New 800 MW natural gas-fired power plant begins operations early
Power Engineering Magazine
"With California's San Onofre nuclear plant off-line and power reserve margins expected to be tight, it is more important than ever that the CPV Sentinel Energy Project be available to support electric reliability this summer," said John Murphy, Senior ...
Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Building Solar in Spain Instead of Germany Could Save Billions
Building Solar in Spain Instead of Germany Could Save Billions
Building solar and wind projects in the wrong place is wasting billions of dollars in Europe.
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/514991/building-solar-in-spain-instead-of-germany-could-save-billions/?utm_source=feedly
US Solar 2013 Halftime Update: Victories and Ongoing Initiatives
US Solar 2013 Halftime Update: Victories and Ongoing Initiatives
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/05/us-solar-2013-halftime-update-victories-and-ongoing-initiatives?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-May18-2013
Fracking and Solar: Friends, Foes or the Bridge to Clean Energy Adoption?
Fracking and Solar: Friends, Foes or the Bridge to Clean Energy Adoption?
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/05/fracking-and-solar-friends-foes-or-the-bridge-to-clean-energy-adoption?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-May18-2013
EU Should Scrap Energy Subsidies to Fight Warming, Poland Says
EU Should Scrap Energy Subsidies to Fight Warming, Poland Says
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/05/eu-should-scrap-energy-subsidies-to-fight-warming-poland-says??cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-May18-2013
Breakdown: Penetration of Renewable Energy in Selected Markets
Breakdown: Penetration of Renewable Energy in Selected Markets
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/05/penetration-of-renewable-energy-in-selected-markets?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-May18-2013
West Fertilizer Blast May Have Been Criminal Act: Authorities
West Fertilizer Blast May Have Been Criminal Act: Authorities
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/texas-fertilizer-blast-a-crime_n_3288736.htmlMinisters urged to clarify nuclear cost overruns
Ministers urged to clarify nuclear cost overruns
The Government has been urged to clarify who will bear the risk of any cost overruns in building new nuclear plants, after ministers appeared to suggest the burden could fall on consumers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/10065162/Ministers-urged-to-clarify-nuclear-cost-overruns.htmlCoalition still 'optimistic' about nuclear power despite EDF and China concerns
Coalition still 'optimistic' about nuclear power despite EDF and China concerns
Building programme advancing, says minister as expectations of timetable delay at Hinkley Point grow and Chinese 'lose interest'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/may/17/coalition-optimistic-nuclear-power-edf-china
Nuclear Iran Unlikely to Tilt Regional Power Balance – Report
Nuclear Iran Unlikely to Tilt Regional Power Balance – Report
http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/nuclear-iran-unlikely-to-tilt-regional-power-balance-report/
Nuclear News Round Up (13th May – 17th May 2013)
13th May 2013 14th May 2013
- DECC seeks views on radioactive disposal facility
- Senior Nuclear Fire Safety Engineer, Warrington
- Severn Trent receives takeover approach
- Nuclear Safety Assessor – Risley or Sellafield
Generator Maker Pitched San Onofre Repairs
| GENERATOR MAKER PITCHED SAN ONOFRE REPAIRS GENERATOR ... U-T San Diego The manufacturer of faulty steam generators that have sidelined the San Onofre nuclear plant proposed long-term repairs last year that were never adopted by the plant operator. Plant operator Southern California Edison is currently seeking permission ...http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/17/tp-generator-maker-pitched-san-onofre-repairs/
|
Westinghouse, SNPTC join forces for SMR
| Westinghouse, SNPTC join forces for SMR World Nuclear News Westinghouse and China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) are to work together to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) design licensable ...http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Westinghouse_SNPTC_join_forces_for_SMR-1705137.html |
Advocates Tout Small Nuclear Reactors for Military Installations
| Advocates Tout Small Nuclear Reactors for Military Installations National Defense Magazine The Department of Energy is now pushing the once dormant small modular nuclear reactor concept for civilian applications. The Tennessee Valley Authority and ...http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2013/June/Pages/AdvocatesToutSmallNuclearReactorsforMilitaryInstallations.aspx |
Harvey Wasserman: San Onofre at the No Nukes Brink
