In Sarov, birthplace of the first Soviet nuclear weapons and now a major Russian nuclear development centre, a crocodile jumped from the 12th floor of a building. It survived and was later collected from an aquarium by its owner!
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Monday 13 August 2007
Bruce bouncing back
Canadian Bruce Power is buying new components from Babcock and Wilcox to refurbish some of its Bruce A nuclear reactors.
Bruce is bringing a number of its reactors back online to meet the growing energy demand in Canada.
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Bruce is bringing a number of its reactors back online to meet the growing energy demand in Canada.
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Bad news for Areva as Finnish reactor suffers more delays
In Finland nuclear giants Areva and Siemens are having problems building a new nuclear reactor according to schedule. The Olkiluto plant is looking like it will now be two years late. The delays are doing no favours to an industry trying to demonstrate that the long constructions delays that blighted nuclear build in the 70s and 80s are a thing of the past.
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Wednesday 8 August 2007
Plant to turn weapons plutonium into nuclear fuel for electricity being built
Construction has started on a plant in the US that will use plutonium from nuclear weapons to make fuel for US nuclear power plants. The amount of fuel to be made would produce enough electricity to supply a million homes for 50 years. The plutionium comes from an agreement between the US and Russia. A similar amount of Russian plutonium will be made into fuel for electricity generation too.
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US and India agree nuclear deal
India, long left out on its own in the nuclear energy world because of its failure to sign the international Non-Proliferation Treaty, has reached agreement with the US on co-operation over civil nuclear energy. India will be allowed to keep a strategic supply of fuel for its reactors and will be able to reprocess US nuclear fuel, monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The deal states that if for any reason the supply of used fuel from the US stops the US will help India find alternative sources of fuel from other countries.
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The deal states that if for any reason the supply of used fuel from the US stops the US will help India find alternative sources of fuel from other countries.
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Tuesday 24 July 2007
Latest International Nuclear News
US and French Companies link up to operate new nuclear plants in US and Canada
The French giant EdF has linked up with the US's Constellation Energy to form "Unistar Nuclear Energy". UNE plan to develop, own and operate a fleet of reactors, based round Areva's EPR design, the first of which is currently under construction in Finland. Constellation has already teamed up with Areva to form the Unistar parent company. Similar reactors are also planned for China and France. Those participating in the build of EPRs are hoping to keep down costs by using a standard design.
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New ships for nuclear transport company
PNTL, the company that carries used nuclear fuel from Japan to Europe for reprocessing – and the waste back – has ordered two new ships. The ships come with double hulls and are manned by two crews .
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UK and DR Congo sign agreement to stop illegal uranium smuggling
A UK mining firm has joined forces with the government of Congo to implement measures meant to stop the illegal smuggling of uranium. It has previously been reported http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/080307-Uranium_smuggling_allegation_in_Congo.shtml that senior figures were involved in smuggling, so this move should be welcomed.
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The French giant EdF has linked up with the US's Constellation Energy to form "Unistar Nuclear Energy". UNE plan to develop, own and operate a fleet of reactors, based round Areva's EPR design, the first of which is currently under construction in Finland. Constellation has already teamed up with Areva to form the Unistar parent company. Similar reactors are also planned for China and France. Those participating in the build of EPRs are hoping to keep down costs by using a standard design.
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New ships for nuclear transport company
PNTL, the company that carries used nuclear fuel from Japan to Europe for reprocessing – and the waste back – has ordered two new ships. The ships come with double hulls and are manned by two crews .
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UK and DR Congo sign agreement to stop illegal uranium smuggling
A UK mining firm has joined forces with the government of Congo to implement measures meant to stop the illegal smuggling of uranium. It has previously been reported http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/080307-Uranium_smuggling_allegation_in_Congo.shtml that senior figures were involved in smuggling, so this move should be welcomed.
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Friday 20 July 2007
Group set up to study nuclear safety
A high level group has been set up by the European Commission to look at radioactive waste management and nuclear safety. The group will be made up of representatives of European countries with nuclear facilities and those which don't use nuclear power. This way, the Commission say, there wil be confidence in the conclusions of the group. The EC Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, said the group will reinforce the safety of nuclear installations.
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US to increase funding to secure Russian military materials
The US government has almost doubled the amount of money it is investing in programmes to improve security at Russia nuclear weapons complexes. The US have been working at sites of Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency to help secure nuclear materials from the cold war.
Collaboration in the past between Russia and the US has resulted in Russian uranium from military programmes being downblended and sent to be used in US nuclear power stations. Recently, around 10% of the electricity in the US was generated from uranium sent from Russia.
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Collaboration in the past between Russia and the US has resulted in Russian uranium from military programmes being downblended and sent to be used in US nuclear power stations. Recently, around 10% of the electricity in the US was generated from uranium sent from Russia.
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Thursday 19 July 2007
Russian-built reactor operates at full power in China
The Tianwan 2 nuclear reactor, built by Russia in China, operated at full power for five days in mid-July. The plant is due to enter full commercial service in a few months. The Russians have already built one reactor at the Tianwan site and they have contracts to build two more soon.
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The Japanese earthquake story continues to be updated.
TEPCO ups report of impact of earthquake on its reactor
The Japanese company TEPCO has revised upwards its estimates of the impact of the recent earthquake in Japan on one of its reactors. It is now saying that 400, not 100, drums of low level waste overturned and that the amount of very weakly radioactive water that leaked into the sea was 50% higher than recent estimates.
However, before worrying about the leak it should be noted that the water that leaked was only two and a half times more radioactive than regular Bordeaux wine!
