Otto Gunderson, Author at CleanTechnica

The Non-Passenger Side Of The EV Industry

Otto Gunderson — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:52:58 +0000

As passenger electric vehicles and charging stations continue to enter the US mainstream, it is important to support the electrification of trucking, shipping, and large automobiles, which can play a significant role in decarbonizing the transportation sector. Large vehicle electrification has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality ... [continued]

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Blockchain’s Uses in Renewable Energy

Otto Gunderson — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:50:28 +0000

Blockchain and renewable energy technologies have been two of the most discussed technological and economic advances in the recent years. However, until now there has not seemed to be much of a crossover. New uses for blockchain technology are allowing small-scale investment in renewable energy. Rather than limiting utility-scale wind ... [continued]

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Where Is Green Hydrogen Headed?

Otto Gunderson — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:45:20 +0000

Green hydrogen has always struck me as one of the most difficult clean energy technologies to deploy in the transition away from fossil fuels. The creation of hydrogen molecules through electrolysis, and finding a way to transport this newly created product, struck me as incredibly difficult. Fortunately, the varied uses ... [continued]

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Flower Turbines & The Potential Of Small-Scale Wind

Otto Gunderson — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:15:03 +0000

When thinking of small-scale renewable energy solutions, particularly for off-grid projects, solar is the first thing that comes to mind. Whether a ground-mount or roof-mounted system, the availability, falling costs, and simplicity of the solution has thus far been attractive for customers. Wind, on the other hand, is often still ... [continued]

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The Fight Against Coal In Southeast Asia

Otto Gunderson — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:08:07 +0000

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which accounts for almost a dozen countries, includes several of the fastest growing economies in the world. Unfortunately, much of the energy that is fueling this economic development is coming from oil, natural gas, and most concerningly, coal. Approximately 40% of the power ... [continued]

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The Potential Of Solar & Mesh-Grids For Last-Mile Electrification

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 15:24:19 +0000

By combining the energy potential of mini-grids with the ease of use and low cost of solar home systems, mesh-grids are well-suited for many communities still in need of electrification.

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What Is Blended Finance, & Why Does it Matter?

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:20:02 +0000

The elevator pitch for blended finance seems like common sense. Combine several sources of financing with different specialties to promote higher returns and mitigate risk. Unfortunately, the reality is a bit more complicated. The combining of several sources of capital, leveraging the expertise and finance of development banks, private commercial ... [continued]

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Vietnam & The Promise Of Clean Power

Otto Gunderson — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:35:30 +0000

With a rapidly growing economy, vast coastlines available for offshore wind power, and high solar radiation levels, Vietnam has all of the ingredients to be a world leader in renewable energy. A report by McKinsey & Company found that Vietnam is the country in Southeast Asia best suited for wind ... [continued]

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Excitement in Vietnam’s EV Industry

Otto Gunderson — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:30:57 +0000

The road transport sector in Vietnam makes up a significant amount of its GHG emissions, totaling 18% of national emissions. While currently a cause for concern, the switch to electric transport could be beneficial to both the economy and environment. A report on the EV market in Vietnam found that ... [continued]

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Singapore’s Unique Renewable Problems (& Solutions)

Otto Gunderson — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:55:23 +0000

Singapore, with an energy matrix that is composed of 97% oil and gas, is in desperate need of renewable solutions. Unfortunately, due to its limitations as a city-state, Singapore has struggled to develop large scale renewable energy projects. The lack of available land for utility-scale wind and solar farms, along ... [continued]

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The Rise of the Green Bond

Otto Gunderson — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:55:28 +0000

As countries search for creative options to develop renewable energy projects and clean tech, it is becoming more important than ever to develop a reliable tool for green financing. The need is obvious: an estimated $8 trillion in capital will be needed to reach the US obligations under the Paris ... [continued]

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Thailand’s Floating Solar Solution

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:25:20 +0000

With the goal of reaching carbon neutral by 2050, Thailand is pushing heavily to decarbonize its energy sector. Like many countries in SouthEast Asia, this means reducing coal, oil, and natural gas usage and turning to renewable alternatives. While Thailand is anticipating growth from hydropower, wind, and biofuels, its most ... [continued]

