And now for some good news

With five days to go until the end of an extra interesting year and the start of another, no doubt even more interesting one, let’s take a break from the doom and gloom, and focus on some good news from the land of energy and transitions of various sorts.

While we were all relaxing in anticipation of the holidays, the EU continued working tirelessly to make its citizens’ lives better. Earlier this month, for example, Brussels approved the new Euro 7 standard for cars.

Alas, the forces of evil were at work and prevented the honorable transition warriors from tightening tailpipe emission standards but they — the warriors, that is — succeeded in adding new sources of emissions to the motor transport total: emissions from braking and microparticle emissions from tyres.

Now, if you’re an ignorant individual like me this is probably the first time you hear that using your brakes results in emissions but that’s what life is about — learning new things and extending our gratitude to the superior minds that make it their business to teach us these new things.

You might say that they’re talking about microparticle emissions during braking but there’s an “and” there, people. The EU’s targeting emissions from braking and microparticles from tyres. Braking emissions are real*. There’s just one little problem with the microparticle part of the latest great victory: EVs are heavier and release greater amounts of microparticles from their tyres.

*An expert reader explained that they are, indeed, real. In the form of metal flakes that brake pads shed when applied.

Actually, there’s a bigger problem for EV makers in the new EU rules. They stipulate that EV batteries must retain 80% of their capacity by the fifth year of their existence. Awkward. But honorable.

In further good news from Brussels, all EU members signed up for something called a Wind Power Package aimed at overcoming the challenges that the wind power industry is currently facing.

How? With concrete steps. What concrete steps? Well, the 27 states will “ensure a sufficient, robust and predictable pipeline for the deployment of wind energy … covering at least the period 2024-2026.” You don’t get much more concrete than this and that’s a fact.

The U.S. administration has also been hard at work making sure the energy transition takes place. Reuters informed us last week that offshore wind is set to take off next year despite this year’s troubles. The reason it will take off is that states will pay more for future electricity from the offshore turbines. Basically, they’ll pay whatever developers ask lest they cancel their projects and compromise states’ transition plans, perish the thought.

California, meanwhile, is having a teeny bit of a problem with its solar revolution. I know I said good news only but it’s important. The state has reduced the amount of money solar power fans earn from selling their excess electricity to the grid and that’s led to a shocking development — a drop in the demand for household solar. This has led to job cuts in the industry, dropping revenues and even bankruptcies. How could you, California?

I’m afraid there’s recently also been some bad news for green hydrogen developers. The federal government has for some reason decided to be petty and has decreed that producers of green hydrogen will have to prove that all of their production, on an hourly basis, comes from electrolysis involving wind/solar electricity, not just their annual total. The green hydrogen industry is offended. It says the new rule will make projects too expensive — even with tax credits — and discourage investments.

Speaking of investments in anything green, let’s return to Europe where the EU is watching an outflow of battery supply chain investors who are heading for the U.S. where the subsidies are better, as in, more generous.

The question is, will the EU launch an investigation into U.S. subsidy practices as it did with China or will it mumble “But that’s different” and shuffle its feet awkwardly before pledging a few more billion euro to keep those precious investors.

Meanwhile, let’s remember that battery investments are highly dependent on carmakers’ production plans, which will no doubt be affected by the latest regulation push by Brussels. It’s like trying to plug a hole in a dam wall while another dozen spring up. It’s a game of Whac-a-mole, only with energy policies.

The funniest part is that they are trying to plug holes they drilled themselves. It’s almost as good as a Mel Brooks film. Incidentally, I have a personal issue I’d like to take up with the EU tyre microparticle emission regulators: potholes.

Potholes must cause increases in microparticle — and braking — emissions. If the regulators are set on doing a good job, how about mandating pot hole repairs to all relevant authorities? Just my tiny little contribution to the greater emission good.

Have a wonderful, productive, and happy New Year, everyone! See you in January.