Latest news with #InternationalElectrotechnicalCommission
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Spain's power outage sparks debate on nuclear energy phase-out amid renewable push
The massive power outage that hit the Iberian peninsula on April 28 has reignited a debate in Spain over the country's plan to phase out its nuclear reactors as it generates more power with renewable energy. As people wait for answers about what caused the historic power cut, which abruptly disrupted tens of millions of lives, some are questioning the wisdom of decommissioning nuclear reactors that provide a stable, if controversial, form of energy compared to renewables, whose output can be intermittent. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has rejected such criticism, asking for patience while the government investigates what caused the grid's disconnection. He said that his government would not 'deviate a single millimeter' from its energy transition plans. Here's what to know about the energy debate: What is nuclear power and why is it controversial? Nuclear power is a zero-carbon energy source formed from nuclear fission, when the nuclei of atoms are split into two or several parts, releasing energy. It accounts for about 10 per cent of electricity generation worldwide, according to the International Energy Association. Many countries consider nuclear power critical to reaching their net-zero goals. But while nuclear reactors do not emit planet-warming greenhouse gases like gas- or coal-fired power plants, they produce radioactive waste that even advanced economies have struggled to dispose. Why does Spain want to decommission its nuclear reactors? Spain generated nearly 57 per cent of its electricity in 2024 from renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower and solar, according to Red Electrica, the country's grid operator. About 20 per cent came from nuclear power plants. In 2019, Sanchez's government approved a plan to decommission the country's remaining nuclear reactors between 2027 and 2035 as it expands its share of renewable energy even further. The country aims to generate 81 per cent of its electricity by 2030 from renewable sources. Sanchez on Wednesday said that the four nuclear facilities that were online the day of the blackout did not help re-power the grid. Batteries and other methods help regulate changes in electricity supply from wind and solar. Why is Spain's renewables push being questioned now? While the cause of the sudden outage on April 28 is still unknown, the event has raised questions about the technical challenges facing electricity grids running on high levels of solar and wind. Solar and wind provided roughly 70 per cent of the electricity on the grid moments before Spain lost 15 gigawatts of electricity - about 60 per cent of its supply - in just five seconds. Electricity grids were designed for a different era, according to Gilles Thonet, deputy secretary general of the International Electrotechnical Commission, an industry group. 'Traditionally, power flowed in one direction: from large coal, gas or nuclear plants to homes and businesses,' Thonet said. 'These plants provided not only electricity, but also stability. Their spinning turbines acted like shock absorbers, smoothing out fluctuations in supply and demand.' In the days following the blackout, Google searches in Spain for 'nuclear' spiked, according to data from Google Trends. Spain's nuclear lobby group Foro Nuclear said this week that the government should rethink its plan to decommission its nuclear reactors after the outage. Ignacio Araluce, its president, said the nuclear plants online before the outage 'provide firmness and stability.' Would more nuclear power have prevented a blackout? Others say it is too soon to draw conclusions about what role nuclear energy should play. 'We do not know the cause of the oscillations,' said Pedro Fresco, director general of Avaesen, an association of renewable energy and clean technology firms in Valencia. 'Therefore, we do not know what would have allowed them to be controlled.' Spain's grid operator last week narrowed down the source of the outage to two separate incidents in which substations in southwestern Spain failed. Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said earlier this week that the grid had initially withstood another power generation outage in southern Spain 19 seconds before the blackout. Sanchez in his speech to Parliament said there was 'no empirical evidence' to show that more nuclear power on the grid could have prevented a blackout or allowed the country to get back online faster. In fact, the four nuclear facilities online on April 28 before the blackout were taken offline after the outage as part of emergency protocol to avoid overheating. He said that nuclear energy 'has not been shown to be an effective solution in situations like what we experienced on April 28,' and called the debate surrounding his government's nuclear phase-out plan 'a gigantic manipulation.' Gas and hydropower, as well as electricity transfers from Morocco and France, were used to get the country's grid back online.
