World Nuclear News

Philippines to draw up nuclear energy policy

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:07:08 GMT

(image) The Philippines Department of Energy has submitted its recommendation to the President on the country's nuclear energy policy. The policy will include a decision on the future of the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant.

Namibian mine prepares for care and maintenance decision

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:09:48 GMT

(image) Paladin Energy has begun preparations at Langer Heinrich ahead of a potential decision to put the Namibian uranium mine under care and maintenance. A decision is expected within two months.

Fuel loading under way at Chinese AP1000

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 15:43:07 GMT

(image) The loading of fuel assemblies into the core of unit 1 of the Sanmen nuclear power plant in China's Zhejiang province began today following the issuance of a permit by the country's nuclear regulator. The unit is later this year expected to become the first Westinghouse AP1000 to enter operation.

Shine picks I&C protection system supplier

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 13:40:40 GMT

(image) Shine Medical Technologies has selected Rock Creek Innovations LLC to lead design and implementation of the instrumentation and control (I&C) protection systems for its medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin. Construction of the main production facility at the site is due to start soon.

Iran's Bushehr I changes to TVS-2M fuel

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:08:34 GMT

(image) The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran have signed an additional agreement to the current commercial contract for nuclear fuel supply to the Bushehr I nuclear power plant. According to the new document, Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer JSC TVEL will replace the UTVS fuel assemblies it has supplied to the VVER-1000 reactor with its more advanced TVS-2M fuel design.

Macron: Europe must prioritise emission reductions

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:46:54 GMT

(image) The European Union must ensure it retains sovereignty over energy and climate, French President Emmanuel Macron told the European Parliament last week. Reducing emissions must remain a priority for Europe, and replacing phased-out nuclear plants with coal would not achieve this, he warned.

Bruce Power signs advanced manufacturing contracts

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:38:12 GMT

(image) Bruce Power has signed CAD914 million (USD712 million) in advanced manufacturing contracts for its major component replacement that starts in 2020 and will allow the site to provide low-cost, carbon-free electricity to Ontario to 2064. Announcing the deals yesterday, Bruce Power said its Life-Extension Programme - which includes the MCRs on units 3-8 - remains on time and on budget.

Commitment to safety at Ghanaian research reactor

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 15:39:43 GMT

The operator of the Ghana Research Reactor, known as GHARR-1, has shown a high commitment to safety following the conversion of the reactor core to use low-enriched uranium as fuel instead of high-enriched uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It made a number of recommendations to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission to further enhance safety.

Nuclear growth on track for Harmony

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 16:40:13 GMT

(image) Nuclear growth is at a 25-year high driven by the need for clean and reliable electricity, World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising told the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference last week. While market problems persist in the USA, China's rate of nuclear approvals is picking up, other keynote speakers said.

US regulator considers value of resiliency

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 17:04:54 GMT

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission told congressional lawmakers last week its commissioners are investigating ways for electricity markets to value reliability, while distancing themselves from immediate reform. The Nuclear Energy Institute says the discussion follows the "concrete action taken by several states, most recently New Jersey, to properly compensate nuclear power's zero-carbon attributes".

TVO anticipates loading fuel into OL3 in late 2018

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:10:37 GMT

(image) Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj said it plans to start loading fuel into the core of the Olkiluoto 3 EPR in the autumn, once an operating licence has been granted. However, the company said it is awaiting confirmation from the Areva-Siemens consortium that start-up of the unit is still scheduled for May 2019.

US brings accident-tolerant fuel target nearer

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:45:34 GMT

The US Nuclear Energy Institute reported yesterday that coordination among the various entities involved in the development of accident-tolerant fuels has "progressed to the point that all stakeholders now agree on the feasibility of a 2023 timeline". Citing speakers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's 12 April briefing on ATF, the NEI said US research, development and licensing frameworks "need to undergo a paradigm shift" to accelerate the way innovative nuclear technologies such as ATF are brought to market.

