World:
¶ The spent fuel pools for Fukushima Daiichi’s Units 1, 2, and 4 have all lost cooling because of a power loss. The cause of the power loss is unknown, and temperatures are rising. [AFP]
… TEPCO says power has been partly restored. [Businessweek]
¶ Suntech, one of China’s leading solar panel manufacturers, has defaulted on a $541 million bond payment. [The Guardian]
¶ A poll says 62% of people in Scotland would favor large-scale wind projects in their local council area, more than double the number (24%) who said they would support shale gas. Nuclear got 32% support. [Energy Live News]
¶ In Germany, renewable power is growing fast, nuclear is falling. A series of graphs illustrate the point. [RenewEconomy]
US:
¶ Thanks to technology advances, competition and state Renewable Portfolio Standards, the average price utilities spend for renewable energy has come way down. [SustainableBusiness.com]
¶ Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont are working together to fast-track a joint solicitation aimed at creating a significant buyer’s market for renewable energy and driving down its costs in New England [Platts]
¶ The Electric Reliability Council of Texas says the cost of integrating wind to the grid is cheap – $0.50 per MWh. [Greentech Media]
¶ The NRC is concerned about the potential for flooding at two nuclear plants owned by the TVA. [Greenville Daily Reflector]
¶ A report on San Onofre says the plant could hit the full-power mark, but it would be too risky to remain at that level for more than 11 months. The owners say that means the plant meets the NRC safety parameters for restart. [Albany Democrat Herald]
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