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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Tuesday 24 July 2007
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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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.
click here for more information
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.
Click here for more information
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.
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
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
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