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A team of environmental scientists and physical limnologists has published a fascinating study that may provide a scientific explanation for one of the most famous stories in the Bible: Jesus’ miraculous “multiplication” of fish. This research investigates natural events that may have created an abundance of fish in <keyword id="23812630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lake-kinneret" source="keywords">Lake Kinneret</keyword>, also known as the Sea of Galilee, without any need for divine intervention.<br /><h2>The story behind the miracle</h2>The New Testament recounts two instances where Jesus multiplied a small amount of food to feed the hungry. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells Simon Peter to cast his nets in the Sea of Galilee, leading to an overwhelming catch of fish. In the Gospel of John, Jesus supposedly turned a few loaves of bread and a handful of fish into a meal for thousands of followers. For nearly two millennia, Christians have interpreted these events as miracles, showcasing Jesus’ divine power. But could there have been a natural phenomenon behind these "miraculous" catches?<br /><br />The new study doesn’t aim to discredit these ancient accounts but rather to explore what might have been happening in the lake at the time. Using a range of modern scientific techniques, the research team examined Lake Kinneret’s unique conditions to see if there might be another reason for these “miraculous” catches of fish.<br /><h2>What happens in Lake Kinneret</h2>The researchers found that Lake Kinneret is naturally stratified, with two distinct layers of water: a warmer, oxygen-rich upper layer, where most fish reside, and a colder, oxygen-poor lower layer. Normally, these two layers remain separate, but every once in a while, a unique combination of environmental conditions causes them to mix. This phenomenon, known as “thermal stratification,” results in a sudden and dangerous depletion of oxygen throughout the lake, leaving fish unable to breathe at any level of the water.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114938626" title="&amp;quot;Sugar early in life is the new tobacco&amp;quot;: Scientists urge food companies to reformulate baby foods and tax sugary options" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>When this mixing happens, the fish die off en masse and float to the surface. To someone on the shore, this could look like an abundance of fish suddenly appearing, ready for easy collection. Imagine standing by the lake as hundreds or even thousands of fish rise to the surface — the scene could easily inspire stories of miraculous bounty.<br /><h2>A coincidence or a miracle?</h2>To investigate the phenomenon, the research team deployed temperature sensors, oxygen metres, and even tested wind speed and direction in the lake. These instruments confirmed that Lake Kinneret experiences regular die-offs of fish due to stratification, followed by these mass appearances of fish near the surface. According to their findings, similar environmental conditions existed around the time of Jesus, making it possible that such a die-off event occurred then, too.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114885489" title="A 14-year-old took home $10,000 for his award-winning investigation into train derailments. Here&amp;#39;s what he found." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The team’s research also indicated that strong winds across the lake could drive oxygen-poor waters to the surface, killing off fish in greater numbers. They observed that specific types of fish in Lake Kinneret are especially prone to this kind of die-off and tend to end up along the shore, where they could be easily collected by a hungry populace.<br /><br />While the study’s findings don’t rule out the possibility of miracles, they suggest that at least some of the stories of miraculous catches might be explained by natural processes. If Jesus and his disciples happened to be fishing in Lake Kinneret during one of these die-offs, the sudden appearance of fish may have seemed miraculous.<br /><br />From a modern perspective, it’s a reminder that ancient people often attributed unusual natural events to divine intervention simply because they lacked the scientific knowledge we have today. Rather than taking away from the significance of these stories, the scientific findings highlight the powerful ways in which natural events can intersect with human experience, shaping beliefs and narratives that endure through millennia.<br /><br />The findings of this research have been published in <em>Water Resources Research</em> and can be accessed <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2024WR037894">here</a>.<br />

How did Jesus 'multiply' his fish? A new study provides an answer that is more science than miracle

