Archive for the 'wind' Category
July 1, 2012
Japan:
¶ Reactors at Ohi are restarting. Many people are protesting. Protesters in Ohi say they are attempting to block access to the power plant. [CNN]
¶ The Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization designed the first nuclear safety drill since the Fukushima Disaster. The drill did not include dealing with meltdowns for fear that doing so would be too upsetting to citizens. [The Japan Times]
¶ Protesters are attempting to blockade roads to the Ohi reactors. [Emirates 24/7]
¶ A problem developed in the cooling system at Fukushima Daiichi’s Unit 4 spent fuel pool. [The Japan Times]
… Latest word is that a temporary cooling system has been started. [Australian Broadcast Corporation]
World:
¶ The UK has had large gains in renewable electricity production. Wind is producing 50% more than last year. At the same time, consumption of electricity has declined slightly. [Clean Technica]
¶ A new 32,000 ton metallurgical grade silicon producing plant in Iceland, which will require 52 megawatts to operate, will be entirely powered by renewable resources. [MELODICA.NET]
US:
¶ New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he is likely to sign new legislation to that will reinvigorate the state’s solar industry. [CleanEnergyAuthority]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, renewable power, wind power
June 30, 2012
A quote for today:
“A lot of people think that Fukushima is behind us, in fact it’s ahead of us.” Jean-Christophe Niel, head of ASN, the French nuclear safety authority. [quoted in RFI]
Japan:
¶ The weekly protest at the Prime Minister’s residence has grown from 300, in April, to a huge number, yesterday. Police claim there were 17,000 people in the crowd, organizers say 150,000, and various media put the number at between 20,000 and 200,000. [Japan Daily Press]
¶ The Japanese government is presenting three plans for the future of energy production, so they can be debated publicly. [Reuters]
¶ The Anglican Church in Japan is calling for the abolition of nuclear power. [Anglican Communion News Service]
US:
¶ A rally to shut down VY is scheduled for July 1. [OpEdNews]
¶ The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is making new rules for wind, solar, and energy storage. A projection used as a basis, dating from 2010, is that 60% of new energy resources will be solar and wind by 2019. [Forbes]
¶ The US Senate confirmed Kristine Svinicki and Allison Macfarlane to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. [The Hill]
¶ Decommissioning Zion is costing upwards of $100 million more than anticipated. [Chicago Tribune]
¶ The DOE gave Southern Company a sweetheart deal to finance building two reactors at Vogtle. Critics say the deal is excessive. [Inter Press Service]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, renewable power, solar power, wind power
June 27, 2012
Japan:
¶ Two prominent seismologists are warning against restarting the reactors at Ohi. [news24]
¶ TEPCO is being accused of lying and covering up its own incompetence in its report on its internal investigation of the Fukushima Disaster. [Radio Australia]
… There have been protests at the stockholders’ meeting over the report. [Australian Network News]
¶ Shareholders have voted to allow TEPCO to be nationalized. [RTT News]
World:
¶ European Desertec, a consortium including such companies Siemens, E.ON, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Enel, and Shell, says it will use wind and solar energy from northern Africa and southern Europe to eliminate 95% of the emissions from generating electricity by 2050. [REneweconomy]
US:
¶ The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled in favor of the US NRC in its suit with the State of Vermont on the issue of the water quality permit. The state contended that since Entergy never applied for a water quality permit, as required by the law, the NRC issued the license renewal illegally. [Reuters UK]
¶ The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled unanimously that the EPA has the authority to limit carbon dioxide emissions. [ieee spectrum]
¶ One take on the news says the investigation into Chairman Jaczko faults him because he was not supportive of his colleagues, and his actions were inconsistent with policy. [Wall Street Journal]
… Another take says he committed no violations. [New York Times]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, solar power, wind power
June 26, 2012
Japan:
¶ Experts say the spent fuel pool of Unit 4 at Fukushima Daiichi is a disaster waiting to happen. [Radio Australia]
¶ TEPCO is finally admitting a slight lean in the Unit 4 building. [NHK World]
… (This has been reported without confirmation for over a year at ENENEWS, whom we thank for bringing the report to our attention.)
¶ According to NHK, a 92 hectare (227 acre) park in Tokyo is to be decontaminated because of radioactive fallout from Fukushima Daiichi. [NHK World].
… (Again, thanks to ENENEWS.)
