Engadget: Endless Nuclear Power Can Be Found in the Seas
The ocean is a good source of uranium fuel, but it exists in such small quantities that extracting it hasn't been economically feasible. However, Stanford researchers have developed a new technique that can capture up to three times more, meaning we might soon get a new source of uranium that could help keep CO2 in check.
A surprising amount of uranium exists in the ocean in the form of positively charged uranyl ions (no jokes please). The total is estimated at 4.5 billion tons, enough to power current plants for around six millennia. However, there's only around a grain of salt per quart (three parts per billion), and so far, it's been too time-consuming and expensive to extract it in decent quantities.
Bloomberg: China Nuclear Push Stalled by Next-Generation Reactors
China’s decision to approve its first new nuclear reactors in two years may need to wait for its success starting up the world’s first next-generation units.
Plans to green-light eight reactors this year in the world’s fastest-growing nuclear market, announced last week, could depend on whether it’s able to complete some of the world’s most advanced facilities, including Westinghouse Electric Co.’s AP1000 and Areva SA’s EPR. The first such reactors may come on-line as early as the first half, followed by new approvals, according to Karl Liu, an analyst at BOC International Holdings Ltd. in Hong Kong.
“There are indications that Chinese policymakers want to wait for the AP1000s and EPRs under construction to come on-line and see how they do operationally before approving new projects,” said M.V. Ramana, a professor at the University of British Columbia. “I am not entirely sure that this plan will actually translate into reality.”
ABC: Solar Power Battery Storage Would Solve SA's Electricity Problems, Company Says
The company behind a $100 million solar plant with battery storage says its project could solve South Australia's energy woes as the federal government announces a $445,000 investment into a pumped hydro-station for the state.
South Australia's power supply has been scrutinized since the state was plunged into darkness last September, and was forced to "load shed" during a recent heatwave.
South Australian-based renewable energy company Zen Energy is working to build a $100 million solar power plant with 100 megawatts of battery storage in the region.
SF Gate: Trump Administration Deals a Big Setback to Caltrain
In the first big hit to the Bay Area from the Trump administration, newly minted Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has put the brakes on $647 million for Caltrain to go electric -- and in the process pretty much killed hopes for high-speed rail coming to San Francisco anytime soon.
“It puts the (electrification) project in serious jeopardy,” Caltrain spokesperson Seamus Murphy said Friday. Caltrain carries about 60,000 riders a day between the South Bay and San Francisco, but its diesel-driven trains are both costly to operate and slow. Officials see electrification as a way both to increase ridership and save money on operating costs.
Renewable Energy Focus: Siemens to Build EnBW Hohe See as First Offshore Wind Project With Extended Scope
In 2016 Siemens began with the development of project-specific solutions for the foundations of EnBW Hohe See wind power plant with a preliminary project. The result was the development of a large monopile design with a length of up to 80 meters and a weight of up to 1,500 tons to anchor the wind turbines solidly into the sea bed.
For EnBW Hohe See, Siemens is partnering with logistics specialist GeoSea. The company of the Deme Group will also deliver the foundations including monopiles and transition pieces. With its extended scope Siemens helped to mitigate risk-exposure to the investors significantly. The integrated design and installation approach together with the complete solution including turbines, towers, TPs and foundations provides investors with maximum security and confidence regarding the financing and completion of this project.