Kalistan

[Doc]

The Nursery of the Society
Kalistan's Bar and Club scene a breeding ground for culture and social harmony
Sulari, Suldanor
September 5, 5199


Thrash Metal band Black Deth plays for a crowd of 8 at Kat's Dive Club in Sulari

The Bar and Club scene in Kalistan has long been a fertile bed for the growth of new bands, but it is also seen as one of the major sources of Kalistani culture, and a great implement that encourages social harmony in the Empire.

In Kalistani circles, it is believed that almost one tenth of the entire population has been in either a semi-professional band or a practice band at some point before they are 30. Most of these bands go nowhere and will break up after playing a show at a party or several weeks of practice. But occasionally, a band will find some traction in one of the more than 30,000 clubs, bars, and music venues across the Empire. Such a high ratio of establishment per citizen is one of the primary reason for Kalistan's long music and arts scene, and is a direct driver of Kalistan's cultural station in the world.

Bars and Clubs as promoters of Kalistani Music

On any given night, there are more than 6500 concerts held by tons of local bands who land gigs, or bands which are specifically hired as house bands and play for a set fee. Life as a house band has its pros and cons, as does all things. On the one hand, the ability to hire a house band signifies that the club owner feels that the band is popular enough to draw a crowd on a regular basis: since bars frequently make their money from the sales of alcohol, drugs and cover charges, the band serves as a draw. These bands tend to be well known local acts who are technically proficient but are either at the very beginning of their career, or never cared to make a play for a national audience. Or they do not want to tour, and therefore never decide to leave the city.

The draw back to being a house band is that house bands tend to be locked into exclusivity contracts, with fairly hefty severance fees, as bar owners see the hiring of a house band to be a capital investment. This means that if they are heard by a record executive, they won't likely be able to withdraw from their contracts in a timely fashion. They can escape the contract if it is bought out, and if the band is good enough, a label will buy the contract out, but this initial investment usually only accompanies high faith from the label that the investment will be recouped through record sales, and the catch 22 is that the fanbase for a house band is almost always local and therefore not enough to guarantee return on investment. Most house bands therefore will remain in place for the duration of their career, and playing music becomes a job.

House bands, though only make up about 15% of Kalistani's bands. The remaining 85% are considered independents. They are free agents who have to hustle to make a living. Clubs usually have house bands play two nights a week, leaving the other 5 nights open for "general entertainment" Thus, independents will spend a good portion of their time auditioning for a slot on one of the general nights. On a given night, a bar may hire up to six bands for entertainment all evening, but musicians also compete with comedians, magicians and lecturers, and they all compete for a portion of the "artists' share" of the night's take. For example, if bars earn K10,000 profit in a night, and their "artists' share" is set at 65%, and there are 5 bands who play at that bar that night, the band itself will split K1300 between them. Granted, K10,000 profit is far and above what average clubs and bars usually earn, so while it may seem lucrative, the artists' pay is dependent on a number of factors which makes their living very precarious, including not even getting a slot that night at all.

The insecurity of the independent is generally offset by the mobility they experience relative to the House Bands. The Independents are free to sign on with record labels without requiring high initial investment from the Record Labels, who do not need to buy out any contracts in the case of independent bands. They are free to organize their own tours with brother and sister bands from the area and try to reach a national audience, or move to a new scene where their music may be more appreciated. Independent bands tend to either be complete unknowns or have a more regional reach which is more attractive to a record label. The one unifying thread with all independent bands is that they are entirely insecure unless they are very good. But unlike the house bands, they do not often practice as often, usually have less initial skill and experience with their music and are not as good. Regardless, six independent bands are signed to record labels for every one house band which is, so for those who have national (or international) ambitions, independence is the preferred route to take.

The Business Model of The Bar and Club

The Club's entertainment director is a central figure in every club or bar. This man or woman is a highly valued employee who needs to have a working understanding not only of creative arts like music, so he or she can say what is "good" but also needs to have skill in bookkeeping and financial management. The contracts the Entertainment Director signs can either make the bar a lot of money, or can cost the bar dearly. It is the rare individual who possesses both skills in equal measure: Usually entertainment directors are much stronger in one or the other, and this usually works to the detriment of the establishment. This is why the National Tavernowners' Association sponsors training programs at various colleges and universities across the Empire to identify and train ideal candidates for the positions, and this is why the most successful entertainment directors are some of the most highly paid individuals in the service sector. Those who have had great success frequently find a second career as record executives.


One of Kaliburg's most successful Entertainment Directors, Katherine Singh, of the Naked Walrus Saloon in Zappa City

The music tastes of patrons of a given bar are not eclectic. One of the reason there are so many bars, nightclubs, and music venues in the Empire is because each club caters to a different genre and clientele. Some clubs are exclusively rock clubs, who sell high priced drinks to rich clients. Others are dive bars with sawdust floors that are swept up every night, where patrons can expect to see at least one physical altercation. There is a bar, club or venue for each taste in nearly every city, town, or village. As the Bar makes its money by attracting patrons, specialization tends to work out for the Bar's advantage: A club that doesn't have a set theme and clientele may experience more volatility night to night than a Bar which attracts the same patrons back over and over because it is the "RF Club" in town, for example.

Music is the preferred form of entertainment, of course, but some clubs feature poetry readings, or comedy shows. Other bars cater to the weird, where bands who will never be hired at mainstream clubs and bars can find work. Other clubs host shows which are strictly adult in their nature. Mainstream acceptance of the sort of entertainment tends to feedback: A club that hosts famous or excellent performances tends to do better financially, and those bars then can turn around and hire better quality talent, while niche bars and clubs tend to feature more underground or new, up and coming acts.

Over all, the nightlife scene in Kalistan is by far the most profitable private sector activity in the Empire. The bars, lounges, clubs and Venues part of the economy annually draws more than K32.5 billion, and these operations tend to be hundreds or in some cases, thousands of years old: Despite the nationalization of huge sectors of the economy since the mid 2700s, there has never been a national effort to nationalize or remove bars and related establishments from the private sector.

The Bar and The Club as Pillar of the Dual Economy and the Nursery of Kalistani Culture

Overall, the bar, club and venue scene in Kalistan serves directly as the nursery of Kalistani cultural and music tastes, and indirectly, fashion, and attitudes toward the world. Without the bars, clubs, and venues, Kalistani culture would be very sterile, people wouldn't be as outgoing or tolerant of differences in their midst, or welcoming of outsiders.

Bar owners and club owners are seen as pillars of the free enterprise side of Kalistan's Dual Economy, and are often pointed out by liberal economists as a vindication of the functioning of a market: In the bar scene, given the saturation in Kalistan of this particular type of enterprise, going to a club is an entirely free choice on the part of the consumer. They have an abundance of very real options, they have perfect information with regard to what sort of clientele is at a given bar, easily obtainable information regarding the sort of entertainment the bar will offer in a given night, and no compulsion, formal or otherwise to patronize a given bar. Owners must meet the demands of the consumers, or lose money. In this sense, we see a perfect meeting of supply and demand curve which simply is not present in almost all other economic exchanges under systems like capitalism.

Therefore, there is a high incentive for bar owners to trim their margins to almost nothing, provide attractive entertainment options, and generally cater to the tastes of their patrons. This doesn't leave a bar owner completely without agency in this mix: They enjoy a fairly high status in their communities, and serve often as tastemakers. It doesn't matter how big a band is, or how strenuously an Entertainment Director lobbies for a particular band, of the owner vetos the band, that band will not play in that bar. The owner can freely weigh the loss of those patrons who would have just come in for that band against their own preferences, and most bar owners are fine with this trade off.

IN addition to being drivers of economic activity in the private sector, Kalistani bars and clubs are our Nation's great social equalizers; these public establishments serve as the meetinghouses and social hubs of our great society, and when a worker can knock back a pint with his boss while listening to some great alternative band at the local watering hole, many differences that plague other societies lose their saliency here. Not only does our thriving nighlife scene promote social harmony, but it also consistently sets Kalistan as one of the premier nations for International Cultural production, which furthers our National policy of goodwill and friendship toward all peoples of Terra, which does more to keep Kalistan safe than a million ship navy would.

[Doc]

KALNAPECO Weighs increasing production to counter price increases
Kalistani Industrial Minister calls a halt to further decommissioning while matter is considered
Sulari, Suldanor
October 8, 5199


Oil Rig off Yoshimi, along Southern Limit, will pause decommissioning while Oil shortage is considered

Following the arrival of clean Fusion power generation in the 5090s, and the creation of KALENCON, KALNAPECO has experienced a century of phased decommissioning. The initial targets of 6-7% of National Capacity, primarily for export and to support KALNAPECO's small plastics and asphalt operations, have yet to be met, primarily due to continued international demand. Kalistan is currently producing at about 14% of its total capacity, which is just over half of capacity when the 6 percent target was set in 5093.

