Reports from three of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working groups have been released this year, each following lengthy debate on scientific issues clouded by political agendas in international fora.
First, the IPCC scientific working group, having assessed the latest information on climate change, firmed up its view that climatic warming since 1950 "is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations," ie more than 90% likely. It said that the warming will continue and produce greater climate changes this century if even current levels of emissions continue. It did not project higher temperature and sea level rises than in the previous report five years ago, but instead brought increased certainty to earlier projections.
Then IPCC working group II report was released in April and deals with impacts, adaptation and vulnerabilities. It concludes that climate change will have significant impacts including increased stress on water supplies and a widening threat of species extinction.
IPCC Working Group III report in May deals with the mitigation of climate change, outlining the prospects and options for change, particularly in the energy sector, which accounts for 60% of emissions. It was signed off by over 100 countries which agree that major changes are required, to adopt low-carbon energy technologies. A key to achieving this is putting a price on carbon emissions, particularly from power generation. The report acknowledges that nuclear power is now and will remain a 'key mitigation technology'.
This new IPCC report says that the most cost-effective option for restricting the temperature rise to under 3°C will require an increase in non-carbon electricity generation from 34% (nuclear plus hydro) now to 48 - 53% by 2030, along with other measures. With a doubling of overall electricity demand by then, and a carbon emission cost of US$ 50 per tonne of CO2, nuclear's share of electricity generation is projected by IPCC to grow from 16% now to 18% of the increased demand. This would represent more than a doubling of the current nuclear output by 2030. The report projects other non-carbon sources apart from hydro contributing some 12-17% of global electricity generation by 2030.
These projected figures are estimates, and it is evident that if renewables fail to grow as much as hoped it means that other non-carbon sources will need to play a larger role. Thus nuclear power's contribution could triple or perhaps quadruple to more than 30% of the global generation mix in 2030.
The report also states that costs of achieving any overall target for atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations would increase if any generation options were excluded. Clearly, any country excluding or phasing out nuclear energy is raising the overall cost of meeting emission reduction targets. This runs counter to the economic objectives of sustainable development.
Indeed, the IPCC's projections of the increasing contribution of nuclear energy needed to restrain emissions contrasts sharply with the Kyoto Protocol's discrimination against nuclear projects in the Kyoto Mechanisms. These are the politically-agreed measures designed to implement the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This unreasonable discrimination should weigh heavily on those crafting a successor or extension to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. If the USA, China and perhaps India are included after 2012, that will help tilt the political balance to principled realism.
The next round of discussion on the subject will be the G8 meeting in Germany during June, and it is possible that some political impetus will emerge from that to boost effective, rather than token, action on climate change. Beyond that is the UNFCCC meeting in December, grappling with Kyoto successor.
WNN 10/4 & 4/5/07, IPCC summary reports.
Nuclear reactor restarts after 22 years
The Tennessee Valley Authority has restarted its Browns Ferry-1 reactor which was shut down in 1985. The 5-year refurbishment program also increased its power to 1155 MWe, similar to the newer units 2 & 3. It already has an operating licence and is expected back in full service later in 2007.
TVA 22/5/07.
Licence for new enrichment plant
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has licensed construction and operation of USEC's American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio, costing $2.3 billion within existing infrastructure. The company expects to operate a lead cascade by midyear. The full plant is expected to commence commercial operation by the end of 2009 and ramp up to 3.8 million SWU annual capacity in 2012. It will use only 5% of the power of the old diffusion plant it replaces. The licence authorises 7 million SWU/yr enrichment up to 10% U-235, though normal levels today are only up to 5%. The American Centrifuge technology has been developed over many years by USEC, based on earlier work by the Department of Energy. In June 2006 NRC licensed Urenco's $1.5 billion National Enrichment Facility, a greenfields project in New Mexico with 3 million SWU/yr capacity, due to start up in 2008.
USEC 13/4/07.
International consortium bids for GNEP projects
An international team led by Areva is preparing to bid on building a fast reactor and a reprocessing plant in the USA as part of the Department of Energy's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd., Washington Group International and BWX Technologies are the other members of the team. Technology development under GNEP is funded through the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, which is receiving $167.5 million this year and hopes for $395 million next year. The DOE is aiming to involve industry this year in designing and costing the new plants.
NuclearFuel 26/3/07, Platts 29/3/07.
Second US site permit for new reactors
Entergy has been awarded the second Early Site Permit, for its Grand Gulf plant in Mississippi, after consideration by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and public review. Grand Gulf has a 1300 MWe boiling water reactor which started commercial operation in 1985 but it was originally licensed for two units. Entergy is part of the NuStart consortium, which plans to submit a combined construction and operating licence (COL) application for a 1550 MWe GE Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) at the Grand Gulf site in November.
Nucleonics Week 22/3/07, WNN 28/3/07.
Russia creates corporate nuclear colossus
Following earlier strong votes in the Duma, President Putin has signed the decree to create a single vertically-integrated state holding company for Russia's full nuclear power sector, separate from the military complex. Atomenergoprom will incorporate joint stock companies such as Tenex, TVEL, Atomenergomash and Atomstroyexport as well as Rosenergoatom when it is corporatised. Entities from Atomenergoprom down to various third-level subsidiaries will be joint stock companies eventually. Public investment in the bottom level operations is envisaged - the joint venture between Alstom and Atomenergomash to provide large turbines and generators is cited as an example. The change is expected to be fully implemented within a year and to enable accelerated building of new nuclear power plants.
WNN 18 & 30/4/07.
UK White Papers advance energy policy
The UK Planning Review white paper has set out proposals for streamlining approval for major infrastructure projects, including energy. It detaches policy decisions from planning approvals and highlights both the energy security challenge and the need to minimise carbon emissions in building some 30 GWe of new capacity in the next two decades.
The Energy white paper which followed notes that security of supply is now a major challenge and that rising fossil fuel prices coupled with costs on carbon emissions had changed the economic picture for clean electricity generation. It proposes stronger international and UK constraints on carbon emissions, more efforts on energy conservation, and greater support for renewables - rising to £2 billion per year. Also, subject to the outcome of further consultation this year, it gives clear support for investment by the private sector in nuclear power capacity, so that nuclear power can play a significant role in UK's energy future. Excluding it from the 30-35 GWe of new generating capacity would incur high costs and major energy supply risks. Having wasted four years since the 2003 policy, the paper makes it clear that a decision is needed soon.
DTI 21 & 23/5/07.
Reactor vendors seek UK design approval
Four reactor vendors have sent letters of intention to apply for generic design assessment (pre-licensing) by the UK Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), and one of them - Westinghouse - has now lodged an application. Each assessment would cost up to £10 million and take some three years. Each vendor is in discussion with generating utilities who may be interested in building their units. EdF Energy is preparing to submit an application for Areva's 1650 MWe EPR. E.ON says it will support the pre-licensing of both Westinghouse AP1000 and Areva's EPR, and was in discussion with GE re the ESBWR. The fourth reactor vendor interested in UK pre-licensing is Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL).
Bloomberg 17 & 18/4/07, E.ON 22/5/07.
UK waste policy proceeds
The UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has established the Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD). The RWMD will set up a subsidiary of the NDA to devise "a safe, environmentally sound, publicly acceptable, geological disposal solution" for the UK's high-level wastes - civil and military. This could eventually develop into the site licence company and implement their geological disposal once a suitable repository site has been selected with public participation. Integration of the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Management Executive (Nirex) skills and expertise is now complete so that the NDA has taken over its functions.
Nirex was formed in 1982 to develop an intermediate-level waste disposal facility, with shares held by British Energy, BNFL, the UKAEA and the government. It carried out detailed studies and in 1994 sought permission to construct an underground rock laboratory to investigate the suitability of a site near Sellafield for deep geological disposal. Permission was refused three years later and UK radioactive waste policy has been confused ever since.
NDA 2/4/07.
New Romanian reactor starts up
The second Cernavoda power reactor has started up, seven years after the government decision to resume construction of it, using a multinational consortium. Cernavoda-2 is a 655 MWe Candu-6 reactor, and will join the ten-year old unit 1 to provide about 18% of Romania's electricity. Three units remain uncompleted at the site, and a tentative schedule is to commission unit 3 in 2013, unit 4 in 2014 and perhaps unit 5 in 2020.
SNNuclearelectrica 6/5/07.
France combines energy and environment portfolios
The new French cabinet combines energy with ecology and sustainable development in a senior ministerial role. In the past, energy and environment have sometimes been in tension at cabinet level. Nuclear energy will now come under a deputy prime minister in this portfolio, who says that while nuclear power isn't the government's only clean energy option, "there is no solution without nuclear energy."
IHT 19/5/07, Thomson 20/5/07.
New French conversion plant
Areva NC has announced plans for a new conversion project - Comurhex II - with facilities at Malvesi and Tricastin to strengthen its global position in the front end of the fuel cycle. The EUR 610 million facility will have a capacity of 15,000 tU/yr from 2012, with scope for increase to 21,000 tU/yr. The present 48-year-old Comurhex plant is 14,000 tU/yr.
Areva 21/5/07.
50 years of Euratom
The Euratom Treaty notched up half a century of achievement on 26 March, along with the EU itself. The Treaty of the European Atomic Energy Community was signed at the same time as the Treaty of Rome, which led to the EU. It was intended to promote nuclear power in the six member states: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg at a time when energy security was a prime concern. The Treaty originally envisaged common EU ownership of nuclear materials. Politically it was both a counter to US dominance and a means of cooperation with the USA by providing guarantees of peaceful use, being the basis of the first multilateral safeguards system.
The Treaty provided a stable legal framework that encouraged the growth and development of the nuclear industry while enhancing security of fuel supply for it and nuclear plant safety. Today Euratom in its own right is a member of the Generation IV International Forum and the ITER consortium building a fusion reactor. It has remained substantially unchanged and is largely independent of EU parliament's control - a major point of criticism of it.
Nucleonics Week 29/3/07, Foratom 26/3/07.
German court approves radioactive waste site
Germany's Federal Administrative Court has dismissed appeals against use of the Konrad site (a former iron ore mine) as an underground repository for low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes. Konrad was licensed in 2002 for such disposal, but legal challenges were mounted. These were dismissed in March 2006 and now again in April 2007, making the licence incontestable. Konrad will take about 300,000 cubic metres of wastes - 95% of the waste volume with 1% of the radioactivity from Germany's nuclear industry - and may be operational about 2010.
DBE April 2007.
Alstom forms joint venture with Atomenergomash
A joint venture company to manufacture the turbine and generator portions of new nuclear power plants will be created by French engineering group Alstom and Russia's Atomenergomash, a subsidiary of Atomenergoprom. The 49:51 partnership, in which both parties will invest EUR 200 million, includes the technology transfer of Alstom's state of the art Arabelle steam turbine and generator (available up to 1750 MWe). Alstom said the joint venture would build, on average, between two-and-a-half and three turbine and generator sets annually until 2030 as part of Russia's plan to double nuclear capacity by that date. A similar deal between Alstom and Bharat Heavy Electricals for new Indian plants is said to be envisaged.
Alstom 2/4/07, AFX 4/4/07.
Construction start on floating power plant
Russia's first floating nuclear power plant is now under construction at Severodvinsk in the Archangelisk region. The 70 MWe barge-mounted plant will have two OKBM KLT-40S nuclear reactors similar to those in large icebreakers. It is being built by Sevmash and will supply power to that locality after about mid 2010. Further such plants are planned for Russia's far east.
WNN 17/4/07.
Russia to build new Armenia plant
Russia has agreed to build a new 1000 MWe nuclear power plant in Armenia in return for minority ownership of it. Armenia has one early Russian reactor of 376 MWe providing over 40% of its power. This is due to close down in 2016 after 30 years operation (interrupted 1989-95), and the EU is keen to see it close sooner.