Harvey Wasserman: San Onofre at the No Nukes Brink
http://www.commondreams.org/
http://www.commondreams.org/
Friday, May 17, 2013
Nye County official blasts Sen. Reid's "hypocrisy" on nuclear waste disposal
| Nye County official blasts Sen. Reid's "hypocrisy" on nuclear waste disposal Las Vegas Review-Journal The low-level nuclear waste landfill, in Area 5 at the security site, is 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The planned Yucca Mountain repository has been quashed by the Obama administration at Reid's urging. The security site intends to accept the Oak ...http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/government/nye-county-official-blasts-sen-reids-hypocrisy-nuclear-waste-disposal |
The 2013 Energy Trust Barometer: Mixed Readings
P
The 2013 Energy Trust Barometer: Mixed Readings
http://theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/225621/2013-energy-trust-barometer-mixed-readings
Building New Nuclear- the challenges ahead: Government Response to the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2012-13 - Energy and Climate Change Contents
Building New Nuclear- the challenges ahead: Government Response to
the Committee's Sixth Report of Session 2012-13 - Energy and Climate
Change Contents
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenergy/106/10604.htm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenergy/106/10604.htm
Coalition still 'optimistic' about nuclear power despite EDF and China concerns
Coalition still 'optimistic' about nuclear power despite EDF and China concerns
Building programme advancing, says minister as expectations of timetable delay at Hinkley Point grow and Chinese 'lose interest'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/may/17/coalition-optimistic-nuclear-power-edf-china
The Energy [R]evolution will be Tweeted
The Energy [R]evolution will be Tweeted
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/energyrevolution/Tweet-the-Energy-Revolution/
Bloom Energy Raises $130M More for Fuel Cell Future
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-iran-nuclear-jalili-idUSBRE94F0BX20130516S.C., Georgia senators voice MOX support
S.C., Georgia senators voice MOX support
New Nuclear Plants Benefit South Carolina
New Nuclear Plants Benefit South Carolina
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/new-nuclear-plants-benefit-south-carolina
Babcock & Wilcox gets $366M naval contract
Babcock & Wilcox gets $366M naval contract
http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/power_city/2013/05/babcock-wilcox-gets-366m-naval.htmlNEI News Release on Moniz Confirmation
NEWS RELEASE
Nuclear Energy Institute FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
-
Contact :
For Release :202.739.8000
5/16/2013
Nuclear Energy Industry Congratulates Moniz On Confirmation as Secretary of Energy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate today approved
the nomination of Ernest J. Moniz, director of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology’s Energy Initiative, as Secretary of Energy. The
Nuclear Energy Institute’s president and chief executive officer,
Marvin Fertel, made the following comments in response to the
confirmation.
“We congratulate Dr. Moniz on his confirmation as Secretary of Energy and look forward to working with him to ensure that nuclear energy continues to play a vital role in our nation’s energy and environmental policy.
“Sustained economic growth requires affordable, reliable electricity supplies. Nuclear energy is uniquely capable of adding significant amounts of electricity to the grid around the clock without emitting any greenhouse gases. Dr. Moniz recognizes this reality, and we expect that nuclear energy technologies will be part of a diverse portfolio of electricity options DOE supports to strengthen our nation and its economy in an environmentally sound manner.
“Among the emerging technologies that merit greater Energy Department support are the small reactor designs that will have a variety of applications—from desalinization of water to industrial process heat to electricity production that can be increased incrementally, roughly 300 megawatts at a time. We have welcomed the agency’s establishment of a public-private, cost-shared licensing program for small reactors. But it is important that DOE meet its funding commitments at the pace needed to expeditiously develop at least two small reactor designs as Congress has stipulated. DOE’s fiscal 2014 budget request doesn’t do that.
“Similarly, DOE should fulfill its commitments to the Russian Federation and the state of South Carolina with timely completion of the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility being built at the Savannah River Site. The project increases employment in the region at the same time that it advances the conversion of nuclear weapons into reactor fuel that will produce electricity and further sustain U.S. economic growth.
“Having served on the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, Dr. Moniz has a clear sense of the course our nation should take to safely, securely and successfully manage commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from U.S. defense programs over the medium and long terms. This includes development of a repository for long-term disposal and, pending permanent disposal, development of consolidated storage facilities for used nuclear fuel at volunteer sites. It remains imperative, in accordance with existing law, that the Department of Energy resume efforts to license the planned repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
“We urge Dr. Moniz to move expeditiously on this and other nuclear energy priorities for the betterment of our nation’s energy security.”http://www.nei.org/newsandevents/newsreleases/Nuclear-Energy-Industry-Congratulates-Moniz-On-Con
“We congratulate Dr. Moniz on his confirmation as Secretary of Energy and look forward to working with him to ensure that nuclear energy continues to play a vital role in our nation’s energy and environmental policy.
“Sustained economic growth requires affordable, reliable electricity supplies. Nuclear energy is uniquely capable of adding significant amounts of electricity to the grid around the clock without emitting any greenhouse gases. Dr. Moniz recognizes this reality, and we expect that nuclear energy technologies will be part of a diverse portfolio of electricity options DOE supports to strengthen our nation and its economy in an environmentally sound manner.
“Among the emerging technologies that merit greater Energy Department support are the small reactor designs that will have a variety of applications—from desalinization of water to industrial process heat to electricity production that can be increased incrementally, roughly 300 megawatts at a time. We have welcomed the agency’s establishment of a public-private, cost-shared licensing program for small reactors. But it is important that DOE meet its funding commitments at the pace needed to expeditiously develop at least two small reactor designs as Congress has stipulated. DOE’s fiscal 2014 budget request doesn’t do that.
“Similarly, DOE should fulfill its commitments to the Russian Federation and the state of South Carolina with timely completion of the mixed oxide fuel fabrication facility being built at the Savannah River Site. The project increases employment in the region at the same time that it advances the conversion of nuclear weapons into reactor fuel that will produce electricity and further sustain U.S. economic growth.
“Having served on the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, Dr. Moniz has a clear sense of the course our nation should take to safely, securely and successfully manage commercial used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from U.S. defense programs over the medium and long terms. This includes development of a repository for long-term disposal and, pending permanent disposal, development of consolidated storage facilities for used nuclear fuel at volunteer sites. It remains imperative, in accordance with existing law, that the Department of Energy resume efforts to license the planned repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
“We urge Dr. Moniz to move expeditiously on this and other nuclear energy priorities for the betterment of our nation’s energy security.”http://www.nei.org/newsandevents/newsreleases/Nuclear-Energy-Industry-Congratulates-Moniz-On-Con
Southern CEO: Vogtle nuke expansion nearing midway point
Southern CEO: Vogtle nuke expansion nearing midway point
http://www.snl.com/Interactivex/article.aspx?CdId=A-17724668-11561
ANs Update: Nuclear Matinee: Taylor Wilson's radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors
Nuclear Matinee: Taylor Wilson’s radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors
By pbowersox on May 17, 2013 01:00 amA video was uploaded recently at TED Talks which has caused a bit of a stir around the internet. Nuclear scientist Taylor Wilson, 19 years of age, enthusiastically sets out to solve the problem that underlies all others: Energy. In … Continue reading →
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May edition of ANS journal Fusion Science and Technology
By pbowersox on May 16, 2013 01:00 pmThe May 2013 edition of the technical journal Fusion Science and Technology (FST) is available electronically and in hard copy for American Nuclear Society member subscribers and others. FST is the leading journal of information on fusion plasma and plasma engineering … Continue reading →
Read in browser »
War With Iran? New Study Shows Massively Distorted Media Coverage of Iranian Nuclear Program
War With Iran? New Study Shows Massively Distorted Media Coverage of Iranian Nuclear Program
http://www.policymic.com/articles/42133/war-with-iran-new-study-shows-massively-distorted-media-coverage-of-iranian-nuclear-programFukushima Updates 5/17
Today's Fukushima update topics -
Tepco says
the F. Daiichi cistern leakage is much less than initial estimates...
The groundwater discharge issue continues in the headlines... On Tuesday, the Tsugura mayor asked Tokyo to make “cautious deliberations” concerning the geologic seams below Tsugura unit #2. On Wednesday the NRA’s seismic panel announced that the geologic seam under Tsurguga #2 is definitely seismic. On Friday,
the president of Japco blasted the NRA's decision as premature,
unscientific and unacceptable... NHK World says Fukushima Prefecture's
decontamination shows “little progress”... River eels in Tokyo have
Cesium levels above the national limit.
