Hinkley
Allan Jeffery Stop Hinkley: The Government has committed taxpayers and consumers to a very expensive deal with the state owned French company EDF, to build two unproven EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point on the Somerset coast. Is this a wise financial decision? Even pro nuclear engineers question if this design can actually be constructed to time and cost. All those involved in attempting to build this type of reactor seem to regard this design as a failure. As a result of disastrous technical and financial problems in trying to build this EPR in Europe and China, Areva, (the French company which owns it) is no longer actively trying to sell this design around the world. China has said it will not be building any more of these reactors as it is also experiencing similar construction problems. The EPR has not been built anywhere in the world, its history and development has been beset with problems. The EPR, is one of the third generation of nuclear reactors, that several countries are trying to market internationally. They are supposed to be more uranium efficient by burning more highly-enriched fuel at higher rates and for twice as long. It is also claiming to be one of the safest nuclear reactors in the world having multiple backup safety systems, but this complicated construction makes it the most expensive in the world. Utilities are attempting to construct four EPRs around the world, two in Europe and China. All are experiencing significant delays in construction and costs are continually increasing. In Finland Olkiluoto 3 was scheduled to be generating in 2009 but present predictions are 2018.
Western Morning News 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Hunterston
THE Scottish Government has been called on to provide assurances that Hunterston B power station will not become a “dumping ground” for nuclear waste from other parts of the country. Operator EDF Energy has applied to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to allow it to transport intermediate-level radioactive waste from other sites to the North Ayrshire facility to be stored. Margaret McDougall, Labour MSP for West Scotland, called on Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead to set out his position. She said: “Many of my constituents are worried that if this application is approved it would lead to Hunterston being the dumping ground for radioactive waste from across Scotland and beyond. “They are also concerned that this waste would be transported on mainly A-class roads, increasing the risk of accidents. “Given that the Scottish Government’s policy on managing nuclear waste is for it to be stored in near-surface facilities, ‘located as near to the site as the waste is produced as possible’, what assurance can the Cabinet Secretary give that Hunterston will not be used as a dumping ground?” Mr Lochhead said the application was primarily a matter for Sepa, now giving it “full consideration”.
Herald 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Daily Record 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Radhealth
An important, recent study has put forward a new hypothesis to explain why children living near nuclear power stations are more likely to suffer from leukaemia than the general population. Dr Ian Fairlie examines its content and concludes that the government should reconsider its support for nuclear power generation.
CND 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Radwaste
Following feedback received last year from stakeholders, we have developed a new version of our Issues Register. It includes more information and additional functionality. Working with stakeholders on a range of issues is central to developing greater mutual understanding of our work and stakeholder needs. The issues register now includes: information on the issues register regarding: navigating your way around the issues register; how to raise an issue; engagement with issue raisers; links to the regulator technical and organisational scrutiny programme; background information and links to RWM’s reports including the Science and Technology Plan and the updated Technical Programme; updated topic responses.
NDA 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Decommissioning
The nuclear energy industry needs to be ready to manage “an unprecedented rate” of decommissioning with almost 200 of the 434 reactors that were operating commercially at the end of 2013 to be retired by 2040, a report by the International Energy Agency says.
NucNet 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Submarines
ONR has granted consent for a project to decommission seven out-of-service nuclear submarines at Rosyth Dockyard following an application by the licensee. Under the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999 (EIADR), ONR grants consent to projects to decommission nuclear power stations and nuclear reactors. This also applies to projects serving national defence purposes, in particular the decommissioning of reactors in nuclear submarines. Rosyth Royal Naval Dockyard Limited submitted an application for consent to decommission the seven submarines In January 2014. ONR’s decision follows extensive consultation and takes into account factors such as the adequacy of information provided by Rosyth Royal Naval Dockyard Limited.
Dunfermline Press 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Utilities
The transformation taking place in the electricity system is enormous, and the prescribed solution – a version 2.0 electric utility – offers a way for utilities to remain financially solvent, even profitable, in a massively decentralized and renewable energy system. The prescription is powerful: radically change the desired outcomes of the electricity system to include efficiency, flexibility, and clean power and pay utilities based on their ability to attain these targets. But while the Utility 2.0 prescription cures what ails the electric utility, it fails to acknowledge the $364 billion opportunity this technological opportunity provides to change the ownership of the energy system and enable energy democracy.
Renew Economy 13th Nov 2014 read more »
SSE warned on Wednesday that full-year earnings will be at the lower end of expectations because of competition in the energy market, an unusually warm summer and weak gas prices. SSE, which has seen its total of household and business accounts fall from 9.4m to 8.9m over the past year, reiterated that it would not be increasing household energy tariffs until at least January 2016. Energy UK, the industry body, on Wednesday pointed to another surge in switching in October even though basic variable tariffs have remained generally static. A total of 345,000 customers switched electricity suppliers ahead of the winter with 138,000 consumers moving from a large supplier to a small one – a record since records began.
