power plants
Science

New Microbial Fuel Cells Could Turn Sewage Plants Into Power Plants

Microbial fuel cells are notoriously inefficient. Electrodialysis systems are notoriously expensive. However if you combine the two and add some poo, they can turn waste water into a viable power source. The future of green energy is brown.

November 19, 2011
News

Are All Of France’s Nuclear Power Plants Unsafe?

The French are great at lots of things: bread, cheese, wine, shrugging. Sadly, their nuclear power stations aren’t so amazing. They’re unsafe and need a massive overhaul.

October 7, 2011
Science

This 20kW Power Plant Flies Itself

No matter how tall a traditional wind turbine is built it can’t reach the stronger, steadier winds that blow half a kilometre above the ground. That’s why Makani Power traded the turbine’s tower for a tether and created the Wing 7 aeronautic power plant.

June 30, 2011
News

Jellyfish Shut Down A Nuclear Power Plant

Jellyfish invaded the cooling water at a Scottish nuclear power plant this week. There were so many of these aquatic creatures floating around, the plant had to shut down.

June 29, 2011
News

Yakuza, Lies, Danger Are Only A Few Reasons To Hate TEPCO

After decades of sterling grins and nuclear juice, TEPCO is finally being realised as the crooked, careless atom-monger it is. Jake Adelstein and Stephanie Nakajima detail the Fukushima-botching monopoly’s glowing green underbelly over at The Atlantic Wire.

News

This Nebraska Nuclear Power Plant Is Surrounded By Floodwaters

The good news: Nebraska’s Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station is staying dry despite being surrounded by tremendous flooding. The bad news: Nebraska’s Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station is surrounded by tremendous flooding and a history of safety mistakes.

June 28, 2011
Science

What Would It Take To Evacuate A Nuclear Meltdown?

Nuclear plants in the US are getting older and becoming more unstable with age, even as we demand more power of them. Meanwhile, population growth around these powerhouses has skyrocketed, by as much as a factor of four in some places. Say you live in one of these cities. In the event of an emergency, how likely is it that you’ll get out in time?

June 22, 2011
News

Nearly 50 US Nuclear Power Plants Are Leaking Tritium

Somewhere around 75 per cent of US nuclear power plants have been found leaking the radioactive element Tritium into the ground to various extents. Corroded piping buried underground seems to be the main problem, and a problem that can affect groundwater if ignored.

June 21, 2011
Science

Ever Wonder What Happens To A Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant?

Nicholas Jackson over at The Atlantic has a great piece about the tear down of the Zion nuclear power plant in Illinois that was permanently deactivated in 1998 after both of it’s reactors were accidentally/coincidentally shut down. But even when done properly, complete removal isn’t so simple.

June 10, 2011
Science

First Hybrid Power Plant Will Combine Solar, Wind, Natural Gas

A new hybrid power plant to be built in Turkey will combine a traditional gas-fired steam turbine with solar thermal power and wind power, according to GE. It’s a step toward integrating renewable sources into the traditional power grid, using steam and mirrors.

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