Technology:
¶ A new battery design uses paper industry waste for the cathode, reducing the amount and cost of metals needed. [EarthTechling]
Japan:
¶ More information is gradually becoming available about contamination and casualties of the Fukushima Disaster. There was a marked increase in the death rate in Japan after the disaster. Not counting accidental deaths from the earthquake and tsunami, there were 38,700 more in the year following the Fukushima Disaster than there were for the previous year. [Huffington Post]
World:
¶ The entire energy industry is changing because of the changes in the solar PV industry, which is now at 32 GW and growing rapidly. The old energy paradigm is being turned on its head, and utilities are facing enormous challenges. [The Australian]
¶ Thousands of cracks may have been detected in the Doel Unit 3 reactor vessel. [Power Engineering International]
… Belgian regulators have shut down a second reactor made by the same manufacturer as Doel Unit 3, fearing it may have the same manufacturing flaws. [EurActiv]
US:
¶ The clean energy sector now accounts for 1.7% of the Massachusetts workforce, employing 71,523 workers. This number is projected to grow by 12.4% in the coming year. [Wicked Local]
¶ US carbon dioxide emissions have dropped to a twenty year low, largely because a low price for natural gas has induced utilities to switch from coal to natural gas. [Morning Sentinel]
¶ Owners of Millstone are looking for ways to operate Unit 2 when water is at higher temperatures. There is some hope that equipment changes will help. [The Day]
¶ The Omaha Public Power District says it cannot reopen Fort Calhoun, so it is turning control over to Exelon Corp. [Omaha World-Herald]
¶ NRC Commissioner William Ostendorff is under investigation for attempting to pressure the NRC Inspector General to stop a safety investigation. [Huffington Post]
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