Opinion:
¶ “Small Modular Reactors Don’t Add Up As A Viable Energy Source” • The nuclear industry has been offering so-called Small Modular Reactors as an alternative to large reactors as a possible solution to climate change. However, when evaluated on the basis of cost per unit of power capacity, SMRs will actually be more expensive than large reactors. [Impakter]
Discussion on SMRs (NRC, public domain)
Science and Technology:
¶ “A New Dawn For Solar Cells: 190% Quantum Efficiency Is Possible” • The Shockley-Queisser limit refers a theory about an upper limit of PV technology efficiency. The limit is now thought to be 33.7%. But Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems achieved 47.6%, and they are still working to improve efficiency. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “The Fight Against Coal In Southeast Asia” • Of the 222 GW of utility-scale solar and wind projects currently in the pipeline across Association of Southeast Asian Nations, more than 80% is focused on Vietnam and the Philippines. Most countries in the ASEAN region are hesitant to commit to policies that may slow economic growth. [CleanTechnica]
EDP Renewables 254.8-MW Solar Farm in Vietnam
¶ “Unsold Chinese EVs Are Piling Up At European Ports” • The EU has no tariff wall on Chinese EVs, though the European Commission is studying how to respond to an anticipated flood of cheap Chinese EVs. So, Chinese car makers have been sending EVs to Europe. But the effect of this has been to turn European ports into car parks. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Teslas For India, At Last” • Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin is making headlines as it gears up to produce right-hand drive vehicles for the Indian market, a first for the German plant. Tesla’s RHD EV production had been managed by Giga Shanghai, for countries like Australia, Japan, and the UK. But Giga Berlin will contribute to Tesla’s global efforts now. [CleanTechnica]
Tesla (Charlie Deets, Unsplash)
¶ “Community-Scale Agrivoltaics Powering Rural Development Through Renewable Energy” • India’s rural people need reliable electricity to improve their quality of life. In many developed economies, agrivoltaics, combining solar PV installations with agricultural operations, has much improved the living conditions of rural people. [The Financial Express]
¶ “UK Renewable Boom Plunges Electricity Prices” • Wholesale electricity prices in the UK fell sharply in the first quarter of 2024 due to a significant increase in renewable energy production, as reported by Montel EnAppSys. The average prices dropped by 22% compared to the previous quarter, with average day-ahead prices close to £64.50/MWh. [Energy Live News]
Renewable energy in the UK (Mat Fascione, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Quinbrook Closes First Stage Of 2-GWh Supernode Battery Project” • Quinbrook Infrastructure is building the A$325 million ($212 million) first stage of its Supernode project in southeast Queensland. It is to host a battery energy storage system of up to 800 MW and 2,000 MWh to support a data center and provide grid services. [pv magazine Australia]
US:
¶ “Environmentalists Protest As Biden Administration Approves Huge Oil Export Terminal Off Texas Coast” • In a move that some call a betrayal, the Biden administration has approved the construction of a deepwater oil export terminal off the Texas coast that would be the largest of its kind in the US. It will be able to ship 2 million barrels of crude oil per day. [ABC News]
Pumping platform (Edibobb, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “Final Rules Implement SEIA’s Solutions To Lower Fees And Streamline Renewable Energy Development” • The US BLM has issued final rules on leasing and rentals for renewable energy projects on public lands. The final rules closely follow the Solar Energy Industries Association’s recommendations to streamline clean energy development. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Utah Coal Plants Will Continue Hazing Up The State’s Crown Jewels, And Those Of Other States” • One thing we’re learning in late 2023 and 2024 so far, is that sometimes, there are setbacks, and things don’t move as fast as we’d like. That is what happened in Utah, as the state cut way back on its goal to get rid of its coal-burning power plants. [CleanTechnica]
Coal-burning plant (Tricia Simpson, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Tesla Leading in Auto Brand Loyalty” • In the ever-evolving landscape of EVs, Tesla stands tall as a beacon of innovation and brand loyalty. A survey conducted by Bloomberg Intelligence shows the current state of the EV market, revealing trends and consumer preferences. Tesla leads both for brand loyalty and as a brand to switch to. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “US Community Solar Developer Nexamp Raises $520 Million to Accelerate Deployment” • Nexamp, a developer and operator of distributed solar with storage, announced that it raised $520 million. Proceeds from the financing are to accelerate growth as the company expands into new markets and builds its renewable energy and storage capacity. [ESG Today]
Nexamp solar array (Nexamp immage)
¶ “US Surpasses Renewable Energy Goal For Public Lands” • The Biden administration said the US has already surpassed a goal of permitting more than 25 GW of clean energy projects on public lands by 2025, and it finalized a plan to reduce project fees for wind and solar energy on federal acreage. Decarbonizing the grid by 2035 is the goal for the US. [SRN News]
¶ “Yucca Mountain Is Back; Nevadans Are Mad” • Lawmakers are digging up a zombie of a plan: storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, a long-contested site in Nevada. One US lawmaker said, “Opposition has inhibited congressional appropriations and driven the executive branch to dismantle what has otherwise been a technically successful program,” [Politico]
Have an amazingly amusing day.
geoharvey 
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