February 9 NEC Energy News
¶ “Scientists Set New Record Of Nuclear Fusion” • Using the Joint European Torus, a large toroidal device known as a tokamak, scientists sustained a record 69 megajoules of fusion energy for five seconds, using only 0.2 milligrams of fuel. This amount of energy is sufficient to power approximately 12,000 households for the same duration. [NEWS.am TECH]
¶ “Nuclear Reactor Restarts In Japan Have Reduced LNG Imports For Electricity Generation” • After the 2011 Fukushima Disaster, Japan suspended operations at all of its nuclear reactors. As of December 2022, 11 GW of Japan’s nuclear capacity had returned to service, which reduced the liquefied natural gas imports for electricity generation. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ten Valves That Workers Were Supposed to Close Were Open at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, Believed to be Cause of Radioactive Water Leak” • Ten manual valves that workers were supposed to close were open on equipment at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant when about 5.5 tons of contaminated water leaked, TEPCO said. [The Japan Times]
¶ “Gretchen Whitmer Seeks Another $150 Million To Restart Palisades Nuclear Plant” • Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year recommends another $150 million to help restart the plant. Reports have indicated the federal government is preparing to offer a $1.5 billion loan for the plant also. [Bridge Michigan]
¶ “Council Approves West Of Orkney Wind Farm” • Orkney Island Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee gave its backing to the 2000-MW West of Orkney offshore wind farm. The West of Orkney wind farm will have up to 125 turbines on fixed foundations 30 km west of the Orkney Mainland. First power is planned for 2029. [reNews]
¶ “Hawaii Drops Last Coal-Fired Plant After Launch Of Tesla Megapack Battery System On Oahu” • A Tesla Megapack battery system led the state of Hawaii to bid farewell to its last coal power plant, ushering in a new era powered by clean, renewable energy. The Kapolei Energy Storage, on the west side of Oahu, is operational. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “Bill Would Create New Tax Credits For Renewable Energy Facilities” • A New Mexico Senate bill aims to make the state more attractive for renewable manufacturing. The Advanced Equipment Income Tax Credit bill would create a tax credit for qualified manufacturing facilities related to solar and wind energy components. [KUNM]
¶ “Climate Scientist Michael Mann Wins Defamation Lawsuit” • In a major victory, renowned climate scientist Michael Mann has emerged triumphant in a defamation lawsuit against right-wing bloggers Rand Simberg and Mark Steyn. The jury awarded Mann $1,001,000 in punitive damages, a resounding blow to those who defame climate scientists. [BNN Breaking]
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