U.S. electric grid modernization is facing a long road of struggles
Good morning! Happy Thursday - let’s get it going:
“The stars will never align, and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you, but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.” — Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week
Critics of the push for electrification often cite the electrical grid in the United States as being unable to withstand it. State and regional regulators often have political incentives to argue against power grid changes, and regularly it is a fight to implement the additional infrastructure needed to meet electrification goals. There is a debate regarding disruptive projects and the cost that comes along with them.
Check out today’s featured article from CNBC to read about grid modernization in America: what’s required regulation-wise and how those directly affected by such projects could be affected for years to come. ☕️
Featured Article:
Why the U.S. is struggling to modernize the electric grid | CNBC
“Blackouts are growing more frequent in the United States.”
Fuel Tech & Global Trade 🌎
Solar power is booming, but faces serious challenges
Solar power energy grids are setting records across the globe as the European Union pours money and infrastructure into the clean energy source. With America’s Inflation Reduction Act also providing tax incentives for solar investments domestically, it seems that the solar panel industry is experiencing a major boom. However, there are some serious challenges to consider as the market begins to expand.
Permits, energy grids, and open available land for these solar panels pose a threat to expansion. Utility-scale solar and wind farms in particular require at least ten times as much space per unit as a typical natural gas power plant would need. A solar revolution has a field of red tape to cross, even though it is now the cheapest form of new electricity generation in many locations - including sixteen states, Italy, and India.
Shortages & Manufacturing 🔧
Sony’s production of the PS5 console is back in action
The much-loved PS5 console has been in high demand and low supply since the pandemic struck. Sony’s announcement of likely exceeding its 18 million unit production goals for the end of the year has excited gaming enthusiasts after the company warned in May that it was falling short. Sony produced 6.5 million units of the gaming console over the past quarter, which greatly superseded its predictions.
Executive Deputy President and CFO Hiroki Totoki noted in an earnings call that the company was not hampered by semiconductor and other parts shortages over the quarter as it had been earlier in the year. The company seems to be keen on outdoing itself on its PS4 sales.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Excited Live Action GIF By Starbucks via GIPHY
🎄 Retail imports to the U.S. are slowing down as peak season approaches. In the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, there has been a steady downhill trajectory since May, when the record amount sat at 2.4 million TEUs. Those records set earlier in 2021 develop a picture of how well-stocked retailers are for the forecasted record-breaking holiday shopping season. Holiday merchandise is abundant, and less cargo is being exported due to retailers attempting to avoid peak season shipping problems that they are now all too familiar with.
🍗 Food disruptions over the holiday season can be navigated. Whether it’s a juicy turkey or a holiday ham, the family loves to sit down for a feast during the holidays. Unfortunately, due to global geopolitical disruptions and crippling inflationary impacts at home, many tables may be switching out or removing altogether certain components of a holiday feast. Suppliers and retailers should ditch historical data when it comes to forecasting and instead model future demand based on weekly challenges. Digital supply chain design technologies are a critical component for dealing with preparedness as the holiday rush begins.
✈️ Lease rates for airport warehouses are soaring. Warehouses near airports are typically always used to support air freight shipments and imports due to their proximity to the airstrip. According to new research from the real estate firm CBRE, rent for warehouses within a five-mile radius of some of the largest airports in the world ranks about 18.8% higher than warehouses in metropolitan areas. Some of the hottest stops are John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Los Angeles International Airport, and Miami International Airport… where any more space for warehouse development is lacking.
iLevel With You
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🎁 Rivian electric delivery vans are the gift Amazon keeps giving. The company’s EV sector launched the delivery cans in July and is now rolling into more than 100 U.S. cities as the busy holiday season approaches. Some of the newest locations that are expecting the EV fleet’s arrival are Boston, Denver, Indianapolis, and New York. These zero-emission vehicles have already delivered more than 5 million packages since their summer launch and are expected to expand into a fleet of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. The enormous e-tailer company has a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
⛽️ Diesel prices are hovering, but likely to jump dramatically soon. The United States average price per gallon is still sitting above $5, after rising 1.6 cents and trickling down 2.4 cents last week. The East coast is facing the brunt of it, with its prices soaring while its inventories sit at almost half of what they normally would be.
