January 1 NEC Energy News
¶ “Swiss Trains Switch To 100% Renewable Electricity” • Swiss Federal Railways trains are 100% renewably powered. Up to January 1, around 90% of SBB’s electricity needs were met by hydropower and the remaining 10% from nuclear. The nuclear power is now being sold, as SBB buys an equivalent amount of certified renewables. [Railway Gazette International]
¶ “An Inside Look At Work To Restart Palisades Nuclear Plant” • The Palisades plant has been closed since May of 2022. Holtec, the owner, hopes to have it back up and running sometime next year. During a tour, the NRC showed News 8 where work stands to reopen the plant, including a steam generator, which is still to be tested and repaired. [AOL.com]
¶ “The Great Solar Wall Of China” • As of June 2024, China led the world in operating solar farm capacity with 386,875 MW, representing about 51% of the global total, according to Global Energy Monitor’s Global Solar Power Tracker. The US ranked second with 79,364 MW, about 11%, followed by India with 53,114 MW, about 7%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Power Slowly Being Restored In Puerto Rico After More Than 1 Million Left In Dark In New Year’s Eve Blackout” • An island-wide blackout in Puerto Rico left more than a million residents without power on New Year’s Eve. Crews worked through the day and by 11:00 PM restored power to roughly 700,000 customers, about 47.8% of them. [ABC News]
¶ “NTPC Allocates 1.2 GW Wind-Solar Hybrid Capacity At 4.0¢/kWh” • State-owned NTPC has concluded its auction for 1.2 GW of wind-solar hybrid capacity at an average price of ₹3.43/kWh (4.0¢/kWh). JSP Green won 350 MW with the lowest price of ₹3.38. Out of the other bidders, Adani Renewable Energy won 350 MW at ₹3.44. [pv magazine India]
¶ “Scientists Uncover Natural Phenomenon That Significantly Exacerbated Last Year’s Record-High Temperatures” • There was record-breaking heat in 2023, and GHGs and El Niño played a role. But they were not enough to explain it alone. Now, a study in the journal Science shows that fewer low-lying clouds over our oceans supercharged the warming. [The Cool Down]
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