Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Time to Re-examine Alternatives for Plutonium Disposition - Dr. Peter Lyons explains why dilute and dispose is wasteful and unworkable - Atomic Insights

Time to Re-examine Alternatives for Plutonium Disposition - Dr. Peter Lyons explains why dilute and dispose is wasteful and unworkable - Atomic Insights: By Peter Lyons Somewhere in Russia, 34 tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium—enough material to make about 10,000 weapons—are awaiting disposal. Moscow was supposed to start destroying this stockpile, but has yet to start, leaving a huge threat lurking in an unknown location. If even a tiny fraction of this

Will Trump Partner With Saudi Arabia On Nuclear Deal? | OilPrice.com

Will Trump Partner With Saudi Arabia On Nuclear Deal? | OilPrice.com: Saudi Arabia is close to deciding who will win the multibillion-dollar contracts to partner with the kingdom on its new nuclear power plan

Nuclear News Roundup Feb 23, 2017 | Nucleotidings

Nuclear News Roundup Feb 23, 2017 | Nucleotidings

Nuclear Reactors 541 - The Czech Republic Negotiating With European Union Commission Over Purchase Of Russian Reactor | Nucleotidings

Nuclear Reactors 541 - The Czech Republic Negotiating With European Union Commission Over Purchase Of Russian Reactor | Nucleotidings

Korea, import radioactive Fukushima fish, WTO demands | Dear Kitty. Some blog

Korea, import radioactive Fukushima fish, WTO demands | Dear Kitty. Some blog: https://youtu.be/G5JpKexL_k8 This Associated Press video says about itself: 31 July 2015 South Korea is banning imports of all fishery products from Japan's Fukushima region because of what it calls growing public worry over radiation-contaminated food that has reportedly prompted a sharp decline in fish consumption. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Friday that…

New York is not prepared for Indian Point’s closure – SHARE NY

New York is not prepared for Indian Point’s closure – SHARE NY

Trump: I May Punish the Entire World for North Korea’s Sins

Trump: I May Punish the Entire World for North Korea’s Sins: “If the sanctions don’t work, we’ll have to go to Phase 2. Phase 2 may be a very rough thing. May be very, very unfortunate for the world.”

Co-ops sue Santee Cooper to stop VC Summer nuclear charges | The State

Co-ops sue Santee Cooper to stop VC Summer nuclear charges | The State: Santee Cooper’s largest customer, S.C.’s electric co-ops, decided Friday to sue the state-owned utility to stop it from charging any more for the failed V.C. Summer nuclear project.

State close to deal on Vermont Yankee sale | The Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

State close to deal on Vermont Yankee sale | The Brattleboro Reformer | Brattleboro Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic

How the Trump administration wants to make it easier for commercial space companies to do business - The Verge

How the Trump administration wants to make it easier for commercial space companies to do business - The Verge: The Trump administration’s National Space Council met publicly for the second time this week, and the big topic of the day was regulatory reform.

China to topple United States as biggest nuclear-energy nation — RT Business News

China to topple United States as biggest nuclear-energy nation — RT Business News: Beijing is forecast to triple its nuclear capacity in the next 20 years, ousting the US as number one nuclear-power producer, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy play - AEI

Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy play - AEI: The US should not give MbS a pass if Riyadh doesn’t want to play by the rules.

Energy Recap: Saudi Arabia 'Going Nuclear'? - Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG) | Seeking Alpha

Energy Recap: Saudi Arabia 'Going Nuclear'? - Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG) | Seeking Alpha: Every Friday, Seeking Alpha provides a roundup of insightful opinion and analysis articles in the energy sector. In this edition, we highlight articles on Eagle

UAE to plug in first nuclear power reactor this year | GulfNews.com

UAE to plug in first nuclear power reactor this year | GulfNews.com: This will be Arab world s first nuclear power reactor while remaining three reactors will go online by 2020

Zambia : Chongwe residents have rejected Nuclear Power Plant-Mwalusaka

Zambia : Chongwe residents have rejected Nuclear Power Plant-Mwalusaka: Lusaka - Zambia: Prominent Chongwe resident Frederick Mwalusaka has joined other Chongwe residents in rejecting the planned construction of a Nuclear Science and Technology Plant in the area. Mr Mwalusaka who is also former RTSA Chief Executive Officer said Zambia does not have the means to evacuate the entire city if the nuclear

IEA: China Nuclear Power to Exceed US | Financial Tribune

IEA: China Nuclear Power to Exceed US | Financial Tribune: China will exceed US nuclear power production soon due to recent initiatives taken by Beijing to accelerate the adoption of alternative fuel source, according to an International Energy Agency official. "The Asian nation’s total capacity may also surpass that of the European Union," IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol told reporters during International Petroleum Week in London, Oil Price reported. “China is coming back strong. Today there are about 60 nuclear power plants under construction and more than one-third of them are in China. China is growing and as a result of that we will soon see China overtaking the United States as the number 1 nuclear power in the world,” Birol said at the conference. Output in Europe, particularly in France, a major European nuclear investor, has dropped over the past few years.

PSEG says it will close its nuclear power plants unless lawmakers agree to raise bills


PSEG says it will close its nuclear power plants unless lawmakers agree to raise bills


https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/02/23/utility-bills-set-rise-pseg-tells-wall-street-its-serious-closing-nuke-plants/367442002/

Friday, February 23, 2018

Nuclear Force of DPRK Is Powerful Weapon for Defending Peace: Rodong Sinmun | OANA NEWS

Nuclear Force of DPRK Is Powerful Weapon for Defending Peace: Rodong Sinmun | OANA NEWS

Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty Sworn in as the Department of Energy's Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration



Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty Sworn in as the Department of Energy's Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration

http://electricenergyonline.com/detail_news.php?ID=684282&cat=;54&niveauAQ=0

Bill to Help New Jersey's Nuclear Plants Advances | New Jersey News | US News

Bill to Help New Jersey's Nuclear Plants Advances | New Jersey News | US News: TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey lawmakers are set to again consider legislation that would financially rescue the state's nuclear industry.

wkyc.com | FirstEnergy CEO restates need for help to keep Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants open

wkyc.com | FirstEnergy CEO restates need for help to keep Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants open

Removing Barriers for Energy Storage

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2018/02/removing-barrier-for-energy-storage.html?cmpid=enl_pe_power_engineering_e-newsletter_2018-02-23&pwhid=1e90004a8e081f3272fb5f8e0e9a20316c85258cc50faf993491663afd10a38f41b62c13180d825ec81f1c72848099c33ec83965e1b8e8ff4a01aa5c32296aec&eid=288118515&bid=2012776

Leningrad II-1 starts power launch phase

Leningrad II-1 starts power launch phase: Unit 1 of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power plant has entered the power start-up phase, following Russian regulator Rostechnadzor's approval to do so, state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced yesterday. Power start-up entails bringing the unit to 50% of its power generation capacity in preparation for commercial operation.

New Jersey legislation clears committees

New Jersey legislation clears committees: Two New Jersey legislative committees yesterday passed bills that would provide support to nuclear plants facing premature closure. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee met jointly with the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee to consider Senate Bill 877 and Assembly Bill 2850.

Czech nuclear regulator warns of European pressure to close reactors early | Radio Prague

Czech nuclear regulator warns of European pressure to close reactors early | Radio Prague: The head of the Czech nuclear watchdog has warned of pressure to close the country’s oldest nuclear reactors early. That would effectively blow a massive hole in the country’s energy strategy and timeframe for getting new replacement reactors built in time.

China will become the world's largest nuclear power producer by 2030 | Finance Apprise

China will become the world's largest nuclear power producer by 2030 | Finance Apprise

Will The U.S. Support Saudi Nuclear Energy? | OilPrice.com

Will The U.S. Support Saudi Nuclear Energy? | OilPrice.com: Saudi Arabia’s nuclear power program continues to advance, with the oil kingdom looking for U.S. acceptance of its nuclear energy goals

Austria To Sue Over EU Approval Of Expansion To Hungary Nuclear Plant | CleanTechnica

Austria To Sue Over EU Approval Of Expansion To Hungary Nuclear Plant | CleanTechnica

Digitalisation and nuclear power

Digitalisation and nuclear power: Nuclear companies have some of the most technologically advanced projects in the energy industry. Yet, perceptions of digitalisation are somewhat skewed, write Janette Marx and Hannah Peet.

Czech Republic in showdown with EU as it threatens to strike nuclear deal with Russia | World | News | Express.co.uk

Czech Republic in showdown with EU as it threatens to strike nuclear deal with Russia | World | News | Express.co.uk: THE Czech Republic government is risking the wrath of the European Commission over a potential new nuclear plant deal with Russia, sparking concern in Brussels amid rising eurosceptism in the country.

Austria starts legal action against EC over Paks nuclear plant expansion - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Austria starts legal action against EC over Paks nuclear plant expansion - Xinhua | English.news.cn: Prague is hoping Brussels will loosen its requirements for picking a nuclear project. Otherwise it may pursue a deal with Russia.

Czechs risk wrath of EU over nuclear power project – POLITICO

Czechs risk wrath of EU over nuclear power project – POLITICO: Prague is hoping Brussels will loosen its requirements for picking a nuclear project. Otherwise it may pursue a deal with Russia.

Integrated Simulations Answer 20-Year-Old Question in Fusion Research - The Energy Collective

Integrated Simulations Answer 20-Year-Old Question in Fusion Research - The Energy Collective

Recent Legislation Mandates Additional Sales of U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Crude Oil - The Energy Collective

Recent Legislation Mandates Additional Sales of U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Crude Oil - The Energy Collective

U.S. Energy Dominance: Markets Trump Policy In 2017 - The Energy Collective

U.S. Energy Dominance: Markets Trump Policy In 2017 - The Energy Collective

A pact with the devil | Rhetoric & Reason | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo

A pact with the devil | Rhetoric & Reason | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo: Diablo Canyon Power Plant is due to shut down in 2025, maybe earlier, but the radioactive waste it has generated will threaten our lives for...

Before the US approves new uranium mining, consider its toxic legacy | WTOP

Before the US approves new uranium mining, consider its toxic legacy | WTOP

NRC seeks fines for violations at Vogtle nuclear plant - Electric Light & Power

NRC seeks fines for violations at Vogtle nuclear plant - Electric Light & Power

No to a permissive US-Saudi nuclear deal | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

No to a permissive US-Saudi nuclear deal | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: A US-Saudi nuclear agreement is said to be in the works. The reported deal would allow Saudi Arabia to buy US nuclear power reactors and—because of Saudi resistance to stricter terms—would be “flexible” on Saudi uranium enrichment and on reprocessing of spent reactor fuel.

Agency seeks fine for violations at Ga. nuclear plant - News - Tuscaloosa News - Tuscaloosa, AL

Agency seeks fine for violations at Ga. nuclear plant - News - Tuscaloosa News - Tuscaloosa, AL: Throughout the history of nuclear operation in the U.S., the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has overseen the safe operation of all 100 plants across the country.Some who speak against the safety of nuclear power generation and decommissioning may not be sufficiently educated on the rigorous processes and performance standards the NRC demands. Nuclear power stations’ engineered design basis ensures safe operation as well as decommissioning. NRC oversight is to ensure we maintain margin

Safety will come first as Pilgrim winds down - Opinion - capecodtimes.com - Hyannis, MA

Safety will come first as Pilgrim winds down - Opinion - capecodtimes.com - Hyannis, MA: Throughout the history of nuclear operation in the U.S., the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has overseen the safe operation of all 100 plants across the country.Some who speak against the safety of nuclear power generation and decommissioning may not be sufficiently educated on the rigorous processes and performance standards the NRC demands. Nuclear power stations’ engineered design basis ensures safe operation as well as decommissioning. NRC oversight is to ensure we maintain margin

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire February 23, 2018

ANS Nuclear Policy Wire
February 23, 2018

Mountain Men
Congress might be out of session this week, but the primary races are heating up. One race of interest to nuclear types might be the June 12 Nevada GOP primary, where Danny Tarkanian will be challenging Senator Dean Heller (R-NV).
 
Tarkanian has already sought to differentiate himself from Heller on Yucca Mountain.  Heller's position on Yucca Mountain is well-known and consistent: he most recently vowed to make sure the project "doesn't see the light of day."
 
In contrast, Tarkanian believes that Yucca should become "a reprocessing facility for nuclear spent fuel, rather than a repository" as it would "solve the problem of storing the nuclear spent fuel" and "be a great economic boon to the state of Nevada." 
 
The winner of the primary will likely face Congresswoman Jackie Rosen (D-NV) in the November general election. Rosen is also running for Heller's Senate seat and holds a similar position to Heller on Yucca Mountain: "Fighting the resurrection of Yucca Mountain for nuclear waste storage was a priority for me as a candidate...It's a priority for me now that I'm serving in Congress, and it will continue to be a major priority for me as Nevada's next Senator."

Iran threatens to pull out of nuclear deal | TheHill

Iran threatens to pull out of nuclear deal | TheHill: Iran may withdraw from the deal that restricts its nuclear program if it leads to economic struggles and continued difficulty in securing investments from major banks, Reuters

US will not certify Iran nuclear deal: Pence - Oil | Platts News Article & Story

US will not certify Iran nuclear deal: Pence - Oil | Platts News Article & Story: US will not certify Iran nuclear deal: Pence - Read this Platts oil news article here. Plus discover more oil market news, products & services.

Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Nuclear Roundup February 23, 2018

Nuclear Roundup
February 23, 2018
A daily roundup of quality nuclear policy news.

N
orth Korea

US, S. Korea military exercises could end outreach to nuclear North

The science of measuring North Korea’s destructive nuclear power from afar

Trump to impose new sanctions on North Korea: report

[News Analysis] South and North Korea to continue holding high-level discussions after Pyeongchang Olympics

United States

Nuclear posture review

First woman in history takes helm of US nuclear weapons arsenal

Nuclear weapons council plans spring field trips to “key” NNSA facilities

US takes steps to resume plutonium pit production for nukes

DARPA launches CBRNE threat detection program

International

US will not certify Iran nuclear deal: Pence

Iran threatens to pull out of nuclear deal

Iran says nuclear deal is “worst ever” — and it's Trump's fault

Iran sticking to nuclear deal: UN watchdog

Iran hints at seaborne reactors while respecting nuclear deal

Former ambassador examines Iran nuclear deal

No to a permissive US-Saudi nuclear deal

Congress skeptical of Saudi nuclear energy demands

Investigation blames Russian facility for last year’s ruthenium isotope leak

How many nuclear weapons do the US and Russia have? Here’s what you need to know

WTO backs Japan complaint against South Korea’s Fukushima import ban

General Interest

Perils of trivializing nuclear weapons


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Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations

Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations: Saudi Arabia has hired an international law firm to help negotiate a more favorable civil nuclear agreement with Washington amid pushback in Congress.

wkyc.com | FirstEnergy CEO restates need for help to keep Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants open

wkyc.com | FirstEnergy CEO restates need for help to keep Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants open

The grand picture of verifying nuclear disarmament: What needs to be done? | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

The grand picture of verifying nuclear disarmament: What needs to be done? | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: With today’s nuclear weapon modernization efforts and plans, as well as recent dangerous changes in nuclear policy, in particular the United States’ Nuclear Posture Review, the goal of a world without nuclear weapons—global zero—seems very far away. Given this peculiar situation, however, efforts to prepare for nuclear disarmament must be redoubled. This includes developing new verification approaches for a future in which sanity prevails and the numbers of nuclear weapons in the world are greatly reduced.

Career OMB employees sabotaging Trump’s quest for energy dominance


Career OMB employees sabotaging Trump’s quest for energy dominance
https://atomicinsights.com/career-omb-employees-sabotaging-trumps-quest-energy-dominance/

Thursday, February 22, 2018

World ‘cannot trust Iran’ over nuclear future: Saudi foreign minister | Arab News

World ‘cannot trust Iran’ over nuclear future: Saudi foreign minister | Arab News: LONDON: Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of foreign affairs, said on Thursday that the nuclear deal with Iran was unacceptable because Tehran could not be trusted to not produce a nuclear bomb in the future. The so-called “sunset clause” in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) means that in eight to ten years’ time Iran could manufacture a nuclear bomb “within weeks.”

IAEA: Leadership, Human Performance and Internal Communication in Nuclear Emergencies

Leadership, Human Performance and Internal Communication in Nuclear Emergencies

STI/PUB/1789 (978-92-0-103317-8)
36 pages ¦ 2 figures ¦ EUR 30.00

Description

This publication focuses on the challenges and their possible solutions in the areas of leadership human performance and internal communication in a severe nuclear emergency. It presents a brief overview of some of the key concepts especially how they relate to an organization s ability to successfully manage an emergency event. The target audience for this publication are those officials and senior managers dealing with emergency response in the operating organization government local authorities and the regulatory body. Those who have an influence on the style of leadership and personnel development and training that is applied in their organizations and who are involved in emergency preparedness and response will also benefit from this publication.

IAEA: Safety Aspects of Nuclear Power Plants in Human Induced External Events Assessment of Structures

Safety Aspects of Nuclear Power Plants in Human Induced External Events Assessment of Structures

STI/PUB/1769 (978-92-0-101117-6)
204 pages ¦ 71 figures ¦ EUR 65.00

Description

This publication provides detailed guidelines for the safety assessment of nuclear power structures against mechanical impact explosion and fire caused by human induced external events. It covers the characterization of loading the assessment of structural integrity using both simplified methods and more elaborated methodologies and the assessment of induced vibration. The acceptance criteria provided in the publication are for different failure modes overall stability overall bending and shear local failure modes and induced vibrations. The process of analysing fire consequences is also included.

Subsidies For Coal, Nuclear In The Latest Federal Budget | OilPrice.com

Subsidies For Coal, Nuclear In The Latest Federal Budget | OilPrice.com: The latest Federal Budget signed by President Trump makes good on some promises towards the coal and nuclear sectors

Navy: Bangor nuclear submarine base closed after intruder claims to have bombs | KVAL

Navy: Bangor nuclear submarine base closed after intruder claims to have bombs | KVAL: BANGOR, Wash. - The Navy's nuclear submarine base at Bangor in Kitsap County has been closed and nearby residents have been advised to evacuate Thursday after a suspect drove onto the base and claimed to have an explosive device, Navy officials saidThe inc

Uranium Mining's Toxic Legacy: Why the U.S. Risks Repeating Mistakes

Uranium Mining's Toxic Legacy: Why the U.S. Risks Repeating Mistakes: There is little evidence that new uranium production would be more reliably regulated or economically stable today than in the past. We must learn from past mistakes and make more informed and sustainable decisions about possibly renewing uranium production than our nation made in the past.

Will The U.S. Support Saudi Nuclear Energy? | OilPrice.com

Will The U.S. Support Saudi Nuclear Energy? | OilPrice.com: Saudi Arabia’s nuclear power program continues to advance, with the oil kingdom looking for U.S. acceptance of its nuclear energy goals

Austria starts legal action against EC over Paks nuclear plant expansion - China.org.cn

Austria starts legal action against EC over Paks nuclear plant expansion - China.org.cn

First woman in history takes helm of US nuclear weapons arsenal

First woman in history takes helm of US nuclear weapons arsenal: Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty was sworn in as administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

New Jersey nuclear power subsidy bill gets hearing - Utility Products Magazine

New Jersey nuclear power subsidy bill gets hearing - Utility Products Magazine

Seoul Government Will Actively Seek Dialogue To Resolve North Korean Nuclear Issue

Seoul Government Will Actively Seek Dialogue To Resolve North Korean Nuclear Issue

Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations

Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations: Saudi Arabia has hired an international law firm to help negotiate a more favorable civil nuclear agreement with Washington amid pushback in Congress.

How Many Nuclear Weapons Do the U.S. and Russia Have? Here’s What You Need to Know

How Many Nuclear Weapons Do the U.S. and Russia Have? Here’s What You Need to Know: Russia is in the lead for deployed nuclear warheads.

China Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit 3 Passes Muster for Commercial Operation | Yicai Global

China Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit 3 Passes Muster for Commercial Operation | Yicai Global

Nuclear power: Energy security trumps all | Meed

Nuclear power: Energy security trumps all | Meed

Centrica to Cut 4,000 Jobs; Sell Stake in UK Nuclear Business -- Update | 4-Traders

Centrica to Cut 4,000 Jobs; Sell Stake in UK Nuclear Business -- Update | 4-Traders: By Maryam Cockar



British Gas-owner Centrica PLC said Thursday that it will cut 4,000 jobs and that it intends to sell its U.K. nuclear assets after reporting that its 2017 pretax... | February 22, 2018

SA COULD LOOK AT NUCLEAR AGAIN IN 5 YEARS! | Daily Sun

SA COULD LOOK AT NUCLEAR AGAIN IN 5 YEARS! | Daily Sun: South Africa simply cannot afford to invest in nuclear energy at present, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Thursday.

French police evict protesters at nuclear waste site

French police evict protesters at nuclear waste site: TEHRAN, February 22 -French police have launched an early-morning surprise operation to evacuate opponents of a nuclear waste burial site in the country’s east.

National Engineers Week is February 18-24 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

National Engineers Week is February 18-24 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

The Fallacy of the Ninety-Seven Percent | ANS Nuclear Cafe

The Fallacy of the Ninety-Seven Percent | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Friday ANS Cafe Matinee – ANS Member Sings for Nuclear | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Friday ANS Cafe Matinee – ANS Member Sings for Nuclear | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Silicon Valley Startup Pro Shifts Focus to Nuclear Energy | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Silicon Valley Startup Pro Shifts Focus to Nuclear Energy | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Fort St. Vrain in Pictures: 2 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Fort St. Vrain in Pictures: 2 | ANS Nuclear Cafe

Santee Cooper will pay $19 million a year to preserve site of failed S.C. nuclear project | Business | postandcourier.com

Santee Cooper will pay $19 million a year to preserve site of failed S.C. nuclear project | Business | postandcourier.com: Santee Cooper will preserve the site of South Carolina’s abandoned nuclear project at least temporarily, taking control of the unfinished power plant months after its partner decided to walk away

Guest editorial: Go after fake Dominion merger emails | Opinions and Editorials | aikenstandard.com

Guest editorial: Go after fake Dominion merger emails | Opinions and Editorials | aikenstandard.com: A lot of South Carolina residents have very strong opinions about the proposed merger between SCANA and Virginia-based Dominion Energy. At least a few of them have opinions they're not

More SMR vendor design reviews for CNSC

More SMR vendor design reviews for CNSC: The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is to conduct pre-licensing vendor design reviews (VDRs) of small modular reactor designs from NuScale Power and Westinghouse Electric Company. The reviews of the NuScale SMR and Westinghouse's eVinci micro reactor will incorporate the first two phases of the VDR process.

Russian group thinks nuclear power still has a future in South Africa

Russian group thinks nuclear power still has a future in South Africa: Russia’s State-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom still believes that nuclear energy has a place in the future development of South Africa. This follows comments made by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba on Wednesday (Budget Day), which suggested that the country’s planned programme to build a fleet of new nuclear power plants (NPP) had been significantly postponed.

“[F]or the foreseeable future we don’t see South Africa needing nuclear [power],” he said in answer to a question. He emphasised that a new NPP programme was not currently affordable, because of the weak financial position of both the Government and national electricity utility Eskom.

Furthermore, the country currently enjoyed an electricity surplus. As a result, there was no intent to pursue a new NPP programme. And when the electricity supply-and-demand balance was restored, the new demand would be addressed by “the least-cost measures”.

Czechs eye shortlist of global nuclear vendors | Radio Prague

Czechs eye shortlist of global nuclear vendors | Radio Prague: The official said: “In order to commission the first unit of the nuclear power plant in December 2019, this year we have to complete the main construction and installation operations, startup and commissioning operations, bring in nuclear fuel, and get ready for the reactor startup in Q1 2019.”

Belarusian nuclear power plant to get nuclear fuel in 2018

Belarusian nuclear power plant to get nuclear fuel in 2018: The official said: “In order to commission the first unit of the nuclear power plant in December 2019, this year we have to complete the main construction and installation operations, startup and commissioning operations, bring in nuclear fuel, and get ready for the reactor startup in Q1 2019.”

Contract awarded for Vandellós 1 engineering support

Contract awarded for Vandellós 1 engineering support: Westinghouse and EDF will provide engineering services for the dismantling of unit 1 of the Vandellós nuclear power plant under a contract awarded by Spanish decommissioning and waste management firm Enresa.

Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant To Get Nuclear Fuel In 2018 - UrduPoint

Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant To Get Nuclear Fuel In 2018 - UrduPoint: :The main construction and installation operations, start-up and commissioning operations will have to be completed in 2018 in addition to delivering nuclear fuel.

Russian group thinks nuclear power still has a future in South Africa

Russian group thinks nuclear power still has a future in South Africa: Russia’s State-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom still believes that nuclear energy has a place in the future development of South Africa. This follows comments made by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba on Wednesday (Budget Day), which suggested that the country’s planned programme to build a fleet of new nuclear power plants (NPP) had been significantly postponed.

“[F]or the foreseeable future we don’t see South Africa needing nuclear [power],” he said in answer to a question. He emphasised that a new NPP programme was not currently affordable, because of the weak financial position of both the Government and national electricity utility Eskom.

Furthermore, the country currently enjoyed an electricity surplus. As a result, there was no intent to pursue a new NPP programme. And when the electricity supply-and-demand balance was restored, the new demand would be addressed by “the least-cost measures”.

CNL and CNS Launch International Generation IV and Small Modular Reactor Conference

CNL and CNS Launch International Generation IV and Small Modular Reactor Conference: Global leaders in small and advanced reactors are invited to international forum exploring the path to deployment

Bill Gates and China spur development of next-generation reactors- Nikkei Asian Review

Bill Gates and China spur development of next-generation reactors- Nikkei Asian Review: Poland's PGE open to other partners in nuclear power plan

3 Questions: The future of nuclear energy | MIT News

3 Questions: The future of nuclear energy | MIT News: Jacopo Buongiorno and John Parsons of the MITEI Low-Carbon Energy Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems interviewed about the future of nuclear fission, low-carbon energy, and reactor design and implementation.

Poland's PGE open to other partners in nuclear power plan |

Poland's PGE open to other partners in nuclear power plan |: Poland's PGE open to other partners in nuclear power plan

IAEA Sees Safety Commitment at Spain’s Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant, Areas for Enhancement

IAEA Sees Safety Commitment at Spain’s Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant, Areas for Enhancement

9/2018
Almaraz Spain
(Photo by Elentlr/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said the operator of Spain’s Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant demonstrated a commitment to the long-term safety of the plant and noted several good practices to share with the nuclear industry globally. The team also identified areas for further enhancement.
The Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) today concluded an 18-day mission to Almaraz, whose two 1,050-MWe pressurized-water reactors started commercial operation in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Centrales Nucleares Almaraz-Trillo (CNAT) operates the plant, located about 200 km southwest of Madrid.
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. Nuclear power generates more than 21 per cent of electricity in Spain, whose seven operating power reactors all began operation in the 1980s.
“The team saw notable achievements made by Almaraz in recent years, such as implementing a comprehensive management system, as well as significant equipment renewal plans, to establish safety as the overriding priority at the plant,” said Team Leader Peter Tarren, Head of the IAEA’s Operational Safety Section. “We found that people at every level were willing to discuss their work and how they might learn from this OSART mission. They want to keep enhancing the safety and reliability of Almaraz.”
The 14-member team comprised experts from Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as three IAEA officials.
The review was the 200th OSART mission conducted by the IAEA since the service was launched in 1982. It 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 long-term operation.
The team identified a number of good practices that will be shared with the nuclear industry globally, including:
  • The use of a film-forming amine compound to significantly reduce the transport of potential corrosive products to the steam generators.
  • The use of a cross-functional indicator to show the cumulative effect of equipment status and planned activities for daily operations.
  • The installation of a centralized vacuum system for cleaning, decontaminating and discharging liquid waste into the plant´s disposal system.
The mission made a number of recommendations to improve operational safety, including:
  • The plant should implement further actions related to management, staff and contractors to enforce standards and expectations related to industrial safety.
  • The plant should take measures to reinforce and implement standards to enhance the performance of reactivity manipulations in a deliberate and carefully-controlled manner.
  • The plant should improve the support, training and documented guidance for Severe Accident Management Guideline users in order to mitigate complex severe accident scenarios.
The team provided a draft report of the mission to the plant’s management. The plant management and the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), which is responsible for nuclear safety oversight in Spain, will have the opportunity to make factual comments on the draft. These will be reviewed by the IAEA and the final report will be submitted to the Government of Spain within three months.
The plant management said it would address the areas identified for enhancement 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.

IAEA Conducts 200th Nuclear Power Plant Operational Safety Review

IAEA Conducts 200th Nuclear Power Plant Operational Safety Review

For the 200th time, an IAEA Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) team has arrived at a nuclear power plant – this time in Almaraz, Spain – to review practices important to safety.
The team, comprised of 13 international experts and two team leaders from the IAEA, has been invited by the Spanish Government and is spending around three weeks at the plant to perform a review of operational safety using IAEA safety standards - a comprehensive set of documents that reflect a global consensus on what is considered a high level of nuclear and radiation safety. OSART teams make recommendations and suggestions for improvement and identify good international practices and experiences that are shared internationally, leading to stronger safety across the nuclear power industry.
“The OSART programme has played a big part in improving safety performance at nuclear power plants globally since its launch in 1982,” said Peter Tarren, Head of the IAEA’s Operational Safety Section and leader of the team conducting the 5-22 February 2018 review at Almaraz. He noted that many of the types of issues found in past years no longer appear in reviews.
“The industry has fixed a lot of the things that we were finding some time ago,” he said.  “So we are now moving on to the next level. Our aim is always to enhance safety. It does not matter how good you get – you can always seek to be better.”
The OSART experts review policy- and procedure documents with plant officials to compare these with IAEA safety standards and visit work areas at the plants to confirm that policies and processes are being properly applied. They are on the lookout for methods and behaviours that could be improved for better safety, and for good practices that could be used to enhance performance at other plants.
They observe labels, cables, valves, pumps, generators and much more. They look at how equipment is stored, for example whether it is well-secured, or if it might topple and cause damage in an earthquake. They observe how easy emergency equipment is to reach and whether it is ready to use. They assess whether everybody at the plant shares the same vision of what excellent safety means, analyse plant leadership and safety culture, and observe plant meetings and staff interactions.
After three weeks of intensive work, the team’s observations are compiled in a report that contains recommendations and suggestions to improve safety, as well as good practices that could be adopted elsewhere to strengthen safety. The report is shared with the government, the regulatory body and the plant operator. In most cases, the report is made public.
For host plants, an OSART mission is a significant investment of staff time and other resources. But it is an investment that pays off, said Almaraz plant director José María Bernaldo de Quiró.
“It is a privilege to host this group of international specialists, sharing information and experiences with them and benefiting from their knowledge and opinions,” he said. “The OSART mission is an opportunity for us to improve safety.”
The IAEA has adapted the contents of the OSART programme in pace with developments in the nuclear power industry. For example, lessons from the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan have been incorporated in the review.
“We evolve and change the OSART programme so that it supports international efforts to continuously enhance nuclear safety,” said Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safety and Security.
Members of the IAEA OSART team at the 200th OSART review in Almaraz, Spain. (Photo: M. Klingenboeck/IAEA)

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