Washington to fund high-tech solar power studies
The systems are concentrating solar power technologies that concentrate and capture the sun's energy as heat, which then drives an engine or turbine to produce electrical power. Officials said such plants can include low-cost energy storage, which allows them to provide electricity even when the sun is not shining. Current solar technologies typically don't have the capability or storage capacity, operating only during daytime hours.
The new project, said Energy Department officials, will seek to improve technology to extend operation to an average of about 18 hours per day — a level that would make it possible for a CSP plant to displace a traditional coal power plant.
"Low-cost renewable energy generation that includes energy storage is one key to our efforts to diversify domestic energy sources and create new jobs," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. "By investing in the development of low-cost solar technologies we can pave the way toward faster deployment of carbon-free, large-scale energy sources."
Officials said they anticipate issuing as many as 13 project awards.
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Mines found at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, UN watchdog says
KYIV - The United Nations atomic watchdog said it saw anti-personnel mines at the site of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which is occupied by Russian forces.
Europe's largest nuclear facility fell to Russian forces shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in February last year. Kyiv and Moscow have since accused each other of planning an incident at the site.
On July 23 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts "saw some mines located in a buffer zone between the site's internal and external perimeter barriers," agency chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Monday.
The statement did not say how many mines…