FT 12th Nov 2014 read more »
China – Climate
China’s commitment to stop its emissions rising will require the kind of massive top-down reformation only possible in a one party state, according to analysts. On Wednesday, Chinese premier Xi Jinping stood beside US president Barack Obama to announce an “historic” deal on carbon agreed between the world’s two biggest polluters. The US announced new emissions targets for 2025 and, for the first time officially, China said it would aim to stop emissions rising by “around 2030”. China also committed to 20% of its energy coming from wind, solar, nuclear and other zero-emission sources by 2030. But the world’s most influential country on future global warming declined to say how high the peak in emissions would be.
Guadian 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Be in no doubt, the agreement struck by the US and China on Wednesday to cut their carbon emissions is historic. It is the biggest step towards achieving a meaningful global deal to fight climate change in 20 years of tortuous negotiations. But also be in no doubt that, while absolutely necessary, it is a long way from being sufficient. As President Barack Obama says, it is a “milestone” – a marker on a longer journey. Without sharp and rapid cuts in greenhouse gases the world faces “severe, widespread, and irreversible impacts” on people and the natural natural world: floods, droughts and even wars. That conclusion from the world’s scientists was signed off on 2 November by 194 nations. But no progress was going to happen without the world’s two biggest polluters, the US and China. The deal they have struck has the potential to end the stand-off that doomed efforts to sign a global deal in Copenhagen in 2009. That coalition of the unwilling is now becoming a coalition of the willing.
Guardian 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Independent 12th Nov 2014 read more »
The carbon emissions deal between China and the US, struck secretly and announced suddenly, has transformed the dynamic of climate change politics. With the exception of the EU, which has led the way on tackling climate change, the attitude of most countries has tended to be “if you don’t, why should we?” But now the world’s two greatest polluters – the one most responsible for historical carbon emissions and the one currently making the greatest contribution – have teamed up to pledge dramatic action to tackle climate change.
Independent 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Suddenly, a low-carbon world seems possible. Yesterday the United States and China – responsible for some 40 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, and long the world’s greatest climate adversaries – agreed to clean them up, and far faster than expected. Their pact greatly increases the odds of the world finally agreeing on combating global warming at a summit in Paris next year, especially following new EU targets adopted last month.
Telegraph 13th Nov 2014 read more »
An unexpected move by the US and China to jointly set out their plans to tackle global warming prompted a lukewarm response in Europe and hostility in Washington in a sign that sealing a global climate treaty next year still faces big hurdles. “We don’t have enough information from the Chinese or the Americans to really be clear about the implications of this,” said the UK climate change secretary, Ed Davey, after China for the first time announced its carbon dioxide emissions would peak in 2030 and the US said it would emit up to 28 per cent less carbon in 2025 than it did in 2005.
FT 12th Nov 2014 read more »
The deal between China and the US to curb carbon emissions is a “giant leap for mankind” and takes the world closer to preventing dangerous warming of more than 2C, the International Energy Agency has said. But if international leaders fail to secure a global emissions reductions deal at a “last chance” summit in Paris next year then “we may well say goodbye to the world we have today”, Fatih Birol, the energy watchdog’s chief economist warned.
Telegraph 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Energy Supplies
The International Energy Agency has warned that the current slump in oil prices will hold back investment and could create shortages in the future as overall energy demand is forecast to grow by 37% in the next 25 years. But at the same time, the organisation, which was set up in the aftermath of previous price shocks, said that while more drilling was needed, it was still important that governments wound down the world’s $550bn (£346bn) of annual fossil fuel subsidies and switched support to renewable power.
Guardian 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Scottish Energy Policy
Alex Salmond’s vision of a Scotland powered entirely by renewable energy by 2020 has been dismissed as “nonsense” by one of the UK’s leading energy economists. In an interview with The Times Dieter Helm, professor of energy policy at the University of Oxford, insisted it did not make economic sense for Scotland to be reliant on renewable energy — and nor would it help in the battle against climate change. Professor Helm said: “Salmond has talked about 100 per cent renewables for Scotland. Well, it’s nonsense. Wind is intermittent by definition. You have to ask a very simple question: even if you wanted to do this, what are you going to do when the wind doesn’t blow? “The truth is Scotland relies on baseload nuclear power, coal and gas to balance its system and it will have to for a very long time to come. Full stop.” Professor Helm, a member of the economic advisory committee to the UK secretary of state for energy and climate change, accepted that renewables had their place, particularly in helping to power remote island communities. However, he insisted the government should embrace a balanced energy policy as opposed to the notion of Scotland as “the Saudi Arabia of renewables” which Mr Salmond has helped to popularise.
Times 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Iran
RUSSIA has agreed to build up to eight nuclear reactors in Iran, days before a deadline for a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear activity. The agreement envisages the construction of two reactors, with scope for a further six.
Scotsman 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Renewables – Offshore Wind
Instability caused by short term energy policy challenges is causing UK offshore wind projects to be shelved. But new research by think tank Green Alliance has concluded that decisive action within the first two years of the next government could reverse this trend whilst helping unlock industrial growth.
Scottish Energy News 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Denmark’s Vestas has chosen the Isle of Wight to build the blades for the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine. The 260ft blades will be made for the eight-megawatt (MW) V164 wind turbine, which is being produced by MHI Vestas Offshore, a joint venture between Vestas and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. That joint venture could create up to 800 jobs in the UK. Vestas closed a turbine plant on the Isle of Wight five years ago, with the loss of 425 jobs.
Telegraph 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Renewable UK 12th Nov 2014 read more »
More than 2,250 new jobs in British wind industry – annual investment hits £2.6 billion.
Renewable UK 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Renewables – solar
It seemed like a straightforward project. My wife and I had decided to get solar panels. ‘Has he lost his mind?’ I hear you say. Solar panels! In damp, cloudy Britain! And just as the clocks go back for winter. Some say solar panels are an eyesore, others that they are a new scam for double-glazing salesmen. But my decision is one driven by cold hard cash, I’ll have you know. My savings are earning a pittance. I’ve already got money in the stock market and don’t want to take any more risk. After I’d sat down and done the sums, I realised that getting solar panels could give me an income of around 7 per cent a year totally tax-free. And where else would I get that for a £6,000 investment? On top of this is my firm belief that energy prices are only going one way. Upwards. So that was the matter decided. The Hazells would start inquiries to get giant panels on our roof.
This is Money 12th Nov 2014 read more »
Community Energy
Community Energy Scotland’s Chief Executive Nicholas Gubbins met with Ofgem and Government figures last night as part of the regulator’s listening exercise in Scotland. The regulator holds an annual meeting in Scotland. “OFGEM is crucially important to community energy groups in Scotland. This had a clear opportunity to state the case for revised regulation to ensure that community energy projects are helped to the greatest possible extent. “We all agree that community energy projects are desirable and beneficial, but some regulatory constraints appropriate to larger commercial projects are having the effect of hampering community energy development.”
Scottish Energy News 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Energy Efficiency – Scotland
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy and energy committee, has secured agreement from Finance Secretary John Swinney that energy efficient homes should be a national infrastructure priority. Ms Johnstone questioned the minister in committee, pointing out that retrofitting existing housing stock could create up to 9,000 jobs. WWF Scotland and Energy Action Scotland have said that the Scottish Government’s proposed budget for 2015-16 does little to reduce fuel poverty. “I welcome the finance secretary’s agreement that stopping heat leaking from our housing stock should be a national infrastructure priority. He clearly recognised the economic impact, not just in terms of cutting people’s bills but also in terms of creating thousands of high quality jobs and apprenticeships. “If we’re serious about making up lost ground after three years of missing our climate change targets, and if we’re serious about creating jobs and cutting household costs, we need to see a big shift in funding in this budget.
Scottish Energy News 13th Nov 2014 read more »
Energy Efficiency – Labour’s Green Paper
Labour has today published its long-awaited Green Paper – An End to Cold Homes – setting out the energy efficiency strategy it will enact should it form the next government. Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Caroline Flint today hailed the proposals as a package of measures that would “do right by our planet, and… show that social justice goes hand in hand with enterprise and creating new jobs, in a more modern Britain”. But will the new strategy live up to its billing?
Business Green 10th Nov 2014 read more »
Fossil Fuels
An MSP says more transparency is needed from academics contributing to research papers, after pointing out that an author of a report on fracking is associated with an energy company involved in unconventional gas extraction. Joan McAlpine said it was “important to see the full picture” in the case of a paper by engineers at Glasgow University which suggests government rules to curb tremors from fracking are unnecessarily restrictive and should be eased. The research was published this week in the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology and then picked up by other media outlets. Professor Paul Younger, who contributed to the report, is an unpaid non-executive director with Newcastle-based energy company Five-Quarter which is involved in the extraction of so-called unconventional gas from rocks below the North Sea. Professor Younger said the business has no involvement with fracking, shale gas or the coalbed methane sectors, and his association with Five-Quarter has been long known.
STV 12th Nov 2014 read more »
There are millions of tonnes of coal under the Firth of Forth in Scotland, it was announced today a firm which hopes to burn the coal to extract it as a gas. Cluff Natural Resources estimated 335 million tonnes of coal lie underwater in a swathe of the river estuary near to the Grangemouth oil, gas and chemical refinery. Two coal seams alone were found to hold 43 million tonnes of ‘coal in place’, the industry term which CNR says is a “key criteria” for making money out of the stuff. The business wants to extract coal via a process called underground coal gasification (UCG).
Energy Live News 11th Nov 2014 read more »