Whether further scaling back and decommissioning of KALNAPECO's formerly extensive extracting and refining infrastructure will continue is now up in the air, as fluctuations due to price setting by the International Oil Cartel, OPEN (which Kalistan has not been invited to join yet) and decreased production in the face of increased demand are expected to very rapidly create price shocks in the petroleum futures market, and send prices skyrocketting. Kalistan finds itself in an interesting position: The Empire is no longer oil dependent, not as an export commodity, and not for the operation of our economy. Oil exports last year were a paltry 135,000 barrels a day, earning Kalistan a gross K3.2 Billion. The oil export sector is now so small that world prices are no longer affected by Kalistani domestic policy.

And yet, we could affect prices and more importantly, futures earnings, if the Empire did step up production. A significant return to the international market, selling Kalistani oil at a discount, could conceivably lower prices per barrel by as much as K10 a barrel, and offset the increases in price planned or forced by speculative markets. There are downsides for the Empire for this plan: While decommissioning has crawled over the last 100 years, many of KALNAPECO's drilling operations are capped. It would require capital to reopen those wells that we have capped while the rigs were perparing for dismantling. Additionally, our refinery capacity is not what it used to be: Much of the oil Kalistan has sold over the last century has been sweet crude, not refined petrol gas. As domestic demand for gas products has dramatically dropped off since the arrival of fusion, refinery capacity has dropped sharply, to meet the reduced needs of Kalistani industry. Major capital outlays and more importantly time would be required to ramp up refinery capacity.

These considerations will be before KALNAPECO directors as they meet in Sulari next month to discuss the matter. Right now the official policy is at "Wait and see", especially if a re-entry into the volatile international market is warranted by what appears to be price gouging. Meanwhile, if envoys from OPEN were to approach Kalistan with an opportunity to join, that would also be an additional consideration. Meanwhile, all ongoing decommissioning efforts have been paused indefinitely, and it is our hope that the news of Kalistani supply stability may in and of itself provide downward pressure on Crude Prices without requiring further actions from KALNAPECO.

[Doc]

Kyo Opposition Leader sets up base in Port Swedes as Park Je-Sang sets up Dankuk Government In Exile
Kalistani Government restates explicit protections for Migrants and Refugees
Port Swedes, Vrassa
August 12, 5200


New medium density Housing in and around Port Swedes dramatically increases capacity for Migrant permanence in Empire

In the nearly 2 years since the subrosa arrival of Kyo Opposition Leader Park Je-Sang, several things have developed in the Port Swedes area that make the community a hotspot for international attention in Northern Selaya. The usually sleepy port city, home of the Grit music trend, strong coffee and heroin addiction, has within the last two years become the site of the Dankuk Government in Exile. The Government has been working for two years with the Opposition Leader, the remaining member of the deposed democratic Shin Government in Dankuk, to assist with attracting Kyo and Dranio bureaucrats who are fleeing from the fascists, as well as their families and other dissidents, refugees and migrants from the Northern Dovani Nation. Since his arrival, Park has set up the Dankuk Government in Exile, and has been working on fundraising around the world to acquire safe passage and other necessities for those who wish to flee Dankuk.

The Government of Kalistan has been officially silent on the Dankuk affair, except to mention their commitment to refugees and legitimacy in Government affairs. Kalistan has not generally joined the calls of other nations for sanctions or intervention in Dankuk, and because of its neutral status, a shift in policy is unlikely. But permitting government's in exile on Kalistani Soil is a tradition which included a Lourennais Government in Exile at Eveari more than 100 years ago. In addition, Kalistan's culture has always been welcoming to new Arrivals and will continue to do so regardless of their country of origin.