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The Japanese company TEPCO has revised upwards its estimates of the impact of the recent earthquake in Japan on one of its reactors. It is now saying that 400, not 100, drums of low level waste overturned and that the amount of very weakly radioactive water that leaked into the sea was 50% higher than recent estimates.
However, before worrying about the leak it should be noted that the water that leaked was only two and a half times more radioactive than regular Bordeaux wine!
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Tuesday 17 July 2007
Firefighter uses water from old uranium mine
A pilot collecting water to fight a fire in Washington State, USA scooped water out of a pond used at a now-closed uranium mine. The pilot collected the water in a large bucket suspended below his helicopter and deposited it over a large area of burning woodland. Thankfully neither the water nor the bucket was found to have any radioactive contamination.
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Nuclear facility in Iran to be inspected
The International Atomic Energy Authority says that it is going to visit the Arak heavy water reactor in Iran. The reactor, due to be completed in 2009, is called a research reactor by the Iranians, although heavy water reactors can be used to breed plutonium from uranium. The IAEA inspectors should visit the site of the reactor by the end of July 2007
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Massive Earthquake causes minor damage to nuclear plant
A very strong earthquake in Japan has killed at least seven people, as well as causing the leak of a small amount of radioactive water at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. The water leaked from Unit 6 at the site - where there are seven nuclear reactors. The plant that suffered the leak was already shut down for maintenance. The three reactors that were operating shut down into 'safe mode' automatically when the quake started.
Details are still emerging on the precise quantity of water that leaked, though the plant officials are saying that the amount is well within environmental limits and no detectable environmental damage will have been done.
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Details are still emerging on the precise quantity of water that leaked, though the plant officials are saying that the amount is well within environmental limits and no detectable environmental damage will have been done.
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Monday 16 July 2007
UKAEA fined for workers breathing in plutonium
The UKAEA at Dounreay have been fined £15,000 because workers breathed in a very small amount of plutonium when opening contaminated lead bricks in plastic bags.
The workers weren't using the correct protective suits and there were no notices on the plastic bags to let them know what the content was.
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The workers weren't using the correct protective suits and there were no notices on the plastic bags to let them know what the content was.
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Nuclear Regulators slammed for lapses
The NRC, the US nuclear regulators have been heavily criticised by US Government Inspectors for the way in which they awards licenses to a bogus nuclear company.
Using the licenses the Inspectors were able to purchase radioactive 'sealed sources', used in the construction agency, despite buying them in the name of a ficticious company.
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Using the licenses the Inspectors were able to purchase radioactive 'sealed sources', used in the construction agency, despite buying them in the name of a ficticious company.
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Friday 13 July 2007
Califorinian Politician seeks public support
Chuck DeVore, a Calafornia Assemblyman is carrying on his battle to have his states's moratorium on nuclear energy lifted. Having failed to get legislation passed to overturn the ban he's now looking to get support through a ballot of voters. If he can get half a million signatures supporting his ballot the issue will appear on ballot papers alongside 2008's primary elections.
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New French President pushes nuclear energy cooperation
President Nicolas Sarkozy has been offering French cooperation and expertise on nuclear energy development around the world since his recent election. He's recently offered to share expertise with Algeria, having already offered to collaborate with Georgia and having exteneded an existin agreement with Vietnam
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Flooded mine will take longer to get running again
A uranium mine in Canada that was flooded in 2006 wont be fully up and running until 2011, a year later than initially planned. The Cigar Lake mine, owned by Cameco will eventually be the biggest uranium mine in the world. But recovering from the flooding will take years.
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click here for mor information
Latest International Nuclear News Events
Nuclear Energy backed in Brazil
The President of Brazil - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - has given nuclear energy a big boost in Brazil. He pointed to the completion of the Angra 3 reactor and Brazilian achievements in uranium enrichment. President Lula also mentioned the possibility of developing nuclear powered submarines.
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Progress for Westinghouse in Florida
The AP1000, Westinghouse's flagship new reactor design, has been selected by Progress Energy as the design that would be used if plans for a nuclear power plant in Levy, Florida come to fruition. Progress are hoping that using the same design as is intended for a potential plant in nearby Harris would mean greater efficiencies.
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Failed London Bombers had plans for nuclear plant
One of the failed bombers who tried to detonate a bomb on London's underground on 25 July 2005 had plans for the Sizewell B reactor in his car. Although described as "detailed", the plans themselves were publically available as part of the documentation presented in the intial Sizewell B planning process.
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Joy as kidnapped nuclear executive freed
A Chinese company executive, working for a mining company in Niger has been freed by his captors after four days.
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South African mines to grow
The Dominion Reefs mine in South Africa will be doubled in size if studies by its owner, Uranium One, show that it makes business sense.
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The President of Brazil - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - has given nuclear energy a big boost in Brazil. He pointed to the completion of the Angra 3 reactor and Brazilian achievements in uranium enrichment. President Lula also mentioned the possibility of developing nuclear powered submarines.
click here for more information
Progress for Westinghouse in Florida
The AP1000, Westinghouse's flagship new reactor design, has been selected by Progress Energy as the design that would be used if plans for a nuclear power plant in Levy, Florida come to fruition. Progress are hoping that using the same design as is intended for a potential plant in nearby Harris would mean greater efficiencies.
click here for more information
Failed London Bombers had plans for nuclear plant
One of the failed bombers who tried to detonate a bomb on London's underground on 25 July 2005 had plans for the Sizewell B reactor in his car. Although described as "detailed", the plans themselves were publically available as part of the documentation presented in the intial Sizewell B planning process.
click here for more information
Joy as kidnapped nuclear executive freed
A Chinese company executive, working for a mining company in Niger has been freed by his captors after four days.
click here for more information
South African mines to grow
The Dominion Reefs mine in South Africa will be doubled in size if studies by its owner, Uranium One, show that it makes business sense.