National Observer
09-05-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
After Spain's blackout, questions about renewable energy return
The massive power outage that hit the Iberian peninsula on April 28 has reignited a debate in Spain over the country's plan to phase out its nuclear reactors as it generates more power with renewable energy. As people wait for answers about what caused the historic power cut, which abruptly disrupted tens of millions of lives, some are questioning the wisdom of decommissioning nuclear reactors that provide a stable, if controversial, form of energy compared to renewables, whose output can be intermittent. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected such criticism, asking for patience while the government investigates what caused the grid's disconnection. He said that his government would not 'deviate a single millimeter' from its energy transition plans. Here's what to know about the energy debate: What is nuclear power and why is it controversial? Nuclear power is a zero-carbon energy source formed from nuclear fission, when the nuclei of atoms are split into two or several parts, releasing energy. It accounts for about 10% of electricity generation worldwide, according to the International Energy Association. Many countries consider nuclear power critical to reaching their net-zero goals. But while nuclear reactors do not emit planet-warming greenhouse gases like gas- or coal-fired power plants, they produce radioactive waste that even advanced economies have struggled to dispose. Why does Spain want to decommission its nuclear reactors? Spain generated nearly 57% of its electricity in 2024 from renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower and solar, according to Red Eléctrica, the country's grid operator. About 20% came from nuclear power plants. In 2019, Sánchez's government approved a plan to decommission the country's remaining nuclear reactors between 2027 and 2035 as it expands its share of renewable energy even further. The country aims to generate 81% of its electricity by 2030 from renewable sources. Sánchez on Wednesday said that the four nuclear facilities that were online the day of the blackout did not help re-power the grid. Batteries and other methods help regulate changes in electricity supply from wind and solar. Why is Spain's renewables push being questioned now? While the cause of the sudden outage on April 28 is still unknown, the event has raised questions about the technical challenges facing electricity grids running on high levels of solar and wind. Solar and wind provided roughly 70% of the electricity on the grid moments before Spain lost 15 gigawatts of electricity — about 60% of its supply — in just five seconds. Electricity grids were designed for a different era, according to Gilles Thonet, deputy secretary general of the International Electrotechnical Commission, an industry group. 'Traditionally, power flowed in one direction: from large coal, gas or nuclear plants to homes and businesses," Thonet said. 'These plants provided not only electricity, but also stability. Their spinning turbines acted like shock absorbers, smoothing out fluctuations in supply and demand.' In the days following the blackout, Google searches in Spain for 'nuclear' spiked, according to data from Google Trends. Spain's nuclear lobby group Foro Nuclear said this week that the government should rethink its plan to decommission its nuclear reactors after the outage. Ignacio Araluce, its president, said the nuclear plants online before the outage 'provide firmness and stability.' Would more nuclear power have prevented a blackout? Others say it is too soon to draw conclusions about what role nuclear energy should play. 'We do not know the cause of the oscillations,' said Pedro Fresco, director general of Avaesen, an association of renewable energy and clean technology firms in Valencia. 'Therefore, we do not know what would have allowed them to be controlled.' Spain's grid operator last week narrowed down the source of the outage to two separate incidents in which substations in southwestern Spain failed. Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said earlier this week that the grid had initially withstood another power generation outage in southern Spain 19 seconds before the blackout. Sánchez in his speech to Parliament said there was "no empirical evidence' to show that more nuclear power on the grid could have prevented a blackout or allowed the country to get back online faster. In fact, the four nuclear facilities online on April 28 before the blackout were taken offline after the outage as part of emergency protocol to avoid overheating. He said that nuclear energy "has not been shown to be an effective solution in situations like what we experienced on April 28," and called the debate surrounding his government's nuclear phase-out plan 'a gigantic manipulation.'
09-05-2025
- Business
After Spain's blackout, questions about renewable energy are back
MADRID -- The massive power outage that hit the Iberian peninsula on April 28 has reignited a debate in Spain over the country's plan to phase out its nuclear reactors as it generates more power with renewable energy. As people wait for answers about what caused the historic power cut, which abruptly disrupted tens of millions of lives, some are questioning the wisdom of decommissioning nuclear reactors that provide a stable, if controversial, form of energy compared to renewables, whose output can be intermittent. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected such criticism, asking for patience while the government investigates what caused the grid's disconnection. He said that his government would not 'deviate a single millimeter' from its energy transition plans. Here's what to know about the energy debate: Nuclear power is a zero-carbon energy source formed from nuclear fission, when the nuclei of atoms are split into two or several parts, releasing energy. It accounts for about 10% of electricity generation worldwide, according to the International Energy Association. Many countries consider nuclear power critical to reaching their net-zero goals. But while nuclear reactors do not emit planet-warming greenhouse gases like gas- or coal-fired power plants, they produce radioactive waste that even advanced economies have struggled to dispose. Spain generated nearly 57% of its electricity in 2024 from renewable energy sources like wind, hydropower and solar, according to Red Eléctrica, the country's grid operator. About 20% came from nuclear power plants. In 2019, Sánchez's government approved a plan to decommission the country's remaining nuclear reactors between 2027 and 2035 as it expands its share of renewable energy even further. The country aims to generate 81% of its electricity by 2030 from renewable sources. Sánchez on Wednesday said that the four nuclear facilities that were online the day of the blackout did not help re-power the grid. Batteries and other methods help regulate changes in electricity supply from wind and solar. While the cause of the sudden outage on April 28 is still unknown, the event has raised questions about the technical challenges facing electricity grids running on high levels of solar and wind. Solar and wind provided roughly 70% of the electricity on the grid moments before Spain lost 15 gigawatts of electricity — about 60% of its supply — in just five seconds. Electricity grids were designed for a different era, according to Gilles Thonet, deputy secretary general of the International Electrotechnical Commission, an industry group. 