¶ Another earthquake at Fukushima could lead to a disaster ten times worse than Chernobyl. [Australian Broadcast Corporation]
¶ The number 3 reactor at Ohi will be restarted on July 1, and is expected to be producing at full power on about July 8-11. The number 4 reactor at the same plant is expected to be started on July 17-21, and to produce full power on July 24-31. [Reuters]
¶ Protesters say the restart at Ohi was rushed, and the plant was declared safe without considering difficulties evacuation would pose, or even infrastructure, which needs upgrades. [The Japan Times]
World:
¶ The government of Korea is getting proactive about construction of wind turbines. [REVE]
¶ The city of Beijing is considering a sister-city relationship with Copenhagen, partly because it may facilitate installation of 100 wind turbines. [REVE]
US:
¶ A shipment of two dry casks arrived by barge for Seabrook. They are in parts that will be assembled at the plant. Transporting them from the port to the plant requires use of two trucks, each with 100 tires on the trailer, which will move on the roads at 5 miles per hour. [Seacoastonline]
¶ The New Jersey legislature is considering a bill intended to avert collapse of the solar market in that state. New Jersey has seen a decline in the price of solar credits for owners of solar arrays earn for their investment, resulting from rapid expansion of solar production. [NJSPOTLIGHT]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, nuclear waste, photovoltaic, solar power, wind power
June 22, 2012
Japan:
¶ Efforts will begin to remove spent fuel assemblies from the Unit 4 spent fuel pool this year, instead of waiting until late 2013, as had been planned. The reason given for this appears to be public concern. [Reuters]
¶ TEPCO’s report on the Fukushima Disaster is being called sloppy, and its contents falsified, by many people, both in and out of government. [The Mainichi]
World:
¶ Transmission lines may connect solar and wind generating stations in Germany with pumped storage in Norway by 2018. [The Local]
US:
¶ The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the nomination of Allison Macfarlane to chair the NRC and re-nomination of Kristine Svinicki as a commissioner. [Power Engineering]
¶ The State of California will conduct an investigation into problems at San Onofre. [Bloomberg Businessweek]
¶ Cracks in the containment building at Crystal River are not currently getting worse, but no one knows whether the reactor will be brought back online. [Tampa Bay Times]
¶ Officials at Browns Ferry say that plant is not ready for an inspection needed to clear a reactor’s “red” safety status. [Chattanooga Times]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, solar power, wind power
June 18, 2012
Technology:
¶ The price of solar power has fallen to the point that it is becoming competitive with fossil fuels. [The Conversation]
¶ Energy storage is becoming increasingly important as the world switches to renewable power. [The Motley Fool]
Japan:
¶ In a press conference, the Japanese trade minister said the new regulatory agency, which is set to begin operations in August, will make its own decisions on the 48 reactors that remain idle, independently of the cabinet. If this is true, then it could be that no additional reactors will be started before fall. [The Daily Yomiuri Online]
¶ In the days following the Fukushima Disaster, the Japanese government received accurate radiation maps from the US Energy Department, but chose not to use them as people evacuated. Some went into areas with high radiation. [The Asahi Shimbun]
¶ The Japanese government approved billions of dollars of subsidies for renewable power. [Eco-Business]
¶ There is a building boom for solar electric installations in Japan. [Bloomberg BusinessWeek]
¶ Those who wish to return to widespread use of nuclear power in Japan do not have a clear path ahead. [Wall Street Journal]
World:
¶ Worldwide wind generating capacity increased by 40 GW in 2011. [REVE]
¶ German utility company RWE AG has decided not to replace its German reactors with new reactors outside the country, but is thinking about cooperating with communities to build solar farms. It may enter the private consumer solar business, as well. [Wall Street Journal]
US:
¶ The US is now producing more renewable energy than nuclear. [geoharvey page]
¶ A former nuclear waste dump in Pennsylvania is being closely guarded by Homeland Security after nuclear materials there were found to include materials that should were more “complex” than expected. [Centre Daily Times]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, renewable power, solar power, wind power
June 16, 2012
Technology:
LCD makers may begin to switch to manufacturing solar cells. The result could be a price reduction to 30¢ per watt. [Article in Bloomberg]
Japan:
Prime Minister Noda says he wants to reduce Japan’s dependence on nuclear power. [Article in euronews]
Prime Minister Noda has ordered the restart of two Ohi Reactors. [Article in the New York Times]
Ruiko Muto lives a Thoreau-like life in a rural setting in Fukushima Prefecture. She is a bit of a hermit, making grass tea and acorn curry, and reading by an oil lantern. Now she is an important voice of the Fukushima protest movement. [Article in Asahi Shimbun]
World:
Geothermal energy could provide all the domestic heat and about 20% of the electricity for the United Kingdom. [Article in Electric Light and Power]
The British Energy Secretary says the U.K. is committed to its renewable power goals. [Article in iStockAnalyst]
The Natural Resources Defense Council has released a scorecard ranking G20 nations and their commitment to clean energy development. We refrain from comment on how the US does. [Article in EnergyBoom]
US:
The U.S. military wants to get 3 gigawatts of renewable generating capacity, and is willing to deal creatively to get it. [Article at AOL Energy]
