Trump will put an end to mankind

By Milt Priggee 

Trump burns the world

By Peter Kuper 

The emperor's new mandate

 From Pat Bagley

Portrait

 By B Kliban 

The next el Niño---James Hansen

 From James Hansen's Climate Uncensored Substack

You can read the full article yourself, and I'll just post the main chart and the conclusion here.

Fig. 1. Global surface temperature (relative to 1880-1920 base period).[1]
click on chart to enlarge

 Abstract: 

The world seems headed into another El Niño, just 3 years after the last one. Such quick return normally would imply, at most, an El Niño of moderate strength, but we suggest that even a moderately strong El Niño may yield record global temperature already in 2026 and still greater temperature in 2027. The extreme warming will be a result mainly of high climate sensitivity and a recent increase of the net global climate forcing, not the result of an exceptional El Niño, per se. We find that the principal drive[r] for global warming acceleration began in about 2015, which implies that 2°C global warming is likely to be reached in the 2030s, not at midcentury.

The key lines on the chart are the 1970-2010 linear trend, of an increase of 0.18 C per decade, the linear trend from 2010 to the present of 0.3 C per decade (last 15 years) and the linear trend from 2015 to date of 0.41 C per decade.

It's really a clear-cut proposition:  either we slash emissions very fast, or there will be climate catastrophe.  Yes, emissions have probably peaked, but they're only likely to fall slowly at first, and for the rate of increase in temperatures to slow to, say, 0.1 C per decade, we will need to cut emissions by 2/3rds or 3/4qtrs.

Can we do that?  

The chart below, from Our World in Data, shows emissions by sector, which includes direct emissions, as well as indirect emissions.  For example, you could be burning oil directly to heat your house, or using fossil fuels indirectly, via electricity.  Electricity generation produces roughly 30% of global emissions.  Apart from aviation and shipping, almost all of the sectors in the red quadrant can be electrified.  Converting the grid to green tech will be a huge step towards eliminating all emissions from these sectors.

So it is possible.  But that means green electricity, and the electrification of everything.  Wind and solar and batteries instead of coal and gas power stations, plus EVs and heat pumps.  Electric trains, electric planes, electric ships.  Chemicals and cement.  Landfill.

And we need to deal with emissions in agriculture.  That will be complicated and will vary by source, so the sooner we start, the better.

It's doable.  But will we do it?  It's up to us.

Source: Our World in Data

 

New cold-hardy electrolyte could double EV range

With existing battery electrolytes, many electric vehicles struggle to maintain decent range in cold temperatures

Depositphotos

From New Atlas

A joint team of researchers from Nankai University in Tianjin and the Shanghai Institute of Space Power Sources (SISP) has developed a hydrofluorocarbon-based electrolyte that significantly enhances the performance of lithium batteries. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the new electrolyte more than doubles the energy density of existing batteries at room temperature, meaning batteries of the same size can last twice as long.

The researchers also claim that the new electrolyte remains stable in extreme cold, allowing batteries to function seamlessly in temperatures as low as -94 ºF (-70 ºC), well over 2.5 times the temperature of your refrigerator.

Chemical batteries, such as lithium batteries, utilize electrolytes – a chemical medium that allows ions to flow between the positive and negative electrodes, converting stored chemical energy into electrical current. In lithium batteries, the electrolytes are usually nitrogen- and oxygen-based compounds, mainly because of their effectiveness at dissolving lithium salts.


However, these electrolytes are sensitive to operating temperatures. Cold temperatures increase viscosity and slow down ion mobility, reducing charge transfer efficiency. When this happens, the battery delivers less power, takes longer to charge, and loses usable capacity, providing less runtime than its stored energy would suggest. This is why lithium batteries appear to die quickly in extreme cold. In certain conditions, such as charging the battery when the temperature is below 32 °F (0 ºC), permanent damage may occur.

In the study published in Nature, the researchers outlined how their solution, synthesized hydrofluorocarbon-based (hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon) electrolytes, eliminates this problem in lithium batteries. The cold-resistant electrolyte offers improved stability and lower viscosity at low temperatures, enabling batteries to continue operating efficiently below -94 °F.

Another outstanding feature of the electrolyte is its energy density – the amount of charge it can store per weight. In the study, the team created lithium metal pouch cells that achieved an energy density of 317 watt-hours per pound (Wh/lb) at room temperature. The cells still maintained a density of 181 Wh/lb at -50 °F (-46 ºC).

In comparison, conventional lithium batteries, such as those found in Tesla EVs, have an energy density of 73-136 Wh/lb at room temperature. This figure more than halves when temperatures fall to just -4 °F (-20 ºC).Technically speaking, the researcher’s electrolyte could triple the range of some EVs with the same battery size!

“For the same mass of lithium battery, the room temperature energy storage capacity is increased by two to three times,” said study author Li Yong, a researcher at SISP.

Beyond the automotive industry, this development could have far-reaching implications across many sectors and everyday life. We are talking drones, robots, smartphones, and consumer electronics that last twice as long while still being able to operate efficiently in extreme cold.

Research robots operating in Antarctica could function reliably, while subsea exploration vehicles could significantly extend their operational range. Similarly, satellites and spacecraft, which endure extreme temperature swings in orbit, could benefit from more stable and predictable power systems. The list goes on and on.

Before we get carried away, it's important to note that the electrolytes are not exactly “all weather” ... yet. The team noted that the electrolyte’s high-temperature stability still needs improvement. Should they succeed in raising the boiling point of the electrolyte, we could have a true all-climate solution.

 

Source: Nature 

 

This is obviously still at the laboratory stage, and as such, may never enter commercial production. However, you may depend upon it: engineers at Chinese and other countries' battery manufacturers will have read the article in Nature, and will be keenly examining the results to see if there is any way they can increase the range and reduce the cost of their own batteries.  There is a ferment in battery technology and manufacture, and the likely outcome is more of the same: plunging costs, higher energy density, and greater range.  Sodium-ion batteries, for example, which also allow low-temperature use, are just one of the ways battery makers have slashed costs.  This new electrolyte keeps lithium-ion in the game. 

Denmark didn't "transition" its grid—it replaced it.

 From Chris Meder, EVCurveFuturist

Denmark didn’t “transition” its grid—it replaced it. ~15% → 92% renewable electricity in 25 years. Wind did the heavy lifting. Solar is scaling. Interconnection balanced. Flexibility solved variability. Wind built it. Solar is scaling. Fossil lost it. This IS system replacement. ⚡#Bettrification

If little Denmark can we do it, we all can. There are no longer any technological hurdles to overcome. Technical hurdles, yes. There are no longer any economic hurdles either. The only factor standing in the way is vested interests.