IAEA tests drone to fight disease-carrying mosquitos

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 14:26:27 GMT

(image) The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations have successfully tested releasing sterile mosquitos from drones as part of efforts to use a nuclear technique to suppress the insect that spreads Zika and other diseases. The IAEA said today that testing of the new system had been carried out in Brazil last month.

Canada considers participation in Iter fusion project

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 15:26:58 GMT

(image) Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iter Organisation to explore how Canada can participate in the project to construct the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. The fusion reactor - construction of which began in 2010 - is scheduled to achieve first plasma in 2025.

First test using CABRI pressurised water loop

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 10:08:51 GMT

(image) The first test simulating an accident situation in a pressurised water reactor has been successfully completed at the CABRI research reactor in Cadarache, southern France. The test was part of an international research programme aimed at improving knowledge of nuclear fuel behaviour during an accident involving a sudden increase of power.

Canada invites SMR vendors for demonstration unit

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:17:32 GMT

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has invited small modular reactor project proponents to evaluate the construction and operation of a demonstration SMR project at a site it manages. CNL aims to have a new SMR constructed on its Chalk River site by 2026.

Energoatom awaits approval for energy bridge tender

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 12:10:11 GMT

(image) Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom expects the country's Cabinet of Ministers to approve soon tender documentation to attract a private partner for the 'energy bridge' project. The project aims to make the export of electricity to the European Union possible by disconnecting unit 2 of the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant from the Ukrainian national grid, and to attract funding required to complete units 3 and 4 at the plant.

Report highlights impact of US nuclear plant closures

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:20:23 GMT

(image) The announced closure of four nuclear power plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania will lead to increased emissions of carbon dioxide and air pollutants, according to a report released by the Brattle Group. The retirement of the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse, Perry and Three Mile Island plants will also mean higher electricity costs for residents, and the loss of thousands of jobs.

India, USA to collaborate on neutrino science

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 15:42:04 GMT

(image) India and the USA have signed an agreement enabling their scientists to collaborate on the development and construction of different types of neutrino detectors.

AEM Technology sees milestone with first VVER-TOI

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 12:06:34 GMT

(image) AEM Technology has completed the manufacture of the bottom of the reactor vessel for unit 1 of the Kursk II nuclear power plant under construction in western Russia. This is the first of the VVER-TOI (typical optimised, with enhanced information) design nuclear reactors.

Estonian company delivers nuclear cyber security exercise

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:36:46 GMT

Estonian-founded cyber security specialist company Guardtime has planned and executed a custom cyber exercise for the UK's civil nuclear sector.

Atucha 1 operating licence renewed

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:30:13 GMT

(image) Argentina's nuclear regulator has extended the operating licence of the Atucha 1 nuclear power reactor. The licence extension allows the 44-year-old 362 MWe (gross) pressurised heavy water reactor - the first nuclear power plant in Latin America - to operate until 2024.

New Jersey passes ZEC legislation

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:47:19 GMT

(image) New Jersey legislators yesterday passed bills establishing a zero emissions certificate programme that will recognise and compensate eligible nuclear power plants for their zero-carbon attributes and contribution to fuel diversity.

Measuring the true cost of power production

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:25:45 GMT

The social and environmental impacts of electricity provision affect individuals, economies and countries in ways that are not captured in market prices, but yet are too important to be neglected, according to a report issued today by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Despite their importance, full accounting for these costs remains difficult, it says.

French soil decontamination tested in Fukushima

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:38:47 GMT

(image) A demonstration test of a process to decontaminate radioactive soil was successfully carried out last November in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture, France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission announced on 11 April. The technology was developed by CEA, Orano and Veolia.

Uranium should be on government agenda, ERA says

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:16:46 GMT

(image) The chairman of Energy Resources of Australia has called on Australian governments to embrace the potential to expand the country's uranium mining industry and be prepared for an expansion in nuclear power generation worldwide.

Regulator asks EDF to extend Flamanville weld checks

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:23:55 GMT

(image) EDF should consider extending checks on welds in the main secondary system of the EPR reactor under construction at Flamanville to other systems, the French nuclear safety regulator has said. Welding flaws were not detected during the manufacturing checks performed by subcontractors of Framatome but were identified during pre-service inspections by EDF prior to commissioning.

Reactor internals en route to demo Hualong One unit

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:09:44 GMT

(image) The reactor internals for the demonstration Hualong One being constructed as unit 5 of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province have been shipped from the manufacturing plant in Shanghai. The unit is scheduled to be completed next year.

Fuel loading under way at Chinese EPR

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:35:24 GMT

(image) China General Nuclear has begun loading fuel into the core of unit 1 of the Taishan nuclear power plant in China's Guangdong province following the issuance of a permit from the regulator. The unit is later this year scheduled to become the first EPR reactor to enter operation.

Council formed to support Canadian isotope production

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 16:03:10 GMT

Canadian science, health care and nuclear sector organisations have launched an initiative aiming to ensure the country remains a world leader in the production of medical isotopes following the final closure of the National Research Universal reactor. The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council aims to raise awareness and support long-term policies at the domestic and international level.

Another Japanese unit resumes commercial operation

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 15:57:29 GMT

(image) Unit 3 of the Ohi nuclear power plant in Japan's Fukui Prefecture today resumed commercial operation, Kansai Electric Power Company announced. The reactor is the sixth to be restarted after clearing the country's revised safety regulations.

Quality issue detected with Flamanville EPR welds

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:31:19 GMT

(image) Quality deviations have been detected on certain welds of the main secondary system in the EPR reactor under construction at Flamanville, northern France, EDF announced today. The utility has informed the French regulator of the discovery, but has yet to determine whether the unit's start-up, expected at the end of this year, will be delayed.

Final Barakah dome complete

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 16:28:17 GMT

(image) The final dome structure has been completed at the United Arab Emirates' four-unit Barakah nuclear power plant, a key milestone for the project. The country has also inaugurated its first dosimetry laboratory to support radiation protection activities.

Uranium operations look to improve performance

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:21:35 GMT

Peninsula Energy Limited has formally submitted a request to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to amend its existing permit to allow the use of a low-pH recovery solution at the Lance uranium project in Wyoming, USA. This is expected to increase recovery rates and improve the cost profile of the project. Meanwhile, a study has highlighted the potential of membrane separation to improve economics at GoviEx Uranium's Madouela project in Niger.

Agreement to study SMR use in northern Ontario

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:30:19 GMT

(image) The use of small modular reactors (SMRs) for remote communities and mines in northern Ontario will be studied following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Bruce Power, Laurentian University and Mirarco Mining Innovation. The five-year, CAD1 million (USD786,000) research agreement will create an Industrial Chair position at Mirarco.

Rolls-Royce signs control rod system contract with CGN

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:29:06 GMT

(image) Rolls-Royce is to modernise control rod systems in 14 of China General Nuclear's CPR1000 nuclear power units in China. The UK engineering firm has also signed long-term service contracts with three Chinese plants.

Toshiba sells Westinghouse-related assets in USA

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 15:23:57 GMT

Japan's Toshiba announced today that it has completed the sale to Brookfield of its shareholding in Toshiba Nuclear Energy Holdings (US) Inc - the indirect holding company of Westinghouse Electric Company. The sale is independent of Brookfield's acquisition of Westinghouse and some of its affiliates.

UAE and South Korea expand cooperation

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 08:33:29 GMT

(image) The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and its joint venture subsidiaries, Nawah Energy Company and Barakah One Company, have signed three agreements with Korean companies. Enec and Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) in October 2016 signed a joint venture agreement that made Kepco a minority shareholder in Nawah and BOC.

Regulator approves licences for new Florida units

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 14:52:45 GMT

(image) The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the issuance of combined construction and operating licences for the two proposed AP1000 reactors at Florida Power and Light's Turkey Point plant in Florida. The utility has yet to make a final decision on whether to proceed with building the units.

Rooppur 1 achieves first construction milestone

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:04:37 GMT

(image) Russia's Rosatom has completed concreting the foundation of unit 1 of the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. ASE Group, a subsidiary of the Russian state nuclear corporation, said today the project to build the Asian country's first nuclear power unit was on schedule.

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