France Must Decide on Energy Mix Before Reactors Close, ASN Says
France Must Decide on Energy Mix Before Reactors Close, ASN Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-17/france-must-decide-on-energy-mix-before-reactors-close-asn-says.htmlBelgian regulator to recommend reopening nuclear reactors -paper
Belgian regulator to recommend reopening nuclear reactors -paper
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/us-belgium-nuclear-idUKBRE94G06020130517
China steps up efforts to export nuclear reactors - including Westinghouse’s
China steps up efforts to export nuclear reactors - including Westinghouse’s
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/china-steps-up-efforts-to-export-nuclear-reactors-including-westinghouses/19985
Editorial: Look to WIPP for safe storage of nuke waste
Editorial: Look to WIPP for safe storage of nuke waste
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2013/05/17/opinion/look-to-wipp-for-safe-storage-of-nuke-waste.html
POWER magazine’s Design & Construction Guidebook
Available in a PDF format. 68 pages.
Table of Contents:
- Solving plant vibration problems
- How to conduct a plant performance test
- Water hammer and other hydraulic phenomena
- Practical guidelines for determining electrical area classification + online supplement
- Constant and sliding pressure options for new supercritical plants
- Turbine technology maturity: A shifting paradigm
- Laser scanning produces 3-D plant database
- Plant efficiency: Begin with the right definitions
- Designing wet duct/stack systems for coal-fired plants
- Natural gas piping: It’s time for better risk control
- Evaluating material technology for advanced ultrasupercritical coal-fired plants
- Defeating concrete reinforcing steel corrosion
- Lean construction principle eliminate waste
- Work process optimization: Meeting the challenge of change
- Fire protection options for air-cooled hydroelectric generators
- Best practices for natural gas line cleaning
The POWER online store offers useful tools which allow power generation professionals to better do their jobs.
Group orders of over three copies, please contact Sarah Garwood at sgarwood@accessintel.com for discounted pricing.
How GE and a leading utility are changing the smart-grid game
How GE and a leading utility are changing the smart-grid game
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2268105/how-ge-and-a-leading-utility-are-changing-the-smartgrid-game?goback=.gde_67258_member_241673186
12 Things to Know on Energy Investment Needs in the Asia Pacific
12 Things to Know on Energy Investment Needs in the Asia Pacific
http://www.adb.org/features/12-things-know-energy-investment-needs-asia-pacific?goback=.gde_67258_member_241692613Nuclear power plant shut down after signs of corrosion, cracking found
Nuclear power plant shut down after signs of corrosion, cracking found
http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/05/nuclear-power-plant-shut-down-after-signs-of-corrosion-cracking-.html
Is SoCalEd Mired In Crisis Or Controversy?
Business
|
5/16/2013 @ 6:25PM |481 views
Is SoCalEd Mired In Crisis Or Controversy?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kensilverstein/2013/05/16/is-socaled-mired-in-crisis-or-controversy/?partner=yahootix
New post on BraveNewClimate: Green Junk - In praise of waste by Barry Brook
New post on BraveNewClimate |
|
|
|
Green Junk – In praise of wasteby Barry Brook |
This makes sense... or does it?
This post has two purposes.
First, for those who don't follow my Twitter feed (hey,
why don't you?), I'd like to highlight some terrific work from Geoff
Russell and Ben Heard that has hit the 'net over the past few weeks.
These are all 'must reads' - with the first of them going viral in the
retweet world!
1.
A devastating critique of Jim Green's anti-science nonsense -- who
recently shot a 'junk science' attack against respected climatologist
James Hansen:
Second,
I'd like to present a little philosophical message from Geoff Russell
on waste. This recapitulates some arguments made forcefully by Tom Blees
in Prescription for the Planet.
The
title of this piece will hopefully arouse curiosity, but I have to
confess it's not quite what I believe. My parents lived through the
depression so I was bought up to be frugal. We weren't poor by any
means, but my mother didn't go to a restaurant until she was in her mid
forties. For my parents, particularly during my younger years, waste was
anathema, a serious moral issue. Attempting to leave any part of a meal
uneaten would be responded to with industrial grade suggestions to
think about poor people going to bed hungry who'd be glad of the food we
children were attempting to throw out. Those attitudes struck root and
are so clearly sensible on many levels that it was a personal shock to
suddenly realise that when they are applied to energy, they are worse
than wrong; they are dangerous.
