Science and Technology:
¶ A team of Stanford researchers has collaborated with scientists at the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to produce the first successful demonstration of peel-and-stick solar cells, which can be attached to almost any surface or object. [The Stanford Daily]
¶ MIT researchers are working on what they call the Ocean Renewable Energy Storage system. The system uses wind power produced in low demand to pump water out of submerged storage tanks. During high demand times, the system can generate electricity as the tanks refill under pressure. [Energy Tribune]
World:
¶ Arfons, a town of less than 200 people in southern France , installed 11 wind turbines in 2009. The result is that its budget increased from €400,000 to €2.3 million in three years. The mayor says this is more than the town can conceivably spend, and they do not know what to do about it. [Huffington Post]
¶ A report by the Climate Commission of Australia says that though China remains the world’s largest polluting nation, it also leads the fight against climate change. China is ahead of any targets it set itself for renewable energy, and is likely to curb its carbon emissions far sooner than expected. [OilPrice.com]
¶ During the twelve months ending March 21, 2013, Indian PV capacity nearly doubled. New capacity was 754 MW , and PV now represents 6% of all grid-tied renewable energy capacity in the nation. In addition, India installed 600,000 square meters of solar water heating collectors. [solarserver.com]
¶ Radioactive water is a continuing problem at Fukushima, but it is getting worse because of a lack of space to store it. [New York Times]
US:
¶ The US Bureau of Land Management will publish a regulation to limit mining claims near areas that have been identified as potential sites for wind or solar energy production or that are included in pending permits. [The Hill]
¶ Nebraskan lawmakers have advanced a bill intended to attract more wind-energy companies to Nebraska as long as residents receive some of the benefits. [The Republic]
¶ Hawaiian Electric Company announced it has achieved a record 13.9% of energy needs from renewable generation in 2012, which is well on the way to passing the next clean energy goal of 15% in 2015. [Pacific Business News (Honolulu)]
¶ Entergy Nuclear, owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, has again sued the state of Vermont, because the state’s Public Service Board has refused to authorize construction of the so-called station blackout diesel generator. [Rutland Herald]
¶ Representatives from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will be in Brattleboro tonight to discuss the 2012 performance review for Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. An open house at Brattleboro Union High School starts at 5:30 p.m. A question and answer period starts at 7 pm. [Brattleboro Reformer]
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