March 13 NEC Energy News
¶ “With Heat From Heat Pumps, US Energy Requirements Could Plummet By 60%” • The actually useful energy we have to make will drop drastically when we apply heat pumps everywhere possible. The energy we have to replace is not what is on the left side of the Sankey diagram, but the rejected energy, on the right side. Electrifying will reduce it a lot. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Geopolitics Cast A Shadow Over Russian Nuclear Supplies” • Russia’s strengths in nuclear energy are multifaceted. It mines about 5% of the world’s uranium. But more importantly, it has almost half of the world’s enrichment capacity, to produce uranium suitable for nuclear fuel. Even the US and France depend substantially on Russia. [The National]
¶ “Virginia General Assembly Split On Whether To Pursue Nuclear Power More Aggressively” • Virginia’s Republican House of Delegates and governor want to encourage nuclear and SMR use. But the majority of Senate Democrats have balked, saying they’d like to see more research into SMRs in particular before committing to develop them. [Virginia Mercury]
¶ “A Tidal Power ‘Mega Project’ In One Of Europe’s Iconic Waterways Could Power A Million Homes. But The Costs Are Huge” • If all goes to plan, the Mersey could also play a major role in the UK’s sustainable future. Authorities in Liverpool want the river to be home to a huge tidal power project which, they say, could power up to 1 million homes. [CNBC]
¶ “Longest-Lasting Tropical Cyclone On Record” • For over a month, Tropical Cyclone Freddy has cast about in the Indian Ocean, bringing powerful winds and downpours to anything in its long and wandering path. The storm first developed off the North Australian coast on February 6, 2023. On March 8, it was hitting Mozambique for the second time. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Why East Antarctica Is A ‘Sleeping Giant’ Of Sea Level Rise” • Scientists once thought the East Antarctic ice sheet, which has enough water in it to raise sea levels 52 meters (170 ft), was stable. But now its ice shelves are beginning to melt. Some glaciers in what one explorer called the “home of the blizzard” are melting and might be at risk of sudden collapse. [BBC]
¶ “Another Step Toward Zero Emissions: A Medium-Duty Electric Mack Truck” • Mack Trucks has announced its Mack® MD Electric, the first electric Mack Truck in the medium-duty segment of the industry. The Mack MD Electric will be available in Class 6 and Class 7 ratings. Both models are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax. [CleanTechnica]
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