Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Former Mossad chief: Israel air strike on Iran 'stupidest thing I have ever heard'


Former Mossad chief: Israel air strike on Iran 'stupidest thing I have ever heard'

In first public appearance since leaving post as Mossad chief, Meir Dagan warns of regional war if Iran is attacked; says fall of Assad regime would benefit Israel.

By Yossi Melman

The Issue of a Nuclear Israel

The Issue of a Nuclear Israel

Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes Three major utilities confirm plans are on track for construction of six new reactors

Idaho Samizdat: Nuke Notes

Three major utilities confirm plans are on track for construction of six new reactors

Six reactors are under way in the U.S.

Late expert gave forewarning of Fukushima nuke plant disaster draws attention on Net Kyodo

Late expert gave forewarning of Fukushima nuke plant disaster draws attention on Net

Kyodo

China to start 1 GW nuclear reactor in June


China to start 1 GW nuclear reactor in June

May 6 (Reuters) - China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group will start commercial operations of a 1-gigawatt nuclear power reactor on June 15, the company said on Friday.

Medvedev signs Russia-Turkey nuclear papers

Medvedev signs Russia-Turkey nuclear papers

Nuclear Developers Press On Ken Silverstein

Nuclear Developers Press On

Ken Silverstein

US nuclear units monitor rising Mississippi River

US nuclear units monitor rising Mississippi River

After Fukushima: Should You Invest in Uranium Mining Stocks?

After Fukushima: Should You Invest in Uranium Mining Stocks? DNN, UEC, URG, URRE, URZ

The reality: Nuclear energy and nuclear power plants are not about to disappear.

Despite Fukushima, Are US Solar Stocks Bad Investments? SPWRA, HOKU, SOLR, FSLR

Despite Fukushima, Are US Solar Stocks Bad Investments? SPWRA, HOKU, SOLR, FSLR

A closer look at the solar industry does not reveal a sunny picture for solar panel and related solar product manufacturers.

State’s plan to replace nuclear power with fossil fuels is a step backwards

State’s plan to replace nuclear power with fossil fuels is a step backwards

Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Guy Page, the communications director of the Vermont Energy Partnership. Entergy, owner of Vermont Yankee, is a VTEP member.

TEPCO Press Releases 5/7

1. New!(May 07,2011)Status of TEPCO's Facilities and its services after the Tohoku-Chihou-Taiheiyou-Oki Earthquake (as of 3:00 PM, May 7)
2. New!(May 07,2011)The result of nuclide analysis of radioactive materials in seawater taken in offshore area of Ibaraki-prefecture
3. New!(May 07,2011)Detection of Radioactive Materials from Subsurface Water near the Turbine Buildings of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
4. New!(May 07,2011)Detection of Radioactive Materials from Seawater near Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (45th release)
5. New!(May 07,2011)Out flow of fluid containing radioactive materials to the ocean from areas near intake canal of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 (continued report 33)
6. New!(May 07,2011)The results of nuclide analyses of radioactive materials in the air at the site of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (43rd release)
7. New!(May 07,2011)Plant Status of Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station (as of 3:00 pm, May 7th)
8. New!(May 07,2011)Plant Status of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (as of 3:00 pm, May 7)
9. New!(May 07,2011)Plant Status of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (as of 10:00 am, May 7)
10. New!(May 07,2011)Status of TEPCO's Facilities and its services after the Tohoku-Chihou-Taiheiyou-Oki Earthquake(as of 9:00AM, May 7)

Taipower softens stance on nuclear power plants

Taipower softens stance on nuclear power plants

Nuclear power plants cleared of leukaemia link Investigation of cancer clusters should turn to non-radiation causes, say British researchers.

Nuclear power plants cleared of leukaemia link

Investigation of cancer clusters should turn to non-radiation causes, say British researchers.

Exelon VP fields nuclear safety concerns about Limerick Generating Station

Exelon VP fields nuclear safety concerns about Limerick Generating Station

How Clean Is Clean? By MATTHEW L. WALD

How Clean Is Clean?

