Blue Power Partners’ Post

After coming home yesterday from a very successful WindEurope conference in Bilbao, where the Ireland Pavilion – a collaboration between Wind Energy Ireland and the Government of Ireland – hosted hundreds of delegates from across the European and global wind ecosystems for the week, it is an honour to be able to share today that I am this week’s guest on the Five Degrees of Change Podcast from the Business Post. I’ve been a fan of this podcast – spearheaded by the excellent Daniel Murray – since it first released in 2019 and I’ve learned so much from the dozens of expert guests who have given their suggested policy changes to improve Ireland’s climate and biodiversity ecosystems. A feature on the episode is in today’s Business Post and the episode will be live tomorrow morning wherever you get your podcasts under ‘Five Degrees of Change’. You can read/hear about my personal changes that my family and I have made in our lives like trying to use our garden more to maximise climate & biodiversity benefits (as well as teach our kids about wildlife!) and ensuring my home & my wider family’s homes are as energy efficient as possible which can have huge health benefits for older relatives in particular. For my policy changes, I chose the following which I believe will unlock Ireland’s opportunity to become a world-leading and energy independent thriving green economy for generations to come. I go into a lot of the details of what I mean by these in the episode releasing tomorrow: Policy Change 1: Prioritise renewable energy and grid infrastructure projects in the planning system and ensure decisions on those projects are made in line with our Climate Act legislation. Policy Change 2: Create a national education and communications campaign on the need to reinforce our electricity grid. Policy Change 3: Develop a long-term energy demand strategy for Ireland to maximise the benefits of Ireland’s renewable energy. Thanks again to Daniel Murray for the opportunity which was hugely appreciated. You can read the feature by grabbing the paper in your local shop today or online here: https://lnkd.in/en3HstyW

BayWa r.e. Americas Unveils First Coastal Wind Farm in California 📍Where? Santa Barbara County, near Lompoc, against the scenic backdrop of Vandenberg Space Force Base. The Strauss Wind Energy Project has officially begun operations. It features 27 turbines poised to generate 95.25 megawatts annually. This pioneering project is set to power approximately 36,000 homes in the region, marking a significant leap toward sustainable energy in California. It has created 150 jobs and supports local ranchers and growers. 👏Why It Matters This initiative is a landmark achievement in California's journey toward renewable energy. It demonstrates the power of partnerships and community engagement in driving sustainable initiatives. 👉 Read more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/dkJxcF89 #renewableenergy #windenergy

The recent decision by the East Renfrewshire Council to reject a bid to build a 125-metre-high wind turbine near #Neilston highlights the importance of balancing #renewable energy needs with community and environmental impact. While renewable energy development is essential to meeting our energy needs and combating climate change, it is equally important to preserve the environment and the area's amenities. The council's decision to refuse the application due to its significant detrimental impact on the landscape is a reminder that we must continue to explore sustainable energy solutions that do not negatively impact the environment and the community. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is crucial to consider the long-term impact of our decisions on the environment and the community. We must work together to find innovative and sustainable solutions that benefit us all. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your views in the comments below. #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #Environment #Ilosta #WindEnergy

Big news from Boise! Boise Airport is now powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to Idaho Power's Clean Energy Your Way Program. This milestone reflects the airport industry's commitment to sustainability in aviation. 🌿 ✈️ https://lnkd.in/eQtfAhyd

Today, Rep. Barragan and Rep. Bonamici introduced the Marine Energy Technologies Acceleration Act, a bill that would establish a $1 billion fund to advance marine renewable energy, like wave and tidal energy, in the United States. The bill will help develop clean ocean energy technologies that remote island and coastal communities can use to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions. Ocean Conservancy experts worked closely with Congress to craft this legislation in alignment with our recent brief, "Protecting the Ocean and Supporting Rural Coastal Communities through Responsible Marine Renewable Energy." Check it out now: https://lnkd.in/e9wnzy9F https://lnkd.in/dr-NWkP4 . . #RenewableEnergy #CleanOceanEnergy #OceanClimateAction Ryan Ono Pasha G. Feinberg Anna-Marie Laura Rachael DeWitt Elizabeth Greener Madeline Black

Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people? The UK has established itself as a world leader in offshore wind. Other markets look to the UK as a template for how things should be done: 💡 Spotlight

Portugal’s largest wind farm gets green light. The project, which will have a capacity of 274MW, will be integrated into a pumped-storage hydro complex in northern Portugal. #climatechange #windfarm #windenergy #windpower #climateaction #sustainability #netzero #sustainablefuture #energycrisis #energysolutions

The State of California is a beautiful place to live but like many other states, the impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident. We came across this insightful article from the San Diego Foundation discussing initiatives the city has put into place to achieve net zero emissions by 2035. For example, San Diego currently generates over 43% of its electricity from renewable resources, leading the country in solar panel installations per capita. As a result, its emphasis on solar to achieve its ambitious decarbonization goals demonstrates the importance of deploying energy solutions now, rather than continuing to fund R&D for future energy solutions. https://bit.ly/3UriiMu #Californnia #SanDiego #greenenergy #cleanenergy #climatechange #bethechange #Caelux

ACCIONA Energía is expanding its MacIntyre Wind Precinct as part of the Southern Downs Renewable Energy Zone, to encompass: MacIntyre Wind Farm (near complete), Herries Range Wind Farm (proposed), Karara Wind Farm turbines (proposed) & Karara Battery (proposed). https://lnkd.in/dHtsiYJa

As the transition to renewable energy grows, the World Economic Forum has launched a new coalition assisting large developers in creating projects that benefit nature and local communities