Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Energy Innovation: US Could Tap Into 1400 Terawatt Hours Of Clean Ocean Power

Energy Innovation: US Could Tap Into 1400 Terawatt Hours Of Clean Ocean Power


http://theenergycollective.com/tinacasey/267071/us-taps-1400-terawatt-hours-clean-ocean-power?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

How the Fukushima Ice Barrier Will Block Radioactive Groundwater

How the Fukushima Ice Barrier Will Block Radioactive Groundwater

Japan plans to stop leaking radioactive groundwater at Fukushima with an underground wall of ice. Here’s how it would work.

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/518801/how-the-fukushima-ice-barrier-will-block-radioactive-groundwater/

Is the Pacific Ocean Responsible for a Pause in Global Warming?

Is the Pacific Ocean Responsible for a Pause in Global Warming?

Sea-surface temperatures may explain why climate change is not warming the planet as fast

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=pacific-ocean-and-climate-change-pause&WT.mc_id=SA_CAT_ENGYSUS_20130829

PBS Need to Know – The Nuclear Option. Damning with faint praise Rate This PoorPoorFairFairAverageAverageGoodGoodExcellentExcellent Rod Adams Rod Adams

PBS Need to Know – The Nuclear Option. Damning with faint praise


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/atomic_insights/archive/2013/08/30/pbs-need-to-know-the-nuclear-option-damning-with-faint-praise.aspx#.UiHxXj84Sw0

Ft. Calhoun nuclear plant fueled up in anticipation of restart


Ft. Calhoun nuclear plant fueled up in anticipation of restart


http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/08/ft-calhoun-nuclear-plant-fueled-up-in-anticipation-of-restart.html

This Week in Energy: Syria and Oil Prices – What is Obama’s next Move?

This Week in Energy: Syria and Oil Prices – What is Obama’s next Move?


http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/This-Week-in-Energy-Syria-and-Oil-Prices-What-is-Obamas-next-Move.html

Areva Decontaminates Major Components At Chooz-A

Areva Decontaminates Major Components At Chooz-A


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/nucnet-communications/archive/2013/08/30/areva-decontaminates-major-components-at-chooz-a.aspx

Update on Fukushima water leaks – unrepresentative sample used to support fear mongering

Update on Fukushima water leaks – unrepresentative sample used to support fear mongering


http://nuclearstreet.com/pro_nuclear_power_blogs/b/atomic_insights/archive/2013/08/30/update-on-fukushima-water-leaks-unrepresentative-sample-used-to-support-fear-mongering.aspx#.UiHwPz84Sw0

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Weekly Review


http://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2013/08/30/fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-plant-weekly-review-083002.aspx#.UiHvij84Sw0

The Military Connects Microgrids for a ‘Secure Cluster’ of Power Networks

The Military Connects Microgrids for a ‘Secure Cluster’ of Power Networks


http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/connecting-the-military-microgrid-dots?goback=.gde_67258_member_269781530#!

US DOE Loan Program Financed $16 Billion in Renewables and More Coming

US DOE Loan Program Financed $16 Billion in Renewables and More Coming


http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/08/lpo-financed-16-billion-in-renewablesmore-is-coming?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-August31-2013

Outside help offered to deal with Tepco debacle U.S., French experts also ready; water woes escalate

Outside help offered to deal with Tepco debacle

U.S., French experts also ready; water woes escalate


http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/26/national/outside-help-offered-to-deal-with-tepco-debacle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=outside-help-offered-to-deal-with-tepco-debacle#.UiHnrD84Sw1

Commentary: Japanese gov't has to shoulder responsibilities over toxic water leakage in Fukushima


Commentary: Japanese gov't has to shoulder responsibilities over toxic water leakage in Fukushima


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/23/c_132657032.htm

Fukushima nuclear leak 'can get a lot worse'


Fukushima nuclear leak 'can get a lot worse'

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100999199

What Must Be Done To Save Fukushima & The Pacific


What Must Be Done To Save Fukushima & The Pacific


http://www.fukuleaks.org/web/?p=11237

Fukushima Watch: Previous Experiments With Ice Walls

Fukushima Watch: Previous Experiments With Ice Walls


http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/08/29/fukushima-watch-previous-experiments-with-ice-walls/

Vote to get the Integral Fast Reactor presented at MIT!

Vote to get the Integral Fast Reactor presented at MIT!


http://bravenewclimate.com/2013/08/15/ifr-at-mit/

The Smart Money Is on Nuclear

The Smart Money Is on Nuclear


http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-smart-money-is-on-nuclear.html

Friday, August 30, 2013

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Seeks Input on Resumption of Yucca Licensing Review


Nuclear Regulatory
Commission Seeks Input on Resumption of Yucca Licensing Review

More US nuclear power plant closures to come?

More US nuclear power plant closures to come? UPI.com
It is the fifth such announcement in the nation's nuclear energy sector this year. San Onofre's two reactors in California, Kewaunee in Wisconsin and Crystal ...http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/08/30/More-US-nuclear-power-plant-closures-to-come/UPI-67821377897787/?spt=hs&or=er

San Diego Tech Company Designs A Smaller, Portable Nuclear Reactor

San Diego Tech Company Designs A Smaller, Portable Nuclear Reactor


http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/aug/30/san-diego-tech-company-pushing-portable-nuclear-re/

US nuclear agency seeks input to resume Yucca Mountain review

US nuclear agency seeks input to resume Yucca Mountain review Reuters
... Regulatory Commission (NRC) on Friday said it will seek comments on how to restart the licensing process for the long-stalled Yucca Mountain nuclear waste ...http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/30/us-utilities-nuclear-yuccamountain-idUSBRE97T10L20130830

Nuclear power seeks to survive despite cheap gas, deregulated markets

Nuclear power seeks to survive despite cheap gas, deregulated markets

Power Engineering Magazine -
Domestic nuclear energy has been the center of 50 years of investment and a decade of operating excellence - but it could have a hard time surviving unless it can change with the times. That seems to be a theme in a recently-released nuclear assessment by ...http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/08/nuclear-power-seeks-to-survive-despite-cheap-gas-deregulated-markets.html

Japan notifies IAEA of Fukushima Daiichi level 3 INES rating

Japan notifies IAEA of Fukushima Daiichi level 3 INES rating

Japan flag
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has informed the IAEA that it has rated a leak of radioactive water at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station at level 3 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES).
The NRA formally posted the rating on the IAEA's web-based Unified System for Information Exchange on Incidents and Emergencies (USIE). Level 3 on the INES scale denotes a 'serious incident'.
Japanese authorities continue to provide the Agency with information on the situation at the plant, and Agency experts are following
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US Taps Into 1400 Terawatt Hours Of Clean Ocean Power

US Taps Into 1400 Terawatt Hours Of Clean Ocean Power


http://cleantechnica.com/2013/08/30/us-doe-sends-16-million-to-clean-ocean-power-projects/?utm_source=Cleantechnica+News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=552d2d3753-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_term=0_b9b83ee7eb-552d2d3753-331974829

Current Power Reactor Status Report for August 30, 2013

Current Power Reactor Status Report for August 30, 2013


http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/reactor-status/ps.html

Democrats, Lobbyists Launch Pro-Coal Advocacy Group

Democrats, Lobbyists Launch Pro-Coal Advocacy Group


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/30/democrats-coal-congress_n_3839660.html?ir=Green&ref=topbar

NASA Global Climate Resources

NASA Global Climate Resources
http://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resource_center

Fracking brings climate debate closer to home

Fracking brings climate debate closer to home

Fossil fuels seldom bother us, so we seldom consider their impact, but fracking forces us to face the uncomfortable reality

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2013/aug/30/fracking-climate-change-fossil-fuels-debate

Paradox: We Need New Nuclear Weapons Plants to Get Rid Of Nuclear Weapons

Paradox: We Need New Nuclear Weapons Plants to Get Rid Of Nuclear Weapons



http://www.nucleardiner.com/index.php/archive/item/paradox-we-need-new-nuclear-weapons-plants

Fukushima's continuing struggles raise questions about America's nuclear waste storage

Fukushima's continuing struggles raise questions about America's nuclear waste storage


http://www.pri.org/stories/science/environment/fukushima-s-continuing-struggles-raise-questions-about-america-s-nuclear-waste-storage-14875.html

Mark Bittman’s Renewables Delusions Debunking the New York Times Columnist’s Recent Attack on Nuclear Energy


Mark Bittman’s Renewables Delusions


Debunking the New York Times Columnist’s Recent Attack on Nuclear Energy

http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/energy-and-climate/mark-bittmans-renewables-delusions/

Twenty nuclear power reactors with a total installed generation ...

Twenty nuclear power reactors with a total installed generation ... Orissadiary.com
New Delhi: Twenty nuclear power reactors with a total installed generation capacity of 4780 MW are currently in operation in India. In addition, seven nuclear ...http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=43615

How The Power Of Ocean Waves Could Yield Freshwater With Zero Carbon Emissions

How The Power Of Ocean Waves Could Yield Freshwater With Zero Carbon Emissions


http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/08/30/2554091/ocean-waves-freshwater/

Marcellus Shale has become nation’s most productive gas field thanks to hydrofracking

Marcellus Shale has become nation’s most productive gas field thanks to hydrofracking


http://shalestuff.com/uncategorized/marcellus-shale-nations-productive-gas-field-hydrofracking/article09017

Grounding Energy Policy in Reality

Grounding Energy Policy in Reality


http://theenergycollective.com/mark-green/265641/grounding-energy-policy-reality?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Fukushima Radiation Affecting US Tuna

Fukushima Radiation Affecting US Tuna


http://theenergycollective.com/energyrefuge/266341/fukushima-radiation-affecting-us-tuna?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

WENRA recommends reactor vessel checks

WENRA recommends reactor vessel checks (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-WENRA_recommends_reactor_vessel_checks-3008134.html)
Standardized reviews of all European reactor pressure vessels have been recommended by the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA). The call follows the discovery of hydrogen flakes at two units last year, which have since restarted.

Initiative for global liability

Initiative for global liability (http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP_Initiative_for_global_liability_3008131.html)
The prospect of a worldwide regime to give compensation in case of a nuclear accident with cross-border impact may be more feasible with cooperation from France and the USA announced today.

Leaked documents reveal US sees Israel as a spying threat


http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/middle-east-north-africa/319513-leaked-documents-reveal-us-sees-israel-as-a-major-spying-threat





Leaked documents reveal US sees Israel as a spying threat

By Julian Pecquet - 08/29/13
The Obama administration views Israel as one of the top spying threats facing its intelligence services, leaked documents reveal.
A secret budget request obtained by The Washington Post from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden lumps Israel alongside U.S. foes Iran and Cuba as “key targets” for U.S. counterintelligence efforts. The document suggests Israel does not believe U.S. assurances that its interests are aligned with Israel's on crucial issues such as Iran and peace talks with the Palestinians.

Brazilian office for SNPTC

Brazilian office for SNPTC


China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corp (SNPTC) has set up its first South American office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Brazilian_office_for_SNPTC-2908137.html?goback=.gde_3360244_member_269669936#!

US NRC Blog Update 8/30 Honeywell Modifications Mark a Victory for Public Safety

Honeywell Modifications Mark a Victory for Public Safety

Jim Hickey
Branch Chief, Division of Fuel Facility Inspection
Region II
 
Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that caused unprecedented damage to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station in Japan, the NRC began a special review of the U.S. facilities involved in the production of uranium and manufacture of fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants.
Our traditional approach to inspections involves confirming such facilities are complying with the license requirements the NRC established to ensure safety and security. Our approach for these inspections was a little different. These inspections were designed to confirm these facilities were capable of withstanding an unlikely but credible event such as an earthquake or tornado.
We determined only one facility was in need of changes to ensure safety and security prior to resuming operations. That plant was the fuelcyclelistHoneywell Uranium Conversion Facility, in Metropolis, Ill.
When presented with our inspection results, Honeywell agreed with our conclusions. Over the next year, the building where the uranium conversion process takes place was fortified — imagine really big steel beams. Also, the process equipment was modified by adding supports and an automatic shutdown system that immediately stops the operation if an earthquake occurs.
How simple and straightforward that description seems! Let me assure you it was far from that. First, Honeywell had to determine what forces the facility could be subjected to and then translate that into how strong the building and process equipment would need to be to withstand the event. Then, they had to figure out how to modify the plant, where to put additional supports and how those supports would be installed. They also had to design the automatic seismic shutdown system, and then actually do the work to install the changes.
For the regulatory oversight portion, we reviewed Honeywell’s analysis, and asked questions until we were satisfied the answers gave us the information we needed. We reviewed and inspected the modifications. We drew a path from the initiating event earthquake or tornado to what was actually installed in the facility to ensure the changes accomplished the design goals.
Our efforts crossed multiple organizational boundaries within the NRC as well as state and local agencies. It would take too much space to document all of those who contributed as it’s a lengthy list. After all this, last month we granted Honeywell authorization to restart the facility.
We all recognize the importance of our day-to-day efforts to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s nuclear facilities, and occasionally we embark on an activity that significantly improves the safety of a facility. This was one of those times.

ANS Update 8/30 Nuclear Matinee – Bill Gates: “I Love Nuclear”

Nuclear Matinee – Bill Gates: “I Love Nuclear”

By ansnuclearcafe on Aug 30, 2013 01:00 am

For faithful viewers of the ANS Nuclear Matinee—an instant classic from not so long ago, starring Microsoft founder, philanthropist, and nuclear energy enthusiast (and investor) Bill Gates. Gates is a prominent investor in the nuclear reactor development firm TerraPower. For more … Continue reading
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Penn Energy Research


Emissions Control: SO2 Equipment
Growing Consciousness towards Reducing Emissions and Increasing Efficiency drives the Market for Super Critical Technology
Summary
Coal remains, by far, the most abundantly available and widely distributed fuel, with global proven reserves totaling nearly 1,000 billion tones. In this scenario, since generation from coal-fired power plants is expected to increase to meet future electricity demands, adequate precautions should be taken to ensure that environmental issues and concerns relating coal combustion are properly addressed. This is achievable only through the deployment of Supercritical (SC) and Ultra Supercritical (USC) technology, which helps improve the overall efficiency of coal-fired power plants. Not only will it help reduce the emissions by lowering fuel combustion levels, but it will also ensure a significant reduction in total costs over the long-term horizon. Therefore, future government policies should emphasize the growth of SC technology and de-emphasize the construction of new subcritical plants.

Scope
  • Market prospects for supercritical technology in the growing electricity markets
  • Key benefits derived from using super critical technology
  • Efficiency improvement of coal fired plants and additional revenue sources identified due to use of super critical technology
  • Country-wise analysis on adoption of supercritical technology
More Info Buy It Now

Carbon Taxation Policy - Mounting Pressure on Thermal Power Generation for Quickly Cutting Emissions
Summary
Carbon taxation is increasingly being considered as an alternative economic tool for accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions from thermal power plants. The looming challenge of global warming is becoming so serious that nations need to consider all possible policy measures for quickly cutting carbon emissions. Significant developments and trends focusing on regulations and emissions trading have been the mainstay of larger economies for reducing carbon emissions. The introduction of carbon taxes has also long been considered an effective economical instrument to reducing carbon emissions due to its distinct advantages. Nations are considering the adoption of carbon taxation to accelerate towards achieving their carbon emission abatement targets. Due to a less complicated design and structure of Carbon Taxes, it is easier to quickly implement them in comparison to the emission trading programs. Implementing carbon taxes will have an immediate impact on the thermal power generation sector, especially coal-fired power plants that are the maximum contributors of carbon emissions worldwide. In order to remain profitable after the implementation of carbon taxes, the thermal power generation companies will have to quickly start upgrading their existing plants with emission control technologies. However, the process of upgrading the existing units requires huge capital investments, which when coupled with the additional carbon taxes will lead to increased pressure on the thermal power plants.

Scope
  • Market prospects of thermal power generation being impacted by emission abatements under carbon taxation
  • Policy initiatives promoting the adoption of carbon taxes
  • Major regional initiatives for introducing carbon taxation policy
  • Country efforts for reducing GHG emission through taxation
More Info Buy It Now

Carbon Capture and Storage - An Answer to Global Carbon Emission Concerns
Summary
An increasing commitment to emission reduction goals and the current inadequacies of alternative energy sources have driven Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) deployment. CCS technologies have the potential to capture 90% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel power plants, enabling cleaner coal generation. This new and advanced technology has the capability to retain efficient, affordable coal as a power-generating fuel in a carbon-constrained world. Deployment of CCS technology is among the most effective ways of reducing global carbon emissions despite the challenges it faces. Inadequate government funding, mainly due to the heavy investment costs, storage risks and other uncertainties have put many of the current CCS projects on hold. Public opposition, due to the associated risks and the lack of general awareness relating to this technology has also served as an obstacle to the deployment of CCS. However, despite these hurdles, many CCS projects have so far shown positive results with the potential to capture millions of tons of atmospheric CO2.

Scope
  • Need for reduction in global carbon emissions
  • Future and current market prospects of CCS projects globally
  • Impacts of enhanced CCS technology on global power generation market
More Info Buy It Now
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radioactive Water Flowing to Sea is New Fukushima ‘Emergency’

Radioactive Water Flowing to Sea is New Fukushima ‘Emergency’


http://www.theworld.org/2013/08/radioactive-water-flowing-to-sea-is-new-fukushima-emergency/
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Just How Dangerous Are the Fukushima Leaks?

Just How Dangerous Are the Fukushima Leaks?


http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/nuclear/just-how-dangerous-are-the-fukushima-leaks-15855360?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
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IN THE NEWS: Study: Air pollution causes 200,000 early deaths each year in the U.S.


IN THE NEWS: Study: Air pollution causes 200,000 early deaths each year in the U.S.

http://globalchange.mit.edu/news-events/news/news_id/302#.UiChRT84Sw0
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Video For the Media MITEI in the News Views MIT’s John Deutch to co-chair Secretary of Energy Advisory Board


MIT’s John Deutch to co-chair Secretary of Energy Advisory Board


http://mitei.mit.edu/news/mit%E2%80%99s-john-deutch-co-chair-secretary-energy-advisory-board

Penn Energy's Top Oil & Gas News 8/30


Top Oil & Gas News
Continental CEO says Keystone XL oil pipeline “not critical any longer”
“It’s not critical any longer,” Hamm told National Journal reporter Amy Harder. “They just waited too long. The industry is very innovative, and it finds other ways of doing it and other routes."
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PennEnergy Video News Update
From Dana Gas' success in Egypt, to Alberta's pipeline praise, to FTTN's production predictions, 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
Review says Alberta leads in pipeline safety
Dana Gas Egypt hits 2-year gas production high
Horizon spuds oil exploration well in Papua New Guinea's Western Province
FTTN: Daily U.S. oil production to reach 5 million barrels before 2020
NuStar Energy to extend open season for South Texas crude oil project
Samsung Heavy Industries wins order for two LNG carriers
Lundin receives offshore drilling and production consent at Johan Sverdrup
Growing offshore rig count impacts demand for production technology
ExxonMobil awards oil exploration well technology license to Weatherford
New oil discovery offshore Canada for Statoil
CONSOL unveils unconventional oil and gas development plan in Pittsburgh
Additional work for offshore oil and gas production platform
Angola: Fugro awarded contract by Total for offshore drilling unit positioning
Crude oil production, petroleum demand up in July

Energy Insights
All Energy, All the Time: 102 million tiny violins…
It’s weird to compare this week’s lease sale with sales that happened more than a decade ago. Several factors are different, & not just the amount of money generated.
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Interliance Insights: “Can’t Fail” Management
The public’s demand for ever-higher levels of safety and environmental performance is forcing regulators to change their approach to “can’t fail” functions—those critical company activities sharing the goal of never, ever experiencing catastrophic failure.
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