The World has Passed Peak Oil, says Top Economist

The World has Passed Peak Oil, says Top Economist

The debate: Wind vs. Nuclear

The debate: Wind vs. Nuclear

Scientists reject link between nuclear plants and leukaemia By Steve Connor, Science Editor

Scientists reject link between nuclear plants and leukaemia

By Steve Connor, Science Editor

[Editorial] Untrustworthy safety tests at aging nuclear plants

[Editorial] Untrustworthy safety tests at aging nuclear plants

프린트하기이메일보내기기사오류신고하기 twitter facebook
[Editorial] Untrustworthy safety tests at aging nuclear plants




The government has approved the renewed operation of the Gori Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 reaction, which has encountered frequent accidents due to the prolonging of its lifespan. It produced examination findings stating that the 21 nuclear power plants currently in operation are designed and operated to be safe even in a worst-case natural disaster scenario.
Anxieties about nuclear power have been running high since the accident that struck Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. In particular, the Gori No. 1 reactor was the subject of an injunction request by the Busan Bar Association to end its operation, and it has provoked many concerns from residents of the region. It is apparent that they will experience more worries, and issue more objections, thanks the government's slipshod safety checkup and hasty conclusion.

A bomb in every reactor

A bomb in every reactor

Joschka Fischer writes: Nuclear power is saddled with three major unresolved risks: plant safety, nuclear waste, and most menacing of all, the risk of military proliferation

Nuclear plant owner rejects Japan shutdown request

Nuclear plant owner rejects Japan shutdown request

Company says its board needs time to evaluate government demand

Obama: Clean Energy Key to Economic Growth from VOA News:

Obama: Clean Energy Key to Economic Growth

from VOA News: Top Stories

Cameco expects a net gain of 91 nuclear reactors by 2020, ten fewer becuase of Fukushima

Cameco expects a net gain of 91 nuclear reactors by 2020, ten fewer becuase of Fukushima

Cameco produced 2350 tons of uranium in the first quarter of 2011 but still expects to produce 10,800 tons (21.9 million pounds)

China doubles solar power target to 10 GW by 2015 and 50 GW by 2020

China doubles solar power target to 10 GW by 2015 and 50 GW by 2020

China has doubled its target for installed photovoltaic power capacity over the next five years to 10 gigawatt (GW) by 2015, the Shanghai Securities News said on Friday, citing an official from the research arm of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The government has also raised its installed solar capacity target for 2020 to 50 GW, up from the previous goal of 20 GW, said Li Junfeng, deputy director-general of the Energy Research Institute of the NDRC.
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Friday, May 6, 2011

Arnie Gunderson: Fukushima Groundwater Contamination Worst in Nuclear History

Fukushima Groundwater Contamination Worst in Nuclear History

Obama Seeks Senate OK for 2 NWFZs

Obama Seeks Senate OK for 2 NWFZs

Obama Seeks Senate OK for Protocols to Two Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaties
Now up for ratification fifteen years after their signing, these two protocols are likely to face Republican opposition.


Map of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones

Jeff Bezos Invests $19.5 Million in General Fusion's Nuclear Technology

This is the fusion company that PopSci said might save the world

Nuclear Fusion In Four Years? Amazon's Jeff Bezos Is Betting On It

Nuclear Fusion In Four Years? Amazon's Jeff Bezos Is Betting On It
Fast Company
BY Ariel Schwartz Today Ethonomic Indicator of the Day: 1000 liters--the equivalent amount of gas you would need to get the nuclear fusion power of one liter of seawater. Nuclear power is having a bit of a low moment these days. ...

Japan Prime Minister orders shutdown of Hamaoka nuclear plant

Japan Prime Minister orders shutdown of Hamaoka nuclear plant

Child leukaemias 'not linked to nuclear plants'

Child leukaemias 'not linked to nuclear plants'

Radiation sign But the report says there is no increased cancer risk near nuclear power plants
Children living near nuclear power plants in Britain are no more likely to develop leukaemia than those living elsewhere, experts have found.
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Fukushima: Hydrogen Explosion Explained Video

Fukushima: Hydrogen Explosion Explained

Japan's nuclear disaster Piecing together Fukushima

Japan's nuclear disaster

Piecing together Fukushima

TEPCO Update 5/6


Dear Friends,

We have started PCV flooding from 10:01pm, May 5th with increased water injection from 6.0 à 8.0 m3/h. Please see updates of Plant Status at Fukushima Daiichi NPS below.

