Saturday, April 6, 2013

DJ: Contaminated Water At Fukushima Daiichi May Have Leaked Into Soil

One of the underground water storage tanks at Fukushima Daiichi has produced a leak. The water in the tank is from the first part of the Cesium removal system.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130406D06JF531.htm

Chinese upstream efforts in Afghanistan ready to bear fruit

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?trk=eml-anet_dig-b_nd-pst_ttle-cn&gid=4581517&viewQuestionAndAnswers=&ut=3a3wjxNh0Qd5I1&discussionID=229541722

Was Arnie Gundersen a Licensed Reactor Operator and Senior VP Nuclear Licensee?

http://atomicinsights.com/2013/04/was-gundersen-a-licensed-reactor-operator-and-senior-vp-nuclear-licensee.html

Friday, April 5, 2013

Iran persists recognition of "right to uranium enrichment"

Iran persists recognition of "right to uranium enrichment"
Xinhua
This is the right which has been safeguarded by the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty directives, he said. He expressed the hope that negotiations will end in results, saying the West faces another "test" regarding Iran's nuclear program -- to deny the ...http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/05/c_132285242.htm

Iran says IAEA's policy under "US influence"

Xinhua - ‎

TEHRAN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian lawmaker Seyyed Baqer Hossieni said the UN nuclear watchdog's policies toward Iran's nuclear program are influenced by the United States, local media reported Thursday. Quoted by Press TV, Hossieni said that ...http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-04/04/c_132285182.htm

Iran's nuclear father gives US a clue

Asia Times Online - ‎5 hours ago‎

Last week, the BBC's Today program carried an interview with Dr Akbar Etemad, who was in charge of Iran's fledgling nuclear program between 1974 and 1978 and who has lived outside Iran since the Revolution. Dr Etemad spoke frankly of the instructions ...http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MID-02-050413.html

Ambassador: Nuclear energy program Iran's legal right

AzerNews - ‎Apr 4, 2013‎

Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh says the nuclear energy program is a legal right of the country and a national issue with a bright future ahead, Press TV reported. "Iran uses nuclear technology for ...http://www.azernews.az/region/51712.html

Japan Offers Iran Help In Things Nuclear - Analysis
Eurasia Review
As western powers debate unabatedly Tehran's real intentions behind harnessing energy from the atom, Japan is willing to provide Iran technical advice, equipment support and vast experience of abiding by nonproliferation safeguards so that it may ...http://www.eurasiareview.com/04042013-japan-offers-iran-help-in-things-nuclear-analysis/

San Onofre: What Happened And What Must Not Happen Now

San Onofre: What Happened And What Must Not Happen Now
CleanTechnica
Take a very close look at the diagram below. Notice the words “Tube Burst,” “Tube Burst Criterion” and “Tube fails 95% Burst probability 1.35 year.” These are calculations as to how long the tubes in unit #2, at San Onofre Nuclear facility would remain ...http://cleantechnica.com/2013/04/04/san-onofre-what-happened-and-what-must-not-happen-now/

Energy Storage Update 4/5

GE Energy Storage Announces First European Sale of DMS-Integrated Energy ...
Fort Mills Times
GE's [NYSE: GE] Energy Storage business announced today the first European sale of its Durathon* energy storage system. Western Power Distribution (WPD), a major distribution network operator in the U.K, will install five Durathon 100 kilowatt-hour ...http://www.fortmilltimes.com/2013/04/04/2597157/ge-energy-storage-announces-first.html

Global Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage Market Report
Sacramento Bee
The Global Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.25 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increase in positive attributes of molten salt. The Global ...http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/04/5316082/global-molten-salt-thermal-energy.html

Train-Based Gravity Energy Storage Could Stabilize Electricity Grid
Science World Report
In an interesting twist on the old concept of gravity energy storage, mostly practiced in pumped-storage hydropower currently, Jim Kelly, CEO of Advanced Rail Energy Services in California, is looking forward to actually test the method of using trains ...http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/6034/20130404/train-based-gravity-energy-storage-stabilize-electricity-grid.htm

