output of more than 600 megawatts at Westfalen power plant
The system will have a total capacity of 1.2 GW-hours, and will be able to provide its maximum output for up to two hours at a time to smooth demand for the grid. It’s expected to begin operating by 2028.
Pilot, GM, and EVgo connect travel corridors with EV chargers in over 25 states
More than 130 of a planned 500 stations that will offer 2,000 DC fast chargers in total have been constructed, each including excellent lighting, free WiFi, bathroom facilities, and around-the-clock staffing to provide a safe, convenient experience. EVgo 350kw chargers allow drivers to charge up in as little as 15 minutes, along with pre-paid Plug-and-Charge setups that make recharging even more straightforward than filling up with gas.
Germany makes first payment to start core hydrogen network development
The hydrogen core network will use existing gas pipelines and eventually new construction to make hydrogen accessible from production centers around the country. Hydrogen can be made using excess renewable power from sources like wind and solar to provide safe, convenient storage of emissions-free energy, supplementing other storage solutions like grid-scale batteries and pumped hydro.
Lots of EV news this week, which might seem strange given the way things looked a few months ago as Trump came into office. But in my view, we have already reached the EV tipping point and there’s really no going back, or even slowing down. Charging infrastructure has become serviceable across essentially the entire country, and is approaching gas-station levels of convenience in more densely populated costal areas. Private businesses have seen the positive impacts of offering EV charging, and new innovations from existing players like EVgo and upstarts like Beam Global are providing faster and more consumer friendly options than ever before.
Germany also comes up a lot in this newsletter, partly because they’re having to make up the difference filled by nuclear power that almost every other advances nation has leaned into. It will be interesting to see if the Germans can keep up with the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045 with only renewable options, or if they’ll eventually be forced to restart nuclear production throughout the country, as the US has been planning for the past few years.
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Clean Data
Weekly Averages:
Total Renewable: 49.16% (down -4.81% from last week)
Hydro: 7.12% (up 0.22%)
Solar: 7.65% (up 19.49%)
Wind: 14.96% (down -16.37%)
Nuclear: 19.43% (down -4.04%)
The numbers can’t be up every week, with wind falling off particularly hard compared to last week and especially towards the end of this week. Solar made up some of the difference, and continues its upward trend, and this may well be the last week before fall this year where we see renewables at less than 50% of total weekly production.
Fuel Up Ratio: (DC Fast Chargers (12,460)/Gas Stations): 6.34% (up +53, 0.43%)
Top Stories
Chevy is the fastest-growing EV brand in the US right now
GM, Hyundai said to be near deal to share pickups, electric vans in North America
Fusion energy startup Focused signs agreement with RWE, German state
Rivian’s R1S broke into the top 5 best-selling EVs last month
Bonus Reads
What’s Up Newp – New England grid operator tells Congress offshore wind critical to future power reliability – AnnMarie Hilton
OffshoreWIND.biz – Gone with the Wind: Overcoming Europe’s Offshore Project Obstacles – Michel Maaskant
Clean Air Task Force – The EU can lead on geothermal energy, but it needs to define its plan – Jenna Hill
