New Nukes
Cumbrian group Radiation Free Lakeland are supporting a national campaign – ‘No Need for Nuclear’ A spokesperson from Radiation Free Lakeland said: “Only by countering the propaganda of the carbon free and safe nuclear spin will the juggernaughtbe halted. This is a much needed proactive campaign to stop the building of new nuclear power stations and prevent climate chaos”
Get Noticed Online 27th Aug 2010 more >>
The world is on the brink of a nuclear power renaissance, and developing countries may also benefit, according to researchers. In a study published in Science this month (12 August) British researchers outlined a vision for flexible and more user-friendly nuclear technologies, as worries over the climate change, energy supply security, and depletion of fossil fuels, are overturning decades of hesitancy over the safety of nuclear power plants.
Guardian 31st Aug 2010 more >>
Supply Chain
SHIPBUILDER Cammell Laird took a big step in its ambition to supply the land-based nuclear industry. The renowned Birkenhead shipyard and marine engineers has announced a partnership with nuclear engineering specialist Nuvia, near Warrington. The two companies hope this will “catapult” them to the front of the UK’s multi-billion pound new nuclear build programme. They will join forces to bid for contracts for the fabrication of heavy modules and components for new nuclear plants.
Wirral News 1st Sept 2010 more >>
Dungeness
Operator British Energy said Tuesday morning that Dungeness B-22 had returned to service at 0300 London time on Monday. The 550 MW reactor had been offline since last Thