Technology:
¶ Researchers from Penn State University in the US have developed sensors, driven by the heat of a nuclear reactor, that can monitor fuel rods in the case of a disaster. [The Engineer]
¶ A pilot project is testing technology that promises to ‘turn buildings into power stations.’ Steel and glass, which is coated to make it conductive, will be incorporated into buildings, so it’s the fabric of the buildings themselves that generates, stores and releases the electricity. [ITV News]
Japan:
¶ The Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority has proposed a radius of 30 km from a nuclear plant as a rough standard for areas where special preparations against fallout exposure should be made. In some cases, it may not be enough. [The Japan Times]
¶ New robots are being prepared to examine the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi. [CNET]
World:
¶ Three leading UK scientists have called for a moratorium on the building of new conventional power plants following research indicating that renewables could be implemented much faster than the majority of people realize. [Solar Power Portal]
¶ The Isle of Wight, off the UK’s south coast, could become self-sufficient in renewable energy over the next decade thanks to an ambitious new project. [Energy Efficiency News]
¶ Two companies are planning to build a total of 3.5 gigawatts of wind capacity in the Firth of Forth. [Herald Scotland]
¶ Protesters against a rate increase have occupied the offices of a South African utility, charging that it is failing to switch from coal to renewable power sources. [The New Age Online]
¶ The government of China has released a white paper on energy policy, encouraging private investment. [The West Australian]
US:
¶ Experts say that because of low natural gas prices, the nuclear industry may be nearing its first round of retirements since the mid-1990s. [New York Times]
¶ The federal government will conduct a study into rates of cancer for people near nuclear power plants. [CNN]
¶ According to a new poll, the majority of people living in the lower Hudson River area want Indian Point to continue operating. [Newsday]
¶ Xcel is dropping the proposed upgrade at its Prairie Island nuclear power plant. [Mankato Free Press]
¶ Fracking has increased US petrochemical production for four years in a row, but the price of gasoline has not gone down. [Huffington Post]
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