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In 2011 Japan promised herself not to bet on nuclear energy. Until he ran into reality

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In April 2023 the Japanese government approved a new legislation in nuclear energy that allows to extend the operation of nuclear plants beyond the current limit, which It is established in 60 years. In practice this simply means that if a nuclear plant can operate safely beyond those six decades, the regulation allows you to do so. In this new context the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant has ahead A promising future. And it has it because in December 2023 the Japanese nuclear organism, the NRA (Nuclear regulation authority), he raised the veto he imposed on this installation in March 2011, shortly after the accident of Fukushima Daiichi’s nuclear power plant. If we stick to the installed power this plant housed in the town of Niigata, northwest of Tokyo (Japan), it is The largest nuclear power plant on the planet. It is managed by the Tepco company (Tokyo Electric Power Company), which is the third largest electricity company on the planet, and incorporates seven boiling water reactors that are able to jointly deliver more than 8,200 MWE. Security is the most important thing, and after what happened in Fukushima, the NRA decided to withdraw the operation license until Tepco could implement in this installation the new security measures derived from what you learned in 2011. Japan is contemplating nuclear energy with very different eyes The Japanese government is determined to get Japan measured from you to you with the main powers of The semiconductor industry. And of course it is not an unattainable ambition. In fact, some of the companies with the greatest specific weight in the industry of lithography equipmentlike Tokyo Electron, Canon or Nikon, they are Japanese. “We are working with our clients to develop technologies that teach four generations in the future.” This Declaration of Nobuto DoiVice President of Tokyo Electron, is a declaration of intentions. Japan’s strategy does not only require reinforcing its presence in the integrated circuit industry; It also bets on tuning a large number of data centers for artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, Jensen Huang, the general director of Nvidia, has confirmed that your company will put about in Japan a network of specialized data centers in AI. In addition, Huang has anticipated that this infrastructure will deploy from the hand of Japanese companies. All this sounds very good, but it has a high cost in energy terms and the Japanese government has not overlooked it. In 2050 Japan will need to have increased its electricity generation capacity between 35 and 50% In fact, its current electrical infrastructure would be unable to serve semiconductor factories and data centers for AI that will arrive in the future. The Japanese administration has recognized that in 2050 it will need to have increased its electricity generation capacity between 35 and 50%. It is not negligible, of course. In addition, your plan also has to face the decarbonization of your energy system to which you have committed. Today Japan’s fossil fuel supply depends largely on the Middle East, which led to the approval of a law that promotes investment in decarbonization by a total of a total of some some 962,000 million dollars. The Japanese government has confirmed that its strategy to solve the energy needs that it will have within two decades requires betting on the latest photovoltaic cells that They incorporate Perovskitasby floating wind turbines that are installed in the sea, and also for nuclear energy. In fact, during the next few years many of the nuclear power plants that were deactivated after Fukushima will return to operation, and, in addition, Japan will build new nuclear power plants equipped with fourth generation reactors. The project of this closest type in time is led by the Kansa Electric Power company because plan to resume studies They precede the construction of a new nuclear reactor in its Mihama plant, housed in Fukui prefecture, west of Tokyo. If this project will be consolidated as the first nuclear reactor that is built in Japan after Fukushima disaster in 2011. Image | Tepco More information | Interesting Engineering In Xataka | Enmity with China is approaching Intel, TSMC and Samsung to an increasingly valuable partner: Japan

Amazon chose Catalonia to develop a pioneer project in renewable energy. Until he ran into politics

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The Government of the Generalitat of Catalonia had on the table a decree that could mark a before and after in the deployment of renewable energy in the territory. Among its beneficiaries were one of Amazon’s most innovative projects worldwide: the installation of a self -consumption wind turbine in its logistics center of El Far d’Empordà (Girona). However, the norm has fallen a victim of the political struggle. A last minute withdrawal. Last Wednesday, the Government chaired by Salvador Illa (PSC) decided to withdraw the decree of the Plenary Seaching of the Parliament in the absence of sufficient support. As the country has collectedthe Minister of Territori, Sílvia Paneque, the decision was due to the objective of “exploring ways of a greater consensus.” But the reality is that the rejection of ERC and the Commons left the initiative without the possibility of moving forward. As detailed by Public DiarioThe Communs argued that the text should be processed as a bill to allow substantial modifications, such as strengthening local participation, passing the Sectorial Territorial PLA per to the implantation of renewable energy (plater) and shielding the public energy company. In parallel, ERC harden its position after the cooling of negotiations with the Government of Spain on tax assignments, such as IRPF management, which resulted in a vote against. The immediate consequences. The fall of the decree has put on the energy sector alert, especially companies with in progress. Such as The country has indicated in a reportAmazon expected the norm to facilitate the development of a pioneering infrastructure in its BCN4 center in Girona, where it employs more than 1,700 people and has invested more than 5,000 million euros in recent years. The project contemplates the installation of a wind turbine of 126 meters and 2.2 MW of power, in addition to photovoltaic plates and a storage battery system. With the withdrawal of the decree, the multinational faces an uncertain regulatory framework, since the local urban regulation – in this case, of the municipality governed by ERC – does not always contemplate this type of infrastructure. The decree provided for these projects of higher public interest, which would allow to overcome municipal obstacles and expedite licenses. The General Directorate of Energy had already granted administrative authorization, but now the project is exposed to possible delays. It was a decisive step. Beyond the Amazon case, such as The avant -garde has explainedthe text included technical measures such as storage regulation through electrical batteries, with 4,000 MW in pending connection projects. The expansion of the power threshold for industrial and cooperative self -consumption, from 100 kW to 500 kW. The transmission of authorizations between companies, unlocking about 800 MW in paralyzed projects. And, finally, the possibility of considering certain projects of higher public interest, overcoming administrative resistance. Model in dispute. However, the decree also aroused the rejection of citizen entities that denounce an energy model imposed from above. The Xarxa Per la Sobirania Energy (XSE) and the Xarxa Catalan per to a fair energy transition warned that the norm opened the door to expropriations of agricultural soils and cut deadlines for public participation and allegations by municipalities, according to public newspaper. For its part, the entity Renovem-us He stood out at the forefront that the extension of the industrial self -consumption threshold would have allowed to unlock “hundreds of projects of cooperatives and energy communities” that now continue in limbo. Look in September. That is the next window to relaunch the decree, although nothing guarantees that the new attempt will prosper. Meanwhile, investments cool and the perception of regulatory insecurity is consolidated. As The country explainedthe Amazon project was not only the first of its kind in Catalonia, but also the first worldwide for multinational with these characteristics. A replicable pilot, a step towards corporate energy self -sufficiency and a powerful message from Empordà to Europe. Catalonia leads in electric production, but goes to the tail in renewables. Just the 15.7% of its consumption is covered with clean sources. If the projects are still stuck, the territory will continue to lose ground compared to other regions that already advance with a firm step towards the energy transition. Image | Unspash and Unspash Xataka | Catalonia has a problem with renewables: it is the most backward community despite being the most produced

Someone ran over a dog in Brazil. The analyzes revealed that the creature was neither a dog nor should it have existed

