Noam Chomsky slams Canada's shale gas energy plans

Exploitation of Canada's tar sands and shale gas will have dire consequences for the environment, says Chomsky

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/01/noam-chomsky-canadas-shale-gas-energy-tar-sands

Fracking hell: what it's really like to live next to a shale gas well:

Fracking hell: what it's really like to live next to a shale gas well:

Nausea, headaches and nosebleeds, invasive chemical smells, constant drilling, slumping property prices - welcome to Ponder, Texas

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/14/fracking-hell-live-next-shale-gas-well-texas-us

What Facebook Wants With Artificial Intelligence

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/12/what-facebook-wants-with-artificial-intelligence.html

The Saudi proliferation question

Ali Ahmad

Ali Ahmad

Ali Ahmad is postdoctoral research fellow in nuclear technology policy at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and...
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Concerted international efforts to keep Iran a non-nuclear weapon state might seem to constitute good news for Saudi Arabia, Tehran’s top rival for leadership in the Middle East. Instead, the Saudi government is deeply disturbed by a recent interim agreement between Iran and the so-called P5 + 1 countries—the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The six-month agreement freezes Iran’s enrichment of nuclear fuel above the level needed for commercial nuclear power, halts development of the plutonium-production-capable Arak nuclear plant, and gives International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors greater access to Iran’s declared nuclear facilities. In return, the P5 + 1 has agreed to lift some of the sanctions that have nearly crippled Iran’s economy.http://thebulletin.org/saudi-proliferation-question

Fluor's NuScale Power Awarded U.S. DOE Funding to Advance .SMR

Fluor's NuScale Power Awarded U.S. DOE Funding to Advance ... MarketWatch ... commercialization of the company's nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) ... in first-of-a-kind engineering and design certification for small modular reactors in ...http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fluors-nuscale-power-awarded-us-doe-funding-to-advance-nuclear-small-modular-reactor-technology-2013-12-12?reflink=MW_news_stmp
Ameren/Westinghouse passed over again for small modular reactor ... Columbia Daily Tribune Instead, the Department of Energy has looked elsewhere to help advance the small modular reactor, or SMR, design. In its announcement Thursday, the ...http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/local/ameren-westinghouse-passed-over-again-for-small-modular-reactor-funding/article_8141670c-637c-11e3-8c67-001a4bcf6878.html
DOE makes new investment in small modular nuclear reactors Electric Light & Power The Department of Energy made a second investment in small modular nuclear reactor technology with a private-public partnership program to develop and ...http://www.elp.com/articles/2013/12/doe-makes-new-investment-in-small-modular-nuclear-reactors.html
Feds award NuScale Power up to $226 million to develop modular ... OregonLive.com NuScale was selected as the winner of the second round of a cost-sharing program to develop small modular reactor technology, the Energy Department said ...http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/12/feds_award_nuscale_power_up_to.html
DOE Announces New Investment in Small-Scale Reactors National Journal The department announced Thursday an investment in a small modular-reactor project currently under development by NuScale Power, headquartered in ...http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/doe-announces-new-investment-in-small-scale-reactors-20131213
Energy Department Announces New Investment in Innovative Small ... EIN News (press release) “Small modular reactors represent a new generation of safe, reliable, low-carbon nuclear energy technology and provide a strong opportunity for America to lead ...http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/180708676/energy-department-announces-new-investment-in-innovative-small-modular-reactor
NuScale picked for second round of small modular reactor funding PennEnergy (press release) NuScale Power LLC. was selected for the second round of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s cost-sharing program to develop its small ...http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pe/2013/12/nuscale-picked-for-second-round-of-small-modular-reactor-funding.html
New Market Research Report: US Leading the Charge in Small ... SBWire (press release) Specifies the benefits of Small Modular Reactors against traditional nuclear ... Understand how the US is promoting the development of Small Modular Reactors.http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/new-market-research-report-us-leading-the-charge-in-small-modular-reactor-development-402760.htm
NuScale wins DOE funding for small modular nuclear reactor ... PennEnergy (press release) As Secretary Moniz said in the Energy Department's announcement, “Small modular reactors represent a new generation of safe, reliable, low-carbon nuclear ...http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/12/nuscale-wins-doe-funding-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactor-technology.html	P
DOE Shows Commitment to Small Reactors With NuScale Award GlobeNewswire (press release) WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of Energy demonstrated its commitment to small modular reactor designs with a ...http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/12/12/596618/10061406/en/DOE-Shows-Commitment-to-Small-Reactors-With-NuScale-Award.html   Small Modular Reactors | Visual.ly sarahgerrity Learn about the Energy Department's support for the next-generation nuclear energy technology -- small modular reactors.http://visual.ly/small-modular-reactors     DOE funding half of the NuScale 45 MWe small modular reactor noreply@blogger.com (brian wang) Through a five-year cost-share agreement, the Energy Department will invest up to half of the total project cost, with the project's industry partners matching this ... Next Big Futurehttp://nextbigfuture.com/2013/12/doe-funding-half-of-nuscale-45-mwe.html

Related articles

• Westinghouse, Ameren lose out in nuclear reactor funding
• US government not funding Westinghouse, Ameren , for little nukes
• DOE to provide up to half the cost of NuScale small modular reactor project

Climate Change And Your Portfolio

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1898431-climate-change-and-your-portfolio?source=email_etf_por_str_ass_all_0_0&ifp=0

American Physical Society recommends licensing nuclear reactors for 80 year operation for less air pollution and less climate change

December 13, 2013

American Physical Society recommends licensing nuclear reactors for 80 year operation for less air pollution and less climate change

http://nextbigfuture.com/2013/12/american-physical-society-recommends.html

Ethanol blends carry hidden risk

http://phys.org/news/2013-12-ethanol-blends-hidden.html

Natural gas to overtake coal, says ExxonMobil

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/natural-gas-to-overtake-coal-says-exxonmobil.aspx?pageID=238&nID=59478&NewsCatID=348

How Nuclear Power Can Stop Global Warming

Nuclear power is one of the few technologies that can quickly combat climate change, experts argue

By David Biello

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-nuclear-power-can-stop-global-warming

Report: What Can The U.S. Government Do To Create A Big Energy Storage Market

http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/12/12/report-what-can-u-s-government-do-to-create-a-big-energy-storage-market/?ss=business%3Aenergy

Comptroller: Texas Budget Surplus Bigger Than Expected

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/12/12/comptroller-texas-surplus-bigger-than-expected/

IEA report: US oil demand recovery steps on the gas

IEA report: US oil demand recovery steps on the gas

http://blogs.platts.com/2013/12/11/iea-dec13/

Coal in the Global Energy Landscape By Nicolas Loris

Issue Brief #4104 on Energy and Environment

December 11, 2013

Coal in the Global Energy Landscape

By Nicolas Loris

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/12/coal-in-the-global-energy-landscape

Texas nuclear power plant passes environmental review

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/12/texas-nuclear-power-plant-passes-environmental-review.html

Ex-Im Bank revises guidelines for financing coal-fired power plants

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/12/ex-im-bank-revises-guidelines-for-financing-coal-fired-power-plants.html

Report: Outlook for US public power utilities in 2014

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/12/report-outlook-for-us-public-power-utilities-in-2014.html

This Week in Energy: Modernizing Mexico’s Energy Sector

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/This-Week-in-Energy-Modernizing-Mexicos-Energy-Sector.html

Emerging Oil Giant Kenya Gets Major Infrastructure Boost from China

http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Africa/Emerging-Oil-Giant-Kenya-Gets-Major-Infrastructure-Boost-from-China.html

This Major Natgas Development Is Moving Quickly

http://oilprice.com/Finance/investing-and-trading-reports/This-Major-Natgas-Development-Is-Moving-Quickly.html

Carlsbad officials see future in nuclear energy

http://www.currentargus.com/carlsbad-news/ci_24716903/carlsbad-officials-see-future-nuclear-energy

South Texas nuclear passes environment test on license renewal

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/13/utiliites-nrg-southtexas-idUSL2N0JS0O220131213?feedType=RSS&feedName=governmentFilingsNews

Are Brits going to get screwed by pricey nuclear power? By John Upton

Are Brits going to get screwed by pricey nuclear power?

By John Upton

http://grist.org/news/are-brits-going-to-get-screwed-by-pricey-nuclear-power/#038;#038;

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited - Nuclear Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile - New Study Released

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited - Nuclear Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile - New Study Released

Print article

2013-12-14 10:13:36 - Recently published research from GlobalData, "Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited - Nuclear Energy - Deals and Alliances Profile", is now available at Fast Market Research
http://reports.pr-inside.com/nuclear-power-corporation-of-india-limited-r3880701.htm

The future of nukes: Even if everything goes wrong, nothing happens

Big picture: Is nuclear essential, or just a bridge technology?

http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/12/the-future-of-nukes-even-if-everything-goes-wrong-nothing-happens/

Earth's poles are shifting because of climate change

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24755-earths-poles-are-shifting-because-of-climate-change.html?cmpid=RSS|NSNS|2012-GLOBAL|online-news#.UqxwAOLBOAg

DOE Selects NuScale Power for SMR Development Funds

http://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/DOE-Selects-NuScale-Power-for-SMR-Development-Fund

Energy Department to Give $226 Million to Support Nuclear Reactor Design

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/business/energy-environment/energy-dept-to-give-226-million-to-new-nuclear-reactor-design.html

A Second Big Boost for Modular Nuclear Reactors By Bill Sweet

A Second Big Boost for Modular Nuclear Reactors

By Bill Sweet
http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/nuclear/a-second-big-boost-for-modular-nuclear-reactors

What’s the Best Bet When Weighing Cornucopians and Catastrophists? By ANDREW C. REVKIN

What’s the Best Bet When Weighing Cornucopians and Catastrophists?

By ANDREW C. REVKIN

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/whats-the-best-bet-when-weighing-cornucopians-and-catastrophists/?_r=0

December 13, 2013http://energyandnuclear.com/2013/12/13/nuclear-news-round-up-9th-13th-dec-13/

Nuclear News Round Up (9th – 13th Dec 13 )

9th Dec 2013

• AREVA signs series of deals with Chinese nuclear partnersDecember 9, 2013
• We need to move quickly if Britain is to regain its leadership role in the nuclear power industry

10th Dec 2013

• Up to £13 million for new nuclear technologies

13th Dec 2013

Hydrogen squeezed from ston

Predictions For Cleantech in 2014

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/12/predictions-for-cleantech-in-2014?cmpid=SolarNL-Saturday-December14-2013

Japanese gov’t to budget $970mn for nuclear waste storage

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/12/japanese-gov-t-to-budget-970mn-for-nuclear-waste-storage.html?goback=.gde_46854_member_5817409159699644416#!

EDF unveils new nuclear emergency response centre at Sizewell

http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/2013/12/edf-unveils-new-nuclear-emergency-response-centre-at-sizewell.html?goback=.gde_46854_member_5817292694401089538#!

The world's 10 smallest nuclear reactors

http://www.power-technology.com/features/featurethe-worlds-smallest-nuclear-reactors-4144463/?goback=.gde_46854_member_5817187386433495041#!

Should States Defer to Utility Companies or Initiate Their Own Mandatory Grid Reliability Upgrades?

Should States Defer to Utility Companies or Initiate Their Own Mandatory Grid Reliability Upgrades?

http://www.ourenergypolicy.org/should-states-defer-to-utility-companies-or-initiate-their-own-mandatory-grid-reliability-upgrades-2/?goback=.gde_46854_member_5817292804912615424#!

Brave Green World and the Cost of Electricity

http://euanmearns.com/brave-green-world-and-the-cost-of-electricity/?goback=.gde_46854_member_5817295898476056577#!

Energy News Roundup: Mexico Opens Doors to Foreign Energy Investment

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/energy-news-roundup-mexico-opens-doors-to-foreign-energy-investment/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Energy Quote of the Day: ‘Corn Ethanol Mandate is Bad Policy’

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/energy-quote-of-the-day-corn-ethanol-mandate-is-bad-policy/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Energy and Manufacturing: Maintaining the US’s Competitive Edge

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/energy-and-manufacturing-maintaining-the-uss-competitive-edge/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Energy State Governors Politely Tell Federal Government to Back Off

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/energy-state-governors-politely-tell-fed-government-to-back-off/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Why it Just Got Easier for Businesses to Divorce their Utilities

http://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/why-it-just-got-easier-for-businesses-to-divorce-their-utilities/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Advancing Small Modular Reactors: How We’re Supporting Next-Gen Nuclear Energy Technology

By US Department of Energy on December 13, 2013 at 5:00 PMhttp://breakingenergy.com/2013/12/13/advancing-small-modular-reactors-how-were-supporting-next-gen-nuclear-energy-technology/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=13ee6f52ef-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-13ee6f52ef-407304281

Nuclear energy continues to be an important part of America’s diverse energy portfolio, and the Energy Department is committed to supporting a domestic nuclear industry.
While we are supporting the deployment of passively safe large nuclear reactors, both in the United States and around the world, we are also looking to the next generation of nuclear energy technologies.
Today, the Department announced a new award that supports first-of-its-kind engineering, design certification and licensing for an innovative small modular reactor (SMR) design. Supporting this innovative technology will help advance low-carbon nuclear energy deployment in the United States.
What is a Small Modular Reactor?
Small modular reactors are approximately one-third the size of current nuclear power plants or about 300 megawatts — enough to power almost 230,000 homes each year. These reactors feature simplified, compact designs that are expected to be cost-effective and incredibly safe.
For example, small modular reactors could be manufactured in factories and transported to sites where they would be ready for installation upon arrival, reducing both capital costs and construction times. SMR designs also have built-in passive safety systems that use the natural circulation of air, water and steam to maintain the right conditions for operation.
At the commercial scale, SMRs could expand the options for nuclear power in the U.S. and around the world. The smaller size also makes these reactors ideal for small electric grids and for locations that cannot support large reactors, in addition to offering utilities the flexibility to scale production as demand changes.
The investment made today builds upon the Department’s broader efforts to promote a sustainable nuclear industry in the U.S., including cultivating the next generation of scientists and engineers and solving common challenges across the industry. Check out more on these efforts at www.energy.gov/nuclear.

Water Situation at Fukushima (As of September 20 , 2013

Water Situation at Fukushima

(As of September

20

, 2013
http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1326/ML13263A306.pdf

Fukushima Radiation to Reach U.S. Coast at Safe Levels, NRC Says

http://origin-www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-06/fukushima-radiation-to-reach-u-s-coast-at-safe-levels-nrc-says.html

DoE Energy Storage Report Praised By ESA | CleanTechnica

DoE Energy Storage Report Praised By ESA | CleanTechnica Joshua S Hill

The US Department of Energy has released their Grid Energy Storage report to the members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, ...

CleanTechnica

Fukushima Updates 12/13

Fukushima Commentary for today -

Fukushima evacuees get more and more money, but not the tsunami victims  

An objective comparison between the tsunami refugees and Fukushima evacuees paints a very disturbing, and downright infuriating picture. The Fukushima evacuees are far, far better-off than the tsunami refugees. Fukushima evacuees have been given many times more temporary housing and a lot more subsistence money. The world’s Press wants everyone to think all is going great with the tsunami victims and horrible with the Fukushima evacuees. How long will this smokescreen be allowed to persist?

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-commentary.html

Fossil Fuel's Wastewater Creating Earthquake Boom

Fossil Fuel's Wastewater Creating Earthquake Boom
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/12/13-1

Friends of the Earth: DOE Small Modular Reactor Subsidy for NuScale Power LLC Misguided

Friends of the Earth: DOE Small Modular Reactor Subsidy for NuScale Power LLC Misguided
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2013/12/13-0

B u si ne ss R is k s a nd Co s t s o f N e w N uc l e a r P o w er

 B u si ne ss R is k s a nd Co s t s o f N e w N uc l e a r P o w er
http://web.archive.org/web/20090225154550/http://climateprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nuclear-costs-2009.pdf

Advancing Small Modular Reactors: How We're Supporting Next-Gen Nuclear Energy Technology

Advancing Small Modular Reactors: How We're Supporting Next-Gen Nuclear Energy Technology

 

The basics of small modular reactor technology explained. | Infographic by Sarah Gerrity, Energy Department.

Assistant Secretary Lyons

Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy continues to be an important part of America’s diverse energy portfolio, and the Energy Department is committed to supporting a domestic nuclear industry.

While we are supporting the deployment of passively safe large nuclear reactors, both in the United States and around the world, we are also looking to the next generation of nuclear energy technologies.

Today, the Department announced a new award that supports first-of-its-kind engineering, design certification and licensing for an innovative small modular reactor (SMR) design. Supporting this innovative technology will help advance low-carbon nuclear energy deployment in the United States.  

What is a Small Modular Reactor?

Small modular reactors are approximately one-third the size of current nuclear power plants or about 300 megawatts -- enough to power almost 230,000 homes each year. These reactors feature simplified, compact designs that are expected to be cost-effective and incredibly safe.

For example, small modular reactors could be manufactured in factories and transported to sites where they would be ready for installation upon arrival, reducing both capital costs and construction times. SMR designs also have built-in passive safety systems that use the natural circulation of air, water and steam to maintain the right conditions for operation.

