Harnessing the Power of Rocks: A Sustainable Leap in Renewable Energy Storage

/ activist360
Nathan Schroeder, Walter Gerstle, and Luke McLaughlin discuss the design or an energy storage system that is being researched in by CSolPower and Sandia Labs. Photo by Craig Fritz.
Nathan Schroeder, Walter Gerstle, and Luke McLaughlin discuss the design or an energy storage system that is being researched in by CSolPower and Sandia Labs. Photo by Craig Fritz.

The Rock-Bed Revolution

New Mexico-based CSolPower, in partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, is pioneering a novel and cost-effective energy storage system using rocks. This groundbreaking approach aims to bolster the adoption of renewable energy sources, specifically solar and wind, by ensuring energy availability during high-demand periods or when these sources are intermittent.

According to Luke McLaughlin, a Sandia mechanical engineer, the storage system integrates renewable energy into an electrically charged thermal energy structure. Interestingly, regular gravel from landscaping firms can be employed in this system, eliminating the need for extensive preparation.

Under the lens at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, a compact 100-kilowatt-hour test rig showcased the rock bed’s potential. With the ongoing installation of photovoltaic panels, the intent is to demonstrate the bed’s proficiency in using intermittent energy.

Walter Gerstle, CSolPower’s co-founder, emphasized the system’s versatility: “One of the advantages of thermal energy storage in rocks is that it can be built anywhere. It can be commodified and doesn’t require extensive permitting. We believe it can be implemented more quickly and economically than other approaches.”

One standout feature of CSolPower’s invention is its long-duration energy storage. Tests indicated that the rock bed could be heated to over 900°F and maintained for up to 20 hours. This facilitates storing excess daytime electricity as heat, which can later be used for warming water and homes in the evening.

Set for continued prototype testing till June 2024, CSolPower is keen on transitioning this lab-scale initiative into a market-ready solution. Successful trials might soon see northern New Mexico greenhouses utilizing this rock bed technology to maintain optimal temperatures throughout the year.

The Technology Readiness Gross Receipts initiative funds this project phase, aiming to aid New Mexico businesses in commercializing their innovations.

This rock-bed solution represents a promising stride towards green electricity generation and broadens the horizon for sustainable energy storage.

Guardians of Genetic Diversity: Revive & Restore Spearheads Pioneering Biobanking Project

/ activist360
Field biologists enter a restoration site for the endangered Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Credit: Kika Tuff / Revive & Restore
Field biologists enter a restoration site for the endangered Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). Credit: Kika Tuff / Revive & Restore

A Landmark Biobanking Initiative

In a pioneering effort to counter the escalating threats of biodiversity loss, Revive & Restore, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has initiated the first agency-wide biobanking program for U.S. endangered species. This strategic effort intends to indefinitely preserve living cells from these species, thus conserving their invaluable genetic diversity. The technique used to conserve endangered species by storing their genetic material is known as cryopreservation.

“Biobanking gives us the chance to save irreplaceable genetic diversity,” explains Seth Willey, Deputy Assistant Regional Director at the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Southwest Region. “If done right, it creates a marker-in-time and gives future recovery biologists options, like genetic rescue, that are only possible if we act now.”

Biobanking has three core applications:

  • Preserving Genetic Diversity: Cryopreserving cells help maintain the genetic diversity, which is crucial for future restoration projects.
  • Managing with Genomic Insight: Sequencing DNA from preserved cells can offer insights into wildlife management and restoration opportunities.
  • Genetic Rescue through Technology: By leveraging advanced biotechnologies, the stored genetic material can reintroduce genetic diversity, refine reproductive tools, and possibly recover extinct species.

The biobanking procedure consists of four phases:

  1. Collaboration: Engage with field biologists for effective tissue sample collection.
  2. Collection: Process collected samples either for primary cell culture or immediate cryopreservation.
  3. Protection: Store frozen cell lines and tissue in a national repository for long-term preservation.
  4. Application: Utilize these samples to construct a reference genome accessible to researchers for conservation activities.

