Opinion:
¶ “Small Reactors, Big Hype” Nuclear power proponents pinning their hopes on small modular nuclear reactors to resurrect the industry’s fortunes likely will be disappointed, according to a report released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists. [LiveScience.com]
¶ “Why Microsoft, eBay (And 650 Other Businesses) Are Calling for U.S. Climate Action” American corporations are combating climate change. In addition to internal strategies on energy use pollution, many are realizing they need to put pressure on legislatures. [Social Enterprise Live]
World:
¶ The German utility lobby group presented its plan for reform of Germany’s electricity sector to the new government, recommending an end to guaranteed feed-in-tariffs for new renewable installations and a decentralized capacity market for conventional power plants. [Platts]
¶ Environmental activists have staged a protest outside the offices of the South African Department of Trade and industry against a proposed coal power station. Greenpeace challenged Minister Rob Davies to reconsider the coal-fired power plant. [News24]
¶ Chubu Electric Power has started work to heighten the breakwater at its Hamaoka nuclear plant by 4 meters to clear a hurdle in its application to restart its reactors. The utility puts the construction costs of the entire breakwater at ¥150 billion ($1.52 billion). [Asahi Shimbun]
US:
¶ The DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has issued a new report, “Non-Hardware (‘Soft’) Cost-Reduction Roadmap for Residential and Small Commercial Solar Photovoltaics, 2013-2020,” written by NREL and Rocky Mountain Institute. [CIOL]
¶ Solar Gardens, small solar systems shared by a number of households, are becoming increasingly important. While the electricity produced goes into the general power grid, subscribers get breaks on their monthly bills. [Christian Science Monitor]
¶ Power production from renewable sources hit a record Thursday afternoon in San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s service territory, utility spokeswoman Jennifer Ramp said Friday. About 1,000 MW, nearly a third of the total supply, came from renewable sources such as wind and solar. [U-T San Diego]
¶ Solectria Renewables will install equipment to power a 12.5 MW DC IND Solar Farm at Indianapolis International Airport. The solar farm, the largest powering an airport in the US, is scheduled to be commissioned and deployed in October. [Green Building Elements]
geoharvey 