Science World Report

Storage is big hurdle yet to be cleared for wind, solar energy
ABQ Journal
The energy storage solution now most commonly used is pumped-storage hydropower: Facilities send water up a hill when the grid is producing excess power, store the water behind a dam, then release it through a turbine when demand rises. But the system ...http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/04/04/opinion/storage-is-big-hurdle-yet-to-be-cleared-for-wind-solar-energy.html

Bill Gates joins investors in renewable energy storage firm
Blue & Green Tomorrow
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has joined a group of investors in renewable energy storage research and development, after pledging towards a $35m investment in cleantech firm Aquion Energy. Aquion is developing a water-based battery system that uses ...http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/2013/04/04/bill-gates-joins-investors-in-renewable-energy-storage-firm/

Blue & Green Tomorrow

Registration Opens for NASA Night Rover Energy Challenge
NASA
WASHINGTON -- Registration is open for teams seeking to compete in the $1.5 million energy storage competition known as the Night Rover Challenge, sponsored by NASA and the Cleantech Open of Palo Alto, Calif. To win, a team must demonstrate a ...http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2013/H-13-087.html

VTTI mulls expanding Cyprus storage terminal project
Cyprus Mail
VTTI BV, one of the world's biggest energy storage companies, has reaffirmed its support and commitment to Cyprus where its subsidiary, VTT Vasiliko Ltd, is establishing a major oil storage terminal. In a news release yesterday, commenting on the ...http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/vtti-mulls-expanding-cyprus-storage-terminal-project/20130404

UK gov invites bids for £85 million science fund
TechEye
Inviting the bids Willetts said that Advanced Materials and Grid-scale Energy Storage would both each receive £30 million from the pot, while Robotics & Autonomous Systems would be given £25 million in research funds. He said that the government's ...http://news.techeye.net/science/uk-gov-invites-bids-for-85-million-science-fund

TechEye

Enstorage Goes Live with A 50 KW, Grid Connected HBr Flow Battery
Sacramento Bee
"We believe that by making energy storage simple and affordable we can tackle the major issues facing the energy sector," says Dr. Blum "EnStorage batteries can firm up renewable energy by eliminating intermittency, align energy availability with ...http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/04/5316428/enstorage-goes-live-with-a-50.html

BrightSource's Concentrating Solar PPA With PG&E Terminated
Greentech Media
BrightSource Energy (BSE) is shifting its priorities, realizing that the value of concentrating solar power (CSP) cannot fully be captured in today's marketplace without energy storage capability. “Changing dynamics in the California energy markets ...http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/BrightSources-Concentrating-Solar-PPA-with-PGE-Terminated

Turkey nears decision on $20bn nuclear deal

Turkey nears decision on $20bn nuclear deal http://link.ft.com/r/H60H77/NRBNGP/72VMH3/DW2M70/3C9IKU/4O/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=5

Power Engineering Top News Stories for week of 4/5

Top Stories

Edison eyes June 1 SONGS restart, but NRC doubtful
Regulators say planned restart date may be "out of reach."
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EPA wants Supreme Court to review CSAPR denial
Appeals court in August said EPA violated the Clean Air Act.
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NV Energy presents plan to close coal-fired power plant
Utility plans to close three units by 2014, last unit by 2017.
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Nuclear board warns of Hanford explosion risk
State and federal officials have warned about the risk of explosion before.
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In Case You Missed It
• TVA installing $1bn in emissions controls at coal-fired power plant
• Dominion unit settles Clean Air Act violations for $13.2mn
• Blue Oak Energy completes 4.2 MW solar power project
• SoCal Edison to buy output from planned solar PV project
• Wyoming coal-fired plant granted another extension to begin construction
• Federal appeals court rules for EPA in Texas clean air case
• GE, SES to market small-scale syngas power generation unit
• Planned natural gas-fired power plant may be sold
• Company looks to buy coal mines to meet international demand
• Exelon shifts back to the right in opposition to wind energy
• CCA reports $10mn in boiler emission control orders
• NRC approves new nuclear core simulator system from Areva
• Fuel Tech to supply emissions controls to several projects
• BP to sell U.S. wind power assets
• PNM begins construction of N.M. solar power project
• DZ, WorleyParsons to service the fossil fuel industry
• Solectria Renewables to provide inverters for solar power project
• NRG Solar and NADB announce solar power project in Calif.
• Areva inks agreement to sell nuclear measurements subsidiary
• KBR to fabricate oil sands carbon capture and storage project
• Poland requires state support to build nuclear plant, PM says
• Westinghouse wins contract to replace generator at Argentina's Embalse nuclear plant
• SCE submits draft license amendment for shut down nuclear unit
• Injuries reported at Missouri nuclear power plant
• Fluor to perform O&M on solar power project
• Court rules EPA may attempt to block power plant construction in certain cases
• Bechtel picked as EPC for Texas natural gas-fired power project

From our Sponsor

Nevada Utility to Shut Out Coal, Embrace Renewables

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/04/nevada-utility-to-shut-out-coal-embrace-renewables?cmpid=WNL-Friday-April5-2013

Energy Storage Series: Why We Need It, And Why We Don't

By James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/04/energy-storage-series-why-we-need-it-and-why-we-dont?cmpid=WNL-Friday-April5-2013

Global Concentrated Solar Power Market to Grow at a CAGR of 12.01 Percent Over the Period 2012-2016

http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6597336&access=EH

Bharat Book Bureau is proud to present the release of the report 'Global Concentrated Solar Power Market 2012-2016' (http://www.bharatbook.com/alternative-sources-market-research-reports/global-concentrated-solar-power-market-2012-2016.html)

Arkansas Nuclear One Plans for Unit 2 Restart

http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6604315&access=EH

'Global Oil & Gas Pipelines Market to be Worth $47.35bn in 2013' Says visiongain Report

http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=6598576&access=EH

PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News for Week ending 4/5

Top Oil & Gas News

Pipeline rupture spills crude oil into Arkansas neighborhood
A crude oil pipeline spilled thousands of gallons of crude in Mayflower Arkansas, a town 25 miles north of Little Rock, leading to the evacuation of 22 homes.
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PennEnergy Video News Update
From the fine against Chesapeake, to the find for Newfield, to the announcement in Oklahoma, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update.
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This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News
• Chesapeake Energy Company fined $765,000 over royalty reports
• Newfield makes large natural gas discovery offshore Malaysia
• GE to build oil & gas global research center in Oklahoma
• Shah Deniz evaluating final gas transportation offers
• Prince of Asturias opens new units at Repsols Bilbao refinery
• TransCanada launches binding open season for eastern oil pipeline
• Statoil farms down offshore Mozambique license
• PSA grants offshore drilling consent to Wintershall Norge
• API publishes new industry standards for drilling operations
• UK hopes to increase gas and oil sector
• Hess announces sale of Russian subsidiary
• Gazprom and Total discuss oil exploration cooperation in Bolivia

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Perry Nuclear Power Plant adds new rotors to boost output

Perry Nuclear Power Plant adds new rotors to boost output
News-Herald.com
Installation of three new rotors to the main steam turbine began Wednesday at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The project, which cost $109 million, is expected to increase the plant's power output of 1,260 megawatts by an estimated 30 megawatts.http://news-herald.com/articles/2013/04/04/news/doc515db095e8045182602689.txt

