Tuesday, 10 July 2007
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
click here for more information
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.
click here for more information
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
click here for more information
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.
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
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.
Click here for more information
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.
click here for more information
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.
Click here for more information
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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