As Kyo refugees first began arriving, the infrastructure of Port Swedes was initially overwhelmed. Refugee centers were quickly dedicated, and Kyo migrants, who enjoy all legal protections under Kalistani Law, the same as domestic workers, began accepting work in whatever field they could find. Initially these jobs were low paying, low skilled jobs. But within six months, the newly arriving migrant population was organizing and working with local trade associations and unions, including the Swedeport General Contractors' Association, and the National Service Program, and were put to work at the National Wage, in building a new suburb for Kyo families who are arriving. The building trades pitched in labor and materials to provide new families clean, spacious apartments and town houses with modern Kalistani amenities, and convenient links to Kalistani Infrastructure. There was no job left unfilled as even non-skilled laborers were given jobs on construction crews. The results were astounding--Over two years since the first Kyo and Dranio refugees began arriving, work crews made up largely of migrant workers, constructed more than 10,000 housing units, each suitable for families of 4, in and around Port Swedes, as well as 2,500 units suitable for families up to 6.

The Kalistani Government, in accord with the law, also provided families and individuals subsidies to help them integrate into Kalistan. Education was commenced, and while teachers from the population itself were hired to teach students in their native language, free Vrassan Language classes were also offered to help encourage the new arrivals to learn Vrassan as well, and obtain enough of our language to be able to function within the larger Kalistani society. Communication errors aside, now two years in, more than 40% of the Kyo arrivals who had no command of Vrassan upon arrival, have at least functioning literacy and semi-competent spoken communication skills, with 67% of those achieving fluency in the written and spoken language. This commitment to learning Vrassan, as well as other subjects like Kalistani History and culture, demonstrates a commitment to integrate into the Kalistani society for the medium to long term.

The Kalistani Government has reiterated its policy recently. "We want to make sure," said Interior Minister Josephine Herrera, whose office is overseeing the migration and transition, "that ALL migrants, refugees and foreign dissidents are welcomed to make Kalistan their new home. Hopefully they will be willing to share with us the things that make their culture so great, but even so, they receive the full protection of Kalistani Law when they arrive in our country. For all practical purposes they are identical to Natural Born citizens, and the efforts these people have made to contribute to the economy and society that they are now a full part of is admirable. For that, we will continue to host them and shelter them as long as they wish to stay. If they wish to stay forever, they will be welcome to do so as Kalistani citizens. If they wish to return home when the crisis is abated, they will be free to do that when they feel the time is right. But for now, the people of Dankuk are here, and they are welcome."

Kyo families are now beginning to move out of the Port Swedes area to other cities on the Mainland, as the influx of migrants, mostly by way of Lourenne and Dolgava, continues. More newly constructed housing units are coming online every day, and the Interior Minister believes she cannot hazard a guess as to how many Kyo refugees will arrive, but as the crisis continues to deepen in both Dankuk and North Dovani, it is likely that the flow will continue unabated for the foreseeable future. As for the Dankuk government in Exile, an official attache, James Donnelly, of the Institutionalist Party, has been assigned to act as liasion between the GiE and the Empire. Donnelly is not a fully installed ambassador, but works to provide assistance and support for the Government in ways that protect Kalistani neutrality, but also otherwise helps to further the activities of Park's administration. Park has taken residence in Port Swedes, as have his ministers, and security is provided both by Kalistani regulars and Kyo security forces recruited from among Park's political allies.

[Doc]

News In Brief: Kalistan to seek weapons from Trigunia
Representatives of the Ministry of Defense to travel to Weapons Fair in Northern Nation
Kaliburg, Ananto
April 17, 5201

The Government of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan has announced plans to send representatives from the Defense Ministry, the Regular Forces and the KALMILINCO to Kaiserberg Trigunia during the Triboronexport Expo this year. Officials have revived plans to modernize Kalistan's regular forces, a dream of several generations of political leaders in Kalistan. "It seems like every time we make important advances in our armed forces and attempt to reach the level of other nations, something, some force seems to drag us back," says Military Spokesperson Lt. Frieda Nichols. "Fate seems to work to ensure that Kalistan will always remain underpowered. But buying new generation weaponry direct from one of the world's major suppliers will allow Kalistan to at least move forward. Kalistan will never be a world power, but as our military has been in mothballs for decades, a revitalization is nonetheless in order."

Kalistan looks toward buying modern close air support fighters, as well as the light tanks which are on offer, with the aim of organizing a force capable of returning Kalistan's credible deterrent to any attacks. Kalistan will also begin developing new heavy artillery, as well as rebuild Kalistan's network of shore batteries with anti-aircraft batteries aimed at preventing foreign invasion forces from approaching Kalistani shores.

