San Antonio to Combat ‘Climate Emergency’ with New Action Plan

One of America’s highest Latino-populated cities now has a strategy to address the climate crisis. Earlier this month, the San Antonio (64% Latino) City Council passed Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) by a 10-1 vote. It outlines objectives that … Continue reading

Where Batteries are Replacing Power Plants

A curious thing recently happened in Southern California. One of the largest utilities in the country scrapped a proposal to build a new peaker plant, opting instead to build a battery system that could store excess electricity from solar and … Continue reading

Just Add Water: New Salt Battery Could Help Spell the End of Fossil Fuels

This groundbreaking new project in Germany is testing the use of salt as an ingredient for a fossil fuel-free future.

The Reuter power plant in Berlin recently launched a new system of technology that is using calcium oxide, also known as quicklime, to store heat for long periods of time.

Germany already has the renewable energy capacity to power more than half of the country, but since many green energy sources are dependent on consistent weather conditions, the nation is forced to continue using fossil fuels as backup energy sources.

Quicklime, on the other hand, generates large amounts of heat when it is simply exposed to water.

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An Open Letter To Be the Change and Lead the Change

Whale blubber and buggy whips were once fine industries, but progress moved us away. And today we know the days are over of a false choice between environmental protection and economic growth. Since when did the simple concept of leaving … Continue reading

Progress and Sustainability Are Intertwined

History shows whale blubber and buggy whips were once fine industries but progress moved us to better things. And through progress today we know the days are well over of a false choice between environmental protection and economic growth. Similarly, … Continue reading

For San Antonio’s Water and Energy Utilities, Collaboration Leads to Conservation

Great article at The Rivard Report on the excellent steps toward building smarter more efficient electric and water grids! Is it time to look at how SAWS and CPS can partner to install water pipes that generate electricity? Portland did … Continue reading

San Antonio ranks 6th in U.S. solar

The Alamo City — which was in eighth place last year — now has 161 megawatts of direct current solar power installed, according to the latest Shining Cities report from Environment America. The numbers are through the end of 2017. … Continue reading

San Antonio’s CPS Energy faces criticism on clean energy strategy – San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio’s public utility, CPS Energy, faced blowback from city leaders and environmental groups Thursday on its newly released strategic power plan that takes decades to fully transition to renewable sources of energy. “A lot of folks felt blindsided by … Continue reading

MIT’s new flow battery breathes air to cut costs of renewable energy storage

Renewable energy might be clean, but it's not always reliable if the Sun ducks behind clouds or the wind slacks off. To counter that variability, the grid will need to combine a range of different sources, such as solar, wind, … Continue reading

Through 2030 District, Downtown Businesses Work to Cut Energy Usage

Members of a local energy-efficiency initiative collectively reduced their carbon impact by more than 10,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2016, according to an annual report from San Antonio 2030 District, which is leading the effort. The initiative, led … Continue reading

A Call For An Equitable Climate Action Plan in San Antonio | Sierra Club

Last week, I walked into the San Antonio City Council Chambers to present the Council members with nearly 700 petition signatures urging them to press forward with their pledged commitment to develop a Climate Action Plan for the city. While … Continue reading

Almost every country in the world can power itself with renewable energy

The country’s energy mix is under scrutiny. A report commissioned by Energy Secretary Rick Perry acknowledges that low natural gas prices—not renewables—are behind the recent closure of coal energy plants, and that the grid has managed to withstand the increasing … Continue reading

Utility Helps Wean Vermonters From the Electric Grid

The program offers just one example of the continuing efforts at the local level to rethink a largely carbon-based power system. The initiatives are driven by financial advantages as well as environmental ones. Green Mountain’s chief executive, Mary Powell, sees … Continue reading

CPS Energy and AACOG Partner to Better Serve San Antonio – CPS Energy Newsroom and Blog

The Utility Will Coordinate Air Quality Data Collection Activities, Previously Handled by the Agency and Funded by the State CPS Energy has agreed to further partner with the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), ensuring air quality data collection remains … Continue reading

CPS Energy Grants UTSA $500,000 for Local Climate Research

A $500,000 grant from CPS Energy will allow researchers at University of Texas in San Antonio to dive into San Antonio’s climate inventory and, for the first time, develop the framework for a local climate action plan to improve air quality and reduce … Continue reading

San Antonio Outshines Other Texas Cities In Solar Energy Capacity

San Antonio is the state's leader in solar energy capacity, according to a recent report assessing local "smart" policies across America. Within the last decade, growth in the solar energy industry has brought numerous businesses and new initiatives to San … Continue reading

eLab Accelerator Projects Sustain Hope for Clean Energy Innovation

Starting yesterday, the 2017 eLab Accelerator teams has convened at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah to accelerate their initiatives with the support of nationally renowned expert faculty and eLab’s specially trained facilitators. At Accelerator and beyond, projects from across … Continue reading

CPS Energy renews rooftop solar rebate program with $15M in funding

CPS Energy is renewing its rooftop solar rebate program with another $15 million in funding. CPS Chief Operating Officer Cris Eugster announced the program's renewal Monday afternoon during the city-owned utility company's board meeting. Under the new plan, CPS has … Continue reading

Transforming Appalachia’s Coal-Powered Economy One Community At A Time

Grassroots organizations in coal states have been reaching out to people in coal communities — and seeking financial support from local, state, and federal governments — with initiatives to help ea… Conversation should be what's the best way to transition to renewable energy, not … Continue reading