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The story took place in 2021 and could be the beginning of a film. That year occurs An outrage in an area of southern Brazil. It is not a human, it is a dog to which they move to a rehabilitation center to treat it urgently. The first analysis of the animal attracts the attention of the veterinarians. Subsequent tests left no doubt: he barking and had the appearance of a canine, but they have never seen anything Not remotely similar. Dogxim, hybrid. Yes, that strange dog showed unusual behaviors: he refused to eat croquettes, preferred to hunt rats and climbed shrubs like a fox of the pampas. What at first seemed an individual rarity proved to be A scientific scoop: After months of genetic analysis, a team of Brazilian researchers confirmed that it was the first documented hybrid between a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) and a fox of the pampas (Lycalopex gymnocercus), two species separated by about 6.7 million years of evolution. The animal, a baptized female as “dogx” (Combining “Dog” and “Graxaim do Campo”, local name of the fox), surprised the scientific community for its mere genetic viability, an extremely rare phenomenon between different genres within the family of canids. The proof of the improbable. To certify the hybrid origin of Dogxim, the researchers began by count your chromosomes: It was 76, an intermediate number between the 78 of the dog and the 74 of the Pampas fox. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed that his mother was a fox female, and nuclear DNA confirmed a genetic mixture Between dog and fox. The combination was possible because both belong to the Canidae familyalthough NO TO THE SAME GENDERwhich makes your cross even more unusual. In nature, hybrids tend to emerge among evolutionarily near species, such as coyotes and wolves. However, this case is more similar to a hypothetical viable crossing Between humans and chimpanzeessomething considered biologically unfeasible. In other words, the fact that Dogxim existed, and was functional for at least two years, represented an anomaly of high evolutionary and conservationist interest. Dogxim Human influence. There is much more, since the researchers stressed that the existence of Dogxim seemed to have been facilitated by human pressure About ecosystems. The natural habitat of the fox of the pampas, characterized by extensive plains from the Brazilian southhas been increasingly reduced by livestock and urban expansion. The phenomenon, apparently, has forced greater contact between foxes and dogs, particularly those abandoned by their owners in wild areas. This territorial overlap, added to the abandonment of pets, increases the probability of Reproductive meetings between both species. Although foxes are not in danger of extinction, such interaction raises risks, both for the genetic integrity of the species and for their population health, for example, by exposing it to new diseases or harmful genes. A creature and its limits. While some scientists believe that this type of hybrid will continue to be extremely rare, the Dogxim case put on the table the debate on the Effects of hybridization in accelerated environmental change contexts. Although the creature seemed healthy and was transferred to a state center, He died in 2023 For causes still unknown. Its black color, canine inheritance, contrasted with the light fur of the foxes of its species, which probably did it less suitable for surviving In its natural environment. Plus: the interspecific hybrids They usually present genetic, fertility or behavior problems, which makes them more vulnerable. In spite of this, its only existence suggests that the limits of natural hybridization could be more flexible than what was thought, especially in a world where ecological changes are formed between species that did not interact before. Implications It is the last of the legs to analyze. Beyond its anecdotal value, Dogxim poses crucial questions about the conservation of species and the alteration of its evolutionary dynamics by human influence. While there is no evidence that these hybrids can form stable populations, their appearance can have indirect effects, from the introduction of pathogens to the genetic dilution of wild populations. Perhaps for this reason, the researchers urge deepen the study of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of this phenomenon. The hybrid creature, after all, was not simply a genetic curiosity, was a reminder of diffuse limits between species in a world increasingly alteredwhere the unlikely is no longer impossible. Image | Errazking, Thales Renato Ochotorena de Freitas In Xataka | The cloning of dogs is a reality, but it is only the beginning In Xataka | Large dogs live much less than the little ones. Researchers believe they found the answer to mystery

Wind energy were happy to promise their expansion in Colombia. Until he ran into indigenous communities

