June 23 Energy News

Opinion:

¶ “Can Renewables Replace Nuclear Power?” • Utility PG&E’s announcement that it would shutter California’s last nuclear plant and replace the power with energy efficiency and renewable energy was the result of a confluence of progressive state policies making it more feasible. [Scientific American]

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Station, on the coast of California. Credit: Doc Searls/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Science and Technology:

¶ Solar Impulse 2 has landed in Spain, completing the Atlantic leg of its historic bid to circumnavigate the globe. The landing in Seville marked the end of the 15th stage of Solar Impulse’s route. Mission managers will now plot a route to Abu Dhabi where the venture began in March, 2015. [BBC]

World:

¶ Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy approved six renewable energy plants, with a combined capacity of 165 MW, to join the national Incentive Regime for Infrastructure Development. REIDI grants tax incentives to companies investing in infrastructure projects. [SeeNews Renewables]

Brazilian wind farm. Author: Carla Wosniak.
License: Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic

¶ In its Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2016-2020, SolarPower Europe lauded the record 50.6 GW of new solar capacity which was added worldwide in 2015, while predicting that it would smash through that record, passing the 60 GW mark in 2016. [CleanTechnica]

¶ Zambia is having two solar power projects built that will provide the cheapest electricity in Africa. First Solar Inc and Neoen will partner to build a 45-MW plant that will sell electricity for just over 6¢/kWh, and Enel will build a 28-MW plant selling it for just under 8¢/kWh. [Africa Middle East]

Zambia is getting solar power.

¶ Siemens projects that from 2025 its offshore wind farms will deliver electricity at a levelized cost of energy below €0.08/kWh. The company said at that it is confident its current goal of generating offshore wind power below €0.10/kWh by 2020 will be reached. [reNews]

¶ Offshore wind turbine manufacturer Adwen and turbine rotor blade supplier LM Wind Power announced this week that manufacture of the first of the 88.4 metre-long blades has now been completed at a factory in Denmark. It was designed for a new 8-MW turbine. [Business Green]

New 88-meter turbine blade

¶ Ghana is giving a big boost to renewable power under a ”Capital Subsidy Scheme” for installing solar panels on rooftop of homes across the country. The country expects to add 20,000 rooftop solar systems under the scheme, according to the its Energy Commission. [domain-B]

US:

¶ The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the California Energy Commission have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding that focuses attention on how the high-speed rail program can help California meets its climate goals and become a greener state. [RailwayAge Magazine]

California high-speed rail

¶ Vermont Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter laid out an energy plan focused on reducing emissions, supporting clean energy job growth, and cutting energy costs. Minter also called on all candidates to oppose moratoriums and bans on clean energy technologies. [Vermont Biz]

¶ A judge ruled that federal regulators lack the authority to set rules for hydraulic fracturing, dealing a setback to the Obama administration. The judge said the Bureau of Land Management can’t set the rules because Congress has not authorized it to do so. [PennEnergy]

Drilling for gas. AP image.

¶ Solar shade canopies installed at two North County San Diego schools have saved San Dieguito Union High School District more than $4.4 million in energy in five years. This exceeded the original projections. The developer had guaranteed a $10.5 million savings over 15 years. [PennEnergy]

¶ The US government has kicked off an offshore wind competitive lease sale in Hawaii. Secretary of the interior Sally Jewell issued a call for information and nominations on Wednesday to gauge developer interest in two areas offshore Oahu spanning about 485,000 acres. [reNews]

Windfloat system in action off Portugal (Principle Power image)

¶ The Governor of Montana announced a new blueprint for the state’s energy future. The American Wind Energy Association praised the plan, pointing out that the blueprint recognizes the value of a stronger electricity grid and the expansion of wind power in the state. [North American Windpower]

¶ The Rhode Island legislature has passed a bill to advance the state’s renewable energy target from 14.5% by 2019 to 40% by 2035. The bill would ensure that Rhode Island homeowners and businesses have greater access to renewable energy, including wind power. [North American Windpower]