Less than 14% of over 1,700 U.S. threatened or endangered species have cryopreserved living tissue. This initiative intends to change this, starting with the biobanking of 24 selected endangered mammals including the Mexican Wolf, Sonoran Pronghorn, Florida Bonneted Bat, and Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse.

Ryan Phelan, Executive Director of Revive & Restore, stated, “This is about creating a legacy of America’s natural history before it is lost.” The program has garnered support and participation from notable institutions like ViaGen Pets & Equine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among others.

Furthermore, to assist field biologists in biobanking, Revive & Restore has introduced resources like sample collection protocols and visual aids available on their project webpage.

In short, this multi-institutional partnership is poised to significantly advance the preservation of U.S. endangered species, marking a significant stride in conserving America’s rich biodiversity.

California’s New Greenhouse Gas Reporting Laws: A Higher Standard

/ activist360
Oil and gas field
BLM California manages nearly 600 producing oil and gas leases covering more than 200,000 acres and 7,900 usable wells. More: Between 80% and 90% of all surface-disturbing activities related to oil and gas activities occur in the San Joaquin Valley on public lands administered by Central California District, Bakersfield Field Office. More than 95% of all Federal drilling occurs in established fields within the Kern County area of the San Joaquin Valley.

The oil and gas program in California is one of the more active in all of the western states, with 2013 onshore oil production figures ranking the State as the 3rd most productive state in the United States. In 2012, California was ranked as the 13th most productive natural gas-producing state. BLM California is responsible for managing one of the most productive individual onshore leases in the lower 48 states, and four of the nation’s top seven producing oil fields are located in Kern County. As a general rule, California’s Federal production totals average approximately 8%-10% of California’s total oil and natural gas production. Original public domain image from Flickr

On October 7, California took a bold step in combatting climate change. Governor Gavin Newsom signed two pioneering bills, SB-253 and SB-261, that not only bolster greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting but also mandate prominent companies to unveil their climate-related financial risks. What makes this move especially notable is its scope; even exceeding the requirements set by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2022.

What Does SB-253 Entail?

Companies with annual revenues surpassing $1 billion in California will now be obligated to disclose their GHG emissions each year. By 2026, both direct and indirect emissions fall under this mandate. And come 2027, the requirements will be even more stringent. However, there’s a bit of leniency; companies that report scope 3 emissions, which are notoriously challenging to quantify, will face milder penalties provided they report in a genuine effort. The stakes are high; failure to comply can result in fines of up to $500,000 per year. However, to keep things in perspective, $500,000 is a mere 0.0083% of Chevron’s net income of $6.01B.

The Significance of SB-261

Marking a debut at the state level, SB-261 makes it compulsory for businesses with yearly earnings exceeding $500 million to publicly disclose their climate-related financial threats and preventive measures. This requirement kicks off on January 1, 2026, with non-compliance potentially costing companies up to $50,000 annually.

Who’s in Charge?

The responsibility of implementing these groundbreaking laws rests with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). They’re set to engage in rule-making processes in 2024 and will actively seek input from concerned stakeholders. Yet, the path might not be smooth; legal challenges are anticipated, suggesting that the future of these laws may be determined in court.

The Implications for Big Players

Corporate giants in California, such as Chevron and Apple, now find themselves under the spotlight. They need to account for broader emission sources, which include aspects like supply chains and product usage. And with these rigorous Californian regulations, the state is setting a precedent, outpacing both federal and state norms. Furthermore, global powerhouses like Apple and Microsoft are gearing up for these disclosures. While California stands strong with its firm economic position, its guidelines prove more demanding than those at the U.S. federal level.

The Bigger Picture

While reporting scope 3 emissions might be complex, it underscores vital areas of transformation. When companies consistently and transparently disclose their emissions, it can catalyze real climate action. As a testament to this, the U.K.’s emission disclosure rule led to a noteworthy 8% reduction in corporate emissions.