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Tuesday 10 July 2007
Steps in the creation of Russia’s nuclear power titan
Further steps have been taken in the creation of Russia’s nuclear power titan, Atomenergoprom. The current head of the Federal Atomic Energy Agency, A Putin appointee who arranged the whole thing, will sit as chairman.
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Kazakhstan’s 10% stake in US-based nuclear plant
Kazakhstan’s national uranium company Kazatomprom has been linked to a 10% stake in the US-based nuclear plant designer Westinhouse. It would buy the share from Toshiba, who in turn bought Westinghouse from Britains’ BNFL in 2006 for $5.4 billion.
It looks as though the Kazakhs would like to have a profitable share of a high-tech reactor company that they could use in their future nuclear power plan – in return Toshiba can wipe out some of their debt and Westinghouse have a solid source of uranium for the new plants they build. Everyone’s a winner!
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It looks as though the Kazakhs would like to have a profitable share of a high-tech reactor company that they could use in their future nuclear power plan – in return Toshiba can wipe out some of their debt and Westinghouse have a solid source of uranium for the new plants they build. Everyone’s a winner!
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Monday 9 July 2007
International Nuclear News
India looks at nuclear to power industrial development
Orissa, on the east coast of India, is a major area of industrial development with increasing energy needs. Local government representatives are proposing building up to 6GWEe of nuclear capacity (equivalent to four of the largest current nuclear reactors) to support the aluminium and steel industries in that region
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Chinese nuclear boss kidnapped
Zhang Guohua, a deputy general manager for the Societe des Mines d'Agelik, owned by China Nuclear Engineering & Construction (Group) Corp., has been captured by rebels of the Movement of Niger People for Justice. The rebels have been campaigning for better implementation of an agreement with the governemnt designed to involve nomadic northern tribesmen. The rebels have previously attacked a mine owned by Areva.
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Uranium mill looks to build up ore stocks
Denison Mines is buying stocks of mined uranium ore to feed into its White Mesa mill. The mill turns uranium ore into 'yellowcake', the feedstock used to make nuclear fuel. The mill is the only one within a 500 mile radius and is in a key location, with a number of uranium mines nearby.
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Japan Government give authorization for MOX fuel in another reactor
The Japanese government has given approval for MOX fuel to be loaded in the Hamaoka 4 reactor. MOX fuel is made from uranium and plutonium recycled from used nuclear fuel. Even after three years in a reactor 96% of the material in used uranium fuel can be recycled and used again.
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Lithuanian President passes nuclear bill
The Lithuanian President has signed a bill for a new nuclear power plant in his country. The reactor will be built through a collaboration between Poland, Latvia and Lithuania
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Orissa, on the east coast of India, is a major area of industrial development with increasing energy needs. Local government representatives are proposing building up to 6GWEe of nuclear capacity (equivalent to four of the largest current nuclear reactors) to support the aluminium and steel industries in that region
click here for more information
Chinese nuclear boss kidnapped
Zhang Guohua, a deputy general manager for the Societe des Mines d'Agelik, owned by China Nuclear Engineering & Construction (Group) Corp., has been captured by rebels of the Movement of Niger People for Justice. The rebels have been campaigning for better implementation of an agreement with the governemnt designed to involve nomadic northern tribesmen. The rebels have previously attacked a mine owned by Areva.
click here for more information
Uranium mill looks to build up ore stocks
Denison Mines is buying stocks of mined uranium ore to feed into its White Mesa mill. The mill turns uranium ore into 'yellowcake', the feedstock used to make nuclear fuel. The mill is the only one within a 500 mile radius and is in a key location, with a number of uranium mines nearby.
click here for more information
Japan Government give authorization for MOX fuel in another reactor
The Japanese government has given approval for MOX fuel to be loaded in the Hamaoka 4 reactor. MOX fuel is made from uranium and plutonium recycled from used nuclear fuel. Even after three years in a reactor 96% of the material in used uranium fuel can be recycled and used again.
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Lithuanian President passes nuclear bill
The Lithuanian President has signed a bill for a new nuclear power plant in his country. The reactor will be built through a collaboration between Poland, Latvia and Lithuania
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Friday 6 July 2007
Top International News Events
Gordon Brown backs nuclear now and for the future.
In his first Prime Minister's Question Time Gordon Brown knocked back an attack on nuclear power from Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell. The Prime Minister said that the security of our future energy supply is best safeguarded by building new nuclear power stations.
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Uranium price dips slightly after staggering rise
The spot price of uranium fell back $3 on Wednesday, but this was the first significant dip after steady gains for nearly four years. Increasing speculation that a resurgence in nuclear energy and concerns over supplies has see the price of uranium rise almost tenfold to $135/lb.
Though there may be a small correction, no major reduction is expected. Despite these increases in the price of uranium the cost of nuclear power has hardly been affected, because nuclear power stations use so little fuel the cost of uranium is only a small part of overall generation costs.
More Information
Nuclear Report's Arguments "Fatuous"
The conclusions of the Oxford Research Group "Too Hot to Handle? The Future of Civil Nuclear Power" report has been described as 'fatuous' by a senior industry expert.
The report suggested that the fact that France 'only' built around 3-4 reactors a year during its peak build phase meant that the world couldn't build 4 a month, which would be needed if nuclear energy were to supply a third of electricity by 2075. However, that's comparing the build rate in one country France to the potential build rate across the world. If you consider the larger population of OECD countries the reactor build rate could be easily achieved.
