The EMA News Roundup identifies current news on sustainable transitions that offer a path forward to cleaner energy solutions. Every few weeks, we share compelling and newsworthy articles on advanced energy.

EMA News Roundup | Volume 1, Issue 2, October 2023

Our latest news roundup highlights the global energy transition, emphasizing the need for collaboration and the increasing support for nuclear power as a net-zero technology. Significant domestic developments include investments in nuclear and hydrogen energy and major upgrades to the US electric grid. Regional news features partnerships for micro-nuclear reactors and funding for energy efficiency in rural communities. Advanced energy applications in mining and military installations are also explored.

Global Energy Transition

• Contractors: New deal needed for global energy transition (International Construction) | October 19, 2023 | The article emphasizes the need for public-private collaboration in investing in renewable energy and new technologies like Small Modular Reactors for a successful global energy transition.
• Nuclear can count as net-zero tech, draft EU Parliament deal says (Politico Pro) | October 12, 2023 | A draft deal from the European Parliament could classify nuclear power as a net-zero technology, making it eligible for EU funding.
• Support for nuclear has grown dramatically, says global agency chief (Reuters) | October 12, 2023 | The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that support for nuclear power has significantly increased due to the growing need for clean energy.
• Sweden turns to U.S. for nuclear reactors (Politico Pro) | October 11, 2023 |  Sweden is negotiating with US companies to build new nuclear reactors as it phases out its coal-fired power plants.
• The official global nuclear energy revival is getting serious (NextBigFuture) | October 9, 2023 | The article discusses the increasing global momentum behind nuclear energy, with more countries investing in new nuclear power plants and technologies.

Domestic Energy Developments

• Biden awards $7 billion in hydrogen hub money to 16 states (Reuters) | October 13, 2023 |  The US Department of Energy is allocating $7 billion to build seven regional hydrogen hubs that will produce and distribute clean hydrogen.
• Enrichment operations start at US HALEU plant (World Nuclear News) | October 12, 2023 | The first US plant to enrich high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which can be used in advanced nuclear reactors, has begun operations.
• IAEA raises nuclear growth projections (World Nuclear News) | October 9, 2023 |  The IAEA has increased its projections for nuclear power growth, expecting a 50% increase in nuclear power capacity by 2050.
• US computing infrastructure provider announces SMR (World Nuclear News) | October 9, 2023 |  A US computing infrastructure provider plans to build a small modular reactor (SMR) that could provide power for data centers and other industrial facilities.
• The US electric grid is getting a $3.5 billion upgrade (Grist) | October 19, 2023 |  The US Department of Energy is investing $3.5 billion to upgrade the country’s electric grid, targeting 58 projects across 44 states, with the aim of enhancing grid resilience, expanding renewable energy capacity, and preventing blackouts caused by severe climate disasters. 

Regional Energy Developments

• Companies partner to set stage for use of micro-nuclear reactors at trona mines in Wyoming (Wyoming News) | October 16, 2023 |  Two companies are partnering to develop and deploy micro-nuclear reactors at trona mines in Wyoming.
• Eight rural communities receive grant funding for energy efficiency and conservation (Newsminer) | October 15, 2023 |  Eight rural communities have received $8.2 million in grants from the US Department of Energy to support energy efficiency and conservation projects. 

Advanced Energy Applications

• Future of mining is microreactors: Idaho National Laboratory sees big benefits (release) | October 2, 2023 | Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are exploring how microreactors, small and transportable nuclear reactors, could help reduce costs and carbon emissions for mining operations in remote and extreme weather locations.
• ‘Powering Possibility’ at Department of the Air Force Installations (Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment) | October 12, 2023 | The Department of the Air Force is exploring ways to power its installations using advanced energy technologies.