EnergyTransitionNews

EnergyTransitionNews OP t1_j24b64t wrote

This article analyses the history of nuclear power programs in every state that has them. The author found that historically only 12-15% of nuclear power programs were not part of a weapons program and makes the case that the innate ability of nuclear power to enable proliferation will slow its growth compared to renewable energy. The authors find that there are numerous examples of countries who slow down or cease power reactor programs after abandoning a weapons program. Civil power reactor programs have provided cover for weapons programs, for training personnel, and obtaining materials for weapons and there are some cases of weapons grade material being produced in civil power reactors.

The conclusion is reached that geopolitical concerns will inherently limit nuclear power compared to renewables.

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EnergyTransitionNews OP t1_j24ab7a wrote

"So, we get the benefit of basically utilizing energy from the sewer that would have just been wasted or not used at all," Fangman said. "And then keep not only greenhouse gases but also water conservation for the system."

While this technology is quite new to the U.S., Fangman says it's been used in Western Europe for more than a decade and in Canada for at least five years. The facility in Denver will serve as a model for systems that can be created in metro areas all over the country.

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EnergyTransitionNews OP t1_iyrk72k wrote

Over the next few years, as European countries look at installing more renewable energy capacities to reduce their carbon emissions, the average capital cost of these installations will drop to US$1.3 per Watt, the report said.

The TTF gas price is expected to stabilize by the end of the decade and may drop to US$31 per MWh. The Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from gas would reach about US$150 MWh at this price. While this might sound cheap in comparison to what consumers in Europe are paying today, it will still be three times as much the LCOE from solar facilities, the report added. For gas to remain competitive as a fuel, its prices would have to drop to US$17 MWh, which the report calls "unthinkable" in the current scenario.

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EnergyTransitionNews OP t1_ivc5rs1 wrote

The share of renewable energy in Australia”s main grid soared to a new record of 68.7 per cent on Friday, easily beating the previous record of 64.1 per cent set on September 18.

The Australian Energy Market Operator says the new “instantaneous” renewable generation record was set 12:30pm, and was a 4.6% increase from the previous milestone set just a month earlier.

It also appears to be a new record for variable renewable energy – wind and solar – with an instantaneous share of 64 per cent

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EnergyTransitionNews OP t1_iufbixa wrote

Operating gas-fired power plants would be 10 times more expensive in the long-term than building new solar capacity in Europe, according to research from intelligence company Rystad. Their study uses the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for gas and coal-fired power generation at different price levels and compares it to the LCOE of solar PV and wind.

If gas funds were invested in renewables instead, Europe could replace gas with solar and onshore wind power generation by 2028, when total capacity would reach 333 GW, Rystad forecasts. This estimate assumes a weighted average capital cost for the technologies of €1.3 per watt, as well as a two-year pre-development phase.

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