Government Moves Against Wind Projects

As part of an ongoing rift between public and private sectors, the government is now aiming to renegotiate wind-energy contracts.  This issue is examined further through insights from MBN interviewees. In other news, physicists pursue superconductors with the potential to revolutionize energy systems and the energy sector takes a look at its own racial inclusivity. Read your weekly roundup here!

Mexico

Government Versus Wind Energy: Long-Term Contracts Revised

Last week, El Universal reported how the federal government was changing its views against wind energy production. Long-term contracts signed with players such as Iberdrola, Acciona and Grupo Cobra, which are located in Oaxaca, were to be renegotiated. Furthermore, the government put two new projects on hold. Halfway through the 20-year duration of the contracts, the government aims to change the rules of the game. The issue is part of a wider conflict between public and private energy sectors, where the government claims CFE got an unfair deal in past administrations, whereas private players aim to protect their acquired rights. The issue spills over toward land owners and farmers, who put their faith on these same wind projects to provide them with income by renting their lands.

Mexico’s Electric Grid, a Contested Issue

When SENER published CENACE’s measure, the Policy on Reliability, Safety, Continuity and Quality of the National Electric System, it did not take long for private players to react with accusations that the government was trying to unfairly push its own CFE ahead. The government claims that the grid is suffering and that it merely aims to level the playing field somewhat. One thing is certain: the issue regarding the grid is complex. MBN Experts outline different arguments regarding the issue, reporting that Mexico’s electrical grid is old and weakened. Although opinions vary regarding the private sector’s contribution to the grid, it is clear that investment toward the grid has been lacking.

How Can Mexico Rely Less on Polluting Coal?

Mexico’s energy mix is nothing but not diverse but a number of polluting fossil fuels are still prominent. Coal seems rather damaging, as carbon content for coal often reaches more than 60 percent, according to information from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In Mexico, coal remains a prominent part of its energy mix. In fact, CFE is even planning to invest MX$10.4 million (US$480,000) in coal plants, reported Forbes. MBN experts explain how Mexico could factor out its polluting coal use in favor of cleaner energy.

International

Renewable Energy Industry Analyzes Racial Inequity

Following widespread outrage in response to recent killings of African Americans including George Floyd, the clean energy industry in the US showed its support, reported GreenTech Media. Discontent spurred The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) to refocus and increase efforts to diversify workers’ profiles in the sector. When examining the solar workforce in the US, the numbers show that 73 percent of employees are white, 17 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 9 percent are Asian and 8 percent are black, according to a report from the Solar Foundation. At the senior executive level, 88 percent are white.

Physicists in the US Pursue Superconductors with Potential to Revolutionize Global Energy Systems

The Conversation reported on the issue of unwanted waste heat in energy systems. This heat costs more energy to curb its negative effects and keep systems from overheating. Superconductors could solve this issue but have one major drawback is that they currently are only able to operate in cold temperature situations. If this can be somehow enhanced to work toward room temperature, the benefits can be gigantic. Billions of dollars are therefore invested into solving the issue. But three decades after the first ceramic superconductors were discovered, an answer to improve on limitations remains obscure.