July 15 NEC Energy News
¶ “Kishida Wants Up To Nine Nuclear Reactors Online This Winter” • To deal with concerns about electricity shortages this winter, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he will push to have up to nine nuclear reactors in operation by then. Economy minister Koichi Hagiuda said that the highest priority will be put on safety. [The Japan Times]
¶ “Satellites Give Clues About The Coming Global Harvest” • As harvest time looms for the world’s primary wheat producers, countries that import wheat hope for a bumper global crop so record high prices might fall. But analysis on the health of crops around the world suggests that’s unlikely, and that Russia could be the only big winner. [BBC]
¶ “Panasonic To Build $4 Billion Tesla Battery Factory In Kansas” • Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced that a battery factory will be built De Soto, Kansas. It is expected to create 16,500 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs in the community. It would be the largest economic development project in the history of Kansas. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewables Generation Costs Fall In 2021” • In 2021, the global weighted average cost of new renewable projects fell despite rising materials and equipment costs, a report from IRENA said. The global levelized cost of electricity of onshore wind projects added in 2021 fell to 3.3¢/kWh, while that of solar fell to 4.8¢/kWh. [reNews]
¶ “Can Rocket Launches Ever Be Green?” • Environmental effects of commercial space launches are a growing concern. There were 144 commercial launches last year, and at least three scientific research papers have already been published this year on the impact of rocket emissions on the atmosphere, temperatures, and the ozone layer. [BBC]
¶ “Two-Thirds Of New Renewables Were Cheaper Than Coal In 2021” • In 2021, 163 GW – nearly two-thirds – of new renewable power added was cheaper than the cheapest coal-fired power plants in G20 countries, a report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency says. Costs for solar and windpower fell 13% to 15% in 2021. [Electrek]
¶ “Renewable sources generate 25.5% Of US Electricity” • The amount of Electricity generated by renewable sources continues to grow month over month and year over year in the US. In April 2022, the share of US electricity coming from renewable energy was up to 29.3%. Over the first four months of 2022, renewables provided 25.5% of US electricity. [CleanTechnica]
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