It's not quite the same as nuclear-powered ships, but the use of nuclear power for motor vehicles has been highlighted in a number of recent developments:
Electric vehicles including plug-in hybrids
These are here now and seem set for expansion, driven by higher oil prices and populist sentiment.
Hybrid electric vehicles have been on the market for several years and are now fairly sophisticated and reliable, and are consequently in high demand. Full hybrids have a battery which is charged by an internal combustion (IC) motor (as well as regenerative braking), and drive may be from both or either. The Toyota Prius is the best-known hybrid car. While it has sophisticated power electronics and controls, the range on battery (1.3 kWh) only is very small. The GM Volt is essentially an electric vehicle with on-board IC engine to charge the battery.
A further stage of this technology still under development and likely to have a significant effect on electricity demand by 2020 is plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs), with a much larger battery than the hybrids. The PHEV Prius conversion has about 9.0 kWh in battery capacity and the PHEV version of the Volt about 16 kWh, giving 65 km all-electric range. The luxury Fisker, due to be marketed in 2009, has 80 km range on battery before the IC motor kicks in. (Tesla and others are preparing to market electric cars with over 35 kWh on board.)
With PHEVs a lot of driving, particularly short trips, can be in battery-only mode, hence zero on-road emissions. Most of their electrical power can come from the grid. Power consumption is around 0.3 kWh per kilometre per tonne mass. The problem is that the much larger PHEV battery pack is heavy. The advantage is that off-peak charging can utilize base-load capacity on the grid - such as nuclear (eliminating all emissions) - and can be very cheap. PHEVs can thus contribute to oil independence, as well as cleaner air. Ford estimates that the payback period for the price premium on a PHEV is seven years.
Battery technology is the key for both PHEV and full electric vehicles: achieving low cost with high capacity and low mass, coupled with a long life. While nickel metal hydride batteries (as in Prius) are well-proven, research continues on lithium ion batteries, which deliver more power from less mass (about three times as much per unit mass) and are specified for the GM Volt and the Fisker, and intended for Ford's forthcoming PHEVs. (Petrol/gasoline stores about 400 times as much energy as the NiMH battery.)
Production of fuels for motor vehicles
Hydrogen has been the focus of attention here, but a number of practical limitations need to be overcome before this is widely used as a motoring fuel. In the shorter term nuclear heat can be used in making synthetic oil from coal.
The Fischer-Tropsch process was originally developed in Germany in the 1920s, and provided much of the fuel for Germany during the Second World War. It then became the basis for much oil production in South Africa by Sasol, which now supplies about 30% of that country's gasoline and diesel fuel. However, it is a significant user of hydrogen which is now produced by coal gasification with the water shift reaction. A nuclear source of hydrogen coupled with nuclear process heat would double the amount of liquid hydrocarbons from the coal and eliminate most CO2 emissions from the process.
There are several ways nuclear energy can produce hydrogen, the most obvious being by electrolysis of water or steam. But longer-term, the aim is to use nuclear heat at about 950°C to make hydrogen thermochemically from water.
Regarding hydrogen, in the immediate future the internal combustion engine is the only affordable technology available for using it. One hundred BMW Hydrogen 7s have been built, and 25 are used in test programs in the USA. The cars have already covered more than 2 million kilometres in test programs around the globe. BMW is currently the only car manufacturer using hydrogen stored in its liquid state.
Eventually the main transport use of hydrogen is likely to be in fuel cells. A fuel cell is conceptually a refuelable battery, making electricity as a direct product of a chemical reaction. But where the normal battery has all the active ingredients built in at the factory, fuel cells are supplied with fuel from an external source. They catalyse the oxidation of hydrogen directly to electricity at relatively low temperatures and the claimed theoretical efficiency of converting chemical to electrical energy to drive the wheels is about 60% (or more). However, in practice about half that has been achieved, except for the higher-temperature solid oxide fuel cells - 46%.
On-board storage is the principal problem for hydrogen as an automotive fuel - it is impossible to store it as simply and compactly as gasoline or LNG fuel. The options are to store it at very low temperature (cryogenically), at high pressure, or chemically as hydrides. The last is seen to have most potential, though refuelling a vehicle is less straightforward. Pressurised storage is the main technology available now and this means that at 345 times atmospheric pressure (34.5 MPa, 5000 psi), ten times the volume is required than for an equivalent amount of petrol/gasoline. This disadvantage is coupled with a weight penalty due to the storage system, which is about 50 times heavier than the hydrogen it holds - the target is to get it down to 20 times as heavy by 2010, and perhaps ten times as heavy one day.
The initial use of hydrogen for transport is likely to be municipal bus and truck fleets, and prototypes are already on the road in many parts of the world. These are centrally-fuelled, so avoid the need for a retail network, and onboard storage of hydrogen in large vehicles is less of a problem than in cars.
With the prospect of widespread use of PHEVs in the next 15 years there will be a much increased demand for base-load power with no carbon emissions. This was emphasised by Britain's Chief Scientist as he looked ahead to the situation in 2025 with substantial new nuclear capacity likely and needed by then.
See also papers on Nuclear Process Heat for Industry and Transport and the Hydrogen Economy.
Third and fourth full licence applications for new reactors
Dominion with GE Hitachi and Bechtel Corporation has filed a combined construction and operating licence (COL) application for one 1520 MWe ESBWR unit at its North Anna, Virginia plant. This is the first COL for a site with Early Site Permit, which is expected to reduce approval time by eight months. If the COL is approved in 2010, construction could begin that year, with commercial operation in 2015.
Duke Energy then filed a COL application for twin nuclear reactor units at a greenfield site in South Carolina. This is the first COL for a fresh site and the second for the 1100 MWe AP1000 reactor type, which has full design certification already. Commercial operation of the new 2234 MWe Lee plant is envisaged about 2016-18. A dozen more COL applications are expected in 2008.
Dominion 28/11/07, Duke 13/12/07.
US design approval sought for new Japanese reactor
Mitsubishi's large US-APWR (1700 MWe) - Advanced PWR - has been submitted to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for design certification. The APWR was developed in collaboration with four Japanese utilities, and earlier with Westinghouse. The first two APWRs are planned for Tsuruga in Japan and will be the basis for the next generation of Japanese PWRs. The US-APWR is scaled up about 10% on the Japanese version, due to higher thermal efficiency (39%) and has a 24-month refuelling cycle. US design certification is expected in mid 2011, according to NRC web site.
The US-APWR was selected by TXU (now Luminant) for Comanche Peak, Texas and a combined construction and operating licence application based on the US-APWR technology for that site is expected in mid 2008. The Washington Group International will be involved in US developments with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
NRC is already processing two design certification applications: for GE-Hitachi's ESBWR (1550 MWe) and for Areva's US-EPR (1600 MWe). Two other designs likely to be built soon already have US design certification: Westinghouse AP1000 (1100 MWe) and GE-Hitachi ABWR (1350 MWe).
WNN 3/1/08.
US enrichment market open to competition
The USA and Russia have agreed to relax US import restrictions to the extent of specified quantities of low-enriched uranium. These are trivial initially but jump to 485 tonnes enriched U in 2014 after the program importing blended-down Russian military material expires. This is enough to refuel nearly one fifth of present US nuclear plants. By defining uranium enrichment as a service, not a good, a US court last year opened the way to ending years of protection from Russian and EU imports.
WNN 5/12/07.
US outlook for nuclear strengthens
The US Energy Information Administration's 2008 Outlook reference case expects 20 GWe of newly-built US nuclear capacity on line in 2030, almost half of it supported by production tax credits at the same level as for wind generation. This is 63% above previous estimates. In addition, there is 2700 MWe in nuclear plant uprates, offset by 4300 MWe retirements. Coal-fired capacity increases markedly, by 130 GWe.
AEO2008 Early Release Dec 07.
Congress increases nuclear energy funding
In December, US Congress passed an energy appropriations bill funding key nuclear energy programs totalling more than $970 million and implementing a clean-energy loan guarantee program for new plants. The latter provides $18.5 billion for new nuclear power plants, $2 billion for nuclear fuel cycle facilities, $8 billion for advanced coal-fired facilities and $10 billion for renewable technologies. Nuclear R&D for FY 2008 increased 46%, including two programs sharing costs with industry for development and deployment of new-generation technology.
NEI 24/12/07.
Accelerated decommissioning in USA
Exelon's Zion 1 & 2 reactors (2 x 1098 MWe) which were closed down in 1998 are to have accelerated decommissioning. Exelon has contracted with a specialist company - EnergySolutions, to remove the plant and return the site to greenfield status. To achieve this, the plant's licence and decommissioning funds will be transferred to EnergySolutions, which will then be owner and licensee, and the site will be returned to Exelon about 2018. As at other plants, used fuel would remain on site until taken to the national repository. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expected to approve the plan late in 2008.
WNN 13/12/07.
Nuclear heritage in USA
A US National Parks Service advisory committee has recommended unanimously that the world's first full-scale nuclear reactor be designated a National Historic Landmark. The Hanford B reactor in Washington state produced the plutonium for the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project during World War II. The graphite-moderated and water-cooled 250 MWt plant was built in less than a year, starting up in September 1944, and operated until 1968. It is open for public tours.
WNN 5/12/07.
UK centres energy policy on nuclear power
The new White Paper on Nuclear Power puts nuclear energy at the heart of the UK government's response to the need for secure, safe, affordable, low-carbon energy supplies. The Prime Minister framed the new policy in terms of taking "determined long-term action to reduce carbon emissions," using "nuclear power [as] a tried and tested technology [which] has provided the UK with secure supplies of safe, low-carbon electricity for half a century." Nuclear currently supplies 19% of UK electricity.
"Set against the challenges of climate change and security of supply, the evidence in support of new nuclear power stations is compelling," according to the minister introducing the white paper. The government invited energy companies to bring forward plans to build and operate new nuclear power plants alongside other low-carbon technologies including renewables, as well as possibly carbon capture and storage from fossil fuelled generation. Some 30-35 GWe of new generating capacity will be required in the next two decades, most of it base-load.
The government itself will take active steps to open up the way for construction of new nuclear power stations by addressing siting assessment criteria and progressing the Generic Design Assessment of new reactors over three years to 2011. However, it was careful to stress that "it will be for energy companies to fund, develop and build new nuclear power stations in the UK, including meeting the full costs of decommissioning and Š waste management." These measures are being addressed in a new Energy Bill before parliament which requires every operator to have a fully-costed and fully-funded plan for wastes and decommissioning. For its part, the government will set a price for disposing of new nuclear wastes.
After many years of incoherence, radioactive waste management policy is developing on a separate track, with wastes from new plants likely to end up in a single national repository. A further white paper is to set out a framework for implementing deep underground storage and disposal.
In March the government will call for justification applications required under EU law to establish that any nuclear facility would bring benefits that outweigh any possible health detriment. Meanwhile it has published an analysis of options by way of an Impact Assessment of the Government's White Paper on Nuclear Power and the 192-page white paper itself deals thoroughly with a wide range of inputs to the long consultation process. The UK will work to strengthen the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to provide continuing incentive for investment in all low-carbon technologies, and if necessary it will introduce further measures to reinforce it. However, the government is confident that the basic economics of nuclear power are attractive both for investors and the wider economy. Furthermore the carbon abatement cost with nuclear is only £0.3/tCO2 compared with onshore wind (the next cheapest) at £50/tCO2.
The government's cost-benefit analysis used a figure of £1250/kW for overnight capital cost and estimated that a first of a kind 1600 MWe plant would cast £2.8 billion.
With the measures announced, a pre-development and planning period of 5.5 years is envisaged, so that construction of new nuclear plants could commence in mid 2013. Several could be in operation by 2020. The levelised cost of generation is then 3.64 pence/kWh. Following the announcement, Areva said that with 11 top European utilities (notably EdF) supporting pre-licensing of its 1600 MWe EPR units in UK, it hoped to build at least four and possibly six of them there.
British Energy controls many of the likely sites for new UK nuclear plants and has said that all of its sites would be suitable, even considering possible sea level rise due to climate change. It has made transmission connection agreements with National Grid for possible new plants at Sizewell, Dungeness, Bradwell and Hinkley. The first three are in the southeast of England, with Hinkley in the southwest. The agreements will facilitate appropriate grid connections for a range of possible reactor types to be in place from 2016 onwards.
BE 27/11/07, DERR 10/1/08, Areva 10/1/08, WNN 10 & 24/1/08.
Contract for two new Bulgarian reactors
A EUR 4 billion contract to build two new nuclear power reactors at Belene has been signed by Bulgaria's NEK electric utility and Russia's Atomstroyexport, which will build the two 1000-MWe reactors in association with Areva-Siemens and local companies. These are third-generation AES-92 VVER units which satisfy stringent western European safety standards, and which were chosen on that basis. Five major EU utilities are bidding for a 49% share in the project, which will restore Bulgaria's capacity to export power from about 2014. Russia has offered financing.
WNN 18/1/08.
Belarus decides on nuclear project
The Security Council of Belarus has confirmed that the country is to embark upon building a nuclear power plant, to provide some 30% of the electricity by 2020 and reduce dependence on Russian gas. The cost is expected to be about EUR 4 billion. An international tender is planned for the end of 2008, though Russia is the most likely supplier for the 2 x 1000 MWe plant. However, Areva and Westinghouse will also be considered. Site selection is to be finalised this year.
NuclearRu 18/1/08.
Italy buys into new French nuclear plants
A long-delayed agreement will see ENEL, Italy's largest utility, take a 12.5% stake in Electricité de France's Flamanville-3 reactor. This is a 1650 MWe EPR scheduled to start up at the end of 2011 with commercial operation in May 2012. First concrete has been poured and total cost of the plant including first core is estimated at EUR 3.6 billion. The agreement fulfils a 2005 cooperation agreement and commits ENEL to pay its share of construction and operating costs, as well as decommissioning and waste disposal. ENEL has the option to take a similar share in five future EPRs in France - a total of another 1000 MWe, and gains the right to use EPR technology. In exchange, EdF can participate in construction and operation of future ENEL nuclear power plants in Italy or elsewhere in Europe and the Mediterranean. ENEL's subsidiary Slovenske Elektrarne is building two 1000 MWe VVER reactors at Mochovce in Slovakia.
EdF 30/11 & 4/12/07, ENEL 30/11/07.
Swiss collaboration on new nuclear capacity
Three Swiss energy companies, led by the main nuclear generator NOK, have announced a joint venture called Resun with the purpose of replacing the Beznau and Muhleberg nuclear power plants in 2020. These have three small reactors which started up 1969-71. Resun is to apply for permits late in 2008 to build two identical nuclear power units of up to 1600 MWe at the two sites.
WNN 13/12/07.
Russia upgrades nuclear establishment
The Federal Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, has approved the law concerning the formation of Rosatom as a high-level state corporation. The existing Federal Atomic Energy Agency, also called Rosatom, has been handicapped by its relatively low status in the political system. The new Rosatom company would assume many of the roles currently taken by the old agency and will hold shares in AtomEnergoProm and the state enterprises currently owned by the Rosatom agency, enabling much greater coordination of planning and funding. Its director general is appointed by the Russian president.
WNN 23/11/07.
UK life extension for limping reactors
British Energy has announced a five-year life extension to 2016 for its four Hunterston and Hinkley Point nuclear power reactors, totaling 2435 MWe. In 2006 BE closed these AGRs on account of boiler degradation in the non-nuclear part of the plants. They were restarted in mid 2007 at about 60% capacity and BE intends to increase this to 70%. The life extension to 40 years involved a commitment to spend £90 million - beyond the current £150 million program - to achieve this. A further life extension will be considered in 2013, and is likely if electricity prices stay high.
BE 11/12/07.
Europe sets climate targets
The European Commission has announced draft legislation in line with earlier proposals to counter climate change. Overall it seeks a 20% cut in CO2 emissions and 20% of energy from renewables by 2020. There are three main strands: the imposition of "specific, binding national targets" for each of the 27 EU member countries for greenhouse emissions; mandatory targets for the percentage of renewables in each country's total energy consumption; and an overhaul of the existing emissions trading scheme for CO2. In addition there is a proposed law on carbon capture and storage (CCS). A system of auctioning CO2 emission allowances, so that all emissions have to be paid for, would come into force from 2013. Nuclear power will benefit from the legislation, as the auctioning of allowances will add probably 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt-hour to the cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels, with the potential for higher prices as the caps on emissions are reduced further. (For the 2008-12 period a quota of allowances is distributed to industry free of charge, with any balance being bought on the market, currently at just under EUR 20/tonne CO2.)
WNN 23/1/08.
Russian-Cameco U exploration agreement
Following from previous deals with Tenex, Cameco has signed an agreement with AtomRedMetZoloto (ARMZ), a subsidiary of AtomEnergoProm, which has taken over responsibility for all Russian uranium exploration and mining. ARMZ and Cameco are to create joint venture companies to explore for and mine uranium in both Russia and Canada, starting with identified deposits in northwestern Russia and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Nunavut.
WNN 30/11/07.
Areva in major China deal
After more than a year of intense negotiation, an EUR 8 billion agreement has been signed with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC). It involves the sale of two of Areva's 1600 MWe EPR reactors plus 12 years supply of fuel and other services. The reactors will be built as stage 1 of Taishan nuclear power plant, west of Hong Kong, and the first unit is expected in service in 2014. Steam turbines and generators will be purchased separately. In a separate agreement CGNPC will buy 20,000 tonnes of uranium from Areva's UraMin subsidiary in Africa. CGNPC and Areva are also to set up an engineering joint venture for future development of EPR plants in China and perhaps abroad.
At the same time CGNPC signed an agreement with Electricité de France (EdF) to take a 30% share in the customer company - Taishan Nuclear Power Co. which will own and operate the EPRs. EdF said that the two companies intend to study the prospects for further joint development projects in China and internationally.
Areva also signed a general agreement with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to undertake a feasibility study for construction of a used fuel reprocessing plant and MOX plant in China.
Areva 26 & 29/11/07, EdF 26/11/07.
China's first new-generation reactor to start construction
China's first AP1000 reactor is to start construction at Sanmen in March, according to the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC). This will be the first of four of the 3rd-generation units, at two sites, in Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. Construction at Haiyang is due to start later in the year. The Sanmen-1 unit is expected on line in August 2013 and will be the world's first Westinghouse AP1000 in service. SNPTC said that site works were on schedule and it had received 2.2 tonnes of technical documentation from Westinghouse.
SNPTC was set up in 2004 to take charge of technology selection for new plants being bid from overseas. It is directly under China's State Council and closely connected with it. The two plants will be built and run by subsidiaries of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) for Sanmen and of China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) for Haiyang.
In April 2007 Westinghouse signed a US$ 350 million contract with Doosan Heavy Industries in Korea for two pressure vessels and four steam generators for two of the AP1000 units. Those for the other two are likely to be made in China: the reactor vessels and steam generators by Harbin Boiler Works, First Heavy Machinery Works, or Shanghai Electric Co (SEC). Korea Power Engineering Co. (KOPEC) and Shanghai Nuclear Energy Research & Design Institute (SNERDI) will have major engineering roles.
Xinhua 3/1/08.
China continues huge electricity growth
In 2007 China increased its generating capacity by 91 GWe to 713 GWe, a little short of 2006 growth, when 102 GWe was added. Generation was up 14.4% to 3300 billion kWh, mostly from coal. New capacity was sufficient to enable closure of some small and inefficient coal-fired plants.
Xinhua 14/1/08, WNN 17/1/08.
China keeps Candu interest alive
The Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) has signed an agreement with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) to undertake R&D on advanced fuel cycles involving Candu heavy water reactor technology. In particular it is focusing on developing DUPIC, the Direct Use of spent PWR fuel In Candu reactors as fresh fuel. China has two Candu units operating at Qinshan, run by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the parent of NPIC. The R&D will be undertaken at Chengdu. Most work so far on DUPIC has been in South Korea, where it is the subject of the country's case study for IAEA's international project evaluating new fuel cycle technologies.
AECL 11/1/08.
South Korea joins GNEP
South Korea has become the 19th member of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), as a leading country utilising nuclear power and with a strong nuclear research and development program. The only major nuclear nations left outside the scheme now are the UK, Germany, Sweden and India.
DOE 11/12/07.
South Korean reactor life extension
Kori-1, a 570 MWe PWR and South Korea's first commercial nuclear power reactor, has been granted a ten-year life extension to 2017 (40 years operation) by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power requested this in June 2006. Wolsong-1, a 635 MWe Candu type reactor, is the next to be considered for life extension, but considerable refurbishment, including pressure tube replacement, is required.
WNN 7/12/07.
Kazakhstan raises uranium production target
Kazatomprom has extended its uranium production target to 30,000 tU/yr by 2018. The increase is due to a perceived shortfall being likely about 2014. Production is currently constrained by a shortage of acid. This is being offset by purchase arrangements from Russia and Uzbekistan, and by greater use of oxidants.
2007 production from Kazakhstan's uranium mines increased 26% to 7827 tonnes U3O8 (6637 tU). It fell well short of target due to problems with acid supply, which cost an estimated 1000 tU production. Expected 2008 production is 11,320 t U3O8 (9600 tU), and 2010 target remains 17,700 t U3O8 (15,000 tU).
WNN 10/1/08, Kazatomprom 23/1/08.
Gulf states nuclear power plant proposed
For two years there has been discussion on building one or more nuclear power plants in the Gulf States. Early in 2007 the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Oman - commissioned a feasibility study with IAEA for a regional nuclear power and desalination program. Together they produce 273 billion kWh of electricity per year from fossil fuels and have 5-7% annual demand growth. This is supplied from total installed capacity of about 80 GWe, with a common grid. There is also a large demand for desalination, currently fuelled by oil and gas.
Areva, Suez and Total have now formed a partnership to propose to UAE the construction of two 1600 MWe EPR nuclear units there. Suez - which operates seven nuclear power reactors in Belgium - and Total would each invest up to 25% of the project with Abu Dhabi entities providing at least 50%. Suez would be operator, Areva would supply the plant and manage the fuel. Total and Suez are well established in the region and together operate a power and desalination plant for Abu Dhabi, 100 km west of Dubai. The consortium's first EPR would not be operating before 2017. France has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with UAE.
WNN 14/1/08.
Russia delivers fuel for Iran reactor
Atomstroyexport has delivered by air the first of 163 fuel assemblies (plus 17 reserve ones) for the initial core of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is nearing completion. The fuel is enriched to 3.62% or less and is under full international safeguards. Russia will take it back for reprocessing after it is used. The Russian government had withheld supply as negotiations over Iran's uranium enrichment activities proceeded. Bushehr (1000 MWe) is expected to start up late in 2008.
WNN 17/12/07.
Political showdown over old research reactor
In December the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) declined to allow a restart of Canada's 50-year old NRU research reactor, operated by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL), which supplies much of the world's medical radioisotopes. A five-year licence renewal in mid 2006 had specified certain back-up modifications, which AECL had not fully implemented. Parliament then intervened and passed a bill authorizing the restart. Nevertheless, the government later made it clear that it was dissatisfied with both parties to the dispute, and the Chairman of AECL then resigned. The head of CNSC was relieved of her role soon afterwards, creating widespread concern about political interference in regulatory function.
In addressing the bill to overrule the CNSC for 16 weeks, the Prime Minister said that its inflexibility "will jeopardise the health and safety and lives of tens of thousands of Canadians. It is in the public interest to get this reactor back online and get these medical radioisotopes produced. There is no threat to nuclear safety at all. There is a threat to human life." AECL as owner and operator had told parliament that following substantial work in recent weeks, "NRU is safe to start up and operate in this mode." The remaining upgrade is to be undertaken by March.
WNN 12/12/07, 16/1/08.
Areva proceeds with mine projects
Areva Resources Canada has decided to proceed with developing its Midwest mine in northern Saskatchewan, and to undertake a feasibility study for its Kiggavik project in Nunavut. Subject to final regulatory approval, the $400 million Midwest mine will start production in 2011 at 2200 tU/yr. The Kiggavik project would access three low-grade deposits with the support of local indigenous Inuit people.
Areva RC 3/12/07.
Bruce Power buys into Alberta
The privatised Ontario nuclear utility Bruce Power has bought Energy Alberta, taking over its initiative in establishing a $6.2 billion 2200 MWe nuclear power plant in the north of that province. Bruce Power Alberta will now proceed with a full environmental study for the Peace River site eventually to take two twin-unit Canadian ACR-1000 reactors (1100 MWe each) with a view to start-up in 2017.
Bruce Power 29/11/07.
Canada joins GNEP
Canada has become the 18th member of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) which is developing new nuclear fuel cycle technologies to improve proliferation resistance while increasing recycling and reducing wastes. This brings all major uranium producers into the partnership.
DOE 30/11/07.
Australian uranium production recovers
2007 production from Australia's three uranium mines was 10,145 tonnes U3O8 (8603 tU), 13% higher than 2006 and slightly below 2004 and 2005. ERA's Ranger mine produced 5412 tonnes U3O8 (4589 tU), BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam 3985 tonnes (3379 tU) and Heathgate's Beverley ISL mine 748 tonnes (634 tU).
Positive year for nuclear capacity in 2007
In 2007 four new reactors were connected to grids and none retired, giving a net 2922 MWe addition to world capacity, apart from 250 MWe in a number of uprates. India commissioned Kaiga-3, China Tianwan-2, Romania Cernavoda-2 and in the USA Browns Ferry restarted after a complete rebuild. Ten construction starts were made to give 34 under construction at year end including the two small units comprising the Russian floating nuclear power plant. Also there were 29 more units planned and 64 more proposed than twelve months earlier.
Reactor and service providers prepare for demand
With demand for new nuclear capacity projected to almost double by 2030, reactor vendors and others are preparing to meet specific orders. Areva has said that it hoping to build one third of the new reactors required by then and has already taken on thousands of new employees to prepare for an enlarged role worldwide. Atomstroyexport has said that it is targeting a quarter of the world market for new reactors, while GE-Hitachi and Westinghouse are equally ambitious. GE-Hitachi and Areva have been active in placing orders for large reactor components over the last two years.
Russia and China share insurance
As a symbolic gesture related to historic links, China and Russia have agreed to share nuclear insurance risks at a token level. The Russian nuclear insurance pool is now ten years old and comprises 23 companies covering liability of some $350 million. However it has no reinsurance links apart from Ukraine, despite having ratified the Vienna Convention, while China has well-developed nuclear insurance and plays an active part in international pools.
WNN 3/12/07.
Reactor table
Advanced reactors
Small nuclear power reactors
Nuclear power reactors
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership
Safeguards appendix (N. Korea)
Economics of nuclear power
Nuclear power & Earthquakes
Decommissioning
Aust research reactors
Radioisotopes in medicine
Transport & hydrogen economy
Country papers:
Armenia,
Canada,
China,
Finland,
Germany,
India,
Italy
Japan,
Korea,
Namibia,
New Zealand,
Russia,
Sweden,
Switzerland,
UK,
USA,
Emerging nuclear countries
Australia's uranium and nuclear power prospects(merged)
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes in last two months:
Canada: uprate 3 Bruce B units: 111 MWe net
Korea: Shin Wolsong 1 start const 12/07
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