May 4 NEC Energy News
¶ “Renewables reached 64.6% in April in Spain” • In April of 2024, renewables generated 13,515 GWh, 21% more than in April 2023, and reached a share of the total of 64.6%. This past April was the first month in history in which three renewable technologies led the Spanish mix: wind (22.2% of the total), hydropower (19.7%) and solar PV (18.8%). [evwind.es]
¶ “Australia Says Coal To Nuclear Switch Would Cost $249 Billion” • Replacing Australia’s coal-fired power stations with small modular nuclear power reactors would cost A$387 billion ($249 billion), according to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen. The high cost makes such a transition a “unicorn and a fantasy,” Bowen said. [Yahoo Movies UK]
¶ “Georgia Residents Will See Higher Power Bills As Second Nuclear Reactor Comes Online At Plant Vogtle” • Unit 4 at Plant Vogtle is operating commercially. The project was estimated at $14 billion, but the cost is nearly $35 billion. Regulators approved a 6% rate increase to cover the increased cost, so Georgia Power customers will pay for it. [WABE]
¶ “Car Fires By Vehicle Type” • If you believe the memes from people who try to deter you from driving an EV, fires in EVs might seem like a big deal. Data from federal recalls, the Federal Transportation Safety Board, and the Bureau of Traffic Statistics don’t show that. It turns out that fires are thousands of times more likely in gas-powered cars than in EVs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New Sodium-Ion Battery Could Charge An Electric Vehicle In Seconds, Not Minutes” • EV charging goalposts are moving. New research indicates that sodium-ion EV batteries could charge up in seconds, not minutes. Not only does that beat today’s best lithium-ion technology, it even beats gas and diesel fuels at their own game. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Wind Turbine Blades Made Of Wood Can Outperform Those Made Of Composites” • Wind turbines are mostly recyclable, but not usually the turbine blades. There is a race on to find more sustainable materials to make them, with wood among those in the running. Wood can offer better performance and contribute to a circular economy. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Extremely Active Hurricane Forecast Highlights Importance Of Resilient Solar Power” • Colorado State University forecasters issued a dire prediction for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season: it is expected to be “extremely active,” with the highest number of hurricanes ever forecasted since the team released predictions in 1995. [Environment+Energy Leader]
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