1. POWER Magazine: America—and the World—Needs More Nuclear Power
Nuclear energy is making a comeback— in America and worldwide. The global marketplace is noticing, and demand has never been higher. Our Chief Strategy Officer Jeremy Harrell penned an op-ed in POWER Magazine outlining the momentum:
- Last year, Southern Nuclear loaded fuel in the first Westinghouse AP1000 reactor at the Vogtle site in Waynesboro, Georgia.
- GE Hitachi is preparing to build its BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Clinch River, Tennessee with Tennessee Valley Authority.
- TerraPower is evaluating up to five additional reactors by 2035 with its utility partner PacifiCorp.
- X-energy broke ground on its advanced reactor fuel facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this past October.
Plug in: The 118th Congress presents new opportunities to make sure America leads the world on this crucial clean energy technology. Read the full op-ed.
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2. Dow turning to nuclear energy for Gulf Coast facility
Speaking of the nuclear renaissance… Dow is collaborating with new nuclear company X-energy to heat and power a chemical manufacturing facility on the Gulf Coast.
- As part of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, this project would represent the first-of-a-kind use of advanced nuclear for decarbonizing industrial processes.
- The X-energy plant will provide the facility with process heat and power to make products such as polyethylene used in packaging, paints, and foams.
“The utilization of X-energy’s fourth generation nuclear technology will enable Dow to take a major step in reducing our carbon emissions while delivering lower carbon footprint products to our customers and society,” said Jim Fitterling, Dow's chair and CEO.
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3. Is the grid in trouble?
The U.S. is going to need more, not less power in the coming decades, but concerns about interconnection and the ability to build new energy projects including transmission are piling up, as documented in the recent ClearPath report, All Queued Up and Nowhere to Go.
- The New York Times says, “an explosion in proposed clean energy ventures has overwhelmed the system for connecting new power sources to homes and businesses.”
- ClearPath’s Spencer Nelson was quoted in the NYT story, “It doesn’t matter how cheap the clean energy is. If developers can’t get through the interconnection process quickly enough and get enough steel in the ground, we won’t hit our climate change goals.”
- The Wall Street Journal wrote that “PJM Interconnection sounds the latest alarm that fossil-fuel plants are shutting down without adequate replacement power.”
What’s clear: We need to modernize how we permit energy projects to keep up with this challenge. The permitting reform efforts for the 118th Congress officially kicked off this week in House Natural Resources with two legislative hearings on key permitting bills.
“Permitting reform would give more certainty to people concerned about building clean energy fast and ensure we’ll be able to meet aspirational climate targets and also gives folks concerned about energy reliability and affordability a win,” said Rich Powell, CEO of ClearPath.
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4. New energy storage co. to build in West Virginia
Massachusetts-based Form Energy — which produces iron-air batteries – is building its first full-scale plant in West Virginia.
- The 55-acre plant will produce iron-air batteries and is anticipated to create at least 750 jobs in a $760 million investment.
What’s clear: As power sector decarbonization accelerates, energy storage has emerged as an essential technology to maximize grid reliability and integrate renewable energy.
Plug in: Our CEO Rich Powell unpacks Form’s technology in this video, “A ‘Reversible Rust’ Battery That Could Transform Energy Storage."
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5. Zero-emissions geothermal used to capture emissions – a true win-win
Fervo Energy, a geothermal company headquartered in Houston, announced it will design and engineer the first purpose-built geothermal and direct air capture (DAC) plant.
- Running a DAC plant requires a reliable source of electricity and heat to operate.
- Fervo uses targeted horizontal drilling, and advanced sensing to measure water movement and improve production in real time.
- The company hopes to have a pilot facility online in three to five years.
What’s clear: Geothermal is a renewable power source that harnesses the Earth’s core for heat that has been used in homes, industrial processes, or to generate electricity. Geothermal is the only renewable resource that truly is available 24/7/365. Utilizing zero-emissions renewable power to remove carbon dioxide should get everyone excited.
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6. Latta leads House effort to increase U.S. nuclear fuel security
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) introduced the Nuclear Fuel Security Act as the companion to Senate legislation from Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).
- The bicameral proposal would boost domestic uranium mining, production, enrichment, and conversion capacity.
What’s clear: America must lead to create a secure nuclear fuel supply chain that supports domestic industry and international allies. This legislation comes as America seeks to retake the mantle of leadership.
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7. PSEG looks to extend life of nuclear plants
PSEG, the owner of New Jersey’s largest utility, wants to upgrade and extend the life of three nuclear power reactors – the latest sign of support for the existing fleet.
- The license extensions could add up to 20 years of operation past the current license expiration dates of 2036, 2040, and 2046.
- There are currently 92 reactors operating in the U.S.
- …down from over 100 just a few years ago
What’s clear: Nuclear power, New Jersey’s largest source of carbon-free energy, is a key component of any state’s clean energy plan.
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8. Carbon capture demonstration funding announced
DOE announced $2.52 billion in funding for two landmark carbon capture programs funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
- The two programs – Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilots and Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program – aim to significantly reduce emissions from the power and industrial sectors.
What’s clear: By 2030, industrial facilities are expected to be the top source of U.S. emissions, exceeding those from power plants and vehicles. Both of these programs will help scale successful carbon capture technologies to decarbonize heavy industry, like steel and cement.
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9. ICYMI
- The third unit at the UAE's nuclear power plant, Barakah, has commenced commercial operations.
- Check out our latest report: Clear Path to a Clean Energy Future 2022 by Senior Research Associate Casey Kelly and Managing Director of Research Spencer Nelson.
- The Western Governors' Association hosted a recent work session at NREL for the Heat Beneath Our Feet initiative led by Governor Polis. ClearPath is a proud sponsor of the initiative. Watch the webinar recapping the session here.
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