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced a cut in customs duty on minerals such as lithium, copper and cobalt, which are critical for nuclear energy, renewable and other sectors, to give a fillip to the energy transition.  In her budget speech in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman recalled that in the interim budget she had announced a strategy to sustain high and more resource-efficient economic growth, along with energy security in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability. <br /><br /> "We will bring out a policy document on appropriate energy transition pathways that balances the imperatives of employment, growth and environmental sustainability," she said. <br /><br /> Noting that minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements are critical for sectors like nuclear energy, <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword>, space, defence, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics, she proposed to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce BCD (basic customs duty) on two of them. <br /><br /> This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors, she said. <br /><br /> She stated that energy transition is critical in the fight against climate change. <br /><br /> To support energy transition, she proposed to expand the list of exempted capital goods for use in the manufacture of solar cells and panels in the country. <br /><br /> Further, she stated that in view of sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity of solar glass and tinned copper interconnect, I propose not to extend the exemption of customs duties provided to them. <br /><br /> Noting that steel and copper are important raw materials and to reduce their cost of production, she proposed to remove the BCD on ferro nickel and blister copper. <br /><br /> "I am also continuing with nil BCD on ferrous scrap and nickel cathode and concessional BCD of 2.5 per cent on copper scrap," she said. <br /><br /> About the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was rolled out earlier this year, he informed the House that in line with the announcement in the interim budget, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been launched to install rooftop solar plants to enable 1 crore households obtain free electricity up to 300 units every month. <br /><br /> The scheme has generated remarkable response with more than 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications, and we will further encourage it, he stated. <br /><br /> She further stated that a policy for promoting pumped storage projects will be brought out for electricity storage and facilitating smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable &amp; intermittent nature in the overall energy mix. <br /><br /> She stated that nuclear energy is expected to form a very significant part of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat. <br /><br /> Towards that pursuit, our government will partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactors; research &amp; development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor and research &amp; development of newer technologies for nuclear energy, she informed the House. <br /><br /> The R&amp;D funding announced in the interim budget will be made available for this sector, she added. <br /><br /> The development of indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) <keyword id="20421620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thermal-power" source="keywords">thermal power</keyword> plants with much higher efficiency has been completed, she informed the House. <br /><br /> A joint venture between NTPC and BHEL will set up a full-scale 800 MW commercial plant using AUSC technology and the government will provide the required fiscal support, she added. <br /><br /> Moving forward, the development of indigenous capacity for the production of high-grade steel and other advanced metallurgy materials for these plants will result in strong spin-off benefits for the economy, she pointed out. <br /><br /> A roadmap for moving the 'hard to abate' industries from 'energy efficiency' targets to 'emission targets' will be formulated, she stated adding that appropriate regulations for the transition of these industries from the current 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' mode to 'Indian Carbon Market' mode will be put in place. <br /><br /> She further stated that an investment-grade energy audit of traditional micro and small industries in 60 clusters, including brass and ceramic, will be facilitated. <br /><br /> Financial support will be provided for shifting them to cleaner forms of energy and implementation of energy efficiency measures. The scheme will be replicated in another 100 clusters in the next phase, she stated. <br /><br /> Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association said that the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> 2024 has unveiled a roadmap towards a sustainable and resilient India, with agriculture and energy security at its core. <br /><br /> It is anticipated that these initiatives will catalyze the growth of the biogas industry, leading to increased rural employment, reduced carbon emissions, and improved soil health, he stated.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank">Budget 2024-25 – Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-record-allocation-of-rs-1-48-lakh-crore-for-education-employment-and-skilling/articleshow/111951228.cms">Budget 2024: Record allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling!</a></b>