In addition, the Government has asked the Institutionalist Party to consider calling a paramilitary force to begin training as an irregular force similar to the Socialist Militia of the past. "We will always need a paramilitary, irregular force who can do things that regular armies either can't do, or shouldn't do," said Lt. Nichols. "A regular military destroying infrastructure isn't a good look, and yet, total war often demands that water supplies be sabotaged, or the enemy be denied any sense of security in rear areas, for military and civilians alike. A Regular force is at a disadvantage if asked to carry out these more delicate tasks, but irregular, un-uniformed forces which can blend back into the population and who can't be identified allows us to carry out these sort of activates none the less." The Institutionalist Party noted that they intend to study the matter.

The Government has pledged more than 600 billion over five years for the restoration of the Regular Force.

[Doc]

Crown Prince David assumes title to Grand Duchy of Ananto
Largely viewed as first step in transition to Monarchy
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 7, 5203


Crown Prince and now Grand Duke David Ananto, with wife Duchess Consort Katherine, Countess of Dah at Annual Audience in Eveari

Nearly six years after becoming Crown Prince of Ananto and Kalistan, David, Count of Davon was named Grand Duke of Ananto last week at the Annual Audience in Eveari, which has become a tradition in recent decades. At this meeting of the Counts, Dukes and Mayors across Kalistan, started by the late Emperor Fredrick I of Ananto and Kalistan, the Nobility are asked to bring strategic petitions to the Empress, to help her develop policy. The Monarch also acknowledges all hereditary changes, names all new members of the Order of Grey Smoke in closed session, and meets citizens of Kalistan, who take the opportunity to interact with the Empire's VIPs.

As David assumes a larger profile that comes with the assumption of new titles, it is widely believe that the Empress is preparing for her son to finally take over parts of direct government in the Empire. The Grand Duke has long sat in royal confidence with both the Empress, and her husband before her, and became an elected Deputy from Dulnerstaad in 5194, where he sits as Count. Both he and his wife, the Countess Katherine of Dah are expected to become co-Sovereigns when 80 year old Elizabeth I leaves the throne and David's appointment suggests that the Empress is considering leaving of her own power, rather than dying in Office.

Grand Duke David and his wife are expecting their first child in May, news which was overshadowed by the Count's appointment to Grand Duke. David now assumes the House Name Ananto and is now titled Grand Duke David Ananto, Count of Davon, Crown Prince of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan while Elizabeth adds Duchess Consort to her title Countess of Dah. The Empress surrenders the title "Grand Duchess of Ananto" but retains the title Countess of Luxon until death, after which it will be for the Emperor to dispose of: If she retires from office, her title will be simply Princess Elizabeth of Ananto and Kalistan. David's brother Prince Victor is expected to receive the County of Luxon when Elizabeth dies, and his sister the Princess Margaret is likely to remain untitled for the time being but will no doubt serve in an advisory capacity in the new Monarchy.

At the moment, Elizabeth has not made any announcement with regard to her plans, and it is likely that any decisions she makes will come after the upcoming Assembly elections in February.

[Doc]

Institutionalists expecting Rout in upcoming Elections
"Kalistani citizens vote randomly," says Prime Minister
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 17, 5204


Institutionalist Party HQ is silent for the Moment, though electioneering is occurring across the Empire

"We have not been able to substantially differentiate ourselves from those who claim to be Socialists," said Prime Minister Gina Fernandez, head of Her Imperial Majesty's Government and leader of the absolute Majority, for the time being. "Consequently, given that we know that Kalistani's tend to vote randomly, and like to vote for 'new Parties' whatever their positions, we expect to lose the Majority in the coming elections."

While PfS has only voted on 8 bills, all of which were sponsored by the Government, they have not voted in any way which would allow voters to differentiate them from the Institutionalist Party. "We have essentially the same positions, essentially the same visibility on those positions, and essentially the same voting record in the last half dozen years," said Fernandez. "They have put toward no bills except a call for early elections, and I believe one other bill, and then voted with the Institutionalists on everything else except one major omnibus where they objected to the Government's withdraw from questions of marriage. This means, given the utter insanity which tends to reign at the polls and the preference in Kalistan for new Parties as opposed to established ones, we expect that we will at best evenly split the electorate, but then the new Party advantage which seems to be the only iron clad rule of Kalistani Politics, will put the new Party over."