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La Guajira is one of the departments poorer from Colombia, home of Wayuu indigenous people and a land shaken by some of the strongest winds in the country (there is talk of gusts of 11 m/sa 100 meters high), which has turned the region into a key protagonist of the Government’s commitment to renewable energies. The problem is that these pieces are not easy to fit. As the wind turbines have been raising in La Guajira they have also done it The voices in local communities that warn of their impact and see the green revolution with distrust. There are those who already speak of “The Wind War”. “Only with the energy of La Guajira …” La Guajira, a Caribbean region located northwest of Colombia, It has sun And wind, which makes it a strategic piece for renewables in the country. He made it clear In 2023 President Gustavo Petro, when during the signing of the Pact for the transition Energy said the department has potential for 25 GW. “With the clean energy of La Guajira at its maximum, we could replace Colombia’s electricity generation, including hydroelectric plants,” He stressed. Mill display. He is not the only one who thinks. La Guajira offers a panorama attractive enough so that over recent years it has caught the attention of companies in the sector. In 2019 the Indepaz Institute I calculated that throughout the next decade up to 57 wind projects promoted by 19 companies could be built, many of them linked to multinationals. In summary: tens of thousands of hectares and several thousand self -generators. For now, BBC points out that in the region there are 15 parks under construction that will be added to existing ones, such as Guajira 1with a power of 20 MW. Something more than wind. La Guajira is nevertheless more than a territory in which to lift wind turbines. The Peninsula is also home to Wayuu peoplean indigenous community that has seen how the soil he occupies for generations became the object of desire for energy. With all that that implies. “The situation is complicated since many companies, several of them, began to arrive with the intention of developing renewable projects,” explained A year ago Mikel Berraondo, a lawyer specialized in human rights and indigenous peoples, in an article published in The country. To that factor is added another, just as relevant. According to data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) of Colombia, at least in 2022 La Guajira was the second department of the country with a Greater poverty index. His fact only overcame him. The area too stands out In studies on “multidimensional poverty” and according to data collected in 2022 in the middle Portfolio Thousands of homes also lack electrical connection. The wind war. The situation in La Guajira has tensioned so much that there are those who already speak of “The Wind War”. And the reason is not so much wind projects themselves as the way they are being deployed. Critical voices They speak of lack of impact studies and a limited participation of communities in the benefits generated by parks. They also question how traditional authorities that represent the peoples settled in the region for centuries have been consulted, which would have in turn referred to conflicts. “Disturb our dreams”. In An article Prepared two years ago María M. Monsalve explains that the Wayuu have questioned the previous consultations that, theoretically, should ensure that the development of wind projects is not done back to them. The reason: according to critics, there are closed pacts with people who do not hold the property of the land or have decision -making capacity. The equation is complicated by the existence of different authorities in the communities, the debate on how to compensate them or the impact of plants on the culture of the natives. “At night, the noise of the turbines disturbs our dreams. For us they are sacred,” Point to the BBC José L. Iguarán. When he now leaves his house in La Guajira, what he sees is a row of mills. What … and how. “There have been no analysis of the risks and studies of impacts on human rights with the participation of the communities. Nor are they seen resolution and mitigation of adverse impacts. And, judging by the complaints that arrive from the Wayuu communities and organizations, the international standards of rights of indigenous peoples ratified in Colombia are not being respected,” laments Berraondo. “Many communities do not oppose the development of projects if their rights are respected.” The debate, served. The issue is complex because other relevant factors are added to the tensions in the community, such as Energy plans from the country or the contributions of companies to the territory. Despite the noise of turbines or how they affect their traditions, Iguarán admits that in certain aspects its people have also been favored with the arrival of the wind farm Guajira i. The company behind the project has financed better infrastructure for water channeling or traffic and pays several communities a quota that depends on the income generated by electricity and the sale of carbon credits. Enough? “Companies are not respecting the right to participation for the benefit of communities and, on the other hand, offer them social investment plans with trap, since they can only execute such plans with the same companies that propose them,” Berraondo trench. A problem with consequences. Beyond the debate generated in Colombia or its media reach inside and outside the country, the situation in La Guajira is relevant because It is affecting to the sector and complicates the plans of the companies. TO late 2024 EDP ​​Renewables, in charge of the Alpha and Beta parks in La Guajira, decided to leave Colombia. The reason: delays and complications in which several factors influenced, such as COVID, but also the increase in indigenous communities involved in the prior consultation phase. In 2023 And after the effect of “Constant” Protests in the … Read more

The Chinese brands promised them very happy plagiarizing the design of the Vespa. They ran into a problem: it’s “art”

