Science and Technology:
¶ Researchers at the Technical University of Madrid have found that real contribution to emissions targets is positive and global balance of CO2 reduction is still significant, even in energy markets with high penetration of wind energy. [YottaFire]
World:
¶ Statkraft is pumping NOK12 billion ($1.94 billion) into upgrading its ageing hydro plants in Sweden and its native Norway. The company’s schemes have an average age of 45 years and a hydro plant is technically considered ready for retirement when it hits 50. [reNews]
¶ The Queensland government has declared its hand in the upcoming review of the renewable energy target with an extraordinary – and in many places misinformed – attack on the costs of renewable energy. [RenewEconomy]
¶ Japan is incapable of safely decommissioning the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant alone and must stitch together an international team for the massive undertaking, experts say, but has made only halting progress in that direction. [The Recorder]
¶ Commercial banks that have extended loans to Tokyo Electric Power Co. have agreed to offer an additional 300 billion yen ($2.91 billion) to the struggling utility, while considering ending any future lending to it. [Asahi Shimbun]
¶ Power from the new Hinkley C nuclear generator will be too expensive for UK manufacturers, according to Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of Ineos, one of the UK’s biggest energy consumers. Ineos owns the Grangemouth refinery plant in Scotland. [BBC News]
US:
¶ The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to require any gas wells to be placed at least 1,500 feet from homes, a move that the gas industry says might as well be a ban on drilling. The city sits on the eastern edge of the Barnett shale. [CleanTechnica]
¶ Municipalities looking to bring new solar projects online are running into roadblocks as state policy struggles to keep up with renewable energy goals. Two Massachusetts incentives for solar power have already expired or are close to it, chilling development. [SouthCoastToday.com]
¶ As utilities have sold off hydroelectric power projects, a Wisconsin-based company, Renewable World Energies, is picking them up and investing in them. Where some see decrepit relics of a prior century, Bill Harris, head of the company, sees opportunity. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
¶ A new University of Washington institute to develop efficient, cost-effective solar power and better energy storage systems has been launched with an event attended by UW President Michael K. Young, Gov. Jay Inslee and leaders in renewable energy. [Energy Harvesting Journal]
¶ Consumers Energy has selected 31 solar-powered projects offered by businesses, homeowners and nonprofit groups across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to supply renewable energy to customers, through the company’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program. [CIOL]
¶ Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will once again discuss the issue of concrete degradation at Seabrook nuclear power plant during a public open house and meeting on Wednesday. [The Union Leader]
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