The Prime Minister, who expects to be thrown out of her job after a probable Socialist victory, was asked what she intends to do. "I intend to continue to serve my constituents," said Fernandez. "I will likely be re-elected to my own seat, and after that I intend to remain active in Party Leadership and will offer support to whomever is named Premier." If the vote is split, with the Institutionalists remaining in the Majority, Fernandez stated, "We will look forward to opportunities to form a coalition with the Socialists, in the name of stability and peace in the Empire. We should acknowledge the split in the Assembly either way, but should we remain in the majority, I assume we will reach out with an offer for form a joint government."

The Elections will be held on February 1st of this year, and is a nailbiter, as it is the first competitive election in Kalistan in many years.

[Doc]

KALENCON gets green light to begin working on transition to Green Energy
Phase out date finally set for late 5224
Bozo River, Ananto
March 18, 5204


KALENCON DIrector Sigrid Phillips to oversee beginning of transition of Green Energy Grid

The day dreamed of long ago, where Kalistan transitions entirely away from Fossil Fuels and Hydrocarbons to generate energy has finally arrived. By the end of this year, The Government has required KALENCON, the Kalistani Energy Consortium that runs the various fusion plants across Kalistan, to oversee a full transition to renewable clean energy in the form of Fusion, Solar, Wind, wave, tidal and geothermal energy. The mandated transition shall last for 20 years and will incorporate a sizeable investment in infrastructure as well as research and development into both efficiency and storage and delivery that will lay the foundations for Kalistan's energy future.

The woman overseeing the initial stages of the transition, KALENCON's Sigrid Phillips has already began reorganizing the corporate structure of the energy Consortium to meet the new responsibilities it anticipates. "We are switching from generation mode into expansion mode," said Phillips. "By the end of June, KALENCON will have offices in each of the five duchies, as well as research labs based primarily in Ananto, which offer the best climates for the various new technologies we look forward to building and deploying, to include geothermal, which due to Ananto's volcanic pre-history, is an untapped potential that exists here alone in the Empire."

Phillips also noted that the Mandate permits her to begin working with foreign Energy providers and researchers. "Particularly promising is an opportunity to meet and collaborate with Dolgavan scientists and engineers," said Phillips. "We will be sponsoring an energy symposium here in Kaliburg this summer and will invite our Dolgavan Colleagues to attend. Hopefully this will be the start of a long and prosperous cooperation between us. It would be ideal if we could build a working regime for continued and regular cooperation, like an Anantonese energy Group for example, but at any rate it is our desire to share our technology with Dolgava at least, and see what they have to offer us in return."

KALENCON wants to also persuade Kalistan's main car company, Moco, to transition to a full EV fleet by 5215. "We will also need to work with KalMD on Batteries, both for storage of energy from renewable sources, but also more efficient batteries which are less lithium intensive, or utilize hydrogen fuelcell technology to operate them. These forms of efficient batteries will need to be build on a mass scale over the next twenty or so years if we are ever to have any hope of leaving hydrocarbons behind."

This is the final dawning of the new day for Kalistan, one that has been sought after by generations of Kalsitani environmentalists and successive Kalistani administrations. With work and perseverance, it will come to pass.

[Doc]

KALENCON brings new High Efficiency Solar Plant online North of Sweet Port
Spurred by positive growth policies, PV development and production is poised to take great leap forward
Sweet Port, Suldanor
July 8, 5204


First Cell of the new KALENCON Solar Farm 1 is in place

KALENCON has begun building solar power farms across Suldanor and Odufaray, which will form the backbone of Kalistan's new solar network following the passage of the Energy Strategy currently on the floor in the Assembly. Spokesperson for the Project, Melissa Brach, said "The first plant we are building here is on reclaimed farm land just south of the Sulari Hills, northwest of Sweet Port. The facility, when completed, will generate more than 450 MW of clean power a day and will cover about 3300 acres, or about 5.1 square miles." While this is a drop in the bucket compared to even just Sulari's 6500 MW a day demand, Brach noted that the Solar Farm will be one of several dozen spread across central and Northern Sulari and which will be built within the next ten years. "Additionally, we are using solar to add to an expanding list of energy creation options which includes expanded fusion generators, as well as wave and tidal generators, wind turbines and geothermal. This is just a start."