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In his first Prime Minister's Question Time Gordon Brown knocked back an attack on nuclear power from Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell. The Prime Minister said that the security of our future energy supply is best safeguarded by building new nuclear power stations.
Click here for more information
Uranium price dips slightly after staggering rise
The spot price of uranium fell back $3 on Wednesday, but this was the first significant dip after steady gains for nearly four years. Increasing speculation that a resurgence in nuclear energy and concerns over supplies has see the price of uranium rise almost tenfold to $135/lb.
Though there may be a small correction, no major reduction is expected. Despite these increases in the price of uranium the cost of nuclear power has hardly been affected, because nuclear power stations use so little fuel the cost of uranium is only a small part of overall generation costs.
More Information
Nuclear Report's Arguments "Fatuous"
The conclusions of the Oxford Research Group "Too Hot to Handle? The Future of Civil Nuclear Power" report has been described as 'fatuous' by a senior industry expert.
The report suggested that the fact that France 'only' built around 3-4 reactors a year during its peak build phase meant that the world couldn't build 4 a month, which would be needed if nuclear energy were to supply a third of electricity by 2075. However, that's comparing the build rate in one country France to the potential build rate across the world. If you consider the larger population of OECD countries the reactor build rate could be easily achieved.
Click here for more information
Thursday 5 July 2007
Study concludes of UK stocks of Uranium and Plutonium
The NDA, the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, have concluded a study on stocks of uranium and plutonium present in the UK. These stocks have built up through enrichment, nuclear fuel manufacture and reprocessing in the UK.
One finding is that the stocks could power three 1000 MWe nuclear reactors for their entire 60-year operational lifetime.
Compared to coal-fired generation that could avoid the emission of over
1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
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One finding is that the stocks could power three 1000 MWe nuclear reactors for their entire 60-year operational lifetime.
Compared to coal-fired generation that could avoid the emission of over
1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Click here for more information
Iran and Russia Row over Nuclear Plant
Iran and Russia are disagreeing over when the Bushehr nuclear power plant will start operating. Iranian officials are saying that the plant will be completed in two months and will start shortly after that.
Russia is building the plant in Iran and says it isn't likely to start this year. There have been delays and disputes over payments between the Russians and Iran.
The Bushehr power plant is part of Iran's public nuclear energy programme.
Fuel for the plant will be supplied to Iran by Russia. As such it is separate from the international controversy over Iran developing enrichment facilities, which some fear will lead to Iran developing a nuclear weapons capability.
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Russia is building the plant in Iran and says it isn't likely to start this year. There have been delays and disputes over payments between the Russians and Iran.
The Bushehr power plant is part of Iran's public nuclear energy programme.
Fuel for the plant will be supplied to Iran by Russia. As such it is separate from the international controversy over Iran developing enrichment facilities, which some fear will lead to Iran developing a nuclear weapons capability.
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Areva forge parts for future US reactors
Areva, the French nuclear giant, have forged the first parts for a potential US nuclear reactor, based on their EPR design. The US company, Constellation Energy, agreed with Areva that the components would be made, even though no new US reactor orders have been made yet.
By taking the risk and making these components now Areva will be able to speed up construction of a new US plant if and when the US new build program begins.
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By taking the risk and making these components now Areva will be able to speed up construction of a new US plant if and when the US new build program begins.
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Wednesday 4 July 2007
World Nuclear News Events
Russia and USA sign agreement on nuclear energy
President Bush and President Putin have signed an agreement on the development of nuclear energy. They agreed that they "share a common vision of growth in the use of nuclear energy, including in developing countries, to increase the supply of electricity, promote economic growth and development, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in decreased pollution and greenhouse gasses."
Click here for the full story
US nuclear power stations near completion of all the additional measures to deal with terrorists.
The US regulator, the NRC, has said that almost all the additional measures taken in response to the threat of terrorists attacks at US nuclear power stations, including additional measures to mitigate the possible effects of a large fire or explosion, including those caused by the deliberate or accidental impact of a large commercial aircraft. Nuclear power stations are already robustly constructed as part of their safety systems but these additional measures should protect them even more.
Click here for the full story
German Chancellor Merkel decides against reversing nuclear phase out- for now...
Angela Merkel rejected German industry calls to reverse that country's nuclear phase-out policy. However she only said that she did not see the policy being reversed before 2009, when new elections are due. Many members of Merkel's own party would like to reverse the phase-out, but Merkel's party is in a grand coalition with the anti-nuclear Social Democrats.
Merkel commited Germany to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. German power utilities say they need to keep nuclear power stations operating to meet those goals.
Click here for the full article
IBM open nuclear centre in France
IBM have opened up a "centre of excellence" in La Gauge, France. The centre will help IBM offer their services to the nuclear industry worldwide. IBM say the centre will help support safe, reliable and efficient nuclear electricity generation.
IBM recently bought MRO, which developed the Maximo Asset Management software application in cooperation with the NEI (Nuclear Energy Institite), a US nuclear trade association.
Click here for the entire article
US Department of Energy hands out contract to turn ex-weapons material into feedstock for use in nuclear plants around the world
The US DoE has given Wesdyne International and Nuclear Fuel Services the contract to dilute highly enriched uranium now surplus to the US weapons programme to produce low enriched uranium suitable for the production of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.
