China’s epic solar plans

Plus: Russian troops are using wooden logs to armor their convoy trucks Mar 07, 2022 [View in browser]( Together with [Ansys]( Imagine a gleaming sea of mirrors that reflects sunlight into enormous and blindingly bright towers. Situated in vast deserts, novel solar farms like this could bring us one step closer to a clean future. The Chinese government is clearly a fan, and has plans to greatly expand its solar power capacity in the coming years. The country will build 450 gigawatts of solar and wind power generation capacity, and with construction underway, this will be the first commercial power plant built on such a colossal scale. Before we explore China’s Gobi Desert-based renewable power infrastructure, let’s pivot to the skies and behold the world’s first supersonic airliner, the Concorde. In its prime, it crossed the Atlantic in less than four hours, but that wasn't enough to keep it from falling. Was it a triumph of modern engineering? Or a metaphor for misplaced 20th-century values? Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s kick the Monday blues to the curb. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [How the world’s first supersonic airliner, the Concorde, failed]( In 2003, the aircraft touched down for the last time. [How the world’s first supersonic airliner, the Concorde, failed]( INNOVATION [China to build 450 GW of power infrastructure in Gobi desert]( [Sand dunes in the Gobi desert.]( China [aims to put its vast arid regions to use]( in its north and northeastern territories, commonly known as the Gobi Desert, to generate power from renewable sources. The Gobi Desert is the sixth-largest in the world, and the central planning agency estimates that up to 450 GW could be generated in the region using solar and wind power. - The facility planned in the Gobi Desert is the biggest of its kind in any desert; however, the Chinese electricity grid will also be backed by coal-fired power plants and ultra-high voltage transmission lines to ensure the steady operation of the grid. Renewable energy behemoth. China wants to top its carbon emissions at the end of this decade and is building up to 1,200 GW of combined wind and solar power infrastructure [to shift to a more sustainable source of energy](. [Read More]( CULTURE [The US Navy's F-35C is finally recovered from the South China Sea]( [The US Navy's F-35C.]( Back in January, a U.S. Navy F-35C stealth fighter jet [crashed into the South China Sea](. The jet had fallen on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson while conducting routine operations. Race to salvage. Since then, the Navy has been working hard on recovering the jet before China does, as it contains some of the U.S. Navy's most well-kept secrets. - The jet took more than a month to find and [was finally recovered from]( a depth of approximately 12,400 feet. Bringing the aircraft out of the water required the use of a very specialized tool: the CURV-21, a 6,400-pound remotely operated vehicle that can reach a maximum depth of 20,000 feet in seawater. This tool, combined with the expertise of the U.S. Navy's personnel, resulted in a successful mission. Meanwhile, the Chinese government stated it had no ambitions to find the crashed plane, noting that it’s not the first time that the U.S. has had an accident in the South China Sea. [Read More]( SPONSORED [Ansys Innovation Courses – Learn physics and engineering for free!]( [Ansys.]( From steam-powered vehicles and wagonways to autonomous cars and electric powertrains, humans have come a long way in improving the quality of life. As new technologies emerge each year, it’s essential to acquire new skills to build products for the future. Ansys offers more than 200 free, online courses through Ansys Innovation Courses. These engineering and physics courses combine theory, real-world case studies, and simulation examples to help users better understand the concepts. Courses span a wide range of topics and can be taken and completed at your convenience. Quizzes, homework assignments, and simulation examples provide you with the opportunity to test your knowledge and access your performance. Why wait when you can start developing new skills now? [Sign up for the Innovation courses]( right away! INNOVATION [Russian troops are using wooden logs to armor their convoy trucks]( [KAMAZ-5350 military truck of Russia.]( Russian convoys navigating hostile and dangerous territory in Ukraine have taken up a very peculiar way of fortifying their trucks to survive attacks: They are using [wooden logs to armor their convoy trucks](. - The shared images of Russian KAMAZ trucks showcase logs strategically placed on the front bumpers of the vehicles to protect them against incoming attacks. The logs could very well have been cut from the trees right behind the vehicles. Necessity is the mother of invention. Their purpose is not entirely clear as no one has spoken with the engineers behind the wooden fortifications but they are likely intended to protect the trucks’ radiators from small arms fires. One thing’s for sure: the farther into Ukrainian territory [that Russian forces venture]( the more complex and dangerous their supply lines become. Ukrainian forces have even begun changing road signs in order to disorient invading troops, sending them into strategically orchestrated ambushes. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Some of the world's most important inventions were developed during WWII. Let's play a guessing game. Which of the following wasn't invented during WWII? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Electronic computers.]( [Radar technology.]( [The atomic bomb.]( [Pilotless drones.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether you think Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will cause gas prices in other nations to skyrocket. Most of you believe it will surely happen, and that it may even get worse. Undoubtedly yes, it could even be worse. 66% Unfortunately, it sounds very possible. 21% Partly, nations more dependent on Russia will be more affected. 9% No, it’s just another exaggeration by the media. 4% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ Progress doesn't come from early risers — progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things. ” Robert Heinlein in “Time Enough For Love” (1973) AND ANOTHER THING... - The ExoMars rover launch [has been delayed once more]( due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. - The wild conspiracy theory that the Titanic never sank: Believers say it was [swapped with another ship for insurance money](. Here's the truth. (Popular Mechanics) - [One more interstellar interloper like 'Oumuamua]( could show the James Webb Space Telescope where and how life forms. - Batman and his city are inextricably linked, and in developing their Dark Knight movies, filmmakers from Tim Burton to Matt Reeves have always paid [special attention to how that city looks](. (The Ringer) - The Barcelona and Boston-based Neuroelectrics has been working on a non-invasive brain stimulation technology that can help patients living with [seizures, sleep disorders, and autism](. - See the evolution of [SpaceX’s history of rockets and spacecraft]( development in pictures. (Space.com) - Elephant seals have a shockingly precise "internal GPS." [We just discovered how it works](. [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. [ [Referral Program Terms and Conditions]( Prepared by Derya Ozdemir and Brad Bergan Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? 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