Science and Technology:
¶ Closing a nuclear reactor in California has prevented an estimated 4,319 cases of cancer in the past 20 years, according to a new study published in the journal Biomedicine International. [Healthline]
¶ A research project called Combined Power Plant 2 (Kombikraftwerk2) shows how it is possible to provide power using renewable energies while maintaining a stable grid and without increased risk of blackout. [Phys.Org]
¶ Chemists at the University of Calgary, in Canada, have found an efficient way to turn electricity from wind and solar energy into hydrogen, which can be stored and used as needed for stable electrical power. [Huffington Post]
World:
¶ China is now getting more electricity from wind power than from nuclear. [Arabian Gazette]
¶ The Swiss supreme court on Thursday ruled that the country’s Muehleberg nuclear power plant can continue operating beyond the end of June, overturning a cut-off date for decommissioning. [Expatica Switzerland]
¶ The Dutch power grid is undergoing a radical change. With solar photovoltaic panels becoming increasingly cheaper and energy prices continuing to rise, solar energy generated on private roofs is now cheaper than grid energy. [InvestorIdeas.com]
¶ An investigation found that an Osaka non-profit organization has been getting ¥20 million ($212,500) per year from Kansai Electric Power Company to spread pro-nuclear power propaganda. [The Japan Daily Press]
¶ Tohoku Electric has announced that they are cancelling their plans to build a new nuclear power station in Fukushima Prefecture. [The Japan Daily Press]
US:
¶ A Gallup poll of Americans on power found 76% supported solar, 71% supported wind, 46% supported production of oil, 37% supported nuclear, and 31% supported coal. [Solar Industry]
¶ Federal regulators have cited the TVA with three violations at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant over thousands of parts the utility purchased that are not documented as nuclear-grade quality. [Chattanooga Times Free Press]
geoharvey 