Char

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/2893969

“Life can only be understood backwards; but must be lived forwards.” - Soren Kierkegaard

https://archive.ph/dHhU6

• An overview of China’s output in 2022 reports it has become the ‘most active’ country in the hunt for scalable storage options for renewables
• Contributions by US scientists accounted for 10.5 per cent of papers on the subject, report says

China accounted for half of the world’s research papers into energy storage technology published last year, an increase of 5 per cent on 2021, according to a report by a team of researchers from a number of Chinese universities and institutes.

In contrast, contributions by US scientists made up 10.5 per cent of papers on the subject in 2022, a 2 per cent fall on the previous year’s figures, the researchers said, in a paper published by the journal Energy Storage Science and Technology.

China had become the “most active country in the world in energy storage fields on all three aspects of fundamental study, technical research, integration and application”, the report said.

The researchers searched the Web of Science index using the keywords “energy storage” as part of the study, which gives an overview of China’s research advancements in the field.

China is already the world’s leader in renewable energy installations and is also leading in energy storage, with a capacity of 59.8 gigawatts at the end of 2022, according to the China Energy Storage Alliance.

Most of China’s electricity is derived from coal and energy storage is key to the country meeting its net zero goals. But a lack of large-scale methods of increasing capacity is hampering the total generation potential of existing renewable projects.

For example, solar energy accounts for 16.6 per cent of China’s installed power generation capacity but is delivering just 2.73 per cent of usable electricity to the grid, as of the first quarter of 2o23, according to the National Energy Administration.

China remains reliant on pumped hydropower for its energy storage and leads the world in continuing to build facilities based on the technology. In 2022, the highest proportion of new storage capacity was derived from hydropower, the report said.

While China has the largest pumped hydropower storage capacity in the world, its main research focus has been on other methods, such as a variety of battery-based tools as well as thermal and flywheel technologies.

Most of the research papers released in 2021 focused on alternatives to pumped hydropower, according to last year’s report, a situation that continued in 2022.

The United States – which continues to rank among the top spots for energy storage – launched an initiative in 2020 to maintain its global position. The Energy Storage Grand Challenge goal is for all of the United States’ storage technologies to be produced domestically by 2030.

The researchers found that China had greater access to the materials and means of production than the US, but was still grappling with scalability to meet the storage demands of existing renewable installations and their energy output.

Development of new renewable facilities has continued in China, even though the energy output of solar and wind projects is not being fully harnessed, according to the NEA.

However, the increase in research and a rise in patents relating to energy storage highlighted in the report suggests that the scientific community is prioritising innovation to help China expand its large-scale capacity.

According to the report, 100 megawatt projects are becoming the norm in China, where many developments are under way.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences was responsible for one of a number of innovative advancements in 2022, with its research into a 300MW compressed air storage system, the report said.

The researchers said China would remain dominant in global rankings for published research, patent applications and the installation of energy storage capacity.

Next year would continue to be an important one for the development of energy storage and China’s technology in the field was expected to be the world’s best in the coming five to 10 years, they said.

Fastest steam train in the world! Goes by like a Blur.

A nutrition and fitness guide [prolewiki]

cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/948249

Series with english subs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T0a_jXHiDo&list=PLWxJQNyu0ylp5SiE_RTxOVmoOfVAROMWA

🥹

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/2645503

Does this count for gardening?
Landlords bad, plants good!

TL;DR: apparently the management at my apartment complex considers plants to be "Seasonal decoration." Here's the email chain:

My landlord: You are in violation of your lease with the condition of your patio/deck area. The only thing allowed on your porch is patio furniture. Correct the issues shown in the attachment ASAP! If you have any questions please contact the property Manager M-F 9 am – 5 pm.

Thank You from our office staff and maintenance team! [Attached photo: My balcony seen from below, showing my one plant.]

Me: I've just re-read my lease agreement and could not find the clause you are referring to. The closest thing I could find is this, from the Community Rules Addendum, Use of Unit and Common Areas:

"3. It is the Tenant’s responsibility to keep balconies and patios in a clean and orderly condition. Storing of cartons, garbage, boxes, appliances, or other visually objectionable items on the patio or balcony is prohibited. Clotheslines or clothes hanging over balconies are not permitted. Hanging clothes and towels out to dry or use of the patio or balcony as a general storage area is not permitted. Seasonal and holiday decorations are not allowed without prior written permission from Landlord. If allowed, seasonal and holiday decorations must be reasonable, must not interfere with or disturb other tenants’ quiet enjoyment of the Community, and must be promptly removed within a reasonable time after the holiday, not to exceed 14 days or as otherwise directed by Landlord. Grilling or barbecuing is not permitted on balconies or patios."

It does NOT say "The only thing allowed on your porch is patio furniture," nor does it make any mention of prohibiting plants. If you are referring to another clause, please let me know.

My landlord: While there is no direct mention of potted plants, they fall under the category of seasonal and holiday decoration.

Potted plants are considered seasonal items not currently permitted by the property manager. If you would like to, you may stop by our leasing office during the week to speak with the property manager regarding the use of unit and common areas.

Me: Plants are not "seasonal and holiday decoration." They are plants. They do not get put away for the winter, they do not celebrate a holiday, they just sit there. All year long. If potted plants are not permitted, then the lease agreement needs to be rewritten to reflect that. The lease which I signed does not prohibit potted plants.

My landlord: If you have any comments or concerns regarding use of unit common areas, please stop by our leasing office to speak directly with our property manager.

Me: If you have any further concerns, please contact me via email. Otherwise, I consider this matter resolved.

Thank you for your understanding

(That last email was sent after closing time. I guess I'll find out tomorrow how that goes over.)

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/861819

https://www.ecosia.org/images?q=Vietnamese%20Moss%20Frog

New obsession.