Opinion:
¶ “Why Nuclear Power Can Never Be Green” • Calling nuclear power “green” or “sustainable,” attempting to equate a nuclear reactor with a solar panel or a wind turbine, is plain and simple fraud. Nuclear power does not lead to carbon emissions once production begins, but to give it the same treatment as a truly renewable source is a bare-faced lie. [Eurasia Review]
Nuclear power plant (Johannes Plenio, Pexels)
¶ “Climate Scientists On ‘Don’t Look Up’: It’s Infuriating, Soul-Sucking, And On-The-Nose” • I come from a team of climate scientists, analysts, and advocates. For us, Don’t Look Up was both like pulling teeth to watch and air-punchingly validating. We saw the futility of our work, and its necessity. We feel hopeful some people can be moved to action. [CleanTechnica]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Tesla And Chinese EV Makers Putting Lot Of Weight On These Low-Cost EV Batteries” • Tesla first used lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP or LiFePO₄) batteries for its Model 3s that were made in China in 2020. The same technology is also being used by other Chinese manufacturers because of its low cost and low probability of catching fire. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Model 3 in Qinghai (Image: Tesla, Tesla Greater China)
World:
¶ “India Is Preparing Its Power Grid For A Major Renewable Energy Expansion” • In line with India’s commitment at the COP26 summit, the country aims to reach net-zero by 2070. India seeks to meet 50% of its energy needs by 2030 through renewable sources and expand non-fossil fuel power generation capacity to 500 GW in this decade. [Oil Price]
¶ “Renault Says It Will Sell Only Electric Cars In Europe By 2030” • At a press conference, Renault CEO Luca de Meo said his company plans to sell only battery EVs in Europe by 2030. He left the door open for Dacia, the low-priced brand in the Renault stable, to sell internal combustion cars after that date, calling it Renault’s Plan B. [CleanTechnica]
Renault Megane E-Tech Courtesy of Renault)
¶ “Econergy Enters UK Storage Market With 50-MW Project Acquisition” • Econergy Renewable Energy acquired Swangate Energy Storage Ltd, a 50-MW storage project in Yorkshire. The 50-MW Swangate project is part of a wider pipeline of projects consisting of more than 800 MW of storage and 900 MW of solar PV. [Power Engineering International]
¶ “Will ScotWind Auction Deliver A Renewables Revolution?” • The ScotWind auction is the first time in a decade that plots of seabed in Scottish waters have been up for grabs. The ScotWind auction, whose successful bidders are about to be announced, should see at least a further 10 GW added to the Scottish market and maybe more with new technology. [BBC]
SeaJack turbine installation vessel (Michael Parry, public domain)
¶ “Government Exploring Rooftop, Floating Solar Power For Scarcity Of Lands: Nasrul” • In Bangladesh, the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, said that the government is exploring options like rooftop and floating solar power plants as alternatives to land-based sites due to scarcity of lands. [The Business Standard]
¶ “Australia To Get The Cupra Born” • Australians are keen to get into affordable electric cars. However, the EVs we keep getting offered are a little rich for our blood, a little expensive for our wallets. The latest is the Cupra Born, which I am sure will sell well at A$50,000 to $60,000 ($36,000 to $43,220) because it is a very exciting machine. [CleanTechnica]
Cupra Born (Image courtesy of Cupra)
¶ “Swedish Police Hunt For Drone Seen Flying Over Forsmark Nuclear Plant” • Police in Sweden deployed helicopters and patrols to the Forsmark nuclear plant to hunt for a large drone seen flying over the site late on Friday. They were unable to catch the unmanned vehicle, they said. Unconfirmed sightings took place at one other nuclear plant. [Reuters]
US:
¶ “What’s The Latest With Tesla’s Cybertruck?” • Tesla has been somewhat guarded about the Cybertruck. That said, an iteration of Tesla’s much-anticipated pickup was recently spotted at the Fremont factory test track. Hence, some clues were revealed. A few updated features were spied during a drone flyover of the factory area. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla Cybertruck (u/Kruzat, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “US DOE Looks To Produce More Uranium For Cutting-Edge Nuclear Reactors” • The US government is looking to advance the country’s nuclear power capabilities in an effort to align with a less carbon-intensive future. With that, it is seeking to produce more high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel that would be used by reactors of new design. [The Deep Dive]
¶ “Military Seeks To Boost Tritium Output From TVA’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant” • The military is seeking to boost the production of tritium, a key component of America’s nuclear arsenal, at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. The move comes despite criticism that it violates international nuclear arms agreements. [Yahoo! Sports]
Have a classically pleasant day.
geoharvey 