One of World’s Largest Energy Consumers Embracing Advanced Nuclear

In the latest ClearPath blog, Nuclear Program Director Niko McMurray explains why the recent U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) plan to demonstrate a microreactor is so important for the industry.

We think the key to unlocking the exciting potential of advanced nuclear and de-risking development is through demonstrations. There are a number of private sector companies developing advanced reactor designs, but it all comes down to demonstrating the technology since decarbonization without the right set of tools is extremely difficult if not impossible.

The DOD project should be on everyone’s radar and viewed as an important element of the broader U.S. strategy to decarbonize and develop advanced reactor technologies.

American Energy Innovation Act Stalled in Senate

The U.S. Senate could not reach agreement on several key amendments to end debate on the American Energy Innovation Act (AEIA). Senate Energy Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski has indicated the bill may be back on the floor at some point.

See what’s in the bill

U.K. Government Investing $1Billion in Carbon Capture & Storage

The U.K. is investing big in carbon capture and storage projects giving a big boost to their industrial and energy sectors. The have appropriated a $1billion fund for anchor projects at two carbon capture and storage clusters, one of which is highly likely to be the project featured in last week’s Rundown featured. Read more on the U.K. budget (Financial Times)

Recap below:

A consortium of BP, Eni, Equinor, Shell and Total plan to develop an industrial carbon capture utilization and storage project that includes “transportation and storage system to gather industrial CO2, compress it and store it safely in a reservoir under the North Sea. The transportation and storage infrastructure will encourage new investment in the region from industries that wish to store or use CO2. In addition, a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility with carbon capture technology will provide low carbon power as a complement to renewable energy sources and underpin the investment in the infrastructure.” Read more

Energy Storage Sees Biggest Growth Year Ever In U.S.

2019 was the biggest year for energy storage ever, according to WoodMackenzie’s Energy Storage Monitor 2019 Year in Review. U.S. energy storage installation increased to over 522 megawatts/1,113 megawatt-hours in 2019 with the biggest increase coming in the fourth quarter. The U.S. has been increasing investments in energy storage over the last decade, illustrating the scale of the market and expected continued growth. Additional non-lithium ion investments were announced in 2019 and may come online later in 2020. Read more in GTM

Axios published a story in December highlighting the growth in federal support.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

CSIS Report: Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy, Russia and China

The Center for Strategic & International Studies published a report this week, The Changing Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy: A Look at the United States, Russia, and China. The report talks about how “Russia is boosting its dominance in new nuclear sales, and China is doubling down on its effort to become a leader in global nuclear commerce.”

Los Angeles Looking At Hydrogen to Meet Renewable Electricity Goals

Los Angeles is grappling with how to provide reliable power to its citizens particularly when there’s insufficient electricity being generated by solar panels and wind turbines. Political pressures have led to the closing of coal plants and many in the state are opposed to natural gas. “There is no way to get to 100% renewable energy that I can see right now without hydrogen in the mix. It doesn’t exist,” said the head of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The Los Angeles Times reported the city wants to build a hydrogen-fueled power plant. Read the story

Drilling For Clean Energy: Geothermal Innovation In Alberta

RARC Energy Research Institute interviewed John Redfern, the President and CEO of Eavor on how the company invented a way to harvest geothermal energy based on their knowledge from drilling oil and gas wells. Listen here!

New Poll: “Clean Energy Innovation” Very Popular With Voters

Wondering what constituents in your state think of clean energy innovation? ClearPath launched a new nationwide poll this week, with data for every state and every Congressional District.

A 3,000 person nationwide survey conducted by Kristen Soltis Anderson’s firm Echelon Insights shows respondents across the country, including in some of the most conservative parts, believe clean energy innovation is a better path than government regulation.

Clean Energy Poll Highlights:

89% Believe it is possible for the U.S. to develop cleaner energy sources that can also provide more affordable energy.
87% Believe clean energy is an issue that Republicans in Congress SHOULD care about, only 50% believe they do.
58% Say that instead of regulation, they believe more innovation and better technology that lets us reduce carbon emissions is the best way to fight climate change.

IN THE HEARING ROOM THIS WEEK

On Wednesday, March 12, The Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a markup that included H.R. 5544, the American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act or the ‘AIM Leadership Act’ that would phase down hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, is already underway. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) announced he’ll be holding a hearing on HFCs after the recess. Reaching an agreement on HFCs was one of the roadblocks causing delay on the Senate’s American Energy Innovation Act earlier this week.

THE PATH AHEAD

Later this month: The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is set to release their report.

POSTPONED: The Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Public Forum on a Regulatory Framework for Fusion on March 18 is postponed indefinitely.

POSTPONED UNTIL JULY: The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology InnovationXLab; CarbonX Summit in Pittsburgh scheduled for March 23 - 24 will be postponed until July.

POSTPONED: The American Energy Innovation Council briefing on Capitol Hill with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette scheduled for March 26 will be cancelled and potentially rescheduled later this spring. The forum will discuss recommendations for accelerating clean energy innovation.