The opinions expressed are my own. I am retired.
Overview:
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Head for Another Record in 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/climate/greenhouse-gas-emissions-china.html
The total is roughly 1.1 percent more than the world emitted in 2024.
Toyota’s new solid-state batteries promise 40 years of power, longer EV range
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/toyota-solid-state-ev-batteries-long-range
It promises a range of over 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) on a single charge.
Liberal ministers avoid saying when emissions cap could be scrapped
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-oil-gas-emissions-cap-liberal-ministers-avoid-saying-when-scrapped/
Imposing greenhouse-gas emissions limits on Canada’s oil-and-gas industry was a major commitment former prime minister Justin Trudeau made in 2021 at COP26, the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow.
The State of AI: Energy is king, and the US is falling behind
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/11/10/1126805/the-state-of-ai-energy-is-king-and-the-us-is-falling-behind/
In the age of AI, the biggest barrier to progress isn’t money but energy.
The above articles have strategic implications for the electricity industry. Some of the potential implications are considered below:
Carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase. Electric vehicle and battery technology is improving quickly. Canada might eliminate the cap on carbon emissions from the oil and gas industry. The demand for electricity is increasing.
Please subscribe to the newsletter! If you would like to keep reading, the links are at the end of the newsletter and are organized by themes such as Solar, Wind, Batteries, and Carbon Capture. I am always looking for ways to improve, so your suggestions for the weekly newsletter are welcome. Please send me a link if you spot an interesting item. Send me your personal email address if you would like to receive the email directly.
Retirement is great! Have a great week!
Lorne Deyenberg
lorne_deyenberg@hotmail.com
#Electricity #Energy #Sustainablity #Technology
Safety
This flu season looks grim as H3N2 emerges with mutations
Https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/11/this-flu-season-looks-grim-as-h3n2-emerges-with-mutations/
The study found that soon after vaccination, the vaccine provided 70 to 75 percent protection against hospitalization in children ages 2 to 17 years, and 30 to 40 percent protection from hospitalization in adults.
Customers
This industrial heat pump is cheaper to run than a boiler. Yes, really.
Https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/heat-pumps/skyven-industrial-decarbonization-pilot-cost-effective
Inside, the startup Skyven Technologies was running a mechanical apparatus dubbed Arcturus, which turns waste heat into industrial-grade steam.
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/were-proud-to-be-pioneers-inside-spains-community-energy-revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty.
Government Funding
US energy secretary says biggest use of loan office will be for nuclear power plants
Https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-energy-secretary-says-biggest-use-loan-office-will-be-nuclear-power-plants-2025-11-10/
The LPO has hundreds of billions of dollars in financing aid, including loan guarantees for projects that struggle to get bank loans.
Billions Flow to US Nuclear Sector With Payoff Still Years Away
Https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-12/-80-billion-nuclear-bet-won-t-power-ai-boom-for-at-least-a-decade
In reality, traditional reactors take 10 years or more to build, while a highly anticipated wave of small, modular reactors has yet to produce commercial power.
Solar Power
US installed nearly 26 GW of new generating capacity from January to August
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/us-installed-nearly-26-gw-of-new-generating-capacity-from-january-to-august/804848/
As it has for most of the past two years, solar continued to dominate new generation resources, accounting for 2.7 GW out of 4 GW brought online in August alone, and 19 GW — about three-quarters — of generation capacity additions this year.
Australia approves Samsung C&T’s 300MW solar-plus-storage project in 19 days
Https://www.pv-tech.org/australia-approves-samsung-cts-300mw-solar-plus-storage-project-in-19-days/
The solar project, developed by Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia, will be constructed on previously cleared land, demonstrating how appropriate site selection can expedite the approvals process for renewable energy developments.
Wind Power
The World’s Largest Wind Turbine Will Smash Previous Records
Https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-worlds-largest-wind-turbine-will-smash-previous-records/
It can generate 26 megawatts (MW) of energy, more than double the global average for individual turbines.
Sustainability
I wish we could ignore Bill Gates on the climate crisis. But he’s a billionaire, so we can’t
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/08/bill-gates-climate-crisis-billionaire-essay-cop30
If, as now seems likely, crucial Earth systems cross tipping points and suddenly collapse, the effects on human life, let alone the survival of other life forms (a topic he fails, as usual, to mention), would destroy the smooth and steady progress he foresees.
Federal budget 2025: Ottawa plans to scale back ‘greenwashing’ rules, but companies say it’s not enough
Https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-ottawa-plans-to-scale-back-greenwashing-rules-but-companies-say-its/
Two provisions to be revoked require companies to prove their green assertions using internationally recognized – though unspecified – methodologies, and allow third parties to make complaints directly to the Competition Tribunal.
Canadian companies are making energy-transition plans – but quietly
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canada-business-companies-energy-transition-plans-climate-change/
In its annual benchmarking study, Climate Engagement Canada said nearly two-thirds of the 40 companies on its focus list of big emitters now disclose energy-transition plans that show how they will meet their emissions targets, up from just over half last year.
