US low-carbon power seeks way past pandemic

The USA's clean energy sectors have outlined the government support they need to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations representing the nuclear, hydro, solar and wind energy industries have all written to Federal leaders for help.

Covid-19 25 March 2020

Message: Nuclear power in the fight against COVID-19

Nuclear power has responded to the call to action in the public health crisis that each and every one of us is facing, writes World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising.

"The global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is prompting dramatic actions from governments, placing great restrictions on people and on business in order to save potentially millions of lives.

At this time more than ever we need to be able to rely on electricity supply. It goes without saying that the huge efforts of medical staff worldwide depend on the ventilators, the monitors and all the other vital equipment that it proving so vital to giving people the chance to recover from this disease."

Perspectives 27 March 2020

Beaver Valley deactivation notice rescinded

Energy Harbor Corp has rescinded the deactivation notices for the two-unit Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, which had been scheduled to shut down in 2021. Energy Harbor's decision comes after the state began the process to join a regional initiative aiming to reduce carbon emissions through the trading of emissions allowances.
 

Corporate 16 March 2020

UK must address generation gap in support for nuclear, study shows

There is a low level of awareness among young people in the UK that nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy, according to research commissioned by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This shows that the government needs to ensure that nuclear is included in all its communications about low-carbon power and energy sources, IMechE said.

Energy & Environment 16 March 2020

Foratom calls on EU to recognise nuclear as a strategic industry

Foratom, the European nuclear trade body, has welcomed the ambitions outlined in the European Commission's Industrial Strategy, which was published yesterday. The strategy is part of European Commission President Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen's political guidelines and responds to a request from the European Council in March 2019.

Nuclear Policies 11 March 2020

Young will change narrative on nuclear, says ANSTO

Public perception of nuclear power "has been defined almost by its failures rather than by its successes", and the industry has thus adopted a defensive posture, Adi Paterson, CEO of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation told delegates at the International Youth Nuclear Congress on 9 March. The challenge now for the 250 IYNC attendees is: "How to change the narrative of nuclear in a deep and profound way," he said.

Energy & Environment 10 March 2020

COP26 president presents opportunities from low-carbon goals

The United Nations' climate talks this year can be a moment where the world comes together to ramp up momentum towards a climate-resilient, zero-carbon economy, COP26 President Designate Alok Sharma told UN Member States at the organisation's headquarters in New York on 6 March. Sharma said it was time to "send out a message of ambition and hope, that decarbonisation is the future, with huge opportunities for those who are willing to act now".

Energy & Environment 09 March 2020

UK industry urges fresh approach to new build funding 

The UK's Nuclear Industry Association has called on the government to produce a financing mechanism that supports investment in new build projects. The government announced in June 2018 that it would review the viability of a Regulated Asset Base model, but it has yet to respond to a public consultation on the Treasury's proposal that took place last year.

Nuclear Policies 05 March 2020

Speech: Policy support needed in global energy debate

The main challenges facing the nuclear industry are not in the production and delivery of electricity, but in securing the policy support required for it to expand its contribution of sustainable and low-carbon energy. This was the message of Philippe Costes, senior advisor at World Nuclear Assocation, to delegates at the Nuclear Power Plants Expo & Summit in Istanbul this week. "Nuclear energy has a vital role to play in a global sustainable energy mix, which must first of all meet the world's growing need for electricity. Over the next 30 years, the global population will rise towards nine billion, the global economy will continue to grow and technological developments will create greater demand for electricity. There is an underlying need for dispatchable electricity. We live in a world that requires a 24/7 supply of electricity and nuclear is uniquely placed to provide this."

Perspectives 05 March 2020

Canadian partnership launches electric vehicle charging network

Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One have launched a new company, Ivy Charging Network, which plans to install a new network of fast-chargers for electric vehicles in Ontario by the end of 2021. The Canadian government is investing CAD8 million (USD6 million) in the project which it says will help the transition to a clean energy future.

Energy & Environment 18 February 2020