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There are many copies of motorcycles. And even more with the Arrival of Chinese motorcycles to the market. In fact, there are European manufacturers allowing the Chinese to copy their design to continue earning money: It is a long history. But there is a manufacturer whose design is specially protected: we talk about Vespa. A motorcycle with copyright. Every vehicle manufactured and registered in the EU enjoys 25 years of protection for its design. If you want to go further, you have to register it as creative and artistic work. This is the case of Vespawho enjoys 70 years of author protection since the death of his creator, Corradino d’A Ascanio. This happened in 1981, so the VESPA design is protected until 2051. It is recognized as a work of art, and in case of plagiarism it can be fought before justice, as explained in Motorpasion. It is just what happened, with a bad start. In 2014, Vespa denounced before European justice a Plagiarism committed by Zhejianga Chinese manufacturer who claimed as his the design of a clonic scooter to spring 125. Four years later, in 2019, the General Court of the European Union determined that the intellectual property rights of Piaggio (brand after Vespa) had not been violated on this scooter, and dismissed the appeal. “Since the relevant public that can buy lifts has a high level of attention, it will consider that the style, lines and appearance that characterize the vespa lx sterine are different, from the visual point of view, of those of the Zhejiang lift. Due to the different impressions that the two struts produce, there is no risk of confusion by the relevant public.” According to The initial resolutionthe Intellectual Property Office of the European Union (EUIPO) failed in favor of a Chinese manufacturer who was clearly copying the design of the original VESPA. A subjective interpretation. The Vespa case is governed by European Copyright Lawwhich protects the designs during the aforementioned 25 years, and for the protection of intellectual property of up to 70 years for the creation of original work. One of the main problems of this law is that, in the case of vehicles, there is no absolute framework that supports the possible plagiarism. Everything falls to the Court’s own interpretation, which will determine or not whether there has been an infraction or not of the law. The pillars in which the Industrial Property Code They are the novelty, the creative character and artistic value, elements with an very high subjective load. But he who follows her, gets her. Vespa did not give up the evidence that a Chinese brand were plagiarizing its design. Piaggio resorted to the Court’s decision and, four years later, he got the authority determine that Vespa’s pattern is “unmistakable and cannot be replicated”revoking your previous decision. Image: Motorpasion It is not Vespa’s first legal battle. Already in 2020, in full legal battle against Zhejiang, Grupo Piaggio denounced one of the brands that presumed in the eicma of Milan of their new scooters. One among which was A practically identical model to spring 125. The bikes ended up being removed from the stands of the manufacturers, and not to say that their sale in Europe is completely prohibited. So far, anyone who has dared to copy Vespa, has ended his scooter outside the market. Not the only work of art. Piaggio is the only manufacturer that registered Vespa as the work of art, but in the automobile world there have been some cases. The Porsche 911 is one of themdefending its iconic form in multiple judgments. Other iconic models, such as Ferrari 250 Gtothey were also considered as a work of art after legally facing Ares Desingcompany that wanted to market a model replica. Despite the protection granted by the vehicle as a work of art, this is not a common practice in the automobile world, even in the luxury vehicle. Replicas are still alive. Although legally the Vespa cannot be copied, its design continues to “inspire” numerous brands. Among them, the Spanish Velca. Beyond the similarity in the name, the manufacturer is expanding in Spain with scooters that inevitably remember Vespa. It is not its own design, it comes from China, and is shared with many other brands. Another separate issue is that Piaggio did not want to face the numerous replicas that continue to exist in the market. Who wants a Land Rover … having a Land Wind. Reasonable similarities. Beyond engaging in judgments whose resolution nobody ensures (of not having claimed, Vespa would continue with their clones more alive than ever at the beginning), manufacturers can do little about copies. In the world of the car, Chinese copies are the order of the day, and In most cases nothing happens. In the most rocambolesque cases, such as MV Augusta (one of the most exclusive luxury manufacturers of motorcycles), have come to ally with Chinese giants like QJ Motors to create replicas of the original models. Reason? Al become Chinese manufacturers, let them sell a cheaper substitute and collect benefits. Image | Vespa In Xataka | We have visited the Shenzhen falsification market: China is at another level when it comes to copying other products

Segovia promised them happy as a tourist destination for balloon flights. Until he ran into the farmers