'Traditionally, power flowed in one direction: from large coal, gas or nuclear plants to homes and businesses," Thonet said. 'These plants provided not only electricity, but also stability. Their spinning turbines acted like shock absorbers, smoothing out fluctuations in supply and demand.' In the days following the blackout, Google searches in Spain for 'nuclear' spiked, according to data from Google Trends. Spain's nuclear lobby group Foro Nuclear said this week that the government should rethink its plan to decommission its nuclear reactors after the outage. Ignacio Araluce, its president, said the nuclear plants online before the outage 'provide firmness and stability.' Others say it is too soon to draw conclusions about what role nuclear energy should play. 'We do not know the cause of the oscillations,' said Pedro Fresco, director general of Avaesen, an association of renewable energy and clean technology firms in Valencia. 'Therefore, we do not know what would have allowed them to be controlled.' Spain's grid operator last week narrowed down the source of the outage to two separate incidents in which substations in southwestern Spain failed. Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said earlier this week that the grid had initially withstood another power generation outage in southern Spain 19 seconds before the blackout. Sánchez in his speech to Parliament said there was "no empirical evidence' to show that more nuclear power on the grid could have prevented a blackout or allowed the country to get back online faster. In fact, the four nuclear facilities online on April 28 before the blackout were taken offline after the outage as part of emergency protocol to avoid overheating. He said that nuclear energy "has not been shown to be an effective solution in situations like what we experienced on April 28," and called the debate surrounding his government's nuclear phase-out plan 'a gigantic manipulation.'
Time Business News
25-04-2025
- Time Business News
Key Safety Requirements for Solar Power Systems
Solar power systems provide users with reliable and sustainable energy, but they also come with very specific safety requirements that need to be met before the system can even be turned on. Proper installation, regular maintenance, and correct usage are all crucial to ensuring that a system operates safely and efficiently. Keep reading for a basic overview of some key safety requirements that every solar user should know about. Solar power systems must be installed correctly to prevent electrical hazards, including the risk of fires and system failures. As with any other electrical systems, it's essential to hire a licensed and experienced professional to install your system. The installation must meet local building and electrical codes, as well as national requirements that regulate the installation of these systems. A professional can ensure that the solar panels are securely mounted, your wiring is installed and grounded correctly, and you have a safe connection to the electrical grid. Your solar power system must also be built of only certified and high-quality components to ensure its safety and reliability. Key components like inverters, charge controllers, batteries, and wiring need to meet industry safety standards. You should verify that the equipment being used is certified by organizations like the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Wiring your system properly helps prevent shocks, short circuits, and electrical fires. For solar power systems, wiring is required to be weatherproof for all outdoor connections, and there must be circuit breakers and fuses to prevent overloads in the system. The installer is also required to ensure the security and insulation of all connections. In the event of an emergency or when maintenance is being done on your system, it needs to be able to shut down quickly and completely. The NEC requires systems to have a rapid shutdown ability, allowing the system to de-energize quickly. The disconnect switches must be clearly labeled, and if a battery bank is included, a separate battery disconnect switch needs to be the average solar user doesn't have to worry about verifying their system has met all safety requirements, it's still valuable knowledge to have. This way, when purchasing your Fronius grid-tie inverters and speaking with your installer, you can make knowledgeable and informed decisions about the equipment you use and how your system is installed. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
South China Morning Post
27-02-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China takes leading role in setting global standards for senior care robots
Chinese experts have played a leading role in drawing up a set of international standards for senior care robots, in a move that could help pave the way for the technology's commercialisation. Advertisement The set of standards, produced by a working group under the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), aims to guide the design, manufacturing and certification of robots tailored to the unique needs of ageing populations, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The IEC working group was made up of dozens of experts from several countries, with a Chinese national and a Korean national acting as conveners, according to the IEC website. The standards outline key functional requirements for eldercare robots, encompassing areas such as health monitoring, emergency response and mobility, among others, CCTV reported. China has emerged as a leading player in the humanoid robot industry in recent years, with a recent Morgan Stanley report noting the high number of Chinese companies in the field. Advertisement