FM cuts customs duty on minerals critical for energy transition

The Union Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, places significant emphasis on <keyword id="19941381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-security" source="keywords">energy security</keyword> and sustainability. As per the government, the current strategy will focus on ensuring that energy resources are readily available, making energy affordable for all citizens and keeping energy costs low to prevent economic strain on consumers.<br /><br />Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced:<br /><h2>PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana</h2>One of the standout initiatives is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This program aims to install <keyword id="20366573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rooftop-solar-plants" source="keywords">rooftop solar plants</keyword> across 1 crore households, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. As per the FM, the scheme has already seen significant interest, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications.<br /><h2>Pumped Storage Policy</h2>To enhance electricity storage capabilities and integrate more <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> into the grid, the government will introduce a policy promoting pumped storage projects. These projects are crucial for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111956035" title="Union Budget 2024: What FM Nirmala took from your pocket, what she gave you" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Development of <keyword id="20876045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuclear-energy" source="keywords">Nuclear Energy</keyword></h2>Recognising the importance of nuclear energy in India's future energy mix, the government plans to invest in new nuclear technologies. The announcement also mentioned partnering with the private sector to develop and set up Bharat <keyword id="20260886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-Modular-Reactors" source="keywords">Small Modular Reactors</keyword>.<br /><br />Boasting up to a 300 MW capacity, Small Modular Reactors are mobile, flexible in design and require a smaller footprint. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that need to be built on-site, SMRs can be factory-built. These advantages can add up to significant savings in cost and construction time.<br /><h2>Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plants</h2>The Budget highlights the completion of indigenous technology development for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants. These plants boast higher efficiency and will be established through a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The initiative includes government support for fiscal needs and aims to boost local production of high-grade steel and advanced metallurgical materials.<br /><h2>Roadmap for Hard-to-Abate Industries</h2>A significant shift is planned for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. The government will move these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction targets. This transition will be regulated through the Indian Carbon Market, replacing the current '<em>Perform, Achieve and Trade</em>' mode.<br /><h2>Support for Traditional Micro and Small Industries</h2>To promote cleaner energy usage and efficiency, the government will conduct energy audits in 60 clusters of traditional micro and small industries, including brass and ceramics. Financial support will be provided to help these industries switch to cleaner energy forms and implement energy efficiency measures. This initiative will be expanded to 100 more clusters in the next phase.<br /><br />As per Sameer Jain, Managing Director at Primus Partners, MSMEs consume approximately 50% of the nation's power needs while generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, additional support — such as climate financing — will be crucial to ensure that the MSME sector adapts well to the green revolution, especially with how the budget has committed support to MSMEs to grow and compete globally.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111953230" title="Union Budget 2024-25: Mobile Phones to get cheaper, as FM Nirmala Sitharaman reduces basic customs duty to 15%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="22521154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-resilient-crops" source="keywords">Climate-Resilient Crops</keyword></h2>The government will release 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation by farmers. With the provision of research funding, including for the private sector, this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while adapting to climate change.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111957080" title="What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Minerals for Green Technologies</h2>To support the growing demand for minerals used in green technologies, such as cobalt and lithium, the budget proposes exemptions from custom duties for 25 critical minerals and reduction on basic customs duty for two other essential metals. This move aims to bolster the domestic manufacturing of batteries and other components crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.<br /><h2>Development of Climate Taxonomy</h2>A new climate taxonomy will be developed to guide the green transition, ensuring that investments and policies are aligned with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. <br /><br />All in all, the Union Budget 2024-25 sets a promising course for India's energy and sustainability sector. With substantial investments and new initiatives, it aims to accelerate the transition to a greener future, and hopefully take us a step further towards India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.<br />

Free solar electricity to mobile nuclear plants — major sustainability initiatives announced in Budget 2024!