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The most famous are those of Capadociabut Spain is also an interesting destination for lovers of hot air balloon walks. They offer them in Andalusia, Majorca, Galicia wave Valencian Communityamong other regions, although there is a province in which they have become popular is In Segovia. There they even celebrated in September A festival that brought together about twenty of pilots The walks with a view to the aqueduct and the Alcazar have found themselves with a problem: the discomfort of the farmers. And that has generated a curious pulse. Globe walks through Segovia? Yes. Segovia is a province rich in landscapes and heritage, so … why not enjoy them in bird’s view, from the air, aboard a hot air balloon? A Fast search shows that there are different options to live the experience and from the Segovia balloons festival They claim In fact, it is “one of the best destinations in the world” for activity. “That is why about 13,000 travelers choose our city every year to enjoy this experience,” they say. Is there more data? Yes. A year ago The North of Castile investigated What supposes and how much money moves aerostatic tourism in Segovia. And their results are surprising. Apart from presenting the region as “one of the ten most demanded destinations in the world” for this type of walks, the newspaper ensures that only in 2023 1,334 flights were recorded with 14,568 travelers. At an average of 190 euros per session, that translates into about 2.6 million euros. It is estimated that there is almost a dozen of companies offering their services. Why are they news? For A few weeks Segovia’s hot air balloons are monopolizing headlines in the press regional and state And curiously it is not for its success among tourists, or their turnover, or The festival planned for this summer. No. The reason is another: The fight Among the companies and professionals of the sector and another of the key guilds for the Segovian province, the farmer. As the former gained popularity, the latter claim to have encountered a problem: low -rise flights cause them “Grave damages” In the field. Why’s that? The collective denounces that when flying near the balloons they bother the cattle and it is not strange that the pilots end up posing in their plots. “They cause stamps and stress in animals. They also land without permission in private farms, fences and occupied by cows and calves, as well as in sown lands,” He denounced A few days ago Union of Peasants of Segovia-UCCL after transferring his complaints to the subdelegation of the Government. “The balloons make low -term flights through the grass areas, operating the burner when they estimate convenient. The noise caused by this device causes serious stress to the animals, giving rise to stampeds,” The entity insists. “The scared animals jump fences, wired and break into the races with obvious risks to safety and unease for the farmer. In case they were not enough, they land unpunishedly in private farms.” Are they the only ones who complain? No. The Health Defense Group (ADS) Sierra de Segovia, which brings together just over a hundred extended cattlemen of the surroundings of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Capital Segoviana, He complained recently to North Seville of the “legal vacuum” that entrepreneurs use to land on the plots. “They would have to be much clearer things,” Add your spokesman: “It is sinvivir, this cannot be a safari, you cannot fly over the cows to enjoy passengers.” What do businessmen say? For them the situation is quite different. In An interview with The Spanish newspaper Cristian Biosca, manager of one of the companies in the sector, acknowledged “not understanding” the controversy. “There is no novelty”, argues. The only incident that consists, says, happened “a few months ago” and Biosca clarifies that it had “nothing to do” with the companies that usually operate in Segovia. Moreover, the manager argues that the complaints that receive only three “particularly problematic” farmers. “We have tried to reach agreements with them, to come to fly and see it, but nothing.” “His complaint is that we fly low and frightened cattle, but ever none of those who fly have seen that the cattle run when we pass or break fences,” guarantees bioscawho points out that the cows have already become accustomed to the balloons. “Like the right over,” he concludes. Proof that his activity is “safe” and there is no evidence of the damages denouncing the farmers is that, he states, the complaints that have been filed to date have not prospered. What is the solution? Segovia-UCL peasants union It is clear: That the flights of the balloons stop “interfering” with the cattle breeding areas. It wouldn’t even be a new exit. The group recalls that years ago, in 2018, operators and livestock already agreed thanks to the mediation of the government’s subdelegation a “flight exclusion zone” that affected certain municipalities characterized precisely by the presence of pastures. That agreement worked for a while, but UCCL denounces that the companies that manage the balloons “are returning to Campar to their width through the grass areas.” “We understand that the tourist travel activity in globe is perfectly feasible in Segovia without invading cattle breeding spaces,” insists The collective: “It is enough to resume the pact reached in its day.” And that is feasible? UCCL Defend that yes And in fact he recognizes that for several years the agreement signed in 2018 was fulfilled “to a large extent.” “It is perfectly possible, since there is more than enough airspace so that both activities can be developed without mutual interference,” concludes. Biosca remember Also that in 2018 there were areas through which the pilots “try” not to pass, but clarifies: “The balloons cannot be directed (…) is not a matter of whim where we land, the wind takes us.” Images | Victor Iniesta (Flickr) and Segovia-UCL peasants union In Xataka | A town in León wanted to force … Read more

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