A Flood of Green Tech From China Is Upending Global Climate Politics
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/climate/cop30-belem-climate-energy-technology-china.html
But these countries are increasingly meeting large portions of their energy needs with renewable power, both for the cost savings and for energy security reasons.
Batteries and Storage
World’s largest 4.75 GWh sodium battery system planned for US energy storage
Https://interestingengineering.com/energy/worlds-largest-sodium-battery-system-us
These systems are slated for deployment across Jupiter Power’s projects between 2027 and 2030.
‘It’s not a matter of sodium versus lithium, we need both’
Https://www.ess-news.com/2025/11/14/its-not-a-matter-of-sodium-versus-lithium-we-need-both/
A US research team has developed all-solid-state sodium batteries that retain performance down to subzero temperatures.
Electric Vehicles
Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 N is an irrationally fun EV that mimics a gas-powered sports car
Https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/reviews/article-hyundais-ioniq-6-n-is-an-irrationally-fun-ev-that-mimics-a-gas-powered/
Although Canadian pricing has not yet been determined, Park said the strategy is to keep it as close to the Ioniq 6 as possible, which sells for about $58,000.
The Luxury Electric Vehicle Is in Trouble
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/business/luxury-electric-vehicles.html
Sales of expensive battery-powered cars like the Ford F-150 Lightning have stalled, forcing automakers to slow production and offer more affordable vehicles.
Transmission and Distribution
PowerOn Midwest proposes project through southwest Minnesota
https://www.dglobe.com/news/local/poweron-midwest-proposes-project-through-southwest-minnesota
If approved, construction on the projects would start as early as 2030 and be in service between 2032-34, but first, there are multiple steps the utilities must take.
Southwest Power Pool to develop 765-kV regional transmission ‘backbone
Https://www.utilitydive.com/news/spp-to-develop-765-kv-regional-backbone/804981/
Key to the 2025 Integrated Transmission Plan is development of a 765-kV regional transmission “backbone” that can carry four times the power SPP’s existing 345-kV lines do, and do so more efficiently.
Hydro-fibre line to Canada’s North is key to Arctic sovereignty, proponents say
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-kivalliq-hydro-fibre-link-arctic-sovereignty-nunavut-major-projects/
Arctic sovereignty is just a slogan unless Canada’s North gets its own electricity and broadband connections to the rest of the country, the proponent of a $3.2-billion hydro-fibre line from Manitoba to Nunavut says.
Carbon Capture, Coal, Cap and Trade, Carbon-Pricing and CO2 Emissions
Trump’s DOE may soon force more coal plants to stay open
Https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/fossil-fuels/trump-colorado-coal-stay-open-orders
The Trump administration appears poised to force more coal plants to stay open past their planned closing dates — an unprecedented intervention in the power sector that is already making energy even more expensive for Americans.
Economics and Politics
Carney’s latest major projects include LNG terminal, nickel mine
Https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-carney-mining-energy-proposals-major-projects-list/
The six projects announced Thursday are the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia; Ontario’s Crawford nickel project; New Brunswick’s Sisson mine; Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine in Quebec; the Iqaluit Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project and the North Coast Transmission Line in northwest B.C.
Nuclear
US ‘disappointed’ that Rolls-Royce will build UK’s first small modular reactors
Https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/13/us-disappointed-that-rolls-royce-will-build-uks-first-small-modular-reactors
Wylfa on the island of Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, will be home to three small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce SMR.
Other Industry News
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/09/drax-still-burning-250-year-old-trees-sourced-from-forests-in-canada-experts-say
Drax power plant has continued to burn 250-year-old trees sourced from some of Canada’s oldest forests despite growing scrutiny of its sustainability claims, forestry experts say.
The Threat of a Solar Superstorm Is Growing—And We’re Not Ready
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-threat-of-a-solar-superstorm-is-growing-and-were-not-ready/
Data from ancient tree rings and ice cores suggest that in C.E. 774 a solar storm hit our planet that was so powerful that it significantly altered our atmospheric chemistry.
Alberta Market
Alberta’s Danielle Smith says agreement with Ottawa expected to be signed in coming days
Https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-alberta-danielle-smith-agreement-ottawa-expected-signed-coming-days/
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday said an agreement with Ottawa is expected to be signed in the coming days that would address federal regulations she has repeatedly said hamper private-sector investment in the energy industry.
Data
World Energy Outlook 2025
Https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2025/executive-summary
Electricity is at the heart of modern economies and electricity demand grows much faster than overall energy use in all scenarios. It rises by around 40% to 2035 in both the CPS and the STEPS, and by more than 50% in the NZE Scenario.
Electric power selling price index, monthly
Https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1810020401
Table: 18-10-0204-01
November 2025 Monthly Statistical Review
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-data/bureau-of-statistics/economic-reports-and-statistics
Retirement is great! Have a great week!
