Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, May 20, 2023
US Commits $275M to NuScale SMR for Romania; $4B Pledged for Future Funding | Neutron Bytes
US Commits $275M to NuScale SMR for Romania; $4B Pledged for Future Funding | Neutron Bytes: US Commits $275M to NuScale SMR for Romania; $4B Pledged for Future Funding Oklo Announces Sites for Two Nuclear Power Plants in Southern Ohio SMRs Considered For Indonesian Fertilizer Plant UK’s N…
Oklo’s Next Two Nuclear Power Plants Planned for Southern Ohio
Oklo’s Next Two Nuclear Power Plants Planned for Southern Ohio: Advanced nuclear reactor technology firm Oklo will build its second and third commercial 15-MWe Aurora Powerhouse reactors on land owned by the Southern
CNNC launches test platform to extract uranium from seawater : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
CNNC launches test platform to extract uranium from seawater : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: China National Nuclear Corporation has commissioned a seawater uranium extraction test platform, said to be the largest such test platform to be built in the South China Sea.
DOE report outlines 10 actions needed to achieve 100% clean electricity | Utility Dive
DOE report outlines 10 actions needed to achieve 100% clean electricity | Utility Dive: Utility industry news and analysis for energy professionals.
Oklo plans two plants in Southern Ohio : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Oklo plans two plants in Southern Ohio : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Oklo and the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative have signed an agreement for land to host two of its advanced reactor plants in Southern Ohio.
Costs of new nuclear need addressing, says Wood Mackenzie : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Costs of new nuclear need addressing, says Wood Mackenzie : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: With nuclear generating capacity set to increase by 280 GWe by 2050, the biggest economic hurdle to the uptake of the latest large reactors and small modular reactors is cost, according to independent energy research consultancy Wood Mackenzie.
Zeno Power gets $30 million to build radioisotope-powered satellite for U.S. military - SpaceNews
Zeno Power gets $30 million to build radioisotope-powered satellite for U.S. military - SpaceNews: Zeno Power gets $30 million to build radioisotope-powered satellite for U.S. military
SMRs considered for Indonesian fertiliser plant : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
SMRs considered for Indonesian fertiliser plant : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: A collaboration between Danish and Indonesian companies will study the operational and regulatory conditions for constructing an ammonia production facility in Indonesia powered by Copenhagen Atomics' small and modular thorium molten salt reactors.
PG&E Must Pay $150 Million for Role in Deadly 2020 Fire (1)
PG&E Must Pay $150 Million for Role in Deadly 2020 Fire (1): California regulators ordered PG&E Corp. to pay $150 million in total penalties for its role in starting a deadly 2020 wildfire.
How the World Can Invest in a Green Future That Works
How the World Can Invest in a Green Future That Works: Adam Smith, the great Scottish economist and moral philosopher, didn’t have to confront the environmental crisis, the healthcare delivery challenge or any of today’s issues. But his economic theory…
Friday, May 19, 2023
Thursday, May 18, 2023
California hits pause on power-sharing - POLITICO
California hits pause on power-sharing - POLITICO
Comments:
Dear Wes: Thank you for your informative Politico article, "California hits pause on power-sharing" - May 17, 2023. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook-pm/2023/05/17/california-hits-pause-on-power-sharing-00097549
Unfortunately, your story omits the central goal of CAISO grid regionalization via AB 538 (Holden, 2023) or AB 813 (Holden, 2018). That goal is to substitute PacifiCorp's coal fired generation (mostly in Wyoming) for dispatchable, reliable in-state California power. Please see the attached article regarding PacifiCorp's interest from a few months ago. In accord with a 2016 Supreme Court decision, California's ability to regulate energy imports (which provide 1/3 of California's gargantuan electric power requirement) would be nullified.
Your article quotes V. John White and CEERT as an advocate for grid regionalization. There are well-documented connections between CEERT and PacifiCorp. The most notable conflict of interest is Attorney Jonathan M. Weisgall, Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs. During a critical period, Weisgall was the Chairman of CEERT's Executive Committee. He remains on the CEERT board and has returned as its Chairman. https://ceert.org/about-ceert/ceert-board/jonathan-m-weisgall/ PacifiCorp is a wholly-owned Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.
CGNP opposes grid regionalization for the reasons set forth in its attached Capitol Weekly OpEd from a year ago. In 2022, CGNP also opposed the PacifiCorp-backed WRAP proposal in FERC Docket ER22-2762.
I look forward to your questions.
Sincerely,
Gene Nelson, Ph.D. CGNP Senior Legal Researcher and President
Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP)
1375 East Grand Ave Ste 103 #523
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420-2421
(805) 363 - 4697 cell
Government@CGNP.org email
https://CGNP.org website
Costs of new nuclear need addressing, says Wood Mackenzie : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Costs of new nuclear need addressing, says Wood Mackenzie : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: With nuclear generating capacity set to increase by 280 GWe by 2050, the biggest economic hurdle to the uptake of the latest large reactors and small modular reactors is cost, according to independent energy research consultancy Wood Mackenzie.
Year-round navigation of eastern part of Northern Sea Route planned for 2024 : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Year-round navigation of eastern part of Northern Sea Route planned for 2024 : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: Russia's plans to rapidly expand the Northern Sea Route will ultimately need up to 100 Arctic-class vessels and 15 floating power units, and a "truly historic decision" had been taken "to launch year-round navigation in the eastern part of the Northern Sea Route early next year", according to Rosatom's director general.
Private sector investment essential for SMR deployment, Indian think-tank says : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News
Private sector investment essential for SMR deployment, Indian think-tank says : Nuclear Policies - World Nuclear News: Successful deployment of small modular reactor technology must leverage private sector investment, a new report by the Indian government's NITI Aayog public policy think-tank has found.
CNNC launches test platform to extract uranium from seawater : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
CNNC launches test platform to extract uranium from seawater : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: China National Nuclear Corporation has commissioned a seawater uranium extraction test platform, said to be the largest such test platform to be built in the South China Sea.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
TVEL delivers new equipment for Chinese VVER-1000 fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News
TVEL delivers new equipment for Chinese VVER-1000 fuel production : Uranium & Fuel - World Nuclear News: The modernised ultrasonic unit supplied by TVEL is for fabrication at the Yibin plant, in China's Sichuan province, of Russian-designed TVS-2M nuclear fuel for VVER-1000 reactors.
Westinghouse to supply new steam generators for Surry nuclear plant : Corporate - World Nuclear News
Westinghouse to supply new steam generators for Surry nuclear plant : Corporate - World Nuclear News: Westinghouse Electric Company has signed a contract with Dominion Energy to design, engineer and manufacture six replacement steam generators for Surry nuclear power station in Virginia in the USA.
Chair Rodgers: American Leadership in Nuclear and Nuclear Technology is Critical
Chair Rodgers: American Leadership in Nuclear and Nuclear Technology is Critical: The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Italy Returns to Nuclear Sanity. Shouldn’t We? | RealClearEnergy
Italy Returns to Nuclear Sanity. Shouldn’t We? | RealClearEnergy: The Italian parliament, demonstrating confidence in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this week formally backed her plan to reintroduce nuclear power plants into Italy’s energy mix, reversing the n
Bill Lee positions Tennessee as America's leader in nuclear energy
Bill Lee positions Tennessee as America's leader in nuclear energy: Amid the expansion of nuclear energy in Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee on May 16 signed an executive order establishing a state nuclear advisory council.
‘Made in USA’: Treasury Details Solar Panel Tax Credits
‘Made in USA’: Treasury Details Solar Panel Tax Credits: Made in China, but qualify for U.S. tax breaks? The Treasury Department's guidelines on solar panels are raising ...
Battery Degradation in Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Survey Study | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore
Battery Degradation in Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Survey Study | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore: The lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles have a shorter lifespan than other vehicle components, and the degradation mechanism inside these batteries reduces their life even more. Battery degradation is considered a significant issue in battery research and can increase the vehicle’s reliability and economic concerns. This study highlights the degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries. The aging mechanism inside a battery cannot be eliminated but can be minimized depending on the vehicle’s operating conditions. Different operating conditions affect the aging mechanism differently. Knowing the factors and how they impact battery capacity is crucial for minimizing degradation. This paper explains the detailed degradation mechanism inside the battery first. Then, the major factors responsible for the degradation and their effects on the battery during the operation of electric vehicles are discussed. Also, the different techniques used to model the degradation of a battery and predict its remaining life are explained in-depth, along with the techniques to abate the aging process. Finally, this study focuses on the research gaps, difficulties in predicting the lifetime,
EU Spat Over Nuclear Energy Escalates as Key Vote Delayed - BNN Bloomberg
EU Spat Over Nuclear Energy Escalates as Key Vote Delayed - BNN Bloomberg: A key element of the European Union’s Green Deal package has been delayed after France, the bloc’s biggest supporter of nuclear power, said it won’t back a law to scale up renewable energy.
First nuclear fusion plants to need $7 billion supply chain -survey | Reuters
First nuclear fusion plants to need $7 billion supply chain -survey | Reuters: Companies looking to harness the process that powers the sun and stars to generate electricity expect to spend about $7 billion by the time their first nuclear fusion plants come online, a survey published on Wednesday said.
Canada and U.S. team up to tackle nuclear waste | Canada's National Observer: News & Analysis
Canada and U.S. team up to tackle nuclear waste | Canada's National Observer: News & Analysis: The organization responsible for managing Canada’s nuclear waste and the U.S. Department of Energy have pledged to work together on the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
China Holds All the Cards in the Great Green Energy Game: News: The Independent Institute
China Holds All the Cards in the Great Green Energy Game: News: The Independent Institute: The limited supply of critical raw materials risks jeopardizing the world's renewable energy transition.
That was the warning contained in a recent OECD publication, 'Raw Materials Critical for the Green Transition.' According to the OECD, China, by utilizing its chokehold on the production and processing of critical materials, is drawing up plans to disrupt the green energy transition.
Such a p
Helion announces first fusion energy purchase agreement with Microsoft - Nuclear Engineering International
Helion announces first fusion energy purchase agreement with Microsoft - Nuclear Engineering International: US fusion energy tech startup Helion Energy has signed an agreement to provide Microsoft with electricity from its first fusion power plant. Constellation will serve as the power marketer and will manage transmission for the project. Helion said...
NuScale Power and Nucor Corporation Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Explore Deployment of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors to Power Nucor Electric Arc Furnace Steel Mills | Business Wire
NuScale Power and Nucor Corporation Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Explore Deployment of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors to Power Nucor Electric Arc Furnace Steel Mills | Business Wire: This MOU will explore co-locating NuScale’s VOYGR™ SMR power plants to provide electricity to Nucor’s scrap-based electric arc furnace steel mills.
Amid nuclear energy advances in the Mountain West, support is growing nationally | KUNC
Amid nuclear energy advances in the Mountain West, support is growing nationally | KUNC: As ambitious plans to deploy new nuclear technologies take shape around the Mountain West, a new poll shows Americans' support for nuclear energy is growing.
Dirty-bomb antidote: Drug trial begins in US - BBC News
Dirty-bomb antidote: Drug trial begins in US - BBC News: Volunteers will test a pill designed to remove radioactive contamination from the body.
NRC plans meeting Wednesday on possible changes GTCC, low-level waste regulation - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1
NRC plans meeting Wednesday on possible changes GTCC, low-level waste regulation - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1: ExchangeMonitor covers nuclear weapons, waste management, nuclear cleanup, international intelligence as well as carbon capture and storage.
Viewpoint: Turkey’s ambitions as a nuclear energy player : Perspectives - World Nuclear News
Viewpoint: Turkey’s ambitions as a nuclear energy player : Perspectives - World Nuclear News: The President of the Nuclear Industry Association of Turkey, Alikaan Çiftçi, explains that Turkey aspires to be a major regional manufacturing, trade and logistics hub to meet the opportunities for nuclear energy in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
Iran Seizes Third Oil Tanker As U.S. Boosts Military Presence | OilPrice.com
Iran Seizes Third Oil Tanker As U.S. Boosts Military Presence | OilPrice.com: Iran has seized yet another oil tanker bringing the tally to three tankers seized in the space of just 19 days as tensions in the Persian Gulf heat up
NuScale Inks MOU for SMRs at Nucor Steel Mills | Neutron Bytes
NuScale Inks MOU for SMRs at Nucor Steel Mills | Neutron Bytes: NuScale Inks MOU for SMRs at Nucor Steel Mills Terrestrial Energy Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Grant for IMSR Licensing AECL, CNL and Global First Power to Build Micro Reactor at Chalk River s…
Will California’s last nuclear power plant really shut down in 2030? Don’t bet on it | Opinion
Will California’s last nuclear power plant really shut down in 2030? Don’t bet on it | Opinion: “Whipsawing the community back and forth — again — would be unfair to San Luis Obispo County,” writes The Tribune Editorial Board.
Nuclear power generation renaissance underway, some say | Business | denvergazette.com
Nuclear power generation renaissance underway, some say | Business | denvergazette.com: As the push to decarbonize electric power systems accelerates, there’s a worldwide nuclear renaissance on the horizon say nuclear energy proponents -- and Colorado may be on the verge of joining in.
NEI Head: ‘This Is the Biggest Moment for Nuclear Energy Since the Dawn of the Atomic Age’
NEI Head: ‘This Is the Biggest Moment for Nuclear Energy Since the Dawn of the Atomic Age’: “Everywhere we look, we’re seeing demand surging,” Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), said. “When we talk about
Monday, May 15, 2023
Biden’s Power-Plant Crackdown Shows His 2035 Grid Goals May Be Out of Grasp - Bloomberg
Biden’s Power-Plant Crackdown Shows His 2035 Grid Goals May Be Out of Grasp - Bloomberg: President Joe Biden campaigned on a goal of decarbonizing the US power grid by 2035. But his EPA just proposed limits on power plant pollution that signal that target could be out of reach.
Second unit at Belarus nuclear power station connected to power grid | Reuters
Second unit at Belarus nuclear power station connected to power grid | Reuters: The second of two units at Belarus' only nuclear power station has been plugged into country's power grid, the energy ministry said on Saturday, as it works to utilise the full capacity of the plant.
Westinghouse’s small nuclear reactor could power the future
Westinghouse’s small nuclear reactor could power the future: Westinghouse Electric Company has unveiled a small nuclear reactor based on the same tech as a larger reactor already in operation.
Millstone doesn't want its nuclear waste, but somebody might
Millstone doesn't want its nuclear waste, but somebody might: May 13—WATERFORD — If it were up to the operators of the Dominion Millstone Power Station, its spent nuclear fuel would not be stored on site. Vice President Michael O'Connor said this past week that the plant can safely store all its spent fuel on site, as it has since Millstone began operating in 1970, but he would rather see it moved elsewhere. "It is absolutely preferred to be off-site," ...
NuScale SMR simulator opens in Romania : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
NuScale SMR simulator opens in Romania : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The first simulator for the control room of a NuScale VOYGR small modular reactor power plant in Europe has opened at the University Politehnica of Bucharest in Romania. The simulator is the fifth in total, but the first outside the USA.
Italy Returns to Nuclear Sanity. Shouldn’t We? | RealClearEnergy
Italy Returns to Nuclear Sanity. Shouldn’t We? | RealClearEnergy: The Italian parliament, demonstrating confidence in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this week formally backed her plan to reintroduce nuclear power plants into Italy’s energy mix, reversing the n
NuScale SMR simulator opens in Romania : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
NuScale SMR simulator opens in Romania : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The first simulator for the control room of a NuScale VOYGR small modular reactor power plant in Europe has opened at the University Politehnica of Bucharest in Romania. The simulator is the fifth in total, but the first outside the USA.
Fabrication begins of main equipment for Shin Hanul 3 and 4 : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Fabrication begins of main equipment for Shin Hanul 3 and 4 : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: A ceremony has been held at Doosan Enerbility's factory in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, to mark the start of production of the main components for units 3 and 4 of the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant. Construction of the units - plans for which were suspended in 2017 - is due to begin next year.
In Quotes: Nuward's Renaud Crassous on SMR plans : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
In Quotes: Nuward's Renaud Crassous on SMR plans : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: In an interview for the World Nuclear News podcast, the President and CEO of Nuward, Renaud Crassous, explained EDF's decision to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary to drive forward development of its Nuward small modular reactor, and how it aims to be "Europe's SMR". He also discusses the broader prospects for SMRs and new nuclear.
Second unit of Belarus nuclear plant connected to grid : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News
Second unit of Belarus nuclear plant connected to grid : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News: The second unit of Belarus's first nuclear power plant has been connected to the power grid and delivered its first kilowatt-hours to the country's electricity system.
Nuclear Power Revival Gets Snarled in Red Tape - Bloomberg
Nuclear Power Revival Gets Snarled in Red Tape - Bloomberg: Regulatory hurdles are creating delays in the rollout of atomic energy, forcing utilities to depend more on fossil fuels.
Sunday, May 14, 2023
U.S. eyes access to Papua New Guinea naval base and airport - Nikkei Asia
U.S. eyes access to Papua New Guinea naval base and airport - Nikkei Asia: WASHINGTON/SYDNEY -- The U.S. and Papua New Guinea are on track to sign a defense cooperation agreement this month, potentially allowing American troo
New Mexico shouldn't be the nation's nuclear dump | Editorials | santafenewmexican.com
New Mexico shouldn't be the nation's nuclear dump | Editorials | santafenewmexican.com: The federal government’s longstanding failure to build a repository for nuclear waste should not be left for New Mexico to solve.
Will Diablo Canyon close in 2030 — or will state keep it running for 20 more years? | Opinion
Will Diablo Canyon close in 2030 — or will state keep it running for 20 more years? | Opinion: “Whipsawing the community back and forth — again — would be unfair to San Luis Obispo County,” writes The Tribune Editorial Board.