New Report Published: The ITER Power Amplification Myth


New Report Published: The ITER Power Amplification Myth


Dear Ms. Kearney,

More than $20 billion will be spent on the ITER fusion reactor, now under construction in southern France. The ITER reactor has been publicized to give the impression that it will produce
10 times the power it will consume. It will do no such thing. The reactor is designed to produce only 1.6 times more thermal power than it consumes in electric power. With a more conservative calculation, the reactor will lose more power than it produces.

Three independent sources have confirmed the power values:

1. Daniel Jassby, former principal research physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
2. Hartmut Zohm, head of the Tokamak Scenario Development Division at the Max-Planck-Institute of Plasma Physics.
3. Steven Cowley, chief executive officer of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

My third report in this series, "The ITER Power Amplification Myth,"  is now available on the New Energy Times news site.

Thank you,
Steven

Steven B. Krivit began his science journalism career focusing on low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR) in 2000. He initially reported on the work of credentialed scientists who claimed that they had experimental evidence of "cold fusion." However, by 2008, Krivit had identified eight experimental facts that disproved their "cold fusion" hypothesis. Since then, Krivit has published extensively, in encyclopedias and peer-reviewed journals, about the distinction between the erroneous idea of "cold fusion" and the valid science of LENRs. His distinction was adopted by the Library of Congress in 2016 for its authoritative subject heading index. Krivit’s latest article on LENR was published by Scientific American on Dec. 7, 2016.

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup October 6, 2017

Nuclear Roundup
October 6, 2017
A daily roundup of quality nuclear policy news.

North Korea

CIA: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un isn't crazy

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/05/politics/cia-kim-jong-un-intelligence-profile/index.html

Obama calls North Korea a real threat at forum in Brazil

https://www.apnews.com/7f95cf8abae8425c91d7b2c324dc19e4/Obama-calls-North-Korea-a-%22real-threat%22-at-forum-in-Brazil

U.S. prepares new missiles for Japan after North Korea threatens nuclear war

http://www.newsweek.com/us-military-prepares-war-north-korea-selling-missiles-japan-678830

United States

This Is What Trump Got WRONG About Nuclear Weapons and Global Politics

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/trump-nuclear-weapons-global-politics

The Nobel Peace Prize for an anti-nuclear weapons group probably won’t please the U.S.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/06/the-nobel-peace-prize-for-an-anti-nuclear-weapons-group-probably-wont-please-the-u-s/?utm_term=.4728d3445b2a

International

Trump plans to declare that Iran nuclear deal is not in the national interest

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-plans-to-declare-that-iran-nuclear-deal-is-not-in-the-national-interest/2017/10/05/825c916e-a9e3-11e7-b3aa-c0e2e1d41e38_story.html?utm_term=.1307dd2ab96f

Iran Nuclear Deal Should Be Preserved: Russia

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-10-06/iran-nuclear-deal-should-be-preserved-russian-formin

Europe helped draft the Iran nuclear deal. Now E.U. leaders seek to save it from Trump pressure.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/europe-helped-hammer-out-the-iran-nuclear-deal-now-eu-leaders-seek-to-save-it-from-trump-pressure/2017/10/06/9fe10f76-aa0b-11e7-92d1-58c702d2d975_story.html?utm_term=.3df60b25229e

Donald Trump’s demonisation of Iran is dishonest and dangerous

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/06/trump-demonisation-iran-dishonest-dangerous-nuclear-deal

Why Decertifying the Iran Nuclear Deal Would Be a Bad Idea

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/opinion/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html?_r=0

India’s nuclear arsenal

http://nation.com.pk/columns/06-Oct-2017/india-s-nuclear-arsenal

Pakistan warns India against targeting its nuclear installations

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pakistan-warns-india-against-targeting-its-nuclear-installations/articleshow/60967586.cms

Evaluating the Risks Posed by Russia’s Nuclear Upgrade

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/85431

Russia stands by nuclear parity, after Nobel Peace Prize decision

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/europe/2017-10-06-russia-stands-by-nuclear-parity-after-nobel-peace-prize-decision/

International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons Wins 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/06/556047073/2017-nobel-peace-prize

