A US-based startup called Nano Diamond Batteries (NDB) is claiming that it has developed a new kind of battery that would turn radioactive waste materials into safe, usable batteries suitable for use in everything from smartphones to spaceships. What’s more, it claims its irradiated batteries won’t ever need charging. From … [continued]
The nuclear industry has based much of its analysis on what I believe is demonstrably flawed thinking. I would classify numbers from the nuclear industry in three types. Some are predictably spot-on. Some are predictably off, with the true value turning out to be greater by a factor of two or more. And some are predictably, and sometimes demonstrably, off by at least an order of magnitude. Which number falls into which category seems to depend entirely on what it is to be used for.
For the first time in many years, the TVA is offering to lower electricity prices to its customers by 3% if they will sign a 20-year power purchase agreement. That’s a bad deal, says Friends of the Earth.
Researchers at Portland State University claim the US could still meet its commitment to lower its carbon emissions agreed to in Paris if it replaced all its coal fired generating stations with a mix of renewables, natural gas, and biofuels by 2024.
Researchers at Wood Mackenzie studied electricity usage in the US during the recent polar vortex weather event and determined that there is insufficient renewable energy resources and battery storage available at present to keep the electrical grid operating during such times of high stress.
Humans need freshwater to survive, but squander massive amounts of water to make electricity. Renewables require almost no water to operate, making them ideal for conserving our precious natural resources.
California set records for solar power and renewable energy at the end of April. The California ISO is learning how to do a better job of balancing demand with the available supply of renewables.
New Jersey has set a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030, bringing it in line with similar policies by California and New York. But it’s not all good news, as the governor also favors subsidies for nuclear power.
Tesla’s rocket problem is that Elon Musk’s companies are simply great with challenging stuff, but challenged greatly by simple stuff. Well, that may be a bit too cliche — his companies are also good at simple stuff — but the little details can often jam up otherwise world-changing plans.
The International Uranium Film Festival brings awareness of the hazards of uranium extraction processes and nuclear power production to audiences around the world.