The low enriched uranium will form part of the Reliable Fuel Supply programme. This programme will ensure that countries that do not develop their own enrichment or reprocessing plants have a reliable supply of low enriched uranium to make nuclear fuel. The Reliable Fuel Supply programme will only supply materials to qualifying countries if they can't get them from the normal commercial routes.
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French and Russians tie up nuclear partnership deal
Alstom of France and Atomoernergomash of Russia have tied up a deal to collaborate on the manufacture of the "conventional" parts of a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants use a nuclear reactor to generate steam, whereas a coal fired power plant burns coal to produce steam.
The steam is then used to drive turbines that produce electricity. The "conventional" turbine parts of power stations are quite similar. The new joint venture company will be based in Moscow.
click here for the full story
Belarus presses on with nuclear plans
Belarus is pushing ahead with plans for its first two nuclear power plants by the middle of the next decade. Construction of a nuclear reactor had started in Belarus in the 1980s, but stopped after the Chernbyl accident.
Now, nuclear energy is again in demand as Belarus seeks to improve the reliability of its energy system. At present it is highly reliant on imported fossil fuels.
click here for the full story
President Bush and President Putin have signed an agreement on the development of nuclear energy. They agreed that they "share a common vision of growth in the use of nuclear energy, including in developing countries, to increase the supply of electricity, promote economic growth and development, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, resulting in decreased pollution and greenhouse gasses."
Click here for the full story
US nuclear power stations near completion of all the additional measures to deal with terrorists.
The US regulator, the NRC, has said that almost all the additional measures taken in response to the threat of terrorists attacks at US nuclear power stations, including additional measures to mitigate the possible effects of a large fire or explosion, including those caused by the deliberate or accidental impact of a large commercial aircraft. Nuclear power stations are already robustly constructed as part of their safety systems but these additional measures should protect them even more.
Click here for the full story
German Chancellor Merkel decides against reversing nuclear phase out- for now...
Angela Merkel rejected German industry calls to reverse that country's nuclear phase-out policy. However she only said that she did not see the policy being reversed before 2009, when new elections are due. Many members of Merkel's own party would like to reverse the phase-out, but Merkel's party is in a grand coalition with the anti-nuclear Social Democrats.
Merkel commited Germany to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. German power utilities say they need to keep nuclear power stations operating to meet those goals.
Click here for the full article
IBM open nuclear centre in France
IBM have opened up a "centre of excellence" in La Gauge, France. The centre will help IBM offer their services to the nuclear industry worldwide. IBM say the centre will help support safe, reliable and efficient nuclear electricity generation.
IBM recently bought MRO, which developed the Maximo Asset Management software application in cooperation with the NEI (Nuclear Energy Institite), a US nuclear trade association.
Click here for the entire article
US Department of Energy hands out contract to turn ex-weapons material into feedstock for use in nuclear plants around the world
The US DoE has given Wesdyne International and Nuclear Fuel Services the contract to dilute highly enriched uranium now surplus to the US weapons programme to produce low enriched uranium suitable for the production of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.
The low enriched uranium will form part of the Reliable Fuel Supply programme. This programme will ensure that countries that do not develop their own enrichment or reprocessing plants have a reliable supply of low enriched uranium to make nuclear fuel. The Reliable Fuel Supply programme will only supply materials to qualifying countries if they can't get them from the normal commercial routes.
click here for the full story
French and Russians tie up nuclear partnership deal
Alstom of France and Atomoernergomash of Russia have tied up a deal to collaborate on the manufacture of the "conventional" parts of a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants use a nuclear reactor to generate steam, whereas a coal fired power plant burns coal to produce steam.
The steam is then used to drive turbines that produce electricity. The "conventional" turbine parts of power stations are quite similar. The new joint venture company will be based in Moscow.
click here for the full story
Belarus presses on with nuclear plans
Belarus is pushing ahead with plans for its first two nuclear power plants by the middle of the next decade. Construction of a nuclear reactor had started in Belarus in the 1980s, but stopped after the Chernbyl accident.
Now, nuclear energy is again in demand as Belarus seeks to improve the reliability of its energy system. At present it is highly reliant on imported fossil fuels.
click here for the full story
Friday 29 June 2007
Exelon selects sites for new nuclear plant
Two sites in southeast Texas have been selected by Exelon Nuclear for combined construction and operation licences. The COLs are the first stage in getting approval for new nuclear plants, Exelon hasn't decided whether or not to build plants at those Texas locations.
Their VP of new plant development, Tom O'Neill, says that "Nuclear energy is safe and clean and has a low operating cost." and that's why Exelon think nuclear will be an important part of Texas's future energy mix.
Click here for the top Nuclear News site
Their VP of new plant development, Tom O'Neill, says that "Nuclear energy is safe and clean and has a low operating cost." and that's why Exelon think nuclear will be an important part of Texas's future energy mix.
Click here for the top Nuclear News site
European companies propose US enrichment plant
French nuclear company Areva is proposing the Enrichment Technology Company - a joint venture with British/Dutch/German company Urenco - be involved in the building of an enrichment plant in the US. The plant could be up and running by 2013, reaching full capacity by 2017. The plant would be yet another one planned to be built in the States, along with the National Enrichment Facility and the American Centrifuge plant.
All these new plants are needed because the amount of enriched uranium available from old nuclear weapons is reducing. Currently up to half of the nuclear fuel used in the US comes from Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles.
for the top nuclear news site -- please click here
All these new plants are needed because the amount of enriched uranium available from old nuclear weapons is reducing. Currently up to half of the nuclear fuel used in the US comes from Russian nuclear weapons stockpiles.
for the top nuclear news site -- please click here
Thursday 28 June 2007
Todays Top Nuclear News Events
US group that will mananges UK sites takes over Nukem
Energy Solutions, the company that will manange the UK's nuclear sites, has bought US nuclear was management company Nukem Corporation. Nukem Corp is a subsidiary of Nukem GmbH, a German company that will now focus on its main business of fuel cycle services and consulting activities, mainly targeting European and Asian markets.
