Glass Wings Blog

The Glass Wings mailing list and blog is for general idle chit-chat about things we find interesting, especially humor, animation or other subjects relevant to the Glass Wings web site.

We need more batteries: Spain turns to new technologies after thermal plants fail in blackout

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:25:43 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/we-need-more-batteries-spain-turns-to-new-technologies-after-thermal-plants-fail-in-blackout/>

"The Spanish government has conceded it needs to install more battery inverters
on its grid, after blaming the dramatic country-wide blackout in April on some
bad decisions by the grid operator, and the failure of some thermal plants to

The city betting big on wireless charging for electric taxis and last mile deliveries

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:23:32 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thedriven.io/2025/06/18/the-city-betting-big-on-wireless-charging-for-electric-taxis-and-last-mile-deliveries/>

"Sweden may be a small nation on the northern edge of Europe but it is a world
leader in innovation and technology development. The World Intellectual
Property Organisation ranks Sweden as the second most innovative economy in the

China solar giant unveils “most efficient industrial photovoltaic product in the world”

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:22:14 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/china-solar-giant-unveils-most-efficient-industrial-photovoltaic-product-in-the-world/>

"Chinese solar manufacturing giant Longi has unveiled a new hybrid
interdigitated back-contact (HIBC) solar module that it says boasts a power of
over 700W and production efficiency of nearly 26 per cent.

NSW recruits 21 businesses to first VPPs designed to help keep lights on, and prices down

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:20:50 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://reneweconomy.com.au/nsw-recruits-21-businesses-in-first-vpps-designed-to-help-keep-lights-on-and-prices-down/>

"Three virtual power plants made up of 21 businesses at 108 sites have been
recruited to help New South Wales kick its coal habit and make a smooth
transition to renewables, as part of the state’s first firming tender.

How high can US debt go before it triggers a financial crisis?

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:19:43 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/how-high-can-us-debt-go-before-it-triggers-a-financial-crisis-258812>

"The tax cuts bill currently being debated by the US Senate will add another
US$3 trillion (A$4.6 trillion) to US debt. President Donald Trump calls it the
“big, beautiful bill”; his erstwhile policy adviser Elon Musk called it a

Mitsubishi to trial battery swap technology for electric trucks and buses

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:18:44 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://thedriven.io/2025/06/17/mitsubishi-to-trial-battery-swap-technology-for-electric-trucks-and-buses/>

"Japanese automotive giant Mitsubishi is to take part in a multi-year trial
starting in Tokyo later this year that will feature more than 150
battery-swappable electric commercial vehicles (EVs) and 14 modular battery

Australia could become the world’s first net-zero exporter of fossil fuels – here’s how

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:29:10 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/australia-could-become-the-worlds-first-net-zero-exporter-of-fossil-fuels-heres-how-259037>

"Australia is among the world’s top three exporters of LNG and second-largest
exporter of coal. When burned overseas, these exports result in 1.1 billion
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year – almost three times Australia’s

Cape York deserves World Heritage status – and Queensland may need it to become a global leader in tourism

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:28:30 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://theconversation.com/cape-york-deserves-world-heritage-status-and-queensland-may-need-it-to-become-a-global-leader-in-tourism-248660>

"Last week, the Queensland government launched the ambitious Destination 2045
tourism plan, which aims to make the state a global leader in tourism. The plan
highlights that one in six jobs in tropical north Queensland are supported by

Letters from an American: June 17, 2025

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:27:22 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-17-2025

"Yesterday at the meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), a forum of
democracies with advanced economies, President Donald Trump told reporters:
“The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why.

Walk for truth: hundreds of people join 486km trek from Portland to Melbourne for reconciliation

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:26:20 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/18/walk-for-truth-hundreds-of-people-join-486km-trek-from-portland-to-melbourne-for-reconciliation>

"Travis Lovett began his 486km journey with a single step and a long-held hope
to bring the people of Victoria with him on a journey through the state’s
colonial past.