Clean energy will need more federal funding, researchers say

CLEAN ENERGY: Researchers estimate the clean energy transition will demand $1 trillion in federal spending by 2031, though only $66 billion — or 6% of that total — has been distributed so far via the Inflation Reduction Act. (Grist)

BATTERIES: The federal government is reportedly considering shoring up domestic projects that process critical minerals for clean energy applications as they face steep competition from cheaper Chinese materials. (Politico)

WIND:

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers say they’ve developed a wind turbine blade made from plant materials that can be recycled into new shapes or blades. (New York Times)
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics says wind energy is the country’s fastest growing field and projects 60% job growth over the next 10 years. (Axios)
• U.S. wind project investment jumped 63% in the first half of the year from pre-IRA rates, totaling $12 billion for new projects — including 1 GW-plus ​“megaprojects.” (Utility Dive)

GRID:

• Investment firm Morgan Stanley warns prices could surge even higher in PJM Interconnection’s next capacity auction, but another researcher says the analysis may be underestimating how much new capacity will come available. (Utility Dive)
• Dominion Energy officials say they’re receiving so many requests from Virginia data centers to hook up to the power grid that new applicants may have to wait as long as seven years. (Bloomberg)

POLITICS: In her first formal interview as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris promises she won’t ban fracking if elected. (Axios)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Production is delayed until 2027 at an Indiana electric vehicle battery plant jointly run by GM and Samsung as EV sales slow and the companies finalize contract details. (Associated Press)
• As demand for electric vehicles sags, Hyundai adjusts its planned EV factory in Georgia toward hybrids. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, subscription)
• General Motors will bring its electric commercial van startup BrightDrop under the Chevrolet brand in an effort to expand sales beyond delivery companies. (Detroit News, subscription)

SOLAR: Observers say a growing number of Western water managers are considering covering irrigation canals with solar panels to generate power and reduce evaporation. (Water Education)

EFFICIENCY: University of Maryland scientists are leading research into energy-efficient air conditioners. (Inside Climate News)

UTILITIES: Advocates push back on proposed California legislation aimed at reducing utility bills, saying it would gut low-income clean energy programs without significantly increasing affordability. (Canary Media)

ACTIVISM: Environmental and community activists oppose a federal loan for a project exploring whether plastic could be a viable replacement for coal as fuel for steelmaking. (Inside Climate News)

COMMENTARY: PJM’s latest capacity auction with sky-high prices should not be a cause for panic and shows that the grid operator’s market is catching up to the rest of the country in needing to manage supply changes, a former regulator writes. (Utility Dive)