HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Westinghouse Receives Approval for Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Testing
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Westinghouse's approach for testing its small modular reactor (SMR) design. Approval is a step toward design certification and will reduce the time needed to license the Westinghouse SMR, the company says.
A Low-Cost and Efficient Water-Splitting Electrode
Scientists from University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia have developed a highly efficient oxygen-producing electrode for splitting water.
A New Take on Perovskite Solar Cells
Brown University researchers have found a new way to make light-absorbing perovskite films for use in solar cells, by way of a room-temperature solvent bath rather than a blast of heat.
Fracking UK: Challenges in Developing Shale Gas Resources
The technique of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" to release reserves of natural gas in underground shale formations is well-established in the U.S.However, in the UK the situation currently stands in stark contrast.
IHS Expects More Storage for Solar PV Systems by 2018
Around 9% of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in North America will include attached storage in 2018, says IHS. Growth in storage will be led by commercial systems and IHS expects that 700 megawatts (MW) of PV systems with energy storage will be installed by 2018.
Global Energy-related Emissions of Carbon Dioxide Stalled in 2014, IEA Says
Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicate that global emissions of carbon dioxide from the energy sector stalled in 2014, marking the first time in 40 years in which there was a halt or reduction in emissions of the greenhouse gas that was not tied to an economic downturn.
UK Advances Assessment of AP1000 Nuclear Power Plant Design
After three years of a generic design assessment (GDA) in the UK, Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor design is entering the "closeout phase," the company says.
China Resumes New Nuclear Reactor Approvals
The Chinese government has approved construction of two more units at the China General Nuclear (CGN) Hongyanhe nuclear power plant in Liaoning province, marking the first approval for new reactors in four years, says World Nuclear News.
Nuclear Power Plant on Hold in U.S. as Areva Asks for EPR Review Suspension
Areva Inc. has asked the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to suspend work on the design certification of the US EPR until further notice.
Russia Bundles Water Desalination Technology with Nuclear Power
The head of Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corp. (ROSATOM), announced plans to sell desalination facilities integrated with large-capacity nuclear power plants to Russian export markets.
Industry Leaders Headline List of Speakers at IHS Energy CERAWeek 2015
An international group of industry, policy, technology and financial leaders—including CEOs and other senior leaders of the world's major energy producers—will join leading experts from IHS at the world's pre-eminent energy conference, IHS Energy CERAWeek 2015, Apr. 20-24 at the Hilton Americas, in Houston, Texas.
Can Oil Well Monitoring Systems Withstand Stimulation Treatments?
Downhole data acquisition has evolved with many well completions now integrating fiber optic technology so that engineers and operators may gain a better understanding of well and reservoir behavior.
Europe Launches Energy Union
Citizens of the 28 European countries that make up the European Union will be able to "take ownership" of their energy supply needs through smart meters, domestic generation, and choosing their energy suppliers under a new Energy Union (EU).
Google Investment Backs Solar City's Rooftop Photovoltaic Push
Google Inc. is making a $300 million investment to pay for designing and installing at least 25,000 SolarCity Corp. rooftop solar photovoltaic power systems on U.S. homes, reports Bloomberg Business.
Solar Eclipse Will Test European Electric Power Grid
Close coordination among operators of Europe's interconnected electric power grid will be crucial to manage the potential loss of some 35,000 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) generating capacity during a two-hour solar eclipse that takes place on the morning of March 20.
Updated Standard on Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings
A revised standard from ASHRAE and IES seeks to provide greater guidance and a more comprehensive approach to retrofit of existing buildings for increased energy efficiency.
Methane Leaks from Key U.S. Natural Gas Fields in Line with Federal Estimates
Tens of thousands of pounds of methane leak per hour from equipment in three major natural gas basins that span Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Pennsylvania, according to airborne measurements.
Offshore Wind Farm Could Include 400 Turbines, 2400 MW of Generating Capacity
Plans for what could be the world’s largest offshore wind farm have been given the green light by Britain's energy secretary. An array of up to 400 turbines may be built 80 miles off the Yorkshire coast on the Dogger Bank.
Go-ahead Urged for Watts Bar 2 Nuclear Power Plant Licensing
An independent body within the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recommended proceeding with the licensing process for the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) 1,150-megawatt (MW) Watts Bar Unit 2 nuclear reactor.
Hawaiian Utility to Double Its Solar Hosting Capacity
Hawaiian Electric Cos. (HECO) is proposing to double its hosting capacity for solar energy. The utility announced its intentions in late January to increase its penetration limits for rooftop solar minimum daytime load (MDL) from 120% to 250% of MDL. Those increases would be among the highest thresholds for solar penetration on distribution circuits in the U.S.