At the commercial scale, SMRs could expand the options for nuclear power in the U.S. and around the world. The smaller size also makes these reactors ideal for small electric grids and for locations that cannot support large reactors, in addition to offering utilities the flexibility to scale production as demand changes.

The investment made today builds upon the Department’s broader efforts to promote a sustainable nuclear industry in the U.S., including cultivating the next generation of scientists and engineers and solving common challenges across the industry. Check out more on these efforhttp://energy.gov/articles/advancing-small-modular-reactors-how-were-supporting-next-gen-nuclear-energy-technology

Nuclear Cooperation Agreements

http://www.nei.org/Issues-Policy/Exports-Trade/Nuclear-Cooperation-Agreements

Small Reactor Designs

http://www.nei.org/Issues-Policy/New-Nuclear-Energy-Facilities/Small-Reactor-Designs

Energy Department to Give $226 Million to Support Nuclear Reactor Design

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/business/energy-environment/energy-dept-to-give-226-million-to-new-nuclear-reactor-design.html

Oil and gas drilling waste is being spread over New York roads as de-icer

http://grist.org/news/oil-and-gas-drilling-waste-is-being-spread-over-new-york-roads-as-de-icer/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%2520Dec%252013&utm_campaign=daily

DOE Loan Program: Junk-Grade Investments or Smart Portfolio Management?

http://theenergycollective.com/hermantrabish/315941/doe-loan-program-junk-grade-investments-or-smart-portfolio-management?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The+Energy+Collective+%28all+posts%29

Nuke industry to Obama: You need us

Nuke industry to Obama: You need us

The Hill (blog) 

The nuclear industry is blasting President Obama for his recent executive order requiring federal agencies get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The Nuclear Energy Institute called the Dec. 5 order a "missed" opportunity by the ...http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/193008-nuke-industry-to-obama-you-need-us

Climatologist: Nuclear Power Only Way To Curb Climate Disruption

Addressing the American Geophysical Union, James Hansen urges fellow scientists to study, share facts on nuclear energy

http://www.popsci.com/article/science/climatologist-nuclear-power-only-way-curb-climate-disruption

Dealing With Iran As A Responsible Nuclear Power?

Dealing With Iran As A Responsible Nuclear Power? Forbes

Like it or not, it's time to deal with Iran as a responsible nuclear power. Yes, responsible. At this point, no-one can or will stop the Iranians from going nuclear but ...http://www.forbes.com/sites/mccloskeywarden/2013/12/12/dealing-with-iran-as-a-responsible-nuclear-power/

Hitachi to build four reactors at two British sites

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/12/12/business/hitachi-to-build-four-reactors-at-two-british-sites/#.UqtR6OLBOAh

Lawmakers' Retort to Obama's 'Flexible' Nuclear Trade Policy: Potential New Limits

http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/lawmakers-retort-obamas-flexible-nuclear-trade-policy-potential-new-limits/

How Nuclear Power Can Stop Global Warming

Nuclear power is one of the few technologies that can quickly combat climate change, experts argue

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-nuclear-power-can-stop-global-warming

Nuclear industry questions exclusion from Obama clean power order

 

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/nuclear-industry-questions-exclusion-from-obama-21945524

Related articles

• Marv Fertel Letter to President Obama
• NEI expresses disappointment over nuclear power's exclusion from renewables mandate
• US risks losing clean electricity if nuclear plants keep closing, report says
• US risks losing clean electricity if nuclear plants keep closing, report says

Closing CGS could save nearly $2B

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/closing-cgs-could-save-nearly-2b/2013-12-13?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

For more:
- see this report
Related Article:
CGS nuclear plant: Is 30 years of operation enough?

Read more about: Bonneville Power Administration, nuclear power plant
back to top

DOE invests in advanced energy technology

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/doe-invests-advanced-energy-technology/2013-12-13?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Japan looks to ratify liability accord

Japan looks to ratify liability accord
Japan intends to introduce legislation to ratify the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). Japan's ratification of the CSC will bring the international convention on liability into force.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Japan-looks-to-ratify-liability-accord-1312134.html

Construction starts of Iter Tokamak complex

Construction starts of Iter Tokamak complex
The first concrete has been poured for the basemat of the Tokamak complex of the Iter fusion reactor project at Cadarache in southern France.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Construction-starts-of-Iter-Tokamak-complex-1312135.html

CNNC signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan

CNNC signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan

Arnaud Lefevre-Baril Chief Executive Officer at Dynatom International GmbH

From December 2 to 6, Cao Shudong, deputy general manager of CNNC visited Kazakhstan to attend the seventh meeting of the China-Kazakhstan energy cooperation committee, and signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation. The meeting was co-chaired by the National Development and Reform Commission, the China National Energy Bureau, and the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Kazakhstan.

"The two sides will implement a cooperation programs in the uranium resource development, nuclear fuel processing, natural uranium trade, transit transport, construction of nuclear power plants.
　　Nuclear Group Planning and Development Department, Mineral Division, Atomic Energy Corporation and related companies, accompanied by leaders of the Central Plains.
http://www.cnnc.com.cn/publish/portal0/tab664/info78765.htm

New Acceleration of Nuclear Power in China

New Acceleration of Nuclear Power in China

Arnaud Lefevre-Baril Chief Executive Officer at Dynatom International GmbH

The National Development and Reform Commission organized a videoconference call on December 10 “the National Development and Reform promotion energy conservation system to strengthen the prevention and control of air pollution. The NDRC declared the acceleration of “the development of hydropower, nuclear power, wind power, solar, biomass, and distribution of electricity."
Note from Dynatom: This videoconference is the signal the Chinese government will not only secure the actual plan of development of nuclear power, but increase the number of approvals. I would not be surprised that we hear about inland NPP soon.


Source : http://www.hdzx2010.ibicn.com/news/d991461.html

PennEnergy Research: Electricity Costs and Economics Report

Electricity Costs and Economics Report

Summary
The power sector still remains an attractive area for investment but investors are now more cautious than previously. Global warming continues to be a dominant theme but alongside that there is a new pragmatism about fossil fuel combustion which will continue to dominate the power sector for another generation at least. Meanwhile renewable sources of generation continue to advance, led principally by wind power but with solar capacity growing rapidly too, though from a small base.

Electricity is the most important energy source in the modern age but also the most ephemeral, a source that must be consumed as fast as it is produced. This makes modeling the economics of electricity production more complex than carrying out the same exercise for other products. Accurate modeling is important because it forms the basis for future investment decisions. In the electricity sector two fundamental yardsticks are used for cost comparison, capital cost and the levelized cost of electricity. The latter is a lifecycle cost analysis of a power plant that uses assumptions about the future value of money to convert all future costs and revenues into current prices. This model is widely used in the power industry but has some significant failings, particularly in its ability to handle risk. Even so these two measures, together, are the first consulted when power sector investment and planning decisions are to be made.

Production of electricity has always involved an element of risk but this has been extended, and in some cases magnified by the introduction of liberalized electricity markets. One big source of risk is fuel price risk. If an investment is made today based on a predicted cost of natural gas that turns out to be wildly in error because prices soar, as has happened during the past decade, then that investment will be in danger of failing to be economical to operate. Therefore some measure of the risk of fuel price volatility should be included in any economic model. Other risks arise where large capital investment is required in untested technology. Meanwhile the liberalized market has introduced new types of risk more often associated with financial markets.

Scope

• Analysis of power generation costs concepts, drivers and components
• Assessment of electricity costs for different technologies in terms of the two fundamental yardsticks used for cost comparison, capital cost and the levelized cost of electricity
• Insight relating to the most innovative technologies and potential areas of opportunity for manufacturers
• Examination of the key power generation technologies costs
• Identification of the key trends shaping the market, as well as an evaluation of emerging trends that will drive innovation moving forward

ANS Update 12/13 ANS 1st Annual Meeting Program

ANS 1st Annual Meeting Program

By ansnuclearcafe on Dec 13, 2013 09:57 am

Editor’s note: December 11 marked the 59th anniversary of the founding of the American Nuclear Society. After posting a note on ANS Facebook with an image of the ANS 1st annual meeting program cover, the thought struck… “Well, perhaps some … Continue reading →
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15 nation radiation cancer study used questionable data

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Areva Signs I&C Contract For China’s Fuqing Nuclear Station

Areva Signs I&C Contract For China’s Fuqing Nuclear Station

Fri, Dec 13 2013 10:59 AM

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13 Dec (NucNet): Areva of France, in a consortium with Siemens, has signed a contract with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and the China General Nuclear Power Corporation to supply the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems for two ...read more

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• Read the complete post at www.nucnet.org/.../areva-signs-i-c-contract-for-china-s-fuqing-nuclear-station

IAEA Mission Concludes Peer Review of Belgium’s Nuclear Regulatory Framework

13 December 2013

Featured, Press Releases

Brussels, Belgium – Senior international nuclear safety and radiation protection experts today concluded a 12-day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission to review the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety in Belgium.
The mission reviewed the effectiveness of Belgium’s nuclear regulator, the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) and its subsidiary Bel V, in regulating the safety of the use of radioactive material. Their regulatory authority covers nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel cycle facilities, radioactive waste storage facilities, radioactive waste management and decommissioning, occupational radiation protection, public and environmental exposures, emergency planning and response, and transport of radioactive material.
The team made recommendations and suggestions to the regulatory body and the Government to help them strengthen the effectiveness of Belgium’s regulatory framework and functions in line with IAEA Safety Standards.
“The Belgian regulatory body oversees a wide range of activities, and the regulatory framework for these activities is complex.  We observed a dedicated, professional and experienced staff with an appropriate focus on safety during implementation of their regulatory duties over the wide range of facilities and activities in Belgium,” said Colin Patchett, IRRS mission Team Leader and United Kingdom Office for Nuclear Regulation Director – IRRS Missions.
FANC’s Director General, Jan Bens, said that implementation of the recommendations and consideration of suggestions developed by the team will further improve the Belgian regulatory body’s work to protect the public and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The regulatory body will also use the IRRS team’s findings as guidance to ensure that it has the necessary skills and competences in the field of decommissioning.
The 26-member review team comprised experts from Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as six IAEA staff members and an observer each from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority and the European Commission. The Belgian Government invited the mission, which included site visits to observe inspections and an emergency exercise as well as interviews and discussions with FANC and Bel V staff and other organizations.
The main observations of the IRRS Review team included the following:

• Protection of the public and the environment from ionizing radiation is addressed in Belgium’s  legal system;
• FANC and Bel V jointly implement regulatory functions in Belgium;
• From the team’s interactions, it was noted that the regulatory body staff is committed to assuring nuclear and radiation safety in Belgium;
• The regulatory body actively participates in the Global Safety Regime, a framework for achieving the worldwide implementation of a high level of safety at nuclear installations; and
• The mission found that Belgium’s regulatory regime had responded in a timely and effective way to the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The stress test that was held as part of the response was extended to include not only nuclear power plants but also other relevant facilities.

Good practices identified by the IRRS team included the following:

• The regulatory body’s  review of flaws in the pressure vessels of nuclear power plant reactors Doel 3 and Tihange 2  were thorough and significant in terms of international collaboration;
• Transport of radioactive materials is well regulated;
• FANC is proactive in engaging with interested parties to promote  radiation safety in the medical sector; and
• The regulatory body captures and analyses safety culture information during inspections.

The mission identified issues in need of attention or improvement, including the following:

• A national policy and strategy for nuclear and radiation safety including management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management should be developed;
• A systematic review of the Belgian regulatory structure’s ability  to effectively discharge its responsibilities should be developed and implemented;
• Belgium’s legislative and regulatory process for developing and reviewing regulations and guides needs to be updated, and
• A clear separation needs to be established between the authority for regulating safety and the responsibility for developing nuclear energy policy at the government level.

 The final mission report will be provided to the Belgian government in about three months. The FANC informed the team that it will make the report public and that it will request a follow-up mission.
Quick Facts
Belgium has seven operating nuclear power reactors at two sites, and a large variety of nuclear installations and source users including research reactors, radioactive waste treatment, and medical and industrial sources and users.
About IRRS Missions
The IRRS missions review a broad spectrum of the nuclear legal and regulatory framework, resulting in recommendations to improve compliance with the IAEA safety standards and suggestions for further possible enhancement of the regulatory framework.
This is done through consideration of both regulatory technical and policy issues, with comparisons against IAEA safety standards and, where appropriate, good practices elsewhere. IRRS missions are designed to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure of States, while recognizing the ultimate responsibility of each State to ensure safety in this area.
The IAEA encourages countries that have hosted initial IRRS missions to invite follow-up missions two to four years after the initial missions.
The mission to Belgium was the 50^th IRRS mission conducted since the inception of the IRRS programme in 2006.
More information about IRRS missions is available on the IAEA Website.
Press Contacts
IAEA Press Office
[43] 1 2600 21273
press@iaea.org