Contacts:
TEPCO Washington Office: 202-457-0790
Kenji Matsuo, Director and General Manager
  Ikuo Nishimura, Deputy General Manager,
  Masayuki Yamamoto, Manager, Nuclear Power Programs

      Transference of water of Unit 2 to Central Radioactive Waste Treatment Facility
-          Water level increase at Process Main Building since the start of the transfer: 1,834 mm as of 7:00 am on May 6th.
-          From May 1st, transferring water accumulated in the basement of the turbine building of Unit 6 to temporary tanks was started. No transfer on May 5th, transferring water approximately 120m3 on May 6th.

      Water level at the vertical shaft of the trench and T/B (As of 7:00 am, May 5th)

Vertical Shaft of Trench
from top of grating to surface

Turbine Building

Unit 1
O.P. +2,060 mm 1,940 mm
No change since 7:00 am, May 5th
O.P. +5,050 mm
No change since 7:00 am, May 5th 
Unit 2
O.P. +3,130 mm (870 mm)
20mm decreased since 7:00 am, May 5th
O.P. +3,100 mm
No change since 7:00 am, May 5th
Unit 3
O.P. +3,170 mm (830 mm)
20mm increased since 7:00 am, May 5th
O.P. +3,100 mm
No change since 7:00 am, May 5th
Unit 4

O.P. +3,200 mm
No change since 7:00 am, May 5th
- From May 1st, Blockage at the vertical shaft of trench is being implemented at Unit 2.

- Result on May 5th 
Unit 4 From around 12:19 pm to 8:46pm, fresh water spraying started by the concrete pumping vehicle (approximately 270t).
- Plan and Result on May 6th
Unit 2 From 9:36 am to 11:16 am on May 6th, we conducted water spray, using temporary electric pump.
Unit 4From 12:38 pm on May 6th, we started water spay by the concrete pumping vehicle.

Unit 1 Injecting fresh water:
Reactor pressure vessel temperature:
At 11:00am, May 6th, 134.1 C
102.6 C
At 10:01 am on May 6th, in order to make nuclear reactor flooded to TAF, we have increased the amount of injecting freshwater from approximately 6 m 3/h to approximately 8m 3/h. (see additional information below)
Unit 2 Injecting fresh water
Reactor pressure vessel temperature:
At 11:00am, May 6th, 116.4 C
Unit 3 Injecting fresh water
Reactor pressure vessel temperature:
At 11:00am, May 6th, 147.4C
-          At 10:09 am, on May 4th, in response to the increased temperature at RPV, we increased freshwater injection rate from 7.0 m 3/h to 9.0m 3/h. We are closely monitoring effect of increased water flow to the temperature. If the temperature continues to increase, we are planning to change flow rate to 10.0m3/h with boron.
Unit 4 Common spent fuel poolNo particular changes on parameters.
Units 5/6 Reactor cold shutdown. No particular changes on parameters.

On May 5th, TEPCO received an instruction from NISA on “Implementation of a measure to flood the primary containment vessel to TAF in Unit 1 of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station” .
In compliance with the implementation instructions from NISA, and ensuring safety, we will steadily implement flooding process described in the report submitted to NISA on May 5th.
NISA requests TEPCO follow the instructions below with absolute accuracy to secure sufficient degree of safety.
1.    Implement sufficient monitoring for the water level inside and leakage from the PCV. In addition, implement the flooding process as previously planned, including the cautious control of water injection rate to avoid over depressurization in the PCV.
2.    Examine the seismic reinforcements to the supporting posts of the suppression chamber if the working environment in the reactor building allows, since the continued occurrence of aftershocks is to be expected.

