August 20 NEC Energy News
¶ “Europe’s Largest Nuclear Plant Is Under Threat. But Experts Say A Chernobyl-Sized Disaster Is Unlikely” • Attacks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex have sparked widespread fears. But nuclear experts would defuse some of the more alarmist warnings, saying the main threat is closest to the plant itself and doesn’t justify Europe-wide alerts. [CNN]
¶ “Russia Planning To Disconnect Nuclear Plant From Power Grid, Ukraine Warns” • Energoatom, the Ukrainian energy company, said that Russia is planning to switch off the power blocks at the Zaporizhzhia plant and disconnect them from Ukraine’s power grid, which would deny the country a major energy source. [MSN]
¶ “Russia To Allow Inspectors At Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, Says Putin” • Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said UN officials will be granted permission to visit and inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex. The Kremlin made the announcement after a call between President Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron. [BBC]
¶ “California Nuke Extension Challenged In Legislative Proposal” • A proposal circulated by California Democratic legislators would reject Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to keep the state’s last operating nuclear power plant open. Instead, it would spend over $1 billion to speed up the development of renewable energy, new transmission lines and storage. [AP News]
¶ “Polysilicon Glut And Cheaper Solar Panels?” • According to Rethink Energy UK’s lead analyst, Andries Wantenaar, prices for polysilicon and hence solar modules will continue to rise during 2022 as supply continues to run short of demand. However, the supply will leap ahead again after that, as new factories go online and prices will drop. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Volkswagen – ID. Buzz Sales Surge, Norway All EV By 2024” • The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is sold out for 2022 in Germany and Norway, even though deliveries won’t begin until later this year. Harald A. Møller, the importer of VWs into Norway, announced that it will not import VW cars with internal combustion engines after January 1, 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EV Owners Enjoy Cost Savings, Reliability, Range, And More – Maine Survey” • A survey of EV owners in all 16 of Maine’s counties shows that Maine people value EVs for their reliability, performance, and the cost savings they provide. The survey found that 98% of EV owners would personally recommend them to their neighbors. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “With Activation Of Solar Array, Town Of Bristol Returns To Its Renewable Roots” • A ribbon cutting Friday marked the start of operations of the solar array next to the Bristol, New Hampshire, water and sewer department. Renewable energy isn’t a new idea in Bristol. In the late 1800s, hydropower plants on Newfound River provided all the town’s energy. [WMUR]
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