EDF says can extend life of French nuclear reactors by 20 years
Paris (AFP) Jan 14, 2015 -
EDF's new chief executive said Wednesday that he is confident that it will obtain approval to extend the service life of its reactors in France by up to 20 years.
The comments by Jean-Bernard Levy came a day after Energy and Environment Minister Segolene Royal endorsed building new reactors to replace ageing plants in the first signal that the Socialist government will keep nuclear a major c ...
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British fracking takes early steps
Preston, England (UPI) Jan 16, 2015 -
British shale pioneer Cuadrilla Resources was granted the environmental permits necessary to carry out at shale work in Lancashire, the government said Friday.
"After completing a rigorous assessment of Cuadrilla's application and the public consultation responses, we are confident the permits issued will ensure people and the environment are protected," Steve Molyneux, environment mana ...
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ADB backs India's solar power ambitions
Manila (UPI) Jan 19, 2015 -
The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it was extending loans of up to $100 million to help India develop a solar power sector.
The bank said it would extend the loan to solar power developer ACME group, which is working with French renewable energy leaders to develop more than 350 megawatts of low-carbon energy options.
"Solar and other renewable power sources are essential f ...
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The sound of chirping birds in the control center
Bielefeld, Germany (SPX) Jan 19, 2015 -
When the alarm light starts blinking in the control room of a factory, the problem has already occurred. Computer scientists at the Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interactive Technology (CITEC) at Bielefeld University and the University of Vienna have developed a method that allows control room staff to monitor several processes at the same time, which enables them to take preventative action. ...
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Integrating with multiferroic materials and devices silicon chips
Raleigh NC (SPX) Jan 19, 2015 -
A research team led by North Carolina State University has made two advances in multiferroic materials, including the ability to integrate them on a silicon chip, which will allow the development of new electronic memory devices. The researchers have already created prototypes of the devices and are in the process of testing them.
Multiferroic materials have both ferroelectric and ferromag ...
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Crush those clinkers while they're hot
Houston TX (SPX) Jan 19, 2015 -
Making cement is a centuries-old art that has yet to be perfected, according to researchers at Rice University who believe it can be still more efficient.
Former Rice graduate student Lu Chen and materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari calculated that fine-tuning the process by which round lumps of calcium silicate called clinkers are turned into cement can save a lot of energy. Their new f ...
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Bulgaria: We're here to serve EU energy
Washington (UPI) Jan 16, 2015 -
Bulgaria can serve as an important energy bridge for members of the European Union, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said.
Bulgaria's decision in August to back away from the South Stream natural gas pipeline, envisioned by Russian energy company Gazprom, led in part to a derailment of the project. This week, the country's prime minister told European leaders Bulgaria could becom ...
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