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A New Push for Clean Cooking Solutions

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:04:23 +0000

With approximately 950 million people in Africa still reliant on traditional cooking methods, predominantly wood and charcoal, there is a pressing need to disseminate clean cooking technology as fast as possible. Research by the World Health Organization shows that the air pollution created by these methods leads to heart disease, ... [continued]

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Argentina & Chile: A Tale of Two Countries

Otto Gunderson — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 00:36:05 +0000

Mimicking renewable policies is the highest form of flattery While not traditionally held up as a pinnacle of renewable energy development, Chile has quietly become a leader in South America for developing environmental policy and attracting renewable investment. With the amount of solar and wind energy eclipsing coal for the ... [continued]

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Kenya’s Two-Wheeled Revolution

Otto Gunderson — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 04:26:03 +0000

While the US EV market continues to be dominated by ever more advanced passenger vehicles, it is important to remember that the transition to electric vehicles is not a one-size-fits-all path. Consumers in Kenya may find a transition to renewable transportation on two wheels rather than four. Kenya is leading ... [continued]

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Electric Buses in Kenya Create Greater Environmental Impact

Otto Gunderson — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:15:14 +0000

While South American and Chinese cities have been generating a great deal of attention for the electrification of their public transport, East Africa is determined to not fall behind. The majority of electric buses are still in China, but the ones with the biggest impact may be those deployed in ... [continued]

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The Movement to Incorporate Women into Kenya’s Solar PV Workforce

Otto Gunderson — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 19:05:44 +0000

The work done by WISEe, Women in Sustainable Energy & Entrepreneurship, is combating climate change, gender inequality, and improving electricity access simultaneously. Started in 2015, WISEe leads technical PV training, hands-on installation, and entrepreneurship guidance for Kenyan women entering the renewable industry. Based out of Nairobi, they are looking to ... [continued]

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Tanzanian Renewable Startup Leading Through Innovation

Otto Gunderson — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:45:13 +0000

Headquartered in Mwanza, Tanzania, Millennium Engineers was founded in 2016 and uses creative renewable energy solutions to support local communities across Tanzania. Its most recent project, which is still in development, is centered around the fishing industry in Lake Victoria. Among the completed projects, Millennium Engineers has installed renewable energy ... [continued]

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1.8-Gigawatt Benban Solar Farm In Egypt Can Power 1 Million Households

Otto Gunderson — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:03:40 +0000

The success of the Benban Solar Farm near Aswan, Egypt, demonstrates the impact that large scale clean energy projects can have on the energy matrix of North African countries. The largest solar park in Africa and the 4th largest solar farm globally, the park has an installed capacity of 1.8 ... [continued]

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EV Charging Lessons for South America

Otto Gunderson — Wed, 24 May 2023 13:05:24 +0000

The United States has all of the necessary factors for EV charging growth, and the result has been rapid deployment. The legislation passed by the Biden administration, the commitment by U.S. auto manufacturers to transition to electric vehicles, and the variety of charging options in the US have all contributed ... [continued]

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Improving Grid Transmission in Andean Countries

Otto Gunderson — Sat, 06 May 2023 02:00:47 +0000

In conversation with renewable energy entrepreneurs and enthusiasts throughout South America, the most common response to the question of what needs to be improved is “grid transmission.” This is by no means a uniquely South American problem. There is no continent with a perfect power grid, and investments by the ... [continued]

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Growing Colombia’s Clean Energy Workforce

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:50:26 +0000

Labor shortages in the US, particularly in the solar industry, are delaying clean energy projects across the country. Colombia, which is starting to see rapid deployment of clean energy projects and considerable government investment, will need to transition its labor force from the oil and coal industry into clean energy ... [continued]

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A New Solution for Off-Grid EV Charging

Otto Gunderson — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 20:56:22 +0000

Yotta Energy clean energy startup based out of Austin, Texas, has been making waves in the solar field since its founding in 2017. Its newest product, which was launched in September of 2022, is seeking to provide off-grid charging for electric vehicles across the US. This product, the Yotta REV, ... [continued]

