Sustainability Weekly

SUSTAINABILITY
Written By Dara Magagnoli

Fridays are for…

Renewable Energy, Electric Container Ships, Urban EV Charging, and more!

by Alli DiGiacomo

Happy Friday and Happy Mothers Day weekend to all who celebrate! It’s official, every month since April 2023 has been the hottest on record. This means that April was the 11th month in a row to break temperature records. Let me repeat that: April marks 11 consecutive months of unprecedented global temperatures. 2024 is already on track to be the hottest year on record (current record is 2023).

That being said, read below on some hopeful stories and good news worth sharing as we make progress!

T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S

RENEWABLES GENERATED A RECORD 30% OF GLOBAL ELECTRICITY IN 2023

Renewable energy sources accounted for a record-breaking 30% of global electricity generation in 2023, driven primarily by significant growth in solar and wind power over the past decade. Solar energy has been the fastest-growing source of electricity generation for 19 consecutive years, expanding by 23% in 2023 alone. This surge in clean energy has simultaneously slowed the growth of fossil fuels by nearly two-thirds, suggesting that global power sector carbon emissions have most likely peaked in 2023, according to analysis by Ember.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST ELECTRIC CONTAINER SHIP WAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED

COSCO Shipping, a Chinese state-owned company, has introduced a 10,000 ton capacity river-to-sea electric container ship, named the Green Water 01. This is a significant advancement in sustainability within the marine logistics industry and sets new standards for environmental responsibility. The battery capacity of the ship exceeds 50,000 kWh and is flexible in battery module configuration based on voyage length, with additional 20-foot battery boxes available for extended range at 80,000 kWh. This is equivalent to saving 15 tons of fuel compared to a traditional vessel. COSCO Shipping estimates that the Green Water 01 can save 3,900 kg of fuel per 100 nautical miles traveled.

A STARTUP FINDS A WAY TO USE STREET LIGHTS AS A SOLUTION TO BIG CITY EV CHARGING PROBLEMS

Voltpost, a New York-based startup, has a solution for urban electric vehicle (EV) charging, utilizing streetlights to tap into existing electricity infrastructure as street lights transition to LED lighting. After 3 years of testing in NYC and Detroit, the modular, street-ready EV charging system is designed to overcome the challenges of curbside charging in urban settings and is ready for large-scale commercial use. Initial larger deployments are planned for Chicago, NYC, and Detroit later this year. 

Large urban areas have unique challenges for EV charging infrastructure due to limited space and access to the power grid, with many cities burying power lines underground. This makes extending power lines for charging stations costly and impractical. Streetlights offer a readily available source of power, potentially eliminating the need for extensive grid hookups. European cities have already capitalized on this concept, with thousands of light post-connected EV chargers installed. To safeguard against vandalism and theft, Voltpost's design features protective aluminum casing and a retractable charging cable. The charging handle design prioritizes safety and convenience, minimizing the risk of accidents and damage. The company also emphasizes ease of repair, allowing damaged components to be quickly replaced without extensive onsite maintenance. Voltpost's business model involves bundling hardware, installation, software, and maintenance costs into a subscription fee for cities or utilities.

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Dara Magagnoli
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