As festival season rolls around, many people are excited about purchasing an <keyword id="19906970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle" source="keywords">electric vehicle</keyword> (EV) not just for the eco-friendly benefits but also for the attractive discounts. With the growing popularity of EVs — a third of car-aspirants plan to buy an EV this year, reveals a Way2News survey — one lingering concern that might cross your mind is the risk of the car catching fire. While EV fires are rare, they can still happen under certain conditions, so it's essential to understand the risks and know how to prevent them.<br /><h2>Why do they burn?</h2>First and foremost, EV fires are most commonly linked to the lithium-ion batteries that power these vehicles. When an EV is involved in a crash, or if its battery is physically damaged in any way, there is a risk of what is known as "<keyword id="19981370" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thermal-runaway" source="keywords">thermal runaway</keyword>." This happens when heat inside the battery cannot dissipate quickly enough, causing the cells to overheat and, in rare cases, ignite. <br /><br />Thankfully, EV manufacturers extensively test vehicles to minimise this risk, and incidents are exceedingly rare. In fact, statistics show that electric car fires are significantly less frequent than fires in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. A study from Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency found that only 0.004% of EVs caught fire in 2022, compared to 0.08% for ICE cars.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113816837" title="PM E-DRIVE scheme with ₹10,900 crore outlay announced for electric vehicles" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As such, the ambient temperature can also play a significant role in the safety and performance of EV batteries. Extreme heat can be particularly dangerous, as it increases the likelihood of the battery cells overheating and entering thermal runaway, which may lead to a fire. High temperatures can accelerate the chemical reactions within lithium-ion batteries, making them more prone to malfunctions.<br /><br />Therefore, it is important to avoid exposing your EV to prolonged high heat, such as parking it under direct sunlight for extended periods, especially in regions where temperatures soar during the summer. Regular maintenance of the battery's cooling system is also critical, as it ensures the battery stays within a safe operating range, preventing overheating and extending the battery's lifespan<br /><h2>Charging and flooding</h2>Another key risk comes from improper charging practices. Overcharging the battery, or using poorly regulated, non-certified charging stations, can cause the battery to overheat. It's crucial that EV owners use certified, high-quality charging stations and follow manufacturer recommendations to avoid overloading the system. Many modern EVs come with software that automatically stops charging once the battery is full, but it’s always a good idea to avoid prolonged charging beyond the battery's capacity.<br /><br />Water exposure can also be hazardous for EVs, particularly in flood-prone areas. While most EVs are designed to handle a fair amount of moisture, saltwater exposure, such as during coastal floods, can create serious problems. Saltwater can corrode the battery and create short circuits, which might lead to fires long after the vehicle has been submerged.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113857238" title="Ron DeSantis said EVs could catch fire if caught up in Hurricane Helene. Experts say he&amp;#39;s right — and that you should take these steps to protect yourself." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, for example, there were reports of submerged EVs catching fire even days after the floodwaters receded. If you live in an area prone to flooding, take extra precautions by parking your EV in a sheltered area, and if your car has been exposed to water, have it inspected immediately.<br /><h2>Those annoying software updates are important!</h2>It’s also important to stay updated on any recalls or software updates. EVs, like any other technology, may occasionally be subject to recalls due to manufacturing defects or safety concerns. Being proactive in checking for recalls can prevent potential issues from becoming dangerous. For instance, some EV models have had recall campaigns specifically to address battery-related risks, ensuring that any faulty cells are replaced before they pose a threat.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113315022" title="Waiting for the festive season to buy an EV? Cabinet approves PM E-Drive subsidising most EVs, sans electric cars" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Finally, while EV fires may capture attention when they happen, it’s essential to keep them in perspective. Despite the fear surrounding them, EV fires are much less common than fires in gasoline-powered cars. The data shows that EVs are about 80 times less likely to catch fire than their gasoline counterparts.<br /><br />When considering an EV purchase, focus on the safety features and proactive measures in place to keep you and your vehicle safe. With proper charging, regular inspections, and staying informed, you can confidently enjoy the benefits of your new EV this festive season!<br />

Planning to purchase an EV? Here's how to ensure it never catches on fire

New Delhi, State-owned <keyword id="19909029" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bhel" source="keywords">BHEL</keyword> on Wednesday said it has bagged an order to set up a 2,400 <keyword id="20225858" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mw-supercritical-thermal-power-project" source="keywords">MW supercritical thermal power project</keyword> (STPP) from coal <keyword id="20225857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="psu-nlc" source="keywords">PSU NLC</keyword> India Ltd. This is the largest power sector order won by the company through competitive bidding, BHEL said in a statement. <br /><br />"BHEL bags an order for setting up a 2,400 MW Supercritical Thermal <keyword id="47379" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-project" source="Orion">Power Project</keyword>. BHEL has won the prestigious order under <keyword id="20225859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-competitive-bidding" source="keywords">International Competitive Bidding</keyword> (ICB) for the greenfield project on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis at Jharsuguda in Odisha," the company said. <br /><br />The scope of the EPC contract includes engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, and commissioning of crucial equipment, such as boilers, turbines, generators, and other auxiliary systems, for the 3x800 MW thermal power project. <br /><br />The scope also includes boilers with biomass co-firing capability and highly efficient latest pollution control equipment. The project will be commissioned within 64 months. On commissioning, this plant will contribute to meeting the future base load requirement of electricity in the country. <br /><br />The major equipment will be manufactured at BHEL's Trichy, Haridwar, Hyderabad, Jhansi, Bengaluru, Ranipet, Bhopal, Rudrapur, and Varanasi plants while the company's power sector - southern region will be responsible for the civil works, and erection and commissioning of the equipment. <br /><br />BHEL has a long-standing partnership with <keyword id="20174233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nlcil" source="keywords">NLCIL</keyword> and installed a significant 77 per cent of the coal/lignite-based power stations of the utility, totalling 3,590 MW. <br /><br />It is the largest manufacturer of power generation equipment in the country and has been a major partner in the country's vision to achieve self-reliance in energy.

BHEL gets 2,400 MW greenfield power project from NLC India in Odisha

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Energy traders are betting that Hurricane Milton will spark power outages in Florida.</li><li>US natural gas futures have fallen 8% in the last three days.</li></ul><p>Energy traders are on high alert for Hurricane Milton and are ramping up bets that the weather event is about to knock out electricity in Florida and surrounding states, leaving power plants idling as demand evaporates.</p><p>Front-month US natural gas futures have dropped 8% over the last three days, from $2.97 to $2.74 per million British thermal units as of Tuesday morning. It's a sign markets are anticipating a disruption to power plants that could send prices tumbling, despite low gas storage in recent months.</p><p>The price drop comes as the Southeast prepares for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-tampa-mayor-castor-evacuation-orders-die-warning-helene-2024-10">Hurricane Milton,</a> which is expected to hit Florida by Wednesday evening. The storm, which was classified as a Category 5 hurricane, is expected to bring severe damage to Florida and the surrounding states just weeks after the destructive Hurricane Helene brought high winds and flooding to the region. </p><p>Energy traders have leaned more bullish on natural gas in recent weeks before the latest bout of extreme weather. Gas futures have jumped 41% over the last six weeks, partly fueled by record-low natural gas inventories for the last three months, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/weekly/#tabs-storage-1">government data on gas storage</a> dating back for the last 27 years.</p><p>Long bets on natural gas, meanwhile, have climbed to their highest level since June on the New York Mercantile and Intercontinental Exchanges, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-natgas-prices-drop-4-one-week-low-ahead-hurricane-milton-2024-10-08/">Reuters</a> reported.</p>

Traders are betting Hurricane Milton will knock out electricity and leave power plants idling

