ABB on pole position for EV start grid
ABB describes its decision to become the title sponsor of Formula E, the leading international fully electric motor sport series, as "a perfect fit."
The technology firm is the world’s largest supplier of fast-charging points for electric vehicles. And it’s well known across the energy industry, not least in wind power, for its grid-connection expertise.
Getting behind an emerging class of greenish motor racing surely makes good sense. The cars are no rivals for Formula 1 cars for outright speed, but they race on far tighter tracks, usually on public-road courses in cities rather than purpose-built tracks.
The series visits places well off the Formula 1 radar, such as Santiago in Chile and includes a race in Zurich, where?ABB is headquartered, on 10 June. This will be the first circuit motor race in Switzerland for 63 years, the country’s authorities making an exception for Formula E from the ban on motor sport it imposed in 1955.
But before ABB gets too carried away by its "perfect fit" claim, it might want to take a closer look at Formula E regulations. Currently, the drivers each require two cars to get through a 50-minute race, which, to say the least, seems a bit profligate.
Nor does it say a great deal for the range of EVs, albeit very fast ones, and the speed at which they can be recharged.
It takes power to go against the wind
If you don’t fancy Formula E in Zurich, there’s an alternative
on the same weekend. Earth Wind & Tyre 2017 is a wind-themed two-day, 350km cycle ride that takes the high route from Durham in north-east England to Edinburgh in Scotland, taking in ten wind farms on the way. It is organised by the charity Renewable World, which tackles poverty.
RENEWABLE INVESTMENT FIGURES AND FACTS
$333bn Global investments in clean energy during 2017, a 3% increase on the previous year. Solar PV accounted for 48%, wind for 32%
516% Growth of renewables investment in Mexico in 2017 compared with the previous year. Its $6.2billion invested equalled Brazil’s in 2017
-56% Fall in green energy investment in the UK in 2017. Also down on 2016 were: Germany (-26%); India (-20%), and Japan (-16%)
$56.9bn Renewables investments in the US during 2017, 1% up on the previous year. Canada grew by 45%
Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Quote of the month
"It’s important to … take another look at onshore wind and start running an auction. That would deliver onshore wind at under £50/MWh — cheaper than gas"
Emma Pinchbeck, RenewableUK executive director, giving evidence to parliamentary inquiry into UK energy cost review
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