[GWSG] US storage up; paths to 1.5C; 30% off for batteries?; fusion in 15 years?; proton battery; trolling activists

[Tilley, Al]

1. Energy storage capacity in the US grew 27% last year and is expected to more than double this year, easing the transition to renewable energy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/03/06/the-u-s-just-hit-a-major-milestone-for-energy-storage-which-is-also-great-news-for-solar/?nid&utm_term=.b25a71f1ecb7



2. A study shows several paths to limiting warming to 1.5C. They generally feature declining global emissions by 2030, 70% renewable energy by 2050, net zero emissions by 2055-75, and a phase-out of oil by 2060.  https://cleantechnica.com/2018/03/06/researchers-unveil-several-ways-to-limit-global-warming-to-1-5c-by-2100/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IM-cleantechnica+%28CleanTechnica%29



3. A ruling by the IRS indicates that in the subject case a battery storage system was a "qualified solar electric property expenditure" and as such eligible for the 30% tax credit for rooftop solar in general. The IRS may interpret other cases similarly. https://www.natlawreview.com/article/irs-rules-solar-energy-storage-upgrade-eligible-tax-credit



4. An MIT team using a new class of superconductors estimates that nuclear fusion could be supplying commercial power in fifteen years. Fusion produces heat to drive steam turbines, like coal plants or nuclear fission reactors, without pollution or hazardous byproducts. http://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-newly-formed-company-launch-novel-approach-fusion-power-0309



5. A proton battery using carbon and water is under development in Australia. The team estimates five to ten years before it is commercially available. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/09/look-no-lithium-first-rechargeable-proton-battery-created

More detail from RMIT U: https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2018/mar/all-power-to-the-proton

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6. Russian internet trolls have attempted to exploit opposition to oil pipelines and other climate issues in attempts to destabilize US society. Activists express concern that their work has been exploited, and fossil fueled politicians are attempting to use the trolls to delegitimize the protests.    http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180308/congress-russians-trolled-florida-pipeline-debate

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