April 6 NEC Energy News
¶ “World Must React To Russian Nuclear Threats” • Oleksandr Hryhorash, senior control inspector at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, stressed that the world is not responding adequately to Russian nuclear threats. The occupation of Ukrainian power plants by Russian forces and attacks on other nuclear facilities increase the risk of catastrophes. [MSN]
¶ “China Just Turned Off US Supplies Of Minerals Critical For Defense And Cleantech” • China just stopped selling the US its dysprosium, terbium, tungsten, indium, and yttrium. They don’t make headlines, but without them an electric car doesn’t run, a fighter jet doesn’t fly, and solar PVs go from clean energy marvels to overpriced roofing tiles. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “How To Build Even Better Wind Turbines” • In recent years, solar has been outpacing wind as the renewable energy leader. Recent innovations, like taller towers and longer rotor blades, which lead to increased efficiency, could unlock significantly more wind energy potential. There are some challenges in scaling turbines up, however. [DW]
¶ ¶ “Without Insurance, Capitalism As We Know It Will Not Be Possible” • Insurance is the lubricant that keeps the gears of commerce turning. Without it, the capitalist system we all know and love grinds to a halt. Without insurance, many financial services are no longer commercially viable, but climate change might make insurance impossible. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar Farms Nationwide Owe Some Success To An Unlikely Force” • In Texas, SB Energy operates the fifth-largest US solar power plant. It uses sheep herds to keep the weeds down beneath its 900-MW, 4,000-acre array. The livestock are more nimble than lawnmowers and they’re autonomous. Combining sheep and solar has also had success in Iowa. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Prime Minister Seeks To Counter Dutton’s Price Of Energy Attacks With Cheaper Home Batteries” • The prime minister of Australia is countering Peter Dutton’s attacks on the price of energy with a scheme to make renewable energy cheaper. The plan would reduce the power bill for those with rooftop solar by up to $1,100 extra every year. [7NEWS]
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