Author: Graham Foster

Oklo Expands Power Initiatives with New Partnerships Oklo, the advanced reactor company, has made significant strides in its project pipeline, securing nonbinding agreements to deliver up to 750 megawatts of power from its Aurora reactors to two prominent data center operators. This development boosts Oklo’s project pipeline to around 2,100 megawatts, marking a substantial increase from earlier figures, as highlighted in their latest update. In a separate advancement, Oklo recently established a finalized agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), along with obtaining an environmental compliance permit. This progress enables the company to begin site characterization for its first…

Rolls-Royce is currently engaging in preliminary discussions with potential customers regarding its innovative micro nuclear reactor. This new technology is aimed not only at providing energy on Earth but also at supporting future space missions. Jake Thompson, who leads novel nuclear and special projects at Rolls-Royce, mentioned that the company is assessing how this reactor could be utilized in areas such as data centers, mining operations, and remote communities. Traditionally recognized for its aircraft engines and submarine reactors for the Royal Navy, Rolls-Royce is eager to leverage its extensive knowledge in the nuclear field. With the world’s interest in smaller…

New building regulations in England are set to ban gas heating systems in all new homes, a significant shift expected to take place by 2027. This initiative aims to enhance energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions as part of the government’s “future homes standard.” Originally unveiled by former Chancellor Philip Hammond in 2019, these regulations will require builders to install electric heat pumps or alternative non-gas heating systems. There’s a six-year transition period to help the construction industry adapt to these changes. A consultation on the policy wrapped up in March, and the newly elected Labour government intends to finalize…

About 150 miles southeast of New Orleans, Shell’s latest oil platform, named Vito, stands tall amidst the Gulf of Mexico’s waves. This platform reflects a fresh strategy in offshore drilling not just for Shell, but for the entire industry. Ireti Omotoso, Shell’s general manager for US growth assets, pointed out, “Vito signifies the future of our operations in the Gulf.” He added that the platform operates faster, has a leaner design, emits fewer emissions, and incorporates advanced technology compared to older models. “It achieves a lot with less,” he emphasized. Vito is part of a new wave of offshore facilities…

Good morning from Rio de Janeiro, where leaders from some of the world’s biggest economies are convening for the G20 summit. This year’s gathering is being heavily influenced by the new political landscape in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump. Today’s focus will be on what this summit means for international relations, particularly as additional reporting from Europe centers on the ongoing gas conflict between Austria and Russia. Diplomatic Challenges Ahead As European leaders arrive in Rio for the G20, they are faced with a new and challenging diplomatic environment. With the impending shift in U.S. policy towards bilateral…

ExxonMobil Urges Trump to Stick with Paris Agreement ExxonMobil is advocating for President-elect Donald Trump to remain in the Paris Agreement, despite his intentions to withdraw from it once again during his recent reelection campaign. A spokesperson from Exxon confirmed their stance in an email sent to ESG Dive, after reports from the Wall Street Journal highlighted the company’s position. At a recent COP29 event, Exxon CEO Darren Woods emphasized that a second withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement would have serious consequences, not only for the nation’s emission reduction efforts but also for worldwide initiatives aimed at…

US Data Centre Expansion: A Growing Demand for Power Good morning! The energy landscape is quickly evolving, especially in the United States, as we see a significant increase in data centre construction, a key part of our digital economy. A recent report from Wood Mackenzie highlighted a surge in data centre announcements, with nearly 24 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity already planned for the first half of 2024. This marks more than a threefold increase compared to the same period last year and surpasses the total capacity added throughout all of 2023. “This amount of demand is unprecedented,” remarked Chris…

A coalition of long-time community activists is gearing up for legal action to prevent the reopening of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. Their move reflects a significant test of public support for a revival of nuclear energy, which is backed by major tech companies and U.S. taxpayers. Three Mile Island Alert, formed nearly 50 years ago to advocate for the plant’s closure following the worst nuclear incident in U.S. history, intends to challenge the necessary government permits sought by Constellation Energy, which has announced plans to restart operations in 2028. This legal challenge is just one hurdle…

PG&E to Use AI at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) announced that it will implement Atomic Canyon’s Neutron Enterprise solution at its Diablo Canyon nuclear facility. This marks the first use of generative AI on-site at a U.S. nuclear power plant. Utilizing advanced NVIDIA AI technology, the Neutron Enterprise system aims to enhance the way the plant manages its extensive document library, thus significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. This new tool is expected to streamline how plant employees search through Diablo Canyon’s vast records, ultimately aiding in construction and operations at the facility. The…

Chinese diplomats are set to arrive in Azerbaijan with a key message for the upcoming UN COP29 climate conference. They will emphasize that China is making significant progress in its efforts to decarbonize its economy ahead of schedule. Additionally, China is committed to assisting developing nations through its growing renewable energy sector, electric vehicle production, and the Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Chinese officials are expected to counter criticism from Washington and Brussels, which seek to connect climate change negotiations to China’s industrial policies and trade practices. They plan to showcase China’s initiatives to fund green projects in developing countries,…