GET SMART
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
💿 Global supply chain resilience is born from digitalization adaption. While a company begins detailing its sourcing strategy, it should consider selecting suppliers with a. diverse range of services that align with its sustainability goals. This can lead to a complex analysis through cluttered spreadsheets and notepads… but in today’s day and age, there are several cloud-based technologies available to yield better results.
👩🦰 Gender diversity can only help the supply chain. With 56% of women participating in the over labor force in 2021, only 41% of the supply chain workforce. accounts for women - according to a 2021 Gartner survey. When it comes to leadership positions in the supply chain, women only hold 15% of executive spots. By aiming to close this gender gap in the supply chain industry, specific interpersonal problems may have a better chance of being resolved. Women in leadership positions at some of the leading corporations are more likely to showcase empathy and enact a collaborative balance among their teams.
Business Strategy 💡
Open Supply Hub Promotes Supply Chain Data Sharing | Supply Chain Brain
In this article, Supply Chain Brain shares about Open Supply Hub, a supply chain mapping data platform for multiple industries.
How can we drop the trailer without dropping the ball? | Supply Chain Management Review
In this article, Supply Chain Management Review contributors Siqing Liu and Soon Kiat Ker write about the greater advantages trucking companies can gain from drop trailer services.
Unlocking new markets with end-to-end logistics | Maersk
In this article, Maersk shares the benefits of unlocking markets with an end-to-end approach.
Yellow to sell 28 terminals as transformation plan nears completion | Transport Dive
In this article, Transport Dive reporter Colin Campbell writes about the transformation of Yellow Corp. into a super-regional carrier.
Inflation 💸
Logistics Strains Ease for Small Firms But Inflation Remains a Top Worry | Bloomberg
Bloomberg contributors Molly Smith and Vince Golle write about the persistent problem of inflation among U.S. small businesses.
Inflation is dampening air freight demand, says DHL report | Supply Chain Digital
Supply Chain Digital contributor Sean Ashcroft writes about the likely lack of a Q4 volume surge after DHL Global Forwarding warns of inventory build-up.
Tech 💿
Commenters Favor Electronic Hazmat Documents | TT News
In this article, Senior Reporter Eric Miller writes about the support being garnered by hazardous materials carriers for electric hazmat documents.
Industry Forecast 📊
Truckstop, FTR data: Van segments not showing typical pre-Thanksgiving strength | The Trucker
The Trucker New Staff writes about the wavering strength of van segment data - unusual for peak season numbers.
Company Culture 🎉
Meta to lay off over 11K employees | Fox Business
in this article, Fox Business contributor Julia Musto writes about Facebook parent company Meta’s decision to layoff about 13% of its workforce.
Ports 🚢
In this article, AJOT writes about Descartes Systems Group’s November report in regard to the global shipping crisis and for logistics and supply chain professionals - showcasing the container volume imports were consistent in October, but are continuing to fall back.
The history of container shipping | Container News
In this article, Container News writes about container transportation and what’s its meant for society throughout history.
In this article, Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman writes about the port Tracker report showing slowing import levels.
Leadership 🏆
Diageo’s digital supply chain transformation | Supply Chain Management Review
Supply Chain Management Review contributor Bob Trebilcock writes about Diageo, the global leader in premium drinks. Diageo is on a mission to transform its supply chain.
Using your tickets | Seth’s Blog
In this article, Seth writes about limited time and limited opportunities.
Cab Tech 🚛
How Cylinder Deactivation Can Help Meet 2027 Emissions Targets | Trucking Info
In this article, Trucking Info contributor Jim Park writes about emissions reduction mandates set to be in effect by 2027 and what fleets can do it meet them.
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Real-World Testing of Autonomous Trucks Ramps Up | TT News
In this article, TT News Staff Reporter Connor D. Wolf writes about the growth in the autonomous trucking sector.
Driver Issues 🚛
Truckers ask the agency to end ELD mandate | LandLine
In this article, Land Line contributor Mark Schremmer writes about the growing contention and feedback from truckers against a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ELD mandate.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.