Novosti 23/4/07, Nucleonics Week 3/5/07.
Russian mine development
Tenex has won its bid to develop eight uranium deposits in the Elkon area of southern Yakutia. Reported resources are 320,000 tU. First production is expected in 2010 ramping up to 5000 tU/yr by 2020, making it Russia's largest uranium mine complex.
Tenex 15/5/07.
Thorium-based fuel progress
Red Star, a Russian government-owned design bureau, and US company Thorium Power have agreed to collaborate on testing Thorium Power's seed and blanket fuel assemblies at the Kurchatov Institute with a view to using thorium-based fuel incorporating plutonium in Russian reactors. Red Star's involvement will enable deployment of test assemblies in a commercial VVER-1000 reactor.
Thorium Power 19/4/07.
Studies for sixth Finnish reactor
Two Finnish power companies - TVO and Fortum - have commenced environmental impact assessments for new nuclear power units at the Olkiluoto and Loviisa sites respectively. This would clear the way for either company to seek government approval for a new unit, though no investment decision has been made. However, TVO is also talking to potential suppliers. The country's fifth power reactor is under construction by Areva and Siemens at Olkiluoto, for commercial operation in 2011.
Nucleonics Week 24/5/07.
Italy's used fuel to be reprocessed in France
Areva has signed a contract with Italy's SOGIN to reprocess 235 tonnes of fuel from Italy's closed nuclear power plants. The separated wastes (vitrified) will be returned to a future repository in Italy by end of 2025. The contract is for over EUR 250 million and covers only the fuel from three light water reactors - Italy's Magnox fuel is being reprocessed in UK already. How the separated uranium and reactor-grade plutonium will be used has not been announced, but the plutonium should be readily saleable for fresh fuel in the EU.
WNN 9/5/07.
New Chinese reactor on line
Unit 2 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid and unit 1 has entered commercial operation, finally being handed over by Atomstroyexport to Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation (CNNC 50%). Its completion was delayed due to corrosion in the steam generators which resulted in some tubes having to be plugged, with 2% net loss of capacity. Unit 1 has been running at average one third of its 1000 MWe output since its grid connection 12 months ago, unit 2 started up early May. Commercial operation for unit 2 is expected in December. The cost was earlier reported to be US$ 3.2 billion, with China contributing more than half of this.
Last year a preliminary agreement was signed with Atomstroyexport to build two more AES-91 nuclear units at Tianwan, Jiangsu province, though no timing has been announced. After that the site has space for four more.
Xinhua 16/5/07.
New Indian reactor in commercial operation
India's small Kaiga-3 reactor has begun commercial operation, just over five years since construction began. It started up in February and is one of the last four 220 MWe (gross) pressurized heavy water reactors which comprise most of India's nuclear power capacity. It is the country's 17th nuclear power reactor. Unit 4 is about six months behind it.
The government has also given approval for the construction of four further 700 MWe indigenous PHWR reactors, two each at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata. These sites respectively have two and four existing units in operation.
NPCIL 16/4 & 7/5/07, Ux Weekly 16/4/07.
Sticking points in US-India talks
Negotiations towards the '123 Agreement' required for civil nuclear trade between the USA and India are moving slowly on reprocessing, uranium enrichment, heavy water reactors and weapons testing. The biggest problem is apparently US insistence that used fuel from any US-supplied reactor must not be reprocessed, which cuts across a major aspect of India's energy policy.
India has been excluded from international nuclear trade as it declined to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would have required nuclear disarmament. The USA sought to end the isolation in 2005 and passed domestic legislation to allow trade, but that text must be agreed with India. The agreement will then need to be approved by the Nuclear Suppliers' Group before any opening of trade.
Reuters, 30/03/07, Nucleonics Week 12/4/07, FT 19/4/07.
China to accelerate technology transfer
The final contract for supply of four Westinghouse AP1000 third-generation reactors to China is expected to be signed soon. Meanwhile Westinghouse has signed a US$ 350 million contract with Doosan Heavy Industries in Korea for two pressure vessels and four steam generators for two of the plants. Those for the other two are likely to be made in China. Other components of the first four units will be imported, but by the fifth, local content is expected to be 100%.
Purchase of these reactors, the choice evidently driven by favourable technology transfer provisions, will give China a leading world position with late third-generation reactor technology and provide the main platform for China's further nuclear technology development. The State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC), directly under China's State Council, made the technology choice and is expected to become the licensee for the AP1000 units, the first of which are expected to be operating in 2013. Project control will be with China National Nuclear Corporation for Sanmen and China Power Investment Corporation for Haiyang.
Resource Investor 25/4/07, Nucleonics Week 26/4/07.
Japan increases Kazakh involvement
Three Japanese companies have bought 40% of the Kharasan uranium project, part of the Western mining group in the Syrdarya basin of Kazakhstan. They will take 2000 tU/yr when it is in full production at 5000 tU/yr. Of that share, Marubeni has 60%, Tepco 30% and Chubu 10%. Tohoku intends to buy into those shares. Project funding is expected from the Japan Bank for Intentional Cooperation.
As Japan seeks more access to Kazakhstan's uranium, a number of high-level agreements on energy cooperation have been signed. Japan has agreed to technological assistance for Kazakh ambitions to sell finished fuel, rather than just raw materials. This would fit with Kazakh participation in the first international uranium enrichment centre at Angarsk, in Russia. Toshiba has also agreed to discuss Kazakh nuclear power plant construction possibilities.
Tepco 24/4/07, AFP 30/4/07, WNN 1/5/07.
Japan selects lead company for fast reactors
The Japanese government has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as the core company to develop a new generation of fast breeder reactors (FBRs). FBRs are a central part of Japan's long-term energy policy in order to maximize uranium resource use and are promoted by government ministries, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan who are concerned to accelerate the development of a world-leading FBR by Japan. MHI has been actively engaged in FBR development since the 1960s as a significant part of its nuclear power business.
MHI 18/4/07.
Japan gears up nuclear infrastructure
The main company producing the heavy forgings required for nuclear power plants is spending 40 billion Yen ($330 million) to increase capacity in advance of orders expected from both China and the USA. Japan Steel Works (JSW) has production and research bases in Hiroshima, Yokohama and Muroran. The Muroran centre, in Hokkaido, hosts the heavy steel works and research laboratory relevant to power generation. Muroran manufactures reactor pressure vessels, steam generator components, generator & turbine rotor shafts, clad steel plates and turbine casings for nuclear power plants. JSW has been manufacturing forgings for nuclear plant components to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards since 1974, and around 130 JSW reactor pressure vessels are used around the world - more than one third of the total.
WNN 16/5/07.
Turkey passes nuclear legislation
Turkey has adopted legislation to prepare for construction of the first nuclear power plants. It authorizes the Energy Ministry to choose location and contractor for up to three reactors to provide 5000 MWe of electricity from 2012. It requires authorities to set purchase prices for the power, based on the companies' tenders and to arrange long-term power purchase agreements, which will enable financing for the new plants. The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority would determine tender specifications and evaluate bids. A provisional site is at Sinop, on the Black Sea, though Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast is already licensed.
Meanwhile, near Istanbul, eight Organised Industrial Parks comprising 70,000 firms and using 1.5 billion kWh per year have set up a joint venture to construct the country's first nuclear power plant. One or two 1500 MWe units are proposed either at the designated Sinop site on the Black Sea, Gokova on the Mediterranean (west coast), or perhaps a smaller plant at a site near Istanbul.
WNN 10/5/07, Zaman 10/5/07, Energy in E Europe 11/5/07.
China's uranium from coal ash project
China National Nuclear Corp has commissioned Sparton Resources of Canada with the Beijing No.5 Testing Institute to undertake advanced trials on leaching uranium from coal ash out of the Xiaolongtang power station in Yunnan. The ash contains 160-180 ppm U - above the cut-off level for some uranium mines. The power station ash heap contains over 1000 tU, with annual arisings of 106 tU.
Sparton 23/4 & 17/5/07.
Green light for Paladin's Malawi mine
Paladin Resources has been granted a mining licence for its Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi. With environmental approval already received, this now clears the way for the US$ 185 million construction to commence. First production is expected late in 2008, ramping up to full capacity of 1270 t U/yr in mid 2009.
Paladin 3 & 9/4/07.
Iran update:
In March the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing further sanctions on Iran and reaffirming that Iran must take the steps required by the IAEA Board, notably to suspend its uranium enrichment activities. An IAEA report says that 1640 centrifuges in 10 cascades have been installed at Natanz and are operational in defiance of the UN. More are being installed. Separately, Iran is seeking bids to construct two large nuclear reactors - 1000 to 1600 MWe each - near Bushehr.
IAEA 24/3/07, Times 24/5/07.
Brazil contemplates major nuclear expansion
Brazil's Energy Ministry is proposing to build four to eight large new nuclear reactors to meet increasing electricity demand. The actual number will depend on whether two new hydroelectric projects on the Madiera and Xingu Rivers in the Amazon basin proceed against environmental objections. Brazil has two nuclear plants operating and a third - Angra-3 - which has been on the verge of construction for some years (70% of the equipment is on site). The president has now approved finishing it. Brazil has substantial uranium resources and a small enrichment plant at Resende.
Bloomberg 16/5/07, Xinhua 16 & 21/5/07.
Areva commits to Shea Creek exploration
Areva is spending C$ 100 million on drilling its Shea Creek uranium project in northern Saskatchewan, 15 kilometres south of its now closed Cluff Lake mine. A deep shaft will give better access to the mineralised area, which has already given some very high grade intersections. UEX Corporation has a 24.5% share in the venture with the prospect of increasing this to 49%
UEX 10/4/07.
Australian uranium policy moves on
The Australian Labor Party has finally abandoned its "no new uranium mines" policy dating from 1982, which will encourage investors by the removal of some political risk. Uranium exploration expenditure is now running at A$ 100 million (US$ 83 million) per year, up tenfold in three years. However, mining is controlled by state governments, and the present West Australian Labor government is not expected to change its anti-uranium stance. Queensland may do so earlier.
The National Labor conference was upstaged by the Prime Minister's announcement that the government would proceed to open the way for nuclear power in Australia by setting up a nuclear regulatory regime and applying to join the Generation-IV International Forum. This is developing advanced reactor designs for deployment about 2025. Government would also take steps to remove impediments to uranium mining. "Policies or political platforms that seek to constrain the development of a safe and reliable Australian uranium industry - and which rule out the possibility of climate-friendly nuclear energy - are not really serious about addressing climate change in a practical way that does not strangle the Australian economy." The government is set to address carbon trading before mid year.
PM 28/4, AUA 28/4, AFR 30/4/07.
Summit accepts Paladin's takeover
In the light of political uncertainties it said were created by the Queensland premier before the Labor party's policy change, the board of Summit Resources accepted Paladin's A$ 1.23 billion takeover bid. This would give Paladin full control of the Valhalla uranium orebody and associated deposits in northwest Queensland - the Mount Isa project. The Valhalla deposit has 26,000 tonnes U3O8 as indicated and inferred resources, but it is open and likely to increase. Another 11,500 t of resources are nearby.
However, Paladin's takeover was complicated by Areva taking a 10.5% blocking stake in Summit, for A$ 126 million. Areva had negotiated a A$ 293 million agreement with Summit to buy 18% of the company and market much of its uranium. This was vetoed as the Paladin takeover proceeded. Paladin now has about 80% of Summit.
Paladin 12, 16 & 30/4/07, Summit 11 &30/4/07.
Global partnership takes shape
Senior energy officials from China, France, Japan, Russia and the USA have given clear international endorsement to the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), which was initiated in 2006 by the USA. They issued a joint statement in support of GNEP's nuclear energy cooperation, which includes fast reactors and closing the fuel cycle to reprocess used fuel. A number of technical challenges must be met including "development of advanced, more proliferation-resistant fuel cycle approaches and reactor technologies that will preserve existing international market regulations." They concluded by emphasizing that "participants share a common view that a long-term vision of the global nuclear fuel cycle cannot be achieved without broader cooperation and partnerships involving nations that currently utilize, or are planning to develop, civilian nuclear energy." Countering nuclear weapons proliferation remains a major goal of GNEP. The UK - whose emerging nuclear policy now assumes no reprocessing - and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) participated as observers.
WNN 22/5/07, Nucleonics Week 24/5/07.
Analyses indicate nuclear futures
Widespread use of low-carbon electricity is the key to greenhouse gas abatement, and nuclear electricity in particular has the potential for major expansion in coming decades, according to two new reports. Eurelectric, the Brussels-based electricity industry union, said a scenario based on supply optimisation saw major increases in nuclear and coal with carbon capture & storage. Another scenario saw the role of electricity change to include uses traditionally dominated by combustion of oil and gas, such as in plug-in hybrid electric cars leading to a large increase in demand. A separate report by Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), said that governments and businesses around the globe have moved from talking to taking real action to renew the development of nuclear power and have created good prospects for a major nuclear expansion over coming decades: "Governments and businesses are taking action. The 'nuclear renaissance' is real."
Eurelectric, 22/03/7, CERA 2/4/07
Questions have been raised regarding the amount of water used for cooling nuclear power plants, relative to coal-fired plants.
In fact there is no basic difference in water consumption or use between a nuclear and a coal plant. Apart from size, any differences between plants is due to thermal efficiency, ie how much heat has to be dumped into the environment. A nuclear or coal plant running at 32% efficiency will need to dump about 5% more heat than one at 35-36% efficiency. Nuclear plants currently being built have about 34-36% thermal efficiency, depending on site (especially water temperature). The relatively new Stanwell coal-fired plant in Queensland runs at 36%.
If cooling for either type of plant is by using evaporative cooling towers this will translate into water use. But if it is using a large volume of water (big river, lake or sea) run through the plant and discharged at a slightly higher temperature, there is no "use" in the sense of depletion. Cooling water is not polluted by use.
Most nuclear power plants are cooled in the latter fashion, since their location is not at all determined by the fuel source. In Australia, any nuclear plants would certainly be on coastal sites. Any coal plant not situated very close to its fuel source must have a lot of fuel brought to it, eg over 3 million tonnes of coal for a 1000 MWe plant (cf less than 30 tonnes of fuel for same-sized nuclear plant). This has logistic and aesthetic implications compared with a clean and uncluttered coastal nuclear plant.
Reactor table
Plans for new reactors worldwide
World uranium mining
Nuclear power reactors
Waste management in fuel cycle
Uranium Enrichment
Mixed Oxide fuel
Safeguards appendix: Iran, N.Korea & Iraq
Early Soviet reactor & EU accession
Nuclear renaissance
Nuclear energy prospects for Australia
Transport & Hydrogen economy
Chernobyl accident
Nuclear plants and earthquakes
Nuclear fusion power
Australian research reactors
Global warming - science
Policy responses to global warming
Country papers:
Africa (new),
Armenia (new),
Australia,
Brazil,
Canada,
China,
Finland,
France,
Hungary,
India,
Japan,
Kazakhstan,
Korea,
Lithuania (new),
Namibia,
Niger & Gabon,
Romania,
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Spain,
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Emerging nuclear countries
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes in last two months:
India: Kaiga-3 grid connect April, 202 MWe
Russia: construction 2 x 35 MWe Severodvinsk
Sweden: Ringhals 1 uprate 15 MWe to 858
China: Tianwan 2 1000 MWe grid connect
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