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Public EV Transportation In South America

Otto Gunderson — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 07:17:36 +0000

The common conception appears to be that a successful transition to electric vehicles is determined by the number of passenger vehicles sold. China, Europe, and the United States lead the way in this category and are thus considered to be at the forefront of EV adoption. However, another metric should ... [continued]

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EV Development in Chile

Otto Gunderson — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 16:39:40 +0000

While much of South America is having difficulty with the development of an electric vehicle market, Chile has made significant efforts to deploy EVs. While this has been primarily in the area of public transport, new legislation is expected to bring a significant rise to the level of electric passenger ... [continued]

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Grid Transmission Progress In The U.S.

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 23:02:55 +0000

As the U.S. continues to see the highest levels of renewable energy investment in its history, the investment required to expand and improve the energy transmission grid will need to keep pace. This is happening through a combination of private investment and support by the Biden administration. Private companies such ... [continued]

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Circular Economic Practices in Argentina

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 01:40:01 +0000

The call for circular economic practices to be used in conjunction with other aspects of the renewable energy transition has been gaining more attention within the U.S. and Europe. Projects in the U.S. such as circular economy for textiles and metrics and tools for sustainable buildings encourage industries to take ... [continued]

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CleanLight: Exciting Solar Startup in Chile

Otto Gunderson — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:20:35 +0000

CleanLight is one of the most exciting clean energy startups in Chile. This renewable energy manufacturing company has used solar generators to power off-grid homes and brings renewable energy to industries such as construction and mining that have not benefited from the renewable transition. CleanLight was founded in 2019 by ... [continued]

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Galapagos Airport: Environmental Tourism

Otto Gunderson — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 04:50:03 +0000

People who love to travel but are concerned about the environmental impacts of flying should consider a trip to the Galapagos. In 2017, the Ecological Airport of the Galapagos became the first airport in Latin America to be recognized as carbon neutral. This was granted through the Airports Council International, ... [continued]

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Updating The Argentine Power Grid

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:38:09 +0000

Argentina’s clean energy potential is obvious, but the infrastructure roadblocks are delaying renewable growth. Despite having vast tracts of usable land for PV and wind farms, only 7% of Argentina’s power generation comes from wind, and only 1% from solar. A report by the New Climate Institute found that one ... [continued]

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The PERMER Project

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:40:02 +0000

While many of the most exciting clean energy stories feature new technology, massive solar and wind farms, or major legislation, work like the Renewable Energies in Rural Markets Project (PERMER) provides clean energy transitions in communities that may not otherwise see the benefits. This project also seeks to promote economic ... [continued]

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Cauchari Solar Initiative Giving Argentina a Boost into Clean Energy Future

Otto Gunderson — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 18:48:41 +0000

The largest solar project in South America is situated at over 13,000 feet above sea level in the far north of Argentina. In 2019, this project was inaugurated with over 1,000,000 solar panels generating power for 160,000 homes. At its onset, the project consisted of three individual PV fields, the ... [continued]

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China’s Investment in Energy in Ecuador

Otto Gunderson — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 16:20:34 +0000

In November of 2016, the previously defined “strategic association” between China and Ecuador was upgraded to an “integral strategic partnership” representing the highest level relationship China has with any country.¹ Especially during the presidency of Rafael Correa, the public sector has primarily worked with Chinese banks and construction companies to ... [continued]

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Ecuador Needs to Expand Beyond Hydroelectric Power

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 19:20:05 +0000

On the surface, Ecuador’s reliance on hydroelectric projects seems to be fulfilling the promise that was made in the country’s 2008 Constitution. This document endorses federal support for clean energy adoption in Article 15, stating: “The State shall promote, in the public and private sectors, the use of environmentally clean ... [continued]

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Home EV Charging Station Cost

Otto Gunderson — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 16:27:59 +0000

The market for EV home chargers has grown rapidly over the last several years, prompted by the growth of the EV market itself. The electric vehicle market has grown from 1.8% of the market in 2019 to now over 6% of the market, and the tax credits made available for ... [continued]

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