Entergy has postponed an emergency drill at Pilgrim. Striking members of the plant’s union say this is an indication of Entergy’s valuing profits above safety of workers and the community. [Article in the Boston Globe]
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Tags: nuclear power, renewable power, solar power, wind power
June 14, 2012
Technology:
A new catalyst may lead to artificial photosynthesis and solar manufacture of fuels. [Article in Scientific American]
A new report indicates offshore wind costs may be reduced by a third by 2020. [Article in REneweconomy]
Japan:
The new Japanese nuclear regulatory body will review the 40 year operating limit. [Article in Power Engineering]
As the last of local politicians agree to the restart, Japanese media says restarting of the Ohi reactors may begin this weekend. [Article in the Washington Post]
World:
World nuclear production of electricity fell by 4.3% in 2011. [Article at Utilities-ME]
US:
Part of Seabrook’s administrative building had to be evacuated because of an ammonia spill. [Article in the Boston Globe]
An agreement among senators of both parties backs both nominees to the NRC board. [Article in the Wall Street Journal]
Davis-Besse is running again after refueling and maintenance. [Article in the Toledo Blade]
Nine states have joined with the New England Coalition and other advocacy groups to support Vermont in its appeal of Judge Murtha’s decision. [Article in Power Engineering]
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Tags: New England Coalition, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, renewable power, solar power
June 13, 2012
Technology:
Scientists at the University of Utah believe they have found a way to protect electronic devices in highly radioactive areas. [Article in e! Science News]
Japan:
Experts warn of more pending disaster at Fukushima. [Article in the Hindu]
It will take at least five weeks to restart the Ohi reactors, which means the period of summer heat will be half over by the time they are online. [Article in the Japan Daily Press]
The sea walls at Ohi may be too short. [Article at Wall Street Journal Japan Realtime]
World:
Nuclear power is more costly than renewables. [Article from xinhuanet]
German utilities are suing the government for billions of Euros over the decision to abandon nuclear power. [Article in The Local]
US:
The senate will begin a hearing on nominations of Allison Macfarlane to chair, and Kristine Svinicki to serve on, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. [Article in the Hill News Alerts]
The Palisades nuclear plant has gone offline for a small leak in the plant’s safety injection and refueling water tank. [Report from WSJM]
An NRC report indicates seven problems need to be addressed for Seabrook to be relicensed. [Article in the Newburyport Daily News]
Citizens of two small communities in Iowa pooled their resources and are now generating more electricity from wind than they consume. [Article in R&D]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, renewable power, solar power
June 11, 2012
Technology:
Alta Devices has provided details on new solar film technology allowing for flexible, highly efficient photovoltaic cells. [Article in Compound Semiconductor]
Japan:
Inpex, the largest oil and gas company in Japan, is increasing its purchases of overseas assets. [Article in Financial Times]
The Japanese government expects that 18% of Fukushima evacuees will be unable to return home for at least another ten years. [Article in the Japan Times.]
A group of 1800 people have filed a criminal complaint against 33 TEPCO executives, saying they should be held responsible for the Fukushima Disaster. [Article in the Japan Daily Press]
A panel of scientists appointed by the governor of Fukui Provence has approved restart of the Oi reactors. [Article in the Business Week]
World:
Cuban officials say they will increase the share of renewable power in their electric production from 3.8% to 16.5% within the next eight years. [Article in Fox News Latino]
GE will be investing $900 million in wind generators in Turkey, over the next three years. [Article in REVE]
US:
Workers at the Pilgrim nuclear power plant, who have been locked out during labor negotiations, say the plant is not safely run by people temporarily assigned to replace them. [Article at socialistworker.org]
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Tags: Fukushima, nuclear power, photovoltaic, renewable power, wind power
June 7, 2012
Technology:
Costs of renewable energy are falling. [Article in REVE]
Japan:
The japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency is saying the Mihama nuclear power plant’s No. 2 reactor is safe to run beyond 40 years, if it is allowed to do so. [Article in The Japan Times]
World:
The future of nuclear power in Europe, including France and the UK, is not bright. [Article in Chinadialogue]
US:
Ray Shadis, consultant for the New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution, explains why Vermont Yankee is vulnerable to flooding. [Article in the Commons]
Indian Point shut down because of a generator malfunction. [Article at CBS Money Watch]
The House of Representatives is giving Yucca Mountain $10 million to revive its license application. [Article in Platts]
We are seeing a large number of articles on wind projects in different states. They include a rural 12.6 MW wind farm in Iowa [Article in Power Engineering], a 212.8 MW wind farm in Michigan [Article in Bloomberg Businessweek], and a 235 MW wind farm in Oklahoma [Article in Bloomberg Businesweek].
The fire on the nuclear submarine Miami was caused by a vacuum cleaner. [Article at CNN].
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Tags: nuclear power, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, renewable power, solar power
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