Opinion:
¶ “Why Tony Abbott may spark an Australian energy revolution” I hate to break the news to you, great leader, but there is no longer any such thing as cheap fossil fuel energy in Australia – the gas export boom and greedy network operators have put paid to that. [RenewEconomy]
¶ “The 13 major clean energy breakthroughs of 2013” Amid bad news about climate change, clean energy provides a bright spot in the march toward a zero-carbon future. 2013 had may clean energy milestones, but here are thirteen key breakthroughs that happened this year. [RenewEconomy]
Science and Technology:
¶ Solar Frontier, a Japan-based thin-film solar technology company, has reportedly broken the CZTS (copper, zinc, tin, and sulfur or selenium) solar cell efficiency record, in partnership with IBM and TOK. The new efficiency record is 12.6%. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ After six years on the drawing board, a Perth-based company has finally started building the world’s first wave energy farm off the West Australian coast. Carnegie Energy is building the plant five kilometres off Rockingham and will supply electricity and desalinated water. [ABC Online]
¶ Canadian developer Innergex Renewable Energy and the Saik’uz First Nation will partner to get an environmental assessment certificate from the province of British Columbia for the 210 MW Nulki Hills wind project and an electricity purchase agreement from BC Hydro. [reNews]
¶ Quebec has launched a call for tenders for 450 MW of wind power, part of the province’s plan to add 800 MW of new wind-generated electricity to the grid. Bids are due into provincial utility Hydro-Québec Distribution by 3 September 2014. [reNews]
¶ Renewables saw their share of UK electricity generation hit some 13.2% in the third quarter of 2013 compared with 11.7% in the year-ago period. Offshore wind generation increased by 7% while onshore wind generation was down 8% due to low wind speeds. [reNews]
¶ The Japanese government’s financial assistance to TEPCO, the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, is set to be raised from 5 trillion yen to around ¥9 to ¥10 trillion ($86 to $90 billion) to help rebuild the troubled company. [The Japan Daily Press]
¶ The UK government has formally agreed to support construction of the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant on Anglesey, Wales. The news is seen as a strong indicator of the government’s commitment to a new generation of nuclear power. [E&T magazine]
US:
¶ Admirals Bank and EmPower Solar will offer Breezy Point, New York residents financing options to purchase solar systems for their homes. The Breezy Point Green Committee started this initiative for sustainable rebuilding of buildings affected by Hurricane Sandy. [PR Web]
¶ A public backlash against the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s recent decision to soften renewable-energy diversity mandates for public utilities led to repeal Wednesday of some controversial regulations. [ABQ Journal]
¶ The United States Enrichment Corporation, the leading US nuclear fuel supplier, plans to file for bankruptcy in the first quarter 2014 in order to restructure. The company will repay convertible bonds in October 2014 with $530 million raised from new equity and debt. [RT.com]
geoharvey 
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