March 28 NEC Energy News
¶ “Paris Plots Response To Ursula Von Der Leyen’s ‘Unfortunate’ Comments On Nuclear” • The office of French Energy Minister has slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent comments about nuclear not being “strategic” for EU decarbonisation. It plans a counter-offensive at an EU energy ministers meeting in Brussels. [EURACTIV.com]
¶ “Zelenskiy Says Russia Is Holding Nuclear Plant ‘Hostage’” • Russian troops are holding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant “hostage” and its safety can’t be guaranteed until they leave, Ukraine’s president says, while his forces shut the frontline town of Avdiivka and plan their next move. He decried the Russian presence as “radiation blackmail.” [Corowa Free Press]
¶ “The Algae Phoenix Rises: Biofuel Down, Concrete Up” • To the surprise of no-one, ExxonMobil finally canceled its long-running algae biofuel research program earlier this year. The University of Colorado at Boulder emerged as a hotspot for zero emission concrete research based on algae, working on an organism called a coccolithophore. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Swedish Mining Group Boliden Is Getting Electric Trucks From Volvo For Underground Mining Operations” • Mines and similar campus-based operations are some of the best places for EVs. It’s safe to say drivers of heavy electric trucks in such places will not be too worried about range anxiety even with full loads of heavy rocks.[CleanTechnica]
¶ “Petrochemical Industry Flattened By Sustainable Fashion, High Tech Soy Edition” • The US biotech company Modern Meadow contacted CleanTechnica to introduce its plant-based approach to sustainable fashion, with a focus on leather. Teasing from plants the same level of performance and aesthetics as plastics has been a challenge. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “‘Global Energy Transition Needs $35 Trillion By 2030’” • The global energy transition is off-track, aggravated by the effects of global crises, and requires $35 trillion of investment by 2030 to ensure climate targets are delivered upon, the International Renewable Energy Agency says. Renewables deployment must grow by 1000 GW annually. [reNews]
¶ “Renewable Electricity Production Outpaces Coal For First Time In US” • Only 20% of the country’s power came from coal last year, the US Energy Information Administration said. Coal generated 23% in 2021, and peaked at almost 50% in 2007. But Renewables’ combined contribution to US electricity came to 21% in 2022. [Casper Star-Tribune]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.