The lurking threat to solar power’s growth

The world's biggest ransomware gang just disappeared from the internet

Sponsored by Salesforce The Download Your daily dose of what's up in emerging technology Solar value deflation 07.14.21 Good morning! Today we look at why low prices could threaten the growth of solar power, and the sudden disappearance of one of the world's biggest ransomware gangs. Get your friends to sign up here to get The Download every day. The lurking threat to solar power’s growth   The problem: Solar power faces a fundamental challenge that could halt the industry’s breakneck growth. Simply put: the more solar you add to the grid, the less valuable it becomes. The problem is that solar panels generate lots of electricity in the middle of sunny days, frequently more than what’s required, driving down prices—sometimes even into negative territory. And solar plant operators can’t easily throttle electricity up and down as needed. How it’s manifesting: A new report has concluded that California is already experiencing this phenomenon, known as solar value deflation. The state’s average solar wholesale prices have fallen 37% relative to the average electricity prices for other sources since 2014, according to the Breakthrough Institute analysis. It could soon become a broader problem around the world. Why it matters: Lower prices may sound great for consumers. But it presents troubling implications for the world’s hopes of rapidly expanding solar capacity and meeting climate goals. Read the full story. —James Temple Read next: To get another perspective on this issue, read this story from the latest print edition of MIT Technology Review. In it, climate economist Gernot Wagner argues that we need to make the technologies behind solar power radically cheaper for it to meet its full potential as a tool to tackle climate change. Once you've read that, you may want to browse the rest of the magazine, on the theme of change. And if you don't already subscribe, please do consider it. Prices start at just $50 a year. The world’s biggest ransomware gang just disappeared from the internet The news: One of the most prolific ransomware gangs in the world suddenly disappeared from the internet on Tuesday morning. The ransomware crew known as REvil is responsible for a whopping 42% of all recent ransomware attacks, but they're known for two hacks in particular: the one on Kaseya earlier this month, and the attack on meat supplier JBS. Why now? There are a few possible explanations. First, the gang itself may have chosen to retire if they’ve made enough money or felt too much pressure. The United States or its allies may have taken them offline. Or the Russian government, under international scrutiny, may have forced them to shut down. Their disappearance could also be temporary. Interesting timing: The unexplained exodus came just one day before senior officials from the White House and Russia are scheduled to meet to discuss the global ransomware crisis. Read the full story. —Patrick Howell O'Neill Read next: If you want to get a better understanding of the bigger picture, read Patrick's excellent article on why the ransomware crisis suddenly feels so relentless. We can still have nice things A place for comfort, fun and distraction in these weird times. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or tweet 'em at me.)   + Paul McCartney explains how he wrote his most iconic songs.    + This French philosophy meme made me laugh.    + Watch this innovative way of restocking a lake in Utah. By dropping fish from the sky.    + What to cook when you can't be bothered.   + Do not fear the robot apocalypse. This one was completely stumped by a sign on a sidewalk. (Thank you, Basil!)   + Travel photographer Jacob Howard takes some truly amazing shots.   + Instagram "collabs" let bakers around the world come together to make cakes. (NYT $) Sponsor Message Evolving to a more equitable AI AI can be a powerful tool in ushering in a post-pandemic normal—but it must be deployed and used in a way that’s fair to all. Learn more here. The must-reads I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology. 1 The cost of hygiene theater 🧽 Obsessing over cleaning can—and does—distract us from things that actually matter, like masks and ventilation. (The Guardian)   + What we lose, and what we gain, when we stop wearing masks. (New Yorker $)   + More than one million French people booked vaccine appointments after the president announced restrictions for the unvaccinated. (AP)   + Tennessee has become an "anti-vaccine" state, its vaccine chief said, after being fired. (Ars Technica)  2 Remote work is a blessing and a curse for women They're more likely to want to work from home, yet have a harder time doing so, because they're burdened with most of the housework. (Recode)   + Remote work might not change where we work. (NPR)  3 Cuba shows social media blackouts are an increasingly common tactic The latest events reflect an alarming new normal. (Wired $)   4 Reminder: the climate crisis does not affect us all equally Richer, whiter neighborhoods are dodging some of the worst impacts. (Axios)   + How to climate-proof houses. (Gizmodo)    + The European Union is planning new laws to phase out fossil fuels more quickly. (NYT $)   + Corporate climate change pledges have mostly been totally insufficient. (The Verge)  5 Vaccine misinformation keeps going viral on TikTok The use of audio clips to dodge bans is a particular problem. (NBC)   + How to train TikTok to show you what you want to see. (The Verge)  6 This robot keeps getting fired 🤖👋 The gap between our expectations of what we think these things can do, and what they actually can do, remains large. (WSJ $)   7 Inside Facebook's data transparency wars The story of CrowdTangle shows how Facebook’s obsession with reputation management gets in the way of its attempts to clean up its platform (NYT $)   + How Facebook got addicted to spreading misinformation. (TR)   8 Shein is the future of fast fashion, for better or worse 👚 When you see production this fast and products this cheap, someone somewhere has to be paying the price for it. (Vox)   9 How maps and ocean sensors helped with investigating a missing woman mystery Her son was rescued, but her whereabouts remain unknown. (Wired $)   10 Why we just can't help seeing faces in inanimate objects Our brains are wired that way. (Ars Technica) Join us at EmTech MIT to get the insight you need to stay ahead of the headlines.  This year's program delves into the technologies that underpin our lives and businesses and the emerging technologies solving today's toughest problems. Purchase your ticket today. Quote of the day "This feels a lot like 1999 to me."  —Hussein Kanji, a partner at UK venture capital firm Hoxton Ventures, tells CNBC he thinks a recent global tech startup funding frenzy has all the hallmarks of a bubble that's about to burst. Top image credit: Getty Please send inept robots to hi@technologyreview.com. Follow me on Twitter at @charlottejee. Thanks for reading! —Charlotte Was this newsletter forwarded to you, and you'd like to see more? Sign up today Understand the promise of technology. Make MIT Technology Review your go-to resource for thought-provoking insights, analysis, and news about the world of technology. Get unlimited access when you subscribe today. Subscribe now Follow us: MIT Technology Review One Main Street Cambridge, MA 02142   *Manage Your Email Preferences or *Unsubscribe  Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog  *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally