Thursday, December 31, 2015

US demonstrates production of nuclear battery fuel

US demonstrates production of nuclear battery fuel Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 30, 2015 - The first U.S. production in nearly 30 years of a specialized fuel to power future deep space missions has been completed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee. The production of 50 grams of plutonium-238 -roughly the mass of a golf ball - marks the first demonstration in the United States since the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina c ... morehttp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/US_demonstrates_production_of_nuclear_battery_fuel_999.html

US preparing new sanctions against Iran: report

US preparing new sanctions against Iran: report Washington (AFP) Dec 30, 2015 - The United States is preparing sanctions against firms and individuals in Iran, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates over alleged links to Iran's ballistic missile program, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Such a move would be the first American sanctions against Iran since Tehran signed a nuclear deal with world powers in July that will eventually see Washington drop separate s ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_preparing_new_sanctions_against_Iran_report_999.html

Record El Nino, climate change drive extreme weather

Record El Nino, climate change drive extreme weather Paris (AFP) Dec 30, 2015 - Deadly extreme weather on at least five continents is driven in large part by a record-breaking El Nino, but climate change is a likely booster too, experts said Monday. The 2015-16 El Nino, they added, is the strongest ever measured. "It is probably the most powerful in the last 100 years," said Jerome Lecou, a climate expert at the French weather service Meteo France, noting that accur ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/Record_El_Nino_climate_change_drive_extreme_weather_999.html

China's Nuclear Power Debate


China's Nuclear Power Debate


http://thediplomat.com/2015/12/chinas-nuclear-power-debate/

No limit to output, Saudi Arabia says

No limit to output, Saudi Arabia says Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (UPI) Dec 30, 2015 - There is no limit to the level of Saudi crude oil production so long as demand permits, the Saudi oil minister said Wednesday from Riyadh. The Saudi Finance Ministry this week reported total revenue for fiscal year 2015 at $162 billion, an estimated 15 percent decline from budgeted revenues. Oil revenues are expected to reach $118 billion, a decline of 23 percent from the previous year. ... morehttp://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/No_limit_to_output_Saudi_Arabia_says_999.html

THE BIG PICTURE 2015: The Year in Power Sector Infographics

THE BIG PICTURE 2015: The Year in Power Sector Infographics
POWER's monthly infographic sheds light on power sector trends globally. In 2015, it highlighted changes in plant retirements, sector revenues, rule costs, workforce, emissions technologies, and electricity costs, among other subjects.  Read Morehttp://www.powermag.com/the-big-picture-2015-the-year-in-power-sector-infographics/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3196365&hq_l=12&hq_v=30108e0773

World’s Last Magnox Nuclear Reactor Shuts Down for Final Time

World’s Last Magnox Nuclear Reactor Shuts Down for Final Time
The Wylfa Nuclear Power Station—the last operating Magnox reactor in the world—came offline permanently on Dec. 30. Located in Anglesey, an island off the northwest coast of Wales in the UK, the plant entered service in 1971. Read Morehttp://www.powermag.com/worlds-last-magnox-nuclear-reactor-shuts-down-for-final-time/?hq_e=el&hq_m=3196365&hq_l=5&hq_v=30108e0773

Fukushima Update 12/31/15

Fukushima Update 12/31/15

Takahama unit #3 fuel loading is complete… Fukushima’s population decline has been less than Iwate’s tsunami-hit communities… Fukushima “direct sale” markets are doing more business than before 3/11/11.

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

The 2016 Energy Quiz


The 2016 Energy Quiz
Like every year from here on out, energy will be a hot topic again in 2016. Do you know which state has the lowest carbon energy mix? What energy source has the biggest deathprint? When were the uranium atoms created that are used in all nuclear reactors today? Take this energy quiz to test your knowledge of the most important issue of our lives. 

Waterford 3 contractors falsified inspection records

Waterford 3 contractors falsified inspection records

Faked fire inspection records for 10 months, NRC says


http://www.heraldguide.com/details.php?id=16420

Study Looks at Renewable Energy in Germany and Texas

Study Looks at Renewable Energy in Germany and Texas

Holbert Janson
December 29, 2015 | Post Your Comment
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A report published by Stanford's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance looks at three of the world’s largest economies and largest energy jurisdictions in an attempt to compare their approaches to ramping up renewable energy. Full Article http://blog.renewableenergyworld.com/ugc/blogs/2015/12/study_looks_at_renew.html?cmpid=renewablestorage12312015

10 Most-read Articles of 2015 on RenewableEnergyWorld.com

10 Most-read Articles of 2015 on RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Renewable Energy World Editors
December 25, 2015 | Post Your Comment
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It’s time to look back at which articles on RenewableEnergyWorld.com captured the most attention from readers in 2015. Take a look at visual stories that explored how we feel about climate change and show what it’s like to be a wind farm operator. Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/10-most-read-articles-of-2015-on-renewableenergyworld-com.html?cmpid=renewablestorage12312015&eid=288118515&bid=1265598

Batteries Gaining Favor Over Gas Peaker Plants in California

Batteries Gaining Favor Over Gas Peaker Plants in California

Brian Eckhouse
December 22, 2015 | Post Your Comment
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Southern California Edison is embracing energy storage technology over the natural gas-fired peaker plants that utilities have traditionally relied upon to meet sudden shortfalls in electricity. Full Article http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/12/batteries-gaining-favor-over-gas-peaker-plants-in-california.html?cmpid=renewablestorage12312015&eid=288118515&bid=1265598

Russian n-reactor to India rated higher than others


Russian n-reactor to India rated higher than others

Russia is setting up two VVER-1200 reactors at its Novovoronezh nuclear power plant complex and at two other locations

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/russian-n-reactor-to-india-rated-higher-than-others-115122900814_1.html

Arnie Gundersen on AP1000

In 2010, Arnie Gundersen released a report theorizing about a vulnerability of the ap1000 containment (attached). My summary at the time: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/critics-challenge-safety-of-new-nuclear-reactor-design/?_r=0
I think he's wrong (and more importantly, the NRC thought he was wrong) but his complaint was at least within his area of expertise; his specialty was containments. 



Matthew L. Wald
202-997-5854

Post Accident AP1000 Containment Leakage
An Unreviewed Safety Issue


http://www.nonukesyall.org/pdfs/20100407-ap1000-gundersen-containment-report.pdf

Matt:

With due respect, Mr. Gundersen has a lengthy, publicly accessible resume that does not include any education or professional experience related to nuclear reactor containment design, construction, licensing or testing.


He’s written some reports and provided “expert” witness testimony on the topic, but the standards of acceptance for those venues are not all that challenging.

Mr. Gundersen has also claimed to have been a licensed reactor operator when the only license he ever held was for a 100 watt research reactor at RPI. He’s published reports on the effects of tritium and on the flaws in the San Onofre steam generator.

Rod Adams
Publisher, Atomic Insights

China has world's largest nuclear power capacity under construction

China has world's largest nuclear power capacity under construction Beijing (XNA) Dec 30, 2015 - China boasts the world's largest nuclear power capacity under construction as it strives to reduce pollution from coal-burning generators, an official said Tuesday. Nuclear power projects approved and under construction will be able to provide 32.03 million kilowatts, said Nur Bekri, head of the National Energy Administration. In 2015, 8.2 million kilowatts were put into operation an ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/China_has_worlds_largest_nuclear_power_capacity_under_construction_999.html

Bangladesh inks 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant construction deal with Russian company

Bangladesh inks 12.65 bln USD nuclear power plant construction deal with Russian company Dhaka (XNA) Dec 30, 2015 - The Bangladeshi government has signed the country's biggest ever contract worth 12.65 billion U.S. dollars with a Russian state-run company to build a nuclear power plant with a generation capacity of 2,400 megawatts of electricity. Md Monirul Islam, chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, and VN Savushkin, senior vice president of Russian Atomstroyexport, a contractor appointed b ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Bangladesh_inks_12_65_bln_USD_nuclear_power_plant_construction_deal_with_Russian_company_999.html

Moscow, Dhaka Sign Contract on Construction of First Bangladeshi NPP

Moscow, Dhaka Sign Contract on Construction of First Bangladeshi NPP Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 30, 2015 - Russia and Bangladesh have signed a contract on the joint construction of the first Bangladeshi nuclear power plant, a spokesperson for the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Wednesday. Under the contract, the Russian nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly Atomstroyexport, part of Rosatom, agrees to construct and coordinate the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Moscow_Dhaka_Sign_Contract_on_Construction_of_First_Bangladeshi_NPP_999.html

Global renewable energy to boom over next decade


Global renewable energy to boom over next decade

$subtitles.get($x) Most analysts believe that between 2030 and 2050, renewable energy production will reach its watershed moment, as many countries have agreed to shift toward alternative energy by that time. … Continue Reading http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2015/12/global-renewable-energy-to-boom-over-next-decade.html?cmpid=EnlDailyPowerDecember302015&eid=288118515&bid=1265190

Iran says days away from nuclear deal implementation

Iran says days away from nuclear deal implementation Tehran (AFP) Dec 29, 2015 - Iran said Tuesday it had entered the final days of completing its commitments under a landmark international deal to curb its atomic programme after it shipped low-enriched uranium to Russia. Iran's atomic energy agency said 11 tons of uranium materials were sent to Russia on Monday, a move US Secretary of State John Kerry said was "significant progress" under the July 14 nuclear agreement b ... morehttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/Iran_says_days_away_from_nuclear_deal_implementation_999.html

Hit by low oil prices, Saudi Arabia makes unprecedented cuts

Hit by low oil prices, Saudi Arabia makes unprecedented cuts

Riyadh announced prices would rise not only on fuel, electricity, water but even plane tickets and cigarettes



http://www.emirates247.com/business/hit-by-low-oil-prices-saudi-arabia-makes-unprecedented-cuts-2015-12-30-1.615472

Palo Verde nuclear power plant continues to defy desert

Fire protection engineer Greg Cameron describes how turbines are repaired during the shut down process inside the plant’s turbine deck. (Photo by Curtis Spicer/Cronkite News)
Plant workers must hold counters like these to measure personal exposure to radiation. (Photo by Curtis Spicer/Cronkite News)
This turbine is being repaired during the shut down process at Palo Verde’s Nuclear Generating Station. (Photo by Curtis Spicer/Cronkite News)
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station’s infrastructure helps handle electricity exiting the plant and distributes it. (Photo by Curtis Spicer/Cronkite News)
This tank stores water as part of the nuclear reaction process to improve thermodynamic efficiency. (Photo by Curtis Spicer/Cronkite News)

Palo Verde nuclear power plant continues to defy desert



http://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2015/12/29/palo-verde-nuclear-power-plant-continues-to-defy-desert/