Opinion:
¶ With the German election over, most observers are suggesting that the poll results are positive for Germany’s Energiewende, the ambitious energy transition program that aims to have Europe’s strongest industrial economy powered 50% by renewables by 2030, and 80% by 2050. [RenewEconomy]
¶ Some have premised opposition to a shift toward renewables on the costs associated with such a movement. This assumption, however, may be based on faulty data that do not consider the rapid decline in renewable energy prices over the past decade. [Wall Street Journal]
Science and Technology:
¶ An EU-funded project, “Zinc-air flow batteries for electrical power distribution networks”, is developing a new class electrical energy-storage system with high-energy density, modularity, fast responses and low costs. [Nanowerk]
¶ Engineers at the US government’s National Ignition Facility say that they are getting close to having a fusion power source, thanks to the intensely powerful laser arrays that they are using on-site to trigger the necessary catalyzing force. [Science Recorder]
World:
¶ Toshiba has made its first steps into the wind power generation business by acquiring Sigma Power Janex Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Kyushu-based Janex Co Ltd which operates wind farms in Kyusyu, Japan. [Renewable Energy Focus]
¶ A new project in Edinburgh, by a company called Sustainable Renewable Technologies EcoBuild, is a floating village to be powered by solar energy from solar panels on top of the roofs, with warmth is provided by air source heat pumps. [GreenPacks]
¶ The Dingwall Wind Co-op has launched to support the first wind turbine in Scotland that is 100% owned by a co-operative. RM Energy has worked with Knockbain Farm, to secure planning permission for a single 250 kW turbine and a firm grid connection offer for the project. [reNews]
¶ Speaking at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Brighton the Labour leader pledged to freeze energy prices until 2017 while his Labour colleague, Shadow Energy Secretary Caroline Flint announced a tandem plan to break up the Big Six power companies. [Energy Live News]
¶ In a move likely to evoke sharp reaction from the Opposition, an Indian Cabinet committee cleared a clause diluting the Nuclear Liability Law, paving way for signing of an agreement between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and America’s Westinghouse. [Daily News & Analysis]
¶ In just thirteen hours, 6648 shares of a co-operative wind turbine were sold to 1700 Dutch households at a price of €200 each. This fully funded the 2.0 MW turbine, setting a record for crowdfunding. [Renewable Energy World]
US:
¶ The National Renewable Energy Laboratory produced a series of studies to look at the costs of having high percentages of renewable power on the grid and how they compared to the savings in fuel that doesn’t get burned. The answer: the cost is a tiny fraction of the ultimate savings. [Ars Technica]
¶ Under Gov. Deval Patrick, Massachusetts has risen to become the most energy-efficient state in the U.S., and now Boston has been identified as the most efficient city by the American Council for Energy Efficiency. [GreenBiz.com]
¶ Some utilities are finding ways to embrace the trend toward distributed, renewable power put on the grid. There are plenty of examples, and just as many reasons. [SustainableBusiness.com]
¶ The owners of Vermont Yankee nuclear plant have taken the first of two formal notification steps to let the NRC know the plant is shutting down. An Entergy Corp. executive wrote to the NRC to submit notification of intent to shut the Vernon reactor down in the fourth quarter of next year. [Businessweek]
¶ The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 plant is a sign that the world needs to seriously rethink nuclear safety and consider possibly ending its dependence on atomic power, the former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Tuesday in Tokyo. [The Japan Times]
¶ The closing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant at the end of next year will leave the state with an $11 million dollar gap in tax revenues. But some politicians — including Gov. Peter Shumlin — are talking about a fee or tax on the storage of high-level nuclear waste in Vermont. [Barre Montpelier Times Argus]
¶ Nearly three-quarters of the concerns keeping the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant offline have been resolved, but it’s still not clear when it could restart. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission provided an update on the plant Tuesday ahead of a public meeting. [Lincoln Journal Star]
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