June 23 NEC Energy News
¶ “Ukraine Rushes For Solar Panels As Russia Hits Its Power Grid” • Waves of devastating Russian drone and missile attacks again crippled Ukrainian power plants, causing blackouts and forcing Ukrainians to plan for the worst. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that all hospitals and schools in Ukraine must be equipped with solar panels “as soon as possible.” [Kyiv Post]
¶ “88-2: Only Markey And Sanders Oppose ‘Expensive, Risky’ Nuclear Power Expansion” • Just US Senators Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders voted against legislation that one scientist warned this week “will only increase the danger to people already living downwind” of nuclear power facilities. The legislation is on its way to the president’s desk. [Common Dreams]
¶ “Nuclear Reactor Build Could Cost Up To A$600 Billion” • Building seven nuclear power plants under the opposition’s proposal could cost up to A$600 billion ($4.67 billion) while delivering just 3.7% of Australia’s 2050 energy, an industry body says. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promoted his plan for nuclear without detailing costs. [MSN]
¶ “Iceland’s Ice Is Melting So Fast It’s Boosting Hydropower” • Iceland gets more than 70% of its electricity from hydropower fed by glacial meltwaters. So as the Earth heats up and glaciers melt faster, hydroelectric plants have more water to spin turbines and power the grid. It is a silver lining for a country mourning the decline of its glaciers. [Scientific American]
¶ “Conservationists Tout Indiana Old Mines, Brownfields To Develop Renewable Energy” • In a report called “Mine the Sun,” The Nature Conservancy says the quickest way for Indiana to gain energy independence is to utilize unused sites, such as abandoned mines, brownfields, or dumpsites, to develop solar and wind farms. [95.3 MNC]
¶ “Energy Giant Doubles Order From Qcells’ Georgia Solar Panel Plant ” • A little more than a year ago, a Virginia energy company announced plans to buy millions of Georgia-built solar panels in the largest “community solar” purchase in US history. This week, Summit Ridge Energy said it plans to nearly double that huge commitment. [AJC.com]
¶ “Petrol Sales In Norway Drop 8% Year Over Year” • Norway has been the European leader in terms of EV market share, with even 90%+ of sales being plugin sales in recent years. The majority of vehicles on its roads, though, are still fossil-powered. It takes time for cars to be retired. Now we see that in Norway, sales of petrol fell 8% in May, YOY. [CleanTechnica]
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