May 20 NEC Energy News
¶ “Dutton’s Nuclear Would Spike Electricity Bills When (If) They Start In The 2040s” • We know Australia’s Coalition is split over nuclear power. You would have thought that two nuclear reactors coming into operation in the US would encourage those favoring nucear. They aren’t. The reactors were $20 billion over budget and seven years late. [Crikey]
¶ “Dirt Cheap Batteries Enable MW-Scale Charging Without Big Grid Upgrades Right Away” • Battery prices keep plummeting. In 2022, 1 kWh of battery capacity cost $159. In 2023, $136. At the beginning of 2024, batteries were available for $95 per kWh. And CATL recently announced that it would be shipping batteries for $56/kWh at the end of 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Company Receives Pentagon Contract To Investigate Potential Site For ‘Dry Rock’ Geothermal Power Plant” • Houston’s Sage Geosystems won a contract to analyze the potential for a mostly subterranean power storage system at Fort Bliss. The setup would make it possible for renewably generated energy to be stored and discharged for 12 hours or more. [The Cool Down]
¶ “Loch Ness To Get £3 Billion Hydro Power Boost” • Glen Earrach Energy Limited has revealed plans for a £3 billion hydroelectric project at Balmacaan Estate near Loch Ness. The project is designed to provide extended energy storage capacity, integrating renewable energy into the grid and reducing local carbon emissions by 10%. [Energy Live News]
¶ “US Competition Selects Finalists In Floating Offshore Wind Technologies” • The US DOE selected finalists in its competition to promote technologies for floating offshore windpower. Studies suggest that floating turbines could produce 2,800 GW in the US alone, which would be more than double current US electricity consumption. [The Maritime Executive]
¶ “Warmer, Wetter Climate In Maine Impacts Human Health, Infrastructure” • Scientists said Maine’s climate is warmer and wetter, with implications for human health and infrastructure. Data show the ten warmest years have all been since 1998, with 2023 ranking as the second warmest. And increased warmth has led to more extreme weather. [Public News Service]
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