At the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 50th anniversary General Conference in September, ideas to harmonise and globalise the nuclear fuel cycle were a focus of attention but with little being resolved.
In his opening address to the conference, the Agency's Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, reminded delegates that of the 28 new reactors under construction, 16 are in developing countries. Furthermore, many more countries led by Indonesia, Turkey and Vietnam are seriously planning for the introduction of nuclear power.
To facilitate this development, the IAEA leader has proposed the creation of regional centres for resources, expertise, goods and services: "The increase in global energy demand is driving a potential expansion of nuclear energy. And concern is mounting regarding the proliferation risks created by the further spread of sensitive nuclear technology, such as uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. The convergence of the above realities points to the need for the development of a new framework for the nuclear fuel cycle."
This "complex endeavour" to ease the transfer of nuclear power technology to an increasing number of nations would be accomplished through progressive phases:
WNA Director General John Ritch supported the IAEA's purposes but cautioned that any new arrangements would face enormous challenges in achieving the necessary consensus for collective implementation. He said that WNA aimed "to contribute constructively to this conversation in the conviction that the work of diplomacy is essential in sustaining a sound framework for the worldwide use of nuclear power.
"With so much at stake, the work of perfecting the framework for the peaceful use of nuclear power must hold high priority on the international agenda.
"Although it does not address the tough questions now at issue, the preliminary report of the WNA Working Group on the Security of the International Fuel Cycle finds first that the market for enrichment services has functioned extremely well in delivering those services where and when needed. It also affirms that the industry would welcome any arrangements made by governments through which the IAEA could provide supply guarantees of such services to countries that lack enrichment facilities - on condition of their clear commitment to NPT obligations. As might be expected, the report recommends that those arrangements be devised so as not to interfere with a well-functioning market.
"The report notes also that a backup to such IAEA guarantees could be a commitment by certain governments to release government-held stocks of enriched uranium.
"What the report does not address is the fundamental question of how additional inter-governmental arrangements might be devised that would serve to ensure that any new enrichment and similarly sensitive facilities are created either under international auspices or are limited to countries with a recognized, highly reliable long-term commitment to NPT compliance. This, of course, is the unanswered question that holds immense complexity and importance.
"The challenge is to reconcile basic principles of national sovereignty with a larger common benefit, and this reconciliation will require a great deal of creative thought and much bilateral and multilateral exchange."
Dr ElBaradei told the special conference session on this topic: "The aim of the assurance of supply concept is to establish a mutually supportive international project, in which everyone should work together to ensure that whichever country needs nuclear fuel or reactor technology will get it, provided that certain non-proliferation criteria have been met."
The session was convened to begin addressing the many practical and diplomatic questions still surrounding the idea and its implementation. The private US organisation Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) pledged to contribute $50 million seed funding for a fuel bank to be administered by the IAEA. NTI said that the offer was conditional on the fuel bank plan moving forward within two years and other donors putting in $100 million or an equivalent value of uranium.
This follows the announcement a year ago that the US Department of Energy would provide 17.4 tonnes of highly enriched uranium to a domestically-held bank, to be blended down into reactor fuel. That quantity and grade of uranium is estimated to be worth around $500 million. In addition, the USA has proposed its own vision of a future nuclear fuel cycle, the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), which would see nuclear fuel manufacture and reprocessing limited to about ten 'fuel-cycle nations' which would guarantee to serve the rest.
The other key country pressing for international fuel cycle centres is Russia, which has surplus enrichment capacity and has even made an offer to Iran to cooperate on an enrichment program within Russian borders. President Putin sent a message to the IAEA conference reminding delegates of Russia's proposals for fully international uranium processing and enrichment centres, which had been outlined at the WNA Annual Symposium in London on 7 September. The head of Russia's Rosatom, Sergey Kirienko, said Russia was proposing to establish a system where interested countries would become stockholders in an international nuclear fuel centre with access to all business information and an income stream from the "very profitable" uranium enrichment business. He said that the only limitation to participation in this market-oriented and liberal business would be on access to the sensitive enrichment technology. Furthermore, Russia would be able to provide the facilities to launch such a project by the end of this year (see story).
A number of other countries have expressed support for the general concept of international fuel supply. In particular, French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy suggested the world should "act strongly on the world nuclear market" and create an international nuclear fuel bank under the control of the IAEA. The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier supports the idea and will apparently push it when it takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in January 2007.
However, Argentine and Brazilian officials are cautious about it as they are developing their own plans to manufacture nuclear fuel, and the South African minister of minerals and energy warned that an international regime obliging nations to give up certain technologies "would undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty" and that her country would not support it. Consolidating sensitive technology in the hands of a small number of nations would compound a perception by some states without nuclear weapons that the Treaty is unfair.
Proposals put forward at the IAEA special meeting included the NTI pledge of $50 million in seed money, as well as ideas from the nuclear industry conveyed in the WNA Report, from a six-country group of enrichment suppliers, and subsequently from Japan, Germany and the UK. In summing up the special session it was stressed that participation by potential recipient countries in a future nuclear fuel assurance regime would be based on voluntary agreement not to deploy sensitive fuel cycle technologies. However, NTI President Charles Curtis acknowledged that currently there is no consensus on the "need or the means" for providing fuel assurances. The IAEA will begin consultations in order to be able to bring proposals to the Agency's governing board in a year's time.
IAEA, RIA Novosti, WNA Symposium, Platts 15, 18, 21/9/06.
US pushing ahead with GNEP plans
The US Department of Energy is offering $20 million for siting studies for used fuel reprocessing facilities which will be built under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). Encouraged by the response to GNEP, DOE is now proposing a two-phase development for fuel recycling. In the near term it will deploy Areva's Coex process on a commercial scale, and after further R&D, the Urex+ process which will collect all transuranic elements (including plutonium) together for burning in an advanced burner (fast neutron) reactor. Wastes from the latter process would comprise only fission products, and thus be shorter-lived and easier to accommodate in a repository.
More broadly, the countries identified by DOE as likely participants in GNEP at both enrichment and recycling ends are the USA, UK, France, Russia and Japan.
NEI Nuclear Energy Overview 7/8/06.
Reactor vendors order major components
Both GE Energy and Areva (for Unistar Nuclear joint venture) have ordered heavy forgings from suppliers in Japan and France respectively in anticipation of US orders for new reactors - GE's ESBWR and ABWR and Areva's US EPR. Areva has also arranged with BWX Technologies in Virginia to supply major EPR components such as steam generators and pressure vessels. These moves will put them in front of any supply bottlenecks when orders are confirmed.
Nucleonics Week 3 & 10/8/06.
Local government lures nuclear plant
The elected board of Calvert County, Maryland has offered several million dollars in tax cuts to Constellation Energy if it builds a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs power plant. It offered a 50% tax cut for 15 years on the $15.5 million Constellation now pays. The site is being considered for an Areva US EPR reactor under the UniStar Nuclear joint venture. This would bring 400 permanent jobs and 3200 construction jobs over five years.
Nucleonics Week 10/8/06.
Major utility to complete reactor?
With power demand growing 2% pa, the Tennessee Valley Authority has authorized a comprehensive evaluation of the cost and schedule for completing the 1167 MWe half-built second unit at Watts Bar nuclear plant. TVA is also considering building a new ABWR or AP1000 nuclear plant at its Bellefonte site in North Alabama, though the earliest this could be on line is 2016. Watts Bar-2 could be completed about 2013 - construction halted in 1985. Unit 1 started up in 1996.
TVA 28/7/06, Nucleonics Week 3/8/06.
Texas utility flags new plants
TXU Corporation has announced that following 9100 MWe of new coal-fired capacity, it will build two and up to six new nuclear power reactors to meet growing demand in Texas and diminish the utility's vulnerability to increased gas prices. Two units will be added to the Comanche Peak plant, others at one or two other sites in the region, totaling 2000 - 6000 MWe by 2020. TXU expects to drive down capital costs of the new plants from currently-estimated $2100/kW to $1300-1500/kW. It plans to lodge Construction & Operating Licence applications with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission late in 2008.
PRNewswire 31/8/06, Nucleonics Week 7/9/06.
US regulators address new applications
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing three applications for Early Site Permits for new nuclear reactor construction, and has started assessing a fourth. Applications for Exelon's Clinton, Entergy's Grand Gulf and Dominion's North Anna are in train and NRC is now looking at Southern Nuclear's Vogtle application to build two Westinghouse AP1000 units there. While no plant type is specified with an ESP application, Grand Gulf and North Anna are proposing GE's ESBWR units.
Nucleonics Week 17/8/06.
Report on recycling used fuel
A report by the Boston Consulting Group for Areva Inc and based on proprietary Areva information shows that recycling used fuel in the USA using the COEX aqueous process would be economically competitive with direct disposal of used fuel. The cost increment relative to direct disposal is offset by the value of recycled fuel. The COEX process has been developed by Areva from that used today in the operating reprocessing plants in France, UK and Russia and is being applied in Japan's new plant. A $12 billion, 2500 t/yr US plant was considered, with total capital expenditure of $16 billion for all related aspects. This would comfortably be covered by accumulated funds from electricity users, and would also have the benefit of greatly reducing demand on space at the proposed Yucca Mountain repository, extending its life considerably.
BCG July 2006.
US used fuel arguments continue
Proposals to store used nuclear fuel at up to 30 interim storage sites while the Yucca Mountain final repository is prepared have been called "unrealistic" by the chair of the House of Representatives. In addition, the attorneys general of ten states that host nuclear power plants urged Congress to reject the proposals, submitted by Senators Domenici and Reid, key figures in the pro- and anti-Yucca camps respectively. Under the plans the Department of Energy could place a storage facility on federally owned land in those states. However, critics say the scheme is a back-up in case Yucca Mountain is never completed, or an early move to enable easier siting of used nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities that could be required under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.
Nucleonics Week 11/9/06, NucNet #198/06.
Former reactor site now unrestricted
The site that hosted the USA's fifth and the state of Michigan's first nuclear power plant has been restored to a greenfield state. Consumers Energy celebrated the end of the decommissioning work with 700 current and former employees on 29 August. The 72 MWe Big Rock Point plant generated electricity for Consumers Energy between 1965 and 1997. It took nine years to completely dismantle.
Consumers Energy 29/8/06.
Study on hydrogen production
Under its Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative the US Department of Energy has selected two teams to investigate the economic feasibility of producing hydrogen using power from existing reactors. A following phase will involve demonstration. One team led by GE Global Research will look at GE's alkaline electrolysis and another team led by Electric Transport Applications will pursue electrolysis using proton exchange membranes, based on a pilot plant in Arizona which produces 212 m3/day.
Nucleonics Week 17/8/06.
US public opinion firms
A Bloomberg-LA Times survey of 1478 people conducted at the end of July showed 61% of Americans favouring increased use of nuclear power as a source of energy to help prevent global warming.
NEI Nuclear Energy Overview 21/8/06.
Russia ready to provide international centre
The head of Rosatom, Sergei Kirienko, has said that Russia will be ready to set up a pilot international enrichment centre by the end of 2006. This would provide new nuclear power states with assured supplies of low-enriched uranium for power reactors, giving them equity in the project, but without allowing them access to the enrichment technology. The existing plant at Angarsk - the smallest of three Siberian plants - will feed the international centre which will be under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision, and the material will be under safeguards. Legislation is needed to separate the facility from the defence sector and open it to international inspection, as well as providing for a shareholding structure for other countries involved with the centre.
The enrichment centre will be the first expression of President Putin's Global Nuclear Infrastructure Initiative which is in line with IAEA's 2003 proposal for Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (MNA). Mr Kirienko said that he saw the US GNEP proposals involving such centres as very similar.
WNA symposium 7/9/06, RIA Novosti 19/9/06.
Russia defines scope of new reactors
Rosatom's initial focus on new technology will be on the third-generation standardised evolutionary VVER-1200 reactor (AES-2006 power plant) of 1150-1200 MWe, and these are to supersede or supplement the well-proven VVER-1000 model. As well as this, the BN-800 fast breeder reactor will pioneer that technology. Also, small and medium reactors - the KLT-40 derived from icebreaker power plants and the VBER-300 (100-300 MWe) - will be developed. Beyond all these, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors are envisaged to burn actinides from used fuel, and to make hydrogen.
WNA symposium 7/9/06.
Fluor bids for British Nuclear Group
A week after the board of British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) decided to sell off two of the subsidiaries of its British Nuclear Group (BNG), Fluor Corporation made a cash offer to buy BNG whole for up to £400 million. However BNFL declined the offer and will proceed with a sale of the parts by tender, as approved by the government in March. BNG was formed in 2004 as the part of BNFL taking in nuclear decommissioning and cleanup, spent fuel & engineering and Magnox generation. The new owner of the main part of the business will inherit a five-year, £5 billion contract from the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to manage the Sellafield site, as well as taking over the Magnox reactors, so the NDA will be involved in selecting any buyer(s).
BNG 22/8/06, Fluor 31/8/06, Times 31/8/06, Platts 12/9/06.
Slovenia uprates nuclear plant
Following replacement of the low pressure turbine, Krsko nuclear power plant has been uprated by 3% to 696 MWe. This is the only Westinghouse unit in Eastern Europe and is part owned by Croatia. It started up in 1981.
Krsko 21/9/06.
New Swedish coalition more positive
The Conservative-led coalition which has come to power in Sweden is much more in tune with popular sentiment and positive about nuclear power than its predecessor. The Centre party involved has recently changed its view in favour of nuclear power, aligning with the Christian Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives. While no reactors will be closed, planning of new units is not on the agenda during the coalition's first term. However, several major reactor upgrades will be undertaken.
Nucleonics Week 21/9/06.
UK waste report confirms recommendations
The UK's advisory Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) has confirmed its interim report in April, with the focus now on achieving community participation and acceptance. It recommends deep geological disposal of high and intermediate-level wastes long-term with early closure of the repository, but meanwhile "robust interim storage" is needed. In relation to siting, communities should be provided with incentives to volunteer, as in other countries. CoRWM was set up 2003 to "inspire public confidence" and to cover continuing government procrastination. It now encourages the government to build on the momentum it has created and act soon on its recommendations.
CORWM 31/7/06, cf Newsletter 3/06.
Areva purchases major equipment supplier
In a strategic move, Areva NP has completed the purchase of forged parts manufacturer Sfarsteel. The acquisition follows announcements of orders for heavy forgings for new US nuclear plants and for the major components of the new 1600 MWe nuclear power reactor at Flamanville, where Areva NP is supplying the reactor itself. Large high-quality forgings are required for nuclear power plant components such as the reactor pressure vessel, and worldwide capacity to produce these components must be expanded to meet the predicted increase in demand for nuclear power. Sfarsteel had revenues of ¤69 million in 2005, which are expected to double in 2006. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Electricite de France has placed orders for much of the equipment and civil engineering works for its new Flamanville-3 EPR reactor, including the 1750 MWe turbine from Alstom - the largest steam turbine ever built.
Nucleonics Week 7/9/06, Areva 8/9/06, Nucleonics Week 3 & 10/8/06.
South Korea orders new plant
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has placed a US$ 1.2 billion order with Doosan Heavy Industries for the first pair of its third-generation APR-1400 pressurised water reactors - units 3 & 4 to be built at Shin Kori. Westinghouse has a $300 million contract with Doosan for part of this order. The APR-1400 will be the new standard power reactor for South Korea, and has 60-year design life. Meanwhile construction of Shin Kori 1 commenced in June, and site preparation at Shin Wolsong is well advanced. The first four units at those sites will be 950 MWe OPR-1000 units, previously known as KSNP+ types, and will come on line in 2011-12.
Yonhap 28/8/06, Westinghouse 29/8/06, NucNet news # 183/06.
Tokyo Electric plans more nuclear
Tepco has announced plans to increase its nuclear power generation by 61% over the next decade, due to lower running costs for nuclear. It will reduce its use of oil by more than half, and reduce gas use by 14% in the same period.
Bloomberg, in Asian Power 21/9/06.
Indian utility plans new nuclear plant
Apparently in anticipation of easing nuclear trade restriction, Indian utility National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has brought forward consideration of a 2000 MWe nuclear power plant to be in operation by 2014. It will be the utility's first nuclear plant and also the first conventional nuclear plant not built by NPCIL. Both organizations are government-owned and NTPC is planning to increase its total installed capacity from 26 to 51 GWe by 2012 (72% of it coal).
Ux Weekly 7/8/06, NTPC 1 & 22/8/06.
New Indian reactor in full operation
India's 16th nuclear power reactor - the 540 MWe Tarapur-3 PHWR has entered commercial operation five months ahead of schedule, after starting up in May and grid connection in June. This is the second large indigenously designed unit.
NPCIL 18/8/06.
Turkey firms nuclear plans
With electricity demand climbing 8% pa, the Turkish government said it plans to have three nuclear power plants - total 4500 MWe - operating by 2015. The US$ 10.5 billion investment would make up about 10% of Turkey's capacity.
Gulf Times 7/8/06.
Japan revising national energy plan
Work has started on the three-yearly revision of the Japanese government's Basic Energy Plan, defining nuclear power as a key source and strengthening nuclear fuel cycle policy. It will take into account a new national energy strategy issued in May and the need to achieve Kyoto Protocol targets. Nuclear capacity is expected to be 62.86 GWe in 2030 (cf 47.7 GWe now) in order to reach the targeted 41% share of electricity. Reactor lives are expected to be 60 years, with only one small plant retired by 2030 and ten more built. Early commercialising of the fast breeder reactor cycle is a high priority, and is the subject of special attention by a broadly-constituted group involving the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The final plan, looking ten years ahead, will be approved by Cabinet in December.
Atoms in Japan 26/4, 13/5, 15/5 & 26/7/06.
Argentina to boost nuclear power
The Argentine government has announced a US$ 3.5 billion strategic plan for the country's nuclear power sector. This will involve completing the country's long-delayed third reactor and extending the life of the first two, which have been operating since 1974 (Atucha-1) and 1983 (Embalse). The goal is for nuclear power to be part of an expansion in generating capacity to meet rising demand. A resumption of uranium mining and enrichment is part of the plan.
In 2003 plans for completing the Atucha-2 reactor of 692 MWe were presented to the government, and some $600 million of the announced package will be for this project, to bring the unit on line in mid 2010. Construction had started in 1981 then halted in 1994 when it was 80% complete. Both Atucha units are a unique German design of pressurized heavy water reactor. Meanwhile a feasibility study on a fourth reactor will be undertaken, to start construction after 2010, and $2 billion has been projected for this.
Extending the life of the Embalse CANDU-6 type plant by 25 years in partnership with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd is expected to cost $400 million, and producing the heavy water for Atucha-2 $200 million. No figure was quoted for enrichment but the country's small plant at Pilcaniyeu is an old and inefficient type which has not operated since the 1980s.
Another aspect of the plan is to move towards building a prototype of the small modular CAREM pressurised water reactor with integral steam generators designed to be used for electricity generation (27 MWe or up to 100 MWe) or as a research reactor or for water desalination. Recent studies have explored scaling it up to 300 MWe. It has the entire primary coolant system within the reactor pressure vessel, and relies entirely on convection. It was developed by the National Atomic Energy Commission and INVAP, which has built the new OPAL research reactor in Australia, now in process of commissioning. CAREM is seen as a mature design which could be deployed within a decade.
NucNet news #181/06, AP 23/8/06, AFP 24/8/06.
Kyrgyzstan to sell uranium mill
The Kyrgyz government has called for offers to buy a 72% share in its Kara-Baltinsk uranium enterprise, principally the mill which needs substantial upgrading. It treats material from the Zarechnoye Russian-Kazakh joint venture in Kazakhstan. UrAsia of Canada has previously been reported as a bidder. Capacity is about 2000 t/yr.
TradeTech NMR 18/8/06.
Canadian uranium merger
After discussions with another possible partner, Denison Mines has agreed to merge with International Uranium Corporation (IUC), creating a major new uranium mining and exploration company. Denison has a 22.5% stake in the McClean Lake mine and a 25.2% share in the Midwest project, while IUC brings to the merger its White Mesa mill in Utah along with several uranium properties in Utah and Arizona. Prospective production is 2500 tU/yr by 2010, about half from Canada and half from southwest USA.
Denison Mines 19/9/06.
Ontario application for site permit
Bruce Power in Ontario has applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for a licence to prepare its site for construction of two new reactors. It has been studying the feasibility of this for more than two years, and with the government's June announcement that new nuclear plants would be needed, has moved forward. Ontario Power Generation is also considering new build. At present Bruce Power has six CANDU units (4678 MWe) operating at the 9.3 sq km Bruce site, and two units (1538 MWe) being refurbished. If the licence is granted, an environmental study taking up to three years will follow, along with assessment of possible reactor designs other than CANDU.
Platts 17/8/06, Ux Weekly 21/8/06.
Australian Uranium Association formed
As uranium mining and exploration is set to expand in Australia, a new representative trade body has been formed to articulate the national interest associated with uranium mining and export, as well as advocate the industry's positions to government and the community. The Australian Uranium Association (AUA) is built upon a base provided by the Uranium Information Centre, whose functions continue. The AUA's main objective is to enable the uranium mining and export industry to develop and operate in an environment of policy certainty and regulatory stability. Michael Angwin who has held senior positions at the Business Council of Australia and Rio Tinto has been appointed Executive Director.
AUA 26/9/06.
Honeymoon mine to proceed
Following a new feasibility study, sxr Uranium One has announced that development of the Honeymoon deposit in South Australia will proceed as a 400 t/yr in situ leach (ISL) mine. It quoted indicated resources of 2900 tonnes U3O8 at 0.24% excluding some thin low-grade material included in earlier estimates and also excluding the adjacent East Kalkaroo deposit. The mine will be commissioned early in 2008 at a cost of US$ 36 million (A$ 48 million), and production cost envisaged is US$ 14.13 /lb ($36.70/kgU), less than one third of the current spot price. A 20-year mining licence was issued in 2001. Apart from uranium prices, the delay in development has been due to the need to confirm resources using prompt fission neutron borehole logging which identifies the actual uranium, rather than gamma logging equipment which (less reliably) indicates surrogate radionuclides.
Uranium One 29/8/06.
China buys into Australian uranium
Sinosteel Corporation has agreed to buy a 60% stake in the Crocker Well and Mount Victoria uranium field in South Australia for A$ 30.5 million (US$ 23 million). The deposit, which contains up to 6750t of U3O8 resources at 0.05% would be developed and operated by the Chinese state-owned company and Australian explorer PepinNini Minerals Ltd. The deal requires approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board. Corporations owned by Japanese and French governments hold or have held interests in other Australian uranium deposits.
PepinNini Minerals 13/9/06.
New EU project on regional waste repositories
A new EC-funded project to assess the feasibility of European regional waste repositories is about to start, indicating a recognition in the EU that implementing 25 national repositories is not optimal economically or for safety and security. Following an EC-funded pilot study to 2005, the SAPIERR-2 project will propose a practical implementation strategy and the organizational structures required for concrete plans to proceed from 2008. The project is in line with proposals from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russia and the USA (with GNEP) for multilateral cooperation in the fuel cycle in order to enhance global security. Shared repositories for high-level nuclear wastes are an important element of this. Initially seven national organizations and Swiss-based Arius are involved, but others are expected to join.
Arius 21/9/06
Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century (The World Nuclear University Primer) by Ian Hore-Lacy, Elsevier and WNU, 167pp, £15, ISBN 0-12-373622-6.
This sets out to be a comprehensive but readable account of everything from energy demand through front and back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle, to safety and non-proliferation. It is effectively the 8th edition of the well-known Nuclear Electricity, somewhat expanded in scope and with some more technical descriptions such as of nuclear fission itself. New sections include Other Nuclear Energy Applications and History. There is a substantial Foreword by Dr Patrick Moore, a founder of Greenpeace.
Zack Pate, Chairman of WNU, writes: this book "strikes me as an exceptional publication, worthy of wide review/readership Š It is, in effect, a 'Nuclear 101' text for the industry, It covers all parts of the fuel cycle in easily readable form, with numerous handy tables and diagrams."
Reactor Accidents - Institutional failure in the nuclear industry, (2nd edition, 2006) by David Mosey, Nuclear Engineering International, 120pp, £45, ISBN 1-903-07745-1.
This book describes seven significant reactor accidents, two of them to commercial power reactors (Three Mile Island and Chernobyl), the latest 20 years ago. It is designed to draw out the lessons of each accident for regulators, designers, managers and operators. In all of the accidents human actions were the main or sole contributor. This has also been true of criticality accidents, the fatal ones of which feature in a comprehensive appendix covering a range of nuclear facilites. Hence a focus on safety culture. A final chapter sums up the Aspects of Institutional Failure arising from the seven case studies. A fascinating book.
IHL
Responsible Dominion - a Christian approach to sustainable development, by Ian Hore-Lacy, Regent College Publishing 2006, 170pp, £10 US$20, ISBN 1-57383-342-8.
This book views the challenge of sustainable global development through the prism of Christian faith and outlines how God has provided abundantly for the human species on this planet. Going forward, it is increasingly evident that God will place a much greater burden on the judgment of man, and the cooperation of men, to use the resources he has provided wisely and to protect the environment in the process. Responsible Dominion successfully combines religious and environmentalist perspectives. For example, the complex and controversial issues surrounding energy supplies, population growth, environmental protection are all treated in a sensible, balanced manner with frequent, appropriate references to scripture as well as a wide range of other sources. The book stresses "Christian Stewardship" of God's creation and gives the reader a sense of reality about what this means and the obligations it carries. It offers thought-provoking guidance for those who would apply their religious faith to the resource and environment challenges of today. I recommend this as important reading to the widest possible audience.
Zack Pate, Chairman, World Nuclear University
Reactor table
Nuclear power in the world today
Plans for new reactors worldwide
Advanced nuclear reactors
Military warheads as source of fuel
Processing used nuclear fuel for recycle
Uranium enrichment
Renewable energy & electricity
Nuclear renaissance (new)
Emerging nuclear energy countries
Safeguards appendix (Iran & N.Korea)
Nuclear power in UK
Nuclear power in USA
Nuclear power in France
Nuclear power in Sweden
Canada's uranium & nuclear power
Australia's uranium & who buys it
Nuclear power in Russia
Nuclear power in Kazakhstan
Nuclear power in Japan
Nuclear power in Korea
Nuclear power in South Africa
Nuclear power in Argentina
Nuclear power in Mexico (new)
Australian research reactors (UIC paper)
Australian uranium mines (UIC mines paper)
Australian uranium deposits & prospective mines (UIC mines paper)
Uranium exploration in Australia (UIC mines paper)
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes in last two months
Kazakhstan: 300 MWe proposed
Hungary: Paks 4 uprate 18 MWe to 462
Canada: 2 Bruce A units 1540 MWe to Construction
2 x 1000 MWe units planned
Turkey: 3 units, 4500 MWe planned
USA: 2x1358 MWe South Texas planned
Delete N.Korea construction
S.Korea: Shin Kori 1 950 MWe to construction
S.Korea: uprates end of 2005 to 17,533 MWe
Japan: Shimane-3 1375 MWe to construction (FEPC definition)
Slovenia: Krsko 20 MWe uprate to 696
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