-          From 1:31 am, April 7th, we started to inject nitrogen gas to PCV using temporary nitrogen generators and D/W pressure was 156.3kPaabs before the injection.
-          D/W pressure has changed to 134.8kPaabs, as of 11:00am, May 6th. The injected amount of nitrogen gas was approx. 19,300m³.
      Density of Iodine 131 in the seawater (Reference purpose)
Density limit by the announcement of Reactor Regulation: 0.04Bq/cm3
Sampling:  Everyday
The latest results show Iodine 131 density was below regulatory limit (0.04Bq/cm3) or N.D. at every sampling location.
Sampling Location (seacoast)
Date
Time
DensityBq/cm3
Ratio to Criteriatimes
Approx. 30m north to Discharge Canal of Units 5 & 6 of Fukushima Daiichi

5/5
9:40
14:35
0.0098
N.D.
0.25
-
Approx. 330m south to Discharge Canal of Units 1 to 4 of Fukushima Daiichi.
5/5
9:10
14:10
0.017
0.077
0.43
0.19
Around the north Discharge Canal of Fukushima Daini (10km from Fukushima Daiichi)
5/5
8:30
N.D.
-
Around Iwasawa Seashore (approx. 16km from Fukushima Daiichi)
5/5
8:05
N.D.
-

We are expanding sampling location (will add 7 more locations) and started monitor upper and lower layer of one point (will increase locations with multi layers monitoring).
Sampling Location (offshore)
Date
Time
DensityBq/cm3
Ratio to Criteriatimes
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Soma City, upper layer
5/5
10:20
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Soma City, lower layer
5/5
10:20
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Haramachi Ward, Minamisoma City
5/5
10:32
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Odaka Ward, Minamisoma City
5/5
10:12
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Iwasawa, Naraha Town
5/5
8:11
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of the north of Iwaki City
5/5
7:45
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Natsuigawa River, Iwaki City
5/5
7:15
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from the offshore of Onahama Port, Iwaki City
5/5
6:02
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from Ena, Iwaki City
5/5
6:19
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from Numanouchi, Iwaki City
5/5
6:57
N.D.
-
Approx. 3km from Toyoma, Iwaki City
5/5
6:41
N.D.
-
Approx. 8km from the offshore of Odaka Ward, Minamisoma City
5/5
10:05
0.0031
0.08
Approx. 8km from the offshore of Iwasawa, Naraha Town
5/5
8:33
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Minamisoma City
5/5
9:05
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Ukedo River, Namie Town
5/5
9:30
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Fukushima Daiichi
5/5
9:05
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Fukushima Daini
5/5
8:40
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Iwasawa Seashore, Naraha Town
5/5
8:15
N.D.
-
Approx. 15km from the offshore of Hirono Town
5/5
7:55
N.D.
-

-          From May 2nd, preparation work to install the ambient air filtration system is conducted in order to improve the work environment in the reactor building of Unit 1.
At 16:36 on May 6, air ventilation is commenced in reactor building by six (total 6) ambient air filtration system.


   - TEPCO English website
   - METI(Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry)
   - NISA(Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency)     http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/
   - JAIF(Japan Atomic Industrial Forum Inc.)
   - FEPC(The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan)

Background radiation and radioactivity in India

Background radiation and radioactivity in India

Thorium makes nuclear power safe for all

Thorium makes nuclear power safe for all

Let us have thorium-based nuclear electricity generation

Let us have thorium-based nuclear electricity generation

Rio boss says a nuclear Australia is inevitable

Rio boss says a nuclear Australia is inevitable

South Korea to Invest 1 Trillion Won in Safety Check of Nuclear Reactors

South Korea to Invest 1 Trillion Won in Safety Check of Nuclear Reactors

Scrapping Yucca Mountain Exposes U.S. Government To 'Significant' Fines-GAO


Scrapping Yucca Mountain Exposes U.S. Government To 'Significant' Fines-GAO

New Cooling System Progresses at Damaged Fukushima Daiichi Reactor from Nuclear Power Industry News by Nuclear Street News Team

New Cooling System Progresses at Damaged Fukushima Daiichi Reactor

Study: More than 90% of vehicles in China could have electrified powertrains by 2050

Study: More than 90% of vehicles in China could have electrified powertrains by 2050

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: One Fluid Reactors from The Nuclear Green Revolution by Charles Barton

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: One Fluid Reactors

from The Nuclear Green Revolution

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: Two Fluid Reactors from The Nuclear Green Revolution by Charles Barton

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: Two Fluid Reactors

from The Nuclear Green Revolution

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: Converters and Breeders from The Nuclear Green Revolution by Charles Barton

The Molten Salt Reactor Family: Converters and Breeders

from The Nuclear Green Revolution