STUFF

Independent study validated non-proliferation benefits of Lightbridge's (LTBR) metallic fuel for nuclear power.

NOAA predicts a warm spring followed by floods. Meanwhile, their budget allowing increases for satellites, extreme storm prediction.

China toughening auto fuel econ standards.

Report: fracking waste pits often falling short of standards in WV.

New shale development rules for China blasted before released.

Rosneft closed on $55B takeover, now world's biggest oil producer.

Phillips 66 to add more N Am crude to fuel mix.

Frost & Sullivan: Europe inverter market for clean energy systems $4.63B in '12. Could rise to $6.77B by '18.

Apple data centers now 100% clean/renewable energy powered. Entire comp 75% clean/ren.

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi to arrange debt finance, pitch in on finance of Cape Wind project in Mass. Construction start by yearend. All fed, state permits secured. Near 78% of projected power gen committed in 15-yr PPAs with National Grid, NSTAR. (Looks like US' 1st offshore wind.)

Green Star Biofuels (GSPI) granted tax abatement of up to $2.75M over next 5 yrs to build $66M, 30Mgy biodiesel refinery in Ala. Construction start this summer. Online mid-'14.

Advanced Biofuels USA opposes Energy Security Trust proposal. Calls it "counterproductive, insufficient, inconsistent". "Primarily focused on increasing production of GHG-producing NG for production of el, in part, to be used for inefficient EVs that rely on rare earth minerals for batteries." They support carbon tax.

Maersk (Denmark) developing 2 projects to create biomass-based marine fuels using lignin. 1 partnership with Progression Industry. Other with DONG Energy (Den) cofunded by Danish National Advanced Tech Foundation.

Singapore scientists may have discovered super nanomaterial. Multi-use titanium dioxide. Created by turning TiO2 crystals into nanofibers. Use that to make filter membranes to produce H, make clean water, create energy. TiO2 a catalyst to boost chem reactions. Easy bond with water. Great desalination properties. Can produce H when exposed to sunlight. Can gen el from waste during desal process. Can produce cheap solar cells. Can double lifespan of lithion batts.

Wisc increasingly adding solar to govt bldgs, new facilities. $13.7M project mostly paid for with state, fed grants, airport funds. Madison's 12 fire stations use solar water heaters.

Wisc Pub Svc to be 1st in US to install new type of pollution control system at coal power plant. $275M. Tech developed at Japan plants. Regenerative activated coke tech. Reduces SO2 by 90%, NOX 20-60%. Less expensive than currently used tech. '17 completion.

Trident Energy (UK) raised ~$668K from angel investors to develop marine powergen tech. 1-yr test of proto that converts wave, tidal energy into el to power offshore infra like oil platforms.

India says over 70% of 551Mw solar capacity installed since start of National Solar Mission used imported modules. Goes against US charge.

Kansai El, TonenGeneral to build 30Mw solar plant in Japan. Online 1Q15.

Solar will be 2nd biggest source of new elgen capacity to be added in US this year. NG to be 1st. Wind was 1st last year. May end up with 4.2Gw new PV solar. 3.3Gw last year.

Contour Global (NY) to get $193M loan from US Overseas Private Investment Corp to build Peru's 1st large scale wind project. 114Mw, 62 turbines.

Poll found Californians almost equally divided on value of stricter enviro regs. Legislature this year to consider whether to change Cal Enviro Quality Act.