February 28 NEC Energy News
¶ “Solar Installation Growth Expected To Reach 700 GW By 2025” • Solar polysilicon prices dropped immensely in recent years, then bounced up as supply couldn’t keep up with demand. Now, they seem to be dropping again as production capacity is increased. Rethink Energy expects that China will produce 432 to 540 GW of solar panels in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “France Seeks ‘Nuclear Alliance’ At EU Energy Meeting” • EU energy ministers are meeting on February 27 and 28 to discuss issues ranging from security of supply to electricity market reform. But on the sidelines, French energy minister Agnes Pannier-Runache has invited twelve other countries to discuss a “nuclear alliance.” [EUobserver]
¶ “The Dream Of Mini Nuclear Plants Hangs In The Balance” • This month, utilities across the West were facing a weighty decision: whether to pull the plug on their nuclear dream. NuScale had informed members of a group of them that the estimated costs of building the six 77-MW reactors had risen by more than 50% to $9.3 billion. [WIRED]
¶ “ESG Investments Are Suddenly Appealing To Some Red State Leaders” • The federal endorsement of sustainable investments is prompting some red state legislators to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance positions. What was once a red state onslaught against ESG investments is now a lot more like a pink puff of occasional air. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Army Of Spiral-Welding Wind Turbine Tower Trucks Sets Forth From…Texas?” • Elected officials in Texas may rant against renewable energy, but the state is a clean power pace-setter. The latest example is a forthcoming fleet of trucks bearing new spiral-welding technology that can lower the cost of wind turbine towers and raise the height. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Lithium-Free Battery Aims To Serve As Backup For Grid-Scale Renewable Energy” • A research team, led by the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, demonstrated a design for a grid energy-storage battery that uses sodium and aluminum as its primary components. The cell is well-suited for long discharge cycles, in excess of 24 hours. [Electronic Design]
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