Japan's Nuclear Future - Analysis

Japan's Nuclear Future - Analysis
Eurasia Review
In the wake of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant two years ago following the earthquake and the tsunami of March 11, 2011, Japan is still debating the future of its energy plans, with no consensus emerged to date on its future ...http://www.eurasiareview.com/03042013-japans-nuclear-future-analysis/

Kudankulam atomic plant to begin power production in April

Kudankulam atomic plant to begin power production in April
IBNLive
New Delhi: Power production by the first unit of the Kudankulam atomic plant will start in April 2013, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy said on Wednesday. He said that the second unit would start production by October 2013.http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kudankulam-atomic-plant-to-begin-power-production-in-april/383024-62-128.html

Call Me Johnny Atomicseed

http://entreprenuclear.blogspot.com/2013/04/30-call-me-johnny-atomicseed.html

At Entreprenuclear, the time scale for an investment in Nuclear Power Generation to pay off is compared to the planting of apples trees. While neither will provide immediate benefits, both are likely to be greatly appreciated by future generations.

ENGINEERING GROUP GIVES U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE A D+

ENGINEERING GROUP GIVES U.S. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE A D+
In its 2013 report on the state of U.S. infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives the energy sector a grade just shy of failure. In its previous report, in 2009, the ASCE also gave energy a D+. Read More »http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5505.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2647430&hq_l=8&hq_v=30108e0773

IEA plans to welcome China into the fold

IEA plans to welcome China into the fold The International Energy Agency has decided to open up to emerging economies such as China in the clearest indication of the sea-change in the world’s map of energy over the past decade.

http://link.ft.com/r/9ULF66/JQ19GH/FXWIVG/YB3LWK/87NSVQ/1G/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=4

Fukushima Updates: 4/4

Today's Fukushima Updates topics are...

Japan’s NRA has posted draft requirements for relicensing nukes... The community of Minamisoma continues to recover... Tokyo Electric Company says they need to cut $1 billion from their budget in order to remain viable... Tokyo has approved a post-Fukushima reform package for power distribution in Japan.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

US NRC Blog Update 4/4 Inspector General Report Identifies Ways To Improve NRC’s Safeguards Information Local Area Network and Electronic Safe

U.S. NRC Blog

Inspector General Report Identifies Ways To Improve NRC’s Safeguards Information Local Area Network and Electronic Safe

by Moderator

Stephen Dingbaum

Assistant Inspector General

The Office of the Inspector General’s most recent report – Audit of NRC’s Safeguards Information Local Area Network and Electronic Safe (SLES) – is now available to the public. This audit set out to determine if the system used by the NRC for safeguards information, a special category of sensitive unclassified information, met the needs of the users and was secure.

The OIG found that NRC has developed a secure electronic system to store and manage safeguards information while also reducing paper SGI and the space needed to store SGI documents; however areas exist for improvement. Specifically, the system does not meet user needs and uses inconsistent access rights.

The OIG’s audit report makes recommendations to improve the agency’s SLES system. NRC management stated their agreement with the audit report and recommendations.

Moderator | April 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm | Tags: Inspector General, NRC | Categories: Inspector General | URL: http://wp.me/p1fSSY-12H

Utility targets June 1 restart at ailing San Onofre nuclear plant, but NRC staff doubtful

http://www.startribune.com/nation/201321601.html?refer=y

Three Injured in Callaway Nuclear Plant Switchyard Accident

from Nuclear Power Industry News by Nuclear Street News Team

An electrical accident in the switchyard of a Missouri nuclear plant sent three workers to the hospital Tuesday.
...(read more)http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2013/04/04/three-injured-in-callaway-nuclear-plant-switchyard-accident-040402.aspx

Citigroup: Renewables will triumph and natural gas will help

Citigroup: Renewables will triumph and natural gas will help http://grist.org/climate-energy/citigroup-renewables-will-triumph-and-natural-gas-will-help/