Environmentalists were quick to respond to the creation of such large energy creation facilities: "We like green energy," said Chris Fox, head of the Sulari Citizens for Green Energy. "But such large facilities will endanger migrations of animals over public land, and the creation of both photovoltaics and batteries to store electricity is certain to pollute the environment worse than the green energy helps it. Therefore, we do not think that the Government should be rushing into this, but should spend money at this point to develop cleaner and more efficient alternatives to battery storage and solar collection."

Brach, who was speaking for KALENCON noted cooperation with recent startups in Kalistan, especially the private firm "SolCo" (Kalsie:SCO) which is currently ramping up to provide photovoltaics at a very inexpensive costs. "We are exploring the use of the crystalline structure known as perovskite," said SolCo CEO Bob Marquis, "which is found in calcium-titanium oxide rich igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is one of the most common crystalline alkalai mineral structures in the Empire, especially in Ananto. It is easily extracted in abundance and can be imbued in a vinyl or resin solution that can be poured flat, and which is then bendable, rollable, durable, weather resistant, and inexpensively installable. We have found that perovskite film generates more energy from solar power than silicates do, is far less expensive to produce, and is more tolerant of defects than its more rigid cousin. As a result, we project that costs for the production of this, when ramped up to scale, will be about 10% of the standard costs for silicate photovoltaics and will allow the solar industry to take off." KALENCON is expected to sign a contract for PV cells within a year, dependent on the successful efficiency tests at the first Solar Farm in Suldanor.

"Ideally, we would also like to begin installing photovoltaics in the high rises of our cities," said Brach. "The Ministry of Science has expressed interest in exploring tax incentives for companies to replace their windows with photovoltaic glass, which companies like SolCo and another company in Vrassa named Pioneer Glasworks makes, that utilizes Photovoltaics in layered glass for industrial buildings. If we can get buy in from the real estate markets, we can encourage the building of self powering homes, to take houses entirely off the grid, and make our cities themselves producers of their own electricity!" This possible step is years away however, and will involve infrastructure building that is on a far more massive scale than the one which are currently in KALENCON's short range plan.

For the mean time, the Solar Farm, known as Farm 1, joins the limited and fairly expensive solar generator infrastructure that currently exists, which is on the verge of becoming much cheaper in the coming years, to add to Kalistan's move entirely away from hydrocarbon fuels. "Our biggest challenge in the coming years," said Brach, "is the battery to store power. Without batteries, it doesn't really matter how much energy is generated during the day, much of it will disappear as soon as the sun sets." KALENCON is working with KalMD on the question of energy storage, but as of now, there is no parallel news of any breakthroughs.

[Doc]

Empress Returns from Istalia
Monarch attended funeral of fellow Ruler and long time family friend Emperor Tommaso III
Kaliburg, Ananto
September 1, 5204


Elizabeth I, Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, returns via KalAir to the Capital following Funeral in Istalia

Empress Elizabeth I returned last night from the Empire of Istalia, where she, her personal staff and the Foreign Minister of Kaistan Robert Stuart all attended the funeral of fellow Head of State and close personal friend Tommasso III of Istalia on the 25th. The Empress, who rarely travels abroad except on personal holiday, attended as the Kalistani Head of State, while Stuart represented Her Imperial Majesty's Government. The small entourage flew KalAir to Romula Istalia, where they joined the Empress Mother Elisa, with whom she shared a long personal relationship, in mourning for the late Emperor.

The affair, which was a very solemn state affair in Istalia, was far more personal for the Empress. Tommaso and Elisa both welcomed Kalistan's own Emperor at the beginning of his reign when Tommaso was married, and the Kalistani royals regularly visited Istalia and had long shared high admiration for the Istalian Monarchs. The Empress Elizabeth remained for a week following the service to sit in mourning with the widowed Empress Elisa, and to share the grief of the now expired Emperor, before returning to Kalistan.

The Foreign Minister issued a short statement during the week in Istalia: "Our Empress, Her Imperial Majesty Elizabeth I of Ananto and Kalistan, has chosen to remain at the side of her friend, not as a fellow head of state, but as a woman who has held long correspondence and friendship with the Empress Mother. Elizabeth serves as a shelter of compassion and human warmth as the late Emperor is interred and the New Emperor is Crowned, and was at Elisa's side to wish the new Emperor Alessandro IV well and long life. Ananto shall continue to renew our personal relationship with the Istalian Crown, and we will welcome the New Emperor to visit Kalsitan as soon as his duties will allow him to visit."