Best thermal printers for print bills, receipts and tickets

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Data centers and large commercial buildings waste a lot of heat.</li><li>The utility Con Edison plans to capture the heat to help power underground thermal energy networks.</li></ul><p>Less than a block from the bustling Chelsea Market on the west side of Manhattan, data centers hum 24 hours a day in a nondescript building.</p><p>All that computing power generates an enormous amount of heat, which has to be removed to keep the equipment cool and prevent outages. That heat becomes wasted energy when it's vented out the roof.</p><p>All that computing power generates an enormous amount of heat, which has to be removed to keep the equipment cool and prevent outages. That heat becomes wasted energy when it's vented out the roof.</p><p>The utility Con Edison wants to capture the heat and pipe it to a nearby affordable-housing complex, in a system known as a thermal energy network. A closed-loop network of water pipes and electric heat pumps circulates energy through buildings, creating an efficient heating and cooling system that avoids burning fossil fuels in residents' homes.</p><p>The pilot could be one of three that ConEd builds in and around New York City to test a cleaner way of delivering energy to customers. The proposals are in the design phase and likely won't be fully approved by regulators until late 2025, Gregory Koumoullos, ConEd's department manager of thermal energy networks, said. But the intention is to eventually scale the networks to help New York achieve its climate goals, because burning fossil fuels in buildings accounts for 32% of the state's greenhouse-gas emissions — the largest single source.</p><p>The pilot could be one of three that ConEd builds in and around New York City to test a cleaner way of delivering energy to customers. The proposals are in the design phase and likely won't be fully approved by regulators until late 2025, Gregory Koumoullos, ConEd's department manager of thermal energy networks, said. But the intention is to scale up the networks to help New York achieve its climate goals, because burning fossil fuels in buildings accounts for 32% of the state's greenhouse-gas emissions — the largest single source.</p><p>If the pilots go well, they could prove a business model for other gas utilities to follow to decarbonize entire neighborhoods, and potentially lower energy bills along the way.</p><p>"These pilots are just the first phase," Koumoullos said. "The larger the network you have, the lower the cost is because you can connect more customers with less infrastructure and they are sharing more waste heat. Thermal networks really bloom at a larger scale."</p><p>The technology isn't new. But ConEd is among the first utilities in the country to propose thermal energy networks after New York enacted a law two years ago requiring the utility to try it. Six other states, including Colorado and Massachusetts, have enacted similar laws either allowing or mandating pilots. Gas utilities have legal mandates to sell gas, so states have to pass laws allowing them to expand into new systems.</p><p>In Framingham, Massachusetts, the utility Eversource is leading the way. The utility already connected dozens of residential and commercial buildings to a geothermal network for a two-year pilot, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/03/08/networked-geothermal-eversource-framingham-pilot-project-decarbonization">WBUR reported</a>. The project involved drilling boreholes hundreds of feet below ground, where the temperature is usually a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Water pipes are connected to ground-source electric heat pumps in buildings, which exchange and push energy around the system.</p><p>ConEd is proposing its own geothermal network for Mount Vernon, a suburban neighborhood north of New York City where up to 76 buildings, including homes, apartment complexes, churches, and fire stations, could be hooked up. But drilling boreholes isn't always feasible in densely packed cities, which is why capturing waste heat from data centers and other buildings is being tested. Rockefeller Center in NYC is the other proposed site.</p><h2 id="7f12dc53-e013-48cb-ae17-f381e823311d">High upfront costs, but long-term benefits</h2><p>Retrofitting buildings and laying new pipes is expensive. The estimated price tag of all three pilots combined is $255 million, which would be spread across ConEd's customer base, Koumoullos said. For those participating in the pilots, ConEd would guarantee that energy costs won't go up during a 5-year test period. The utility is also looking at tax breaks under the Inflation Reduction Act to offset the cost to customers. ConEd would use the pilots to find out the actual costs of building thermal energy systems and test different ways to charge customers.</p><p>The high up-front costs are a barrier to wider adoption. But climate advocates point out that an increasing amount of money is also being spent on replacing old gas lines every year. Between 2011 and 2022, gas utilities' capital expenditures on distribution infrastructure tripled from $7 billion a year to nearly $21 billion, according to a report by HEET, <a target="_blank" href="https://assets-global.website-files.com/649aeb5aaa8188e00cea66bb/663a27270c0fa4fffcfe447d_Leaked-and-Combusted-May-2024.pdf">a climate-solutions nonprofit</a> that spearheaded the push for thermal energy networks.</p><p>Whether utility-scale projects can recoup the upfront costs in energy savings remains to be seen. That was the case at Colorado Mesa University, which built a geothermal network in 2008. Kent Marsh, the university's vice president for capital planning sustainability and campus operations, said switching to geothermal saved $1.5 million a year. The system paid for itself within about 11 years.</p><p>Morgan Hood, the manager of new product development at Vermont Gas, told Business Insider that some utilities are looking for new business models. Vermont Gas aims to be net zero by 2050, so is considering community geothermal as a way to get there. Hood helped launch the Utility Networked Geothermal Collaborative, which now includes 27 gas utilities in North America that serve about half the customers in the US, so they can keep tabs on pilot projects and share information.</p><p>"All eyes are on New York, in large part because it will show how these systems can be regulated within a utility environment," she said.</p>

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How did Jesus 'multiply' his fish? A new study provides an answer that is more science than miracle

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FM cuts customs duty on minerals critical for energy transition

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Traders are betting Hurricane Milton will knock out electricity and leave power plants idling

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Best thermal printers for print bills, receipts and tickets

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