Energy storage update 4/4

Research and Markets: Global Energy Storage Market to 2020
The Herald | HeraldOnline.com
GBI Research's new report, Global Energy Storage Market to 2020 - Targeting Transportation Sector Applications, Advanced Batteries, Ultracapacitors and Fuel Cells all Set for Growth, provides key data, information and analysis on the market ...http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/04/03/4741465/research-and-markets-global-energy.html

Bill Gates Provides Boost To Renewable Energy Storage
CleanTechnica
aquion energy Bill Gates, the well known co-founder of Microsoft, has decided to provide a financial boost to renewable energy storage research and development (R&D). He is one member of a group of high-profile investors who are investing $35 million ...http://cleantechnica.com/2013/04/03/bill-gates-provides-boost-to-renewable-energy-storage/

Train-Based Energy Storage: Making Renewable Energy Reliable With Gravity
iTech Post
The idea operates on the same principle as pumped-storage hydropower, where energy is used to push large quantities of water uphill, or into a tower, or behind a dam. Then, when the energy is needed, the water is released through a turbine, which ...http://www.itechpost.com/articles/7450/20130403/train-based-energy-storage-making-renewable-reliable-gravity.htm

iTech Post

Bill Gates gives boost to renewables storage
PV-Tech
Aquion claims that by using non-toxic materials such as saltwater, its Aqueous Hybrid Ion batteries are a cheap and environmentally neutral alternative to other energy storage systems on the market, which use potentially hazardous chemicals. The ...http://www.pv-tech.org/news/bill_gates_gives_boost_to_renewables_storage

Nitro-Turbodyne Awarded Patent for Breakthrough Power Conversion ...
Power Engineering Magazine
Leveraging several unique properties of LN2, this patent uses the inverse potential energy stored within LN2 to provide power for generators, pumps, flywheels or other devices. This method thus looks at LN2 as storing a "negative" quantity of energy ...http://www.power-eng.com/news/2013/04/03/nitro-turbodyne-awarded-patent-for-breakthrough-power-conversion-technology-nl-allows-zero-emission.html

SolarReserve Completes Molten Salt Receiver Panel Assembly on Crescent ...
AZoCleantech
Utilizing the most advanced solar thermal technology worldwide, the Crescent Dunes Plant will be the nation's first commercial-scale solar power tower facility with energy storage and the largest power plant of its kind in the world. “With more than ...http://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=18197

AZoCleantech

VTTI expresses its confidence in Cyprus
Financial Mirror
VTTI B.V., one of the world's fastest-growing independent energy storage companies, reaffirmed its support and commitment to Cyprus where its subsidiary, VTT Vasiliko Ltd, is developing a major oil storage terminal. Commenting on the recent economic ...http://www.financialmirror.com/news-details.php?nid=29362

Bill Gates helps power up green battery maker
Business Green
Aquion Energy yesterday confirmed it has raised $35m (£23.2m) in a new funding round for its Aqueious Hybrid Ion batteries and energy storage systems, including an undisclosed sum from the billionaire Microsoft chairman. FURTHER READING ...http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2258830/bill-gates-helps-power-up-green-battery-make

Aquion Energy's Disruptive Battery Tech Picks Up $35M in VC

Greentech Media - ‎Apr 2, 2013‎

While the market for viable energy storage is dependent on regulatory and financial market structures as well as technology, it would be helpful to have a disruptive, cheap, and safe electrochemical storage solution -- one that has superior performance and ...http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Aquion-Energys-Disruptive-Battery-Tech-Picks-Up-35M-in-VC

rhttp://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2013/04/03/aquions-battery-eating-ceo-gives-investors-a-charge/

Aquion's Battery-Eating CEO Gives Investors a Charge

Wall Street Journal (blog) - ‎16 hours ago‎

There are few better ways for a CEO to express confidence in his company's product than to eat it. Aquion Energy: Scott Pearson, chief executive of Aquion Energy. Last week, Scott Pearson, chief executive of Aquion Energy, a developer of batteries for the ...