What can possibly be wrong with promoting energy efficiency?
The
Spanish generate 5.8 tonnes of CO2 per person your year
(t-CO2/person/yr) while the Swedes produce almost 20 percent less at
5.07 t-CO2/person/yr. So can the Spanish turn off more lights, watch
less TV, drive less, eat more raw food, use smaller more efficient
fridges, cars, computers and so on to save 20 percent and get themselves
down to the Swedish level?
Quite
possibly. But it's an incredibly brainless way to reduce emissions.
Partly because it won't ever get them low enough to be sustainable, but
more importantly because it may impede the deep and meaningful changes
that will.
The New Prize: Asia’s “Fire Ice” Gas Revolution
The New Prize: Asia’s “Fire Ice” Gas Revolution
"The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates there could be up to 100,000 trillion cubic feet of gas hydrates globally."http://thediplomat.com/2013/05/11/the-new-prize-asias-fire-ice-gas-revolution/?utm_source=The+Diplomat+List&utm_campaign=b9f10a5720-Diplomat+Brief+2012+vol19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_359f367095-b9f10a5720-280258325
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices
Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a contender in the June presidential election, sat down with the Monitor to share his views about an 'unbalanced' nuclear offer made by world powers.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0516/Iran-s-chief-nuclear-negotiator-we-re-being-asked-to-make-all-the-sacrifices
Regulators to increase oversight of FPL’s Turkey Point nuclear plant
Regulators to increase oversight of FPL’s Turkey Point nuclear plant
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/business/regulators-to-increase-oversight-of-fpls-turkey-po/nXsn5/
Is solar cheaper than nuclear?
Is solar cheaper than nuclear?
http://carboncounter.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/is-solar-cheaper-than-nuclear/
CIA head visits Israel to discuss Syria, Iran's nuclear program
CIA head visits Israel to discuss Syria, Iran's nuclear program
John Brennan met with Defense Minister Ya'alon; the Defense Ministry did not provide details of the meeting; Russian FM Lavrov says Russia plans to go ahead with sale of missile defense systems to Syria.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/cia-head-visits-israel-to-discuss-syria-iran-s-nuclear-program-1.524429
New US Energy Secretary confirmed, supports nuclear energy and natural gas
New US Energy Secretary confirmed, supports nuclear energy and natural gas
http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/16/4338118/new-us-energy-secretary-confirmed-supports-nuclear-energy-and-natural
San Onofre
| Public Comments due 5/16/2013: Stop NRC ... - San Onofre Safety San Onofre may be approved for restart WITHOUT repair or replacement of defective parts. Deadline for public comments is May 16, 2013 BEFORE 9 pm Pacific ... sanonofresafety.org/.../ | |||||
| Edison plans for another summer without San Onofre - The Desert Sun Southern California Edison is once again urging customers in the Coachella Valley and across the utility's 50000-square-mile service territory to start conserving ... www.mydesert.com/.../Edison- | |||||
| Federal board issues mixed ruling on San Onofre | 9news.com San Onofre hasn't produced power since January 2012, after a small radiation leak led to the discovery of unusual damage to tubing that carries radioactive ... www.9news.com/.../Federal- |
|
2013 NEW NUCLEAR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
We are pleased by all the positive feedback we have received from the global nuclear industry since announcing the 2013 New Nuclear International Conference. Attendees from more than 80 countries have been invited.
We will be hearing from experts covering all major reactor types:
- Small Modular Reactors
- Heavy Water Reactors
- Light Water Reactors
- Gen II Reactors
- Gen III/III+ Reactors
- Gen IV Reactors
Since our last update, we have been in touch with prospective participants from:
| Brazil | Kazakhstan | Holland |
| Canada | Kenya | UAE |
| Egypt | Russia | UK |
| France | Saudi Arabia | USA |
| Germany | Thailand | Vietnam |
We encourage you to register soon in order to guarantee your ability to attend. Early bird registration rates and hotel discounts are currently available for those who act soon.
We look forward to seeing you in Abu Dhabi this November.