Following the extended stay in the Majatran Nation, Elizabeth and the Foreign Minister returned to Kalsitan and were welcomed by a small throng of citizens who assembled to meet the Empress. She spent a short time speaking with the citizens at Kaliburg International, before bidding her well wishers farewell and returning to Eveari.

[Doc]

Ananto opens series of five High Temperature Geothermal Power Plants
KALENCON takes advantage of Anantonese thermals to power Island
SU River Facility, Ananto
October 8, 5206


The Su River Geothermal Plant, headwaters of the Su River in County Davon

North of Kaliburg, at the headwaters of the Su River, there is an interesting geothermal formation. It is one of many that dot the landscape of the Island. Under normal circumstances, these large clear pools of superheated water are treated as tourist destinations. They serve as the source of many of Ananto's rivers, cooling as they rush down the slopes of an ancient volcanic ranges of the Green, Davon and Xanadu Mountains that forms the backbone of the heart shaped Island. These hot springs are all that remains of the volcanic eruptions that formed the Island millions of years ago; the Volcanoes themselves are now heavily forested and are all extinct.

The Hot Springs may be remnants of the Island's geological past, but they are also serving to help power the future. At the Su River Springs, where the magma of the earth's mantle still rises close to the surface, KALENCON has opened one of five new facilities aimed at capturing the high temperatures in the water and using that to drive turbines to generate power. The Su River GtPP is the last of the five to open this month, completing its three year construction. The Plant, which will generate about 600 Mw of power a day will serve primarily Kaliburg- Port Davon and Dulnerstaad. Other Plants at Eveari River, the Six Sisters, Wilson Pass and Xanadu will serve Eveari, Bozo River, Dahriel, and Luxon and Xanadu respectively as well as the surrounding countryside, and will aim to lower the burden placed on the Fusion generators which seem to not be making efficiency gains needed to keep up with the growing demand for energy as the Island transitions away from hydrocarbons.

"We are glad to bring the Su River Plant online," said General Manager Carl West. "It is by far the largest of the five geothermal power generators on the island." West described the process of power generation at the Plant. "The plant is attacked to a deep well, drilled about 2-3 miles deep into a pocket of superheated ground water. This same underground reservoir naturally finds its way to the surface to create the hotsprings about three miles away. Usually the resevoir is replenished through rain water flowing in through cracks in the surface. BUt we pull the superheated fluid up and as it cools, it turns to steam. We run the superheated fluid through three separate depressurizing tanks here and each time it enters a new tank and cools, it releases steam. The steam drives those great turbines over there, and the steam itself is recondensed, combined with the now cool(er) geothermal fluid and it all runs over there where minerals are separated before it is pumped out of the plant and reinjected back into the reservoir to be reused."

The operation costs of the plant are anticipated to be paid for in recaptured minerals from the geothermal fluid. "In Ananto, we have calcites and silicates which can form some issues with our plant here should we supersaturate the resevoir by not stripping the minerals before reinjecting it into the reservoir. Luckily there is a market for these two minerals in Kalistan: The Silicates can be used to create microprocessors for consumer technology, and the calcium carbonate can serve as lime for the Republic's farms. In addition, we do receive marginal quantities of marketable minerals besides these two and we anticipate that at the current rate, we can satisfy a significant portion of domestic demand from our mineral separation operations." West noted that mineral extraction was important to prevent deposits from forming in the injection wells from mineral precipitation due to the cooling of super saturated geothermal fluid.

West noted that much of the operating cost of the plant comes with maintaining the pipes of the plant, but power generation and mineral recapture more than offsets the costs of operation. "Not only is this an absolutely clean, 100% renewable energy source which can heat and light whole cities, but it doesn't create any disturbance to the local ecology, it doesn't have any effect on surface water, and it doesn't disturb local wildlife. We create jobs for power plant technicians, and get to promote our green energy goals. There is only upside to these plants."

The five Geothermal plants produce about 2.65 GW of power a day, which is about 45% of Ananto's total demand plus reserve capacity. Geothermal is not available, however, for the Mainland, except in isolated spots in Neveras, due to the lack of geothermal formations close to the surface in most of the Mainland. It is estimated that one or two geothermal plants will be built in Neveras, but they will only supply about 20% of the duchy's total demand and reserve capacity.