Text of Nobel Peace Prize Award to Anti-Nuclear Campaign ICAN

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-10-06/text-of-nobel-peace-prize-award-to-anti-nuclear-campaign-ican

This year’s Nobel peace prize rewards a nice but pointless idea

https://www.economist.com/news/international/21730075-banning-nuclear-weapons-will-not-do-much-advance-cause-peace-years-nobel


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NRC Special Inspection Under Way at Browns Ferry


NRC Special Inspection Under Way at Browns Ferry

NRC said on Sept. 24 during routine testing, the unit's high-pressure coolant injection system unexpectedly pumped water into the reactor vessel instead of a storage tank, and TVA later determined that a failed nut on a valve allowed it to remain partially open.

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/10/05/special-inspection-browns-ferry.aspx

Reduce the $7.5 billion annual spend on nuclear maintenance and upgrades

In some places NPP operating costs have risen by 30% in the last few years. Despite the nuclear industry’s traditionally risk-averse approach, it’s evident that the potential for cost reduction through digital innovation is skyrocketing.
As such, when EDF implemented predictive maintenance across their nuclear and fossil fuel generation fleet, a single catch saved the company over $1 million.
Nuclear Energy Insider has produced a free nuclear plant digitalization infographic, detailing a breakdown of the core areas of digitalization, providing data on opportunities within digital upgrades, cyber security, predictive analytics, I&C upgrades and records management.
Get your complimentary copy right here
What to expect from the infographic:
  • Key market statistics on operating and maintenance costs: learn which areas of O&M are being invested in to understand the near-future opportunities in this rapidly-growing market
  • Cyber-security, predictive analytics, records & configuration management and I&C: With the industry investing $7.5 billion annually in reactor maintenance and upgrades, get a breakdown of upcoming digital investments to see the biggest future opportunities
  • Digital innovation to deliver competitively priced nuclear power: understand the key drivers behind the transition from analog to digital including ageing and obsolete equipment
I’d be keen to hear your thoughts!
Kind regards,
Charlotte
Charlotte Howlett
Senior Project Director
Nuclear Energy Insider
+44 (0) 20 7375 7182 (Global)
+1 800 814 3459 x7182 (US toll free)
chowlett@nuclearenergyinsider.com

The Urgent U.S. Role In Post-Referendum Kurdistan

The Urgent U.S. Role In Post-Referendum Kurdistan

By By Michael Knights,   /  Thursday, October 5, 2017 10:00 AM
The Iraqi Kurds have angered their neighbors, but imminent punitive measures could quickly strengthen Iran and disrupt the campaign against the Islamic State. The September 25 statehood referendum in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq passed overwhelmingly, with 92.7 percent of voters choosing “yes.” Although the outcome does not trigger any administrative changes and is explicitly

Unexpected source of Fukushima-derived radiocesium to the coastal ocean of Japan

Unexpected source of Fukushima-derived radiocesium to the coastal ocean of Japan

Abstract

There are 440 operational nuclear reactors in the world, with approximately one-half situated along the coastline. This includes the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), which experienced multiple reactor meltdowns in March 2011 followed by the release of radioactivity to the marine environment. While surface inputs to the ocean via atmospheric deposition and rivers are usually well monitored after a nuclear accident, no study has focused on subterranean pathways. During our study period, we found the highest cesium-137 (137Cs) levels (up to 23,000 Bq⋅m−3) outside of the FDNPP site not in the ocean, rivers, or potable groundwater, but in groundwater beneath sand beaches over tens of kilometers away from the FDNPP. Here, we present evidence of a previously unknown, ongoing source of Fukushima-derived 137Cs to the coastal ocean. We postulate that these beach sands were contaminated in 2011 through wave- and tide-driven exchange and sorption of highly radioactive Cs from seawater. Subsequent desorption of 137Cs and fluid exchange from the beach sands was quantified using naturally occurring radium isotopes. This estimated ocean 137Cs source (0.6 TBq⋅y−1) is of similar magnitude as the ongoing releases of 137Cs from the FDNPP site for 2013–2016, as well as the input of Fukushima-derived dissolved 137Cs via rivers. Although this ongoing source is not at present a public health issue for Japan, the release of Cs of this type and scale needs to be considered in nuclear power plant monitoring and scenarios involving future accidents.

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup October 5, 2017

Nuclear Roundup
October 5, 2017
A daily roundup of quality nuclear policy news.

North Korea

Trump and Japan’s Abe agree to keep pressure on North Korea

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-japan-northkorea/trump-and-japans-abe-agree-to-keep-pressure-on-north-korea-idUSKBN1C9238

A North Korea Nuclear Strike on Tokyo and Seoul Could Kill 2.1 Million

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-05/nuke-strike-on-kim-s-neighbors-could-kill-estimated-2-1-million

North Korea is testing not just bombs but the entire global nuclear monitoring system

https://qz.com/1093265/north-korea-is-testing-not-just-bombs-but-the-entire-global-nuclear-monitoring-system/

Nuclear watchdog seeks airborne particles from North Korea

http://www.nrttv.com/EN/Details.aspx?Jimare=16854

North Korea ‘Decoders’ Offer Dire Warnings About Nuclear Program

https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-korea-decoders-offer-dire-warnings-about-nuclear-program-1507195803

NKorean workers prep seafood going to US stores, restaurants

https://apnews.com/8b493b7df6e147e98d19f3abb5ca090a/NKorean-workers-prep-seafood-going-to-US-stores,-restaurants

Jimmy Carter: What I’ve learned from North Korea’s leaders

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/jimmy-carter-what-ive-learned-from-north-koreas-leaders/2017/10/04/a2851a9e-a7bb-11e7-850e-2bdd1236be5d_story.html?utm_term=.c657ccea360c

Inside North Korea, and Feeling the Drums of War

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/opinion/sunday/nuclear-north-korea.html?_r=0

United States

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Modernization

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-nuclear-weapons-modernization

Finish the MOX Project

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/10/03

Study Shows Public Approval of Nuclear Weapons Usage

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/10/5/nuclear-weapons-/

Improved Planning and Communication Needed for Plutonium-238 and Radioisotope Power Systems Production

https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-161T

Lockheed, Rockwell to develop airborne C2 system for launching ICBMs

https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017/10/04/lockheed-rockwell-get-contracts-to-develop-airborne-c2-system-for-launching-icbms/

Why Tactical Nuclear Weapons Are Still A Thing

http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2017/10/why-tactical-nuclear-weapons-are-still-thing/141540/?oref=defenseone_today_nl

These airmen cleaned up an H-bomb disaster. Decades later, they're still fighting for benefits.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/These-airmen-cleaned-up-an-H-bomb-disaster-12254665.php

International

Nuke deal hangs in balance as Trump plans Iran policy speech

https://www.apnews.com/e726f1c5747b434a912a3a896d6a4fbe/Nuke-deal-hangs-in-balance-as-Trump-plans-Iran-policy-speech

Trump to receive multiple options on Iran nuclear deal: Tillerson

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa/trump-to-receive-multiple-options-on-iran-nuclear-deal-tillerson-idUSKBN1C926W?il=0

Rep. Connolly: Countdown to zero: The case for the Iran deal

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/353923-countdown-to-zero-the-case-for-the-iran-deal

Hibbs: Implement the JCPOA

http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1204247/implement-the-jcpoa/

'World's most robust' nuclear inspection program under fire as Trump tries to rewrite the Iran deal

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-iran-inspections-2017-story.html

Trump has absolutely no reason to blow up the Iran deal

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/04/opinions/trump-has-no-reason-to-blow-up-the-iran-deal-opinion-kirby/index.html

Revealed: Russia’s New Experimental ICBM Warheads

https://thediplomat.com/2017/10/revealed-russias-new-experimental-icbm-warheads/

Russia Reduces 204 Nuclear Deployed Warheads between March and September 2017

http://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/columns/day-figure/russia-reduces-204-nuclear-deployed-warheads-between-march-and-september-2017/

Everything You Need to Know: Russia's 'Tactical' Nuclear Weapons

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/everything-you-need-know-russias-tactical-nuclear-weapons-22607

Radiation from Fukushima nuclear disaster discovered in sand and groundwater 60 miles away

http://www.newsweek.com/fukushima-radioactive-cesium-ocean-677449

Ambassador highlights Vietnam’s stand in disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/187734/ambassador-highlights-vietnam-s-stand-in-disarmament--nuclear-non-proliferation.html

General Interest

The enormous cost of more nuclear weapons

https://www.salon.com/2017/10/05/the-enormous-cost-of-more-nuclear-weapons_partner/

The nuclear taboo

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/234552-The-nuclear-taboo

New ‘molecular trap’ cleans more radioactive waste from nuclear fuel rods

http://news.wfu.edu/2017/10/05/new-molecular-trap-cleans-radioactive-waste-nuclear-fuel-rods/


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Fukushima Update 10/5/17

Fukushima Update 10/5/17

A Minamisoma district harvests rice for the first time in seven years… Muon imaging of unit #3 shows the possibility of partial melt-through of the RPV… The world’s Press continues to exploit Fukushima phobia… Safety screenings for Kashiwazaki-Kariwa units #6&7 are approved by the NRA… Japan’s minority parties once again try to make no-nukes a major campaign issue… The Industry Minister says zero nuclear plants is unrealistic… and a lot more.

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

IAEA Sees Safety Commitment at UAE's First Nuclear Power Plant Ahead of Planned Operation Start

IAEA Sees Safety Commitment at UAE's First Nuclear Power Plant Ahead of Planned Operation Start

2017/44
Barakah United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates Flag
United Arab Emirates flag. (Photo: Paolo Rosa/Flickr)
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts observed a commitment to safety by the operator of the United Arab Emirates’ first Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of its planned start of operations. The team also identified areas where further improvements may be achieved as the plant prepares for full operations.
The Pre-Operational Safety Review Team (Pre-OSART) concluded an 18-day mission on 3 October to assess operational safety at the site in Barakah, Abu Dhabi, where the country has engaged Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) to construct and commission four 1400 MW pressurized water reactors. The operator is Nawah Energy Company, a joint venture between Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and KEPCO.
Pre-OSART missions aim to improve operational safety by objectively assessing safety performance using the IAEA’s safety standards and proposing recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
“Constructing a large, modern nuclear power plant in a country with no previous nuclear experience requires senior leaders to establish a sustained commitment to nuclear safety and for every level of the organization to adopt it,” said Team Leader Peter Tarren, Head of the IAEA’s Operational Safety Section. “The Pre-OSART team has observed that commitment and has been able to offer practical ways in which it can be enhanced.”
The 15-member team comprised experts from the Finland, France, Hungary, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, as well as four IAEA officials.
The review covered the areas of leadership and management for safety; training and qualification; operations; maintenance; technical support; operating experience; radiation protection; chemistry; emergency preparedness and response; accident management; human, technology and organizational interactions; and commissioning.
The team identified a number of good practices that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:
  • A leadership development programme ensuring that the multi-cultural, multi-national nature of the staff is maintained and leveraged to build strong teams with a focus on safe operation.
  • The development of the UAE National Qualification Authority (NQA) for nuclear positions, which will enhance and streamline training and qualification of employees.
  • The establishment of good relations with off-site organizations and other interested parties, allowing for rapid communications and actions should an event occur at the plant.
  • Main Control Room (MCR) simulators creatively designed and cost effectively implemented to meet demanding plant training schedules.
The mission made a number of recommendations to improve operational safety, including:
  • The plant should reinforce the effectiveness of managers by ensuring that their expectations are met at the point of work.
  • The plant should improve oversight of maintenance activities performed by contractors in order to ensure equipment safety and reliability.
  • The plant should ensure timely development, validation and approval of a comprehensive surveillance programme and implementation procedures.
  • The plant should enhance configuration control over design changes done by the contractor during construction and commissioning to ensure that all design changes are reflected in operations and maintenance procedures, and training.
The team provided a draft of the report to the plant’s management. The plant management and the UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation have an opportunity to make factual comments on the draft, which will be reviewed by the IAEA. The final report will be submitted to the UAE Government within three months.
Plant management said it would address the areas identified for improvement and requested a follow-up OSART mission in about 18 months.
Background
General information about OSART missions can be found on the IAEA Website.  An OSART mission is designed as a review of programmes and activities essential to operational safety. It is not a regulatory inspection, nor is it a design review or a substitute for an exhaustive assessment of the plant’s overall safety status. This was the 196th mission of the OSART programme, which began in 1982.