Energy Solutions was formed in 2006 form the merger of a number of waste and decommissioning businesses and has taken over a number of other businesses, including Nukem, in its short lifetime.
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Lithuania adopts new law for nuclear build
Lithuanaia has passed a new law that states that it will hold a 34% stake in a project to build a new nuclear reactor at Ignalina. Other partners countries intending to collaborate on the new Lithuanian project are Latvia, Estonia and Poland. At least one new unit is due for construction by 2015. Lithuania wants to build new nuclear plants to boost its energy independance.
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US government deputy energy secretary backs nuclear
"No person can be serious about climate change without being serious about greatly expanding nuclear power." according to Clay Sell, US deputy energy secretary.
Sell said that inituatives such as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, which seeks to address proliferation concerns, would enable a world where nuclear power becomes the primary global source of electricity. Sell said that nuclear energy was the only mature technology with potential to provide large amounts of completely emissions free baseload generation.
click here for the full story
Energy Solutions, the company that will manange the UK's nuclear sites, has bought US nuclear was management company Nukem Corporation. Nukem Corp is a subsidiary of Nukem GmbH, a German company that will now focus on its main business of fuel cycle services and consulting activities, mainly targeting European and Asian markets.
Energy Solutions was formed in 2006 form the merger of a number of waste and decommissioning businesses and has taken over a number of other businesses, including Nukem, in its short lifetime.
Click here for the full story
Lithuania adopts new law for nuclear build
Lithuanaia has passed a new law that states that it will hold a 34% stake in a project to build a new nuclear reactor at Ignalina. Other partners countries intending to collaborate on the new Lithuanian project are Latvia, Estonia and Poland. At least one new unit is due for construction by 2015. Lithuania wants to build new nuclear plants to boost its energy independance.
click here for the full story
US government deputy energy secretary backs nuclear
"No person can be serious about climate change without being serious about greatly expanding nuclear power." according to Clay Sell, US deputy energy secretary.
Sell said that inituatives such as the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, which seeks to address proliferation concerns, would enable a world where nuclear power becomes the primary global source of electricity. Sell said that nuclear energy was the only mature technology with potential to provide large amounts of completely emissions free baseload generation.
click here for the full story
US Company gets funding for nuclear plant
A company in the US called Alternative Energy Holdings Inc has secured funding from an investment company called Cobblestone to back the building of a new nuclear plant in Idaho. There's a long way to go, but the project has got the backing of the leader of the local Shoshone-Paiute community of the Duck Reservation
click here for the full story
click here for the full story
UN team visits North Korea
A team from the UN's IAEA will be visiting the Yongbyon reactor in North Korea today. The reactor has been used to produce plutonium for the North Korean's weapons programme. The North Korean's promised to close the reactor down in exchange for the release of $25 million aid, that's been frozen by the US.
The EU believe North Korea is 'committed' to clising the reactor and the US want full closure by the end of 2007
cclick here for the full story
The EU believe North Korea is 'committed' to clising the reactor and the US want full closure by the end of 2007
cclick here for the full story
Ukraine signs nuclear pact with South Korea
Government officials in Kiev has recently signed a number of agreements with South Korea to boost cooperation and exchange of technology and expertise.
The South Koreans have factories producing a wide range of pipe work for nuclear power plants. The Ukrainians don't have as much expertise, so they hope the South Korean companies will set up manufacturing plants in Ukraine.
click here for the full story
The South Koreans have factories producing a wide range of pipe work for nuclear power plants. The Ukrainians don't have as much expertise, so they hope the South Korean companies will set up manufacturing plants in Ukraine.
click here for the full story
Boeing out, BWXT in for American Centrifuge plant
In the US the American Centrifuge plant is going to be supplied with parts by BWXT Technologies, rather than Boeing.
USEC, the company who will operate the plant when completed, don't expect any delays as a result of the switch. The Centrifuge technology being used is ten times more energy efficient than the gas diffusion technology it is replacing, helping to cut down lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions,
click here for the full article
USEC, the company who will operate the plant when completed, don't expect any delays as a result of the switch. The Centrifuge technology being used is ten times more energy efficient than the gas diffusion technology it is replacing, helping to cut down lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions,
click here for the full article
Tuesday 26 June 2007
26 June - Todays Top Nuclear News Articles
Brazil recommended to restart construction of its third reactor
The National Energy Policy Council in Brazil have recommended to President da Silva that construction should resume on the third nuclear power plant at Angra. The president will make the final decision. He has made positive statements about nuclear energy in the past. The restart of construction of Angra 3 could prove to be the start of a new programme of nuclear power construction in Brazil.
click here for the full story
US Regulator proposes changes that could speed new reactor construction
One of the things that slows down new nuclear build in the US is the time taken to get a combined Construction and Operating Licence. The NRC has looked at ways too speed up the licence process. They believe they cut it it down from around 42 months to between 27-36 months.
Around 27 licence applications are expected for new reactors over the next few years.
Click here for the full article
Finns look for site for another reactor
Fennovoima, a business consortium made up of Finnish and Swedish industry and energy companies, is talking to representative from municipalities across Finland about possible sites for new nuclear reactors. Finland's fourth nuclear is currently under construction, The local government of Loviisa, already home of two nuclear plants is talking to Fennovoima. Up in Simo, in south-west Finnish Lapland, discussions are taking place as to whether a nuclear reactor could be built there. An announcement of 6-8 to potential places for new nuclear plants will probably be announced by Fennovoima in July.
Click here for the full article
New Uranium Mine in India
India has opened a new uranium mine and a mill to process the mined uranium. India is trying to increase its domestic uranium production capacity so it is less reliant on imports. India is looking to expand nuclear generation to help meets its growing energy needs. It is also looking at developing nuclear fuel cycles based around Thorium, an alternative nuclear fuel that India is rich in.
go to the full article here
The National Energy Policy Council in Brazil have recommended to President da Silva that construction should resume on the third nuclear power plant at Angra. The president will make the final decision. He has made positive statements about nuclear energy in the past. The restart of construction of Angra 3 could prove to be the start of a new programme of nuclear power construction in Brazil.
click here for the full story
US Regulator proposes changes that could speed new reactor construction
One of the things that slows down new nuclear build in the US is the time taken to get a combined Construction and Operating Licence. The NRC has looked at ways too speed up the licence process. They believe they cut it it down from around 42 months to between 27-36 months.
Around 27 licence applications are expected for new reactors over the next few years.
Click here for the full article
Finns look for site for another reactor
Fennovoima, a business consortium made up of Finnish and Swedish industry and energy companies, is talking to representative from municipalities across Finland about possible sites for new nuclear reactors. Finland's fourth nuclear is currently under construction, The local government of Loviisa, already home of two nuclear plants is talking to Fennovoima. Up in Simo, in south-west Finnish Lapland, discussions are taking place as to whether a nuclear reactor could be built there. An announcement of 6-8 to potential places for new nuclear plants will probably be announced by Fennovoima in July.
Click here for the full article
New Uranium Mine in India
India has opened a new uranium mine and a mill to process the mined uranium. India is trying to increase its domestic uranium production capacity so it is less reliant on imports. India is looking to expand nuclear generation to help meets its growing energy needs. It is also looking at developing nuclear fuel cycles based around Thorium, an alternative nuclear fuel that India is rich in.
go to the full article here
Monday 25 June 2007
Latest World Nuclear News Events
1. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries set up Fast Breeder reactors
Mitsubishi have set up a company (Mitsubishi FBR) to develop fast breeder reactors for a Japanese national nuclear . They plan to have a demonstration reactor running by 2025 and plan commercial units by 2050. Fast breeder reactors can either be set up to generate more fuel than they use - or can be configured to 'burn' some used nuclear fuel waste products.
MHI only recently announced that they would be developing a fast reactor design that would be used to burn waste products for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, a US-led initiative designed to help address concerns about proliferation.
please click here for the full story
2.Belgian government retaining nuclear power as an economic and low-carbon source of baseload electricity
A report commissioned by the Belgian government to help guide energy policy to 2030 has backed retaining nuclear power as an economic and low-carbon source of baseload electricity.
Belgium's Energy Challenges towards 2030 by the Commission on Energy said that to meet current and future energy needs, avoid a doubling of electricity prices and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions, Belgium must scrap its policy to phase out nuclear power.
click here for the full story
3.)UK to Dispose of Radioactive Wastes
The UK has begun a consultation on how to choose a site to permanently dispose of its radioactive wastes. The idea is that the public are involved from the very start - having already commented on ways to store the nasty stuff last year through the CoRWM consultation. If everyone has a chance to input to the methods of choosing a site, that should make the next stage - choosing a site - more transparent. The government hopes to build trust so that more communities volunteer to play host to the waste facilities.
click here for the full story
Mitsubishi have set up a company (Mitsubishi FBR) to develop fast breeder reactors for a Japanese national nuclear . They plan to have a demonstration reactor running by 2025 and plan commercial units by 2050. Fast breeder reactors can either be set up to generate more fuel than they use - or can be configured to 'burn' some used nuclear fuel waste products.
MHI only recently announced that they would be developing a fast reactor design that would be used to burn waste products for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, a US-led initiative designed to help address concerns about proliferation.
please click here for the full story
2.Belgian government retaining nuclear power as an economic and low-carbon source of baseload electricity
A report commissioned by the Belgian government to help guide energy policy to 2030 has backed retaining nuclear power as an economic and low-carbon source of baseload electricity.
Belgium's Energy Challenges towards 2030 by the Commission on Energy said that to meet current and future energy needs, avoid a doubling of electricity prices and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions, Belgium must scrap its policy to phase out nuclear power.
click here for the full story
3.)UK to Dispose of Radioactive Wastes
The UK has begun a consultation on how to choose a site to permanently dispose of its radioactive wastes. The idea is that the public are involved from the very start - having already commented on ways to store the nasty stuff last year through the CoRWM consultation. If everyone has a chance to input to the methods of choosing a site, that should make the next stage - choosing a site - more transparent. The government hopes to build trust so that more communities volunteer to play host to the waste facilities.
click here for the full story
Saturday 23 June 2007
Estonia considering underwater reactor
Estonia is thinking about building a nuclear reactor in shallow waters just of its coast,. It may cost more than an onshore design, but they still think it is worth looking at.
click here for the full story
click here for the full story
Uranium is found in the strangest places
A Canadian and South African company are collaborating to see if they can extract uranium from the ashes of coal burnt in the South African coal-fired power stations. Although it is perfectly safe, there's a surprising amount of uranium in some coal deposits. In some cases you can get more energy from the uranium in coal than you can from the coal itself.
click here for the full story
click here for the full story
Global companies rush to get approval for UK new build
Four of the main nuclear reactor companies have submited details of their latest designs to the UK Government's regulators. They've also sent details of the electricity utility companies that support them.
If the companies are successful in getting approval then their designs will have got through the first stage of approval, ahead of the start of the next decade when the first applications for actual nuclear construction in the UK could get going.
go to the full article
If the companies are successful in getting approval then their designs will have got through the first stage of approval, ahead of the start of the next decade when the first applications for actual nuclear construction in the UK could get going.
go to the full article
Bush facing up to climate change, backing nuclear
George Bush visited a nuclear power station yesterday, the Browns Ferry 1 reactor, that had been mothballed for over 20 year, but has now been restarted. He said that there was no solution to climate change without nuclear energy.
Click here for the full story
Click here for the full story
Thursday 21 June 2007
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries order parts from around the world
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of the biggest industrial companies in the world that makes lots of large heavy and very high quality components for nuclear plants - has set up a special office to go out and get orders for the parts from around the world.
Nuclear power plants have design lives of about 40 years, but often the operators replace the large components before then (sometimes increasing generation capacity) and the re-license them to operte longer. Almost all the plants in the USA are licensed for 60 years life now. New plants are designed to have the large components replaced once during a 60-year design life.
Anyway, Mitsubishi heavy already have a large part of this market, they can only see it getting bigger and they want more.
click here for the full story
Nuclear power plants have design lives of about 40 years, but often the operators replace the large components before then (sometimes increasing generation capacity) and the re-license them to operte longer. Almost all the plants in the USA are licensed for 60 years life now. New plants are designed to have the large components replaced once during a 60-year design life.
Anyway, Mitsubishi heavy already have a large part of this market, they can only see it getting bigger and they want more.
click here for the full story
TVA in the US looking at completing build of unfinished reactor
The Tennessee Valley Authority have summitted an environmental report to US regulators showing that there would be almost no environment impact from them completing construction of the Watts Barr 2 reactor - which they stopped constructing in 1985 because electricity demand then was lower than expected. With electricity demand rising in the US TVA have already restarted one reactor, and are seriously considering completing the Watts Bar 2 plant and building another reactor on their Bellafonte site.
Of course, whilst the completion of the plant would have no environmental impact the operation of the plant would have a major environmental benefit, as its output would avoid the emission of million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
go to the full story here
Of course, whilst the completion of the plant would have no environmental impact the operation of the plant would have a major environmental benefit, as its output would avoid the emission of million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
go to the full story here
latest: French nuclear giant Areva
French nuclear giant Areva has put together a group of utitilites that want to build its EPR design nuclear power plant in Great Britain, but the company that holds most of the nuclear sites in the UK, British Energy, is backing all of the horses in the race and keeping its cards close to its chest!
click here for the full story
click here for the full story
Old Argentinian uranium mine gets new lease of life
The Don Otto uranium mine in Argentina is to start up again after being closed for over 25 years. Uranium was mined at the Don Otto mine on and off between 1963 to 1981. Over the last two years uranium prices have climbed dramatically, meaning companies are reexamining whether old mines can be operated profitably.
Argentina will need more uranium from 2012 when its third nuclear power station is due to come on line. Currently Argentina imports the 3500 tonnes per annum it needs for its two nuclear power stations, the third power station will take this demand up to 7500 tonnes per annum.
click here for the full story
Argentina will need more uranium from 2012 when its third nuclear power station is due to come on line. Currently Argentina imports the 3500 tonnes per annum it needs for its two nuclear power stations, the third power station will take this demand up to 7500 tonnes per annum.
click here for the full story
Areva Update
Whilst browsing Nuclear News on the Internet I came across the best source for this type of news, here is a story you have to read
Areva get enrichment contract from South Korean
AREVA, the French nuclear giant, have signed a contract worth more than one billion euros to enrich uranium for KHNP (Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd).
The enriched uranium will be supplied from Areva's new centrifuge enrichment plant, which is still under contruction in France. The centrifuge enrichment process is much more energy efficient than the gaseous diffusion process currently used in France. AREVA's enrichment competitiors, URENCO, have used the centrifuge enrichment process for many years.
KHNP is a South Korean company that operates 20 reactors and has another 8 in the pipeline, this makes it the fourth largest nuclear power plant operator.
go the the World Nuclear News Site
Areva get enrichment contract from South Korean
AREVA, the French nuclear giant, have signed a contract worth more than one billion euros to enrich uranium for KHNP (Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd).
The enriched uranium will be supplied from Areva's new centrifuge enrichment plant, which is still under contruction in France. The centrifuge enrichment process is much more energy efficient than the gaseous diffusion process currently used in France. AREVA's enrichment competitiors, URENCO, have used the centrifuge enrichment process for many years.
KHNP is a South Korean company that operates 20 reactors and has another 8 in the pipeline, this makes it the fourth largest nuclear power plant operator.
go the the World Nuclear News Site
Nuclear News at it's best
Electricity companies in the US are asking the Government to change the rules of the loan guarantees being offered so that 100% of the loan is covered, instead of 90%, as currently proposed. The electricity companies are being advised by finance experts that the 90% loan scheme won't work well, as it would create "two tier" risk in any finance package to fund the construction of a new nuclear power plant.
The load guarantees are meant to protect companies from the possibility that they start to build a new nuclear power plant and then have a new government policy on nuclear power emerge that might jeopardise the success of that new build project.
click here for the full story
The load guarantees are meant to protect companies from the possibility that they start to build a new nuclear power plant and then have a new government policy on nuclear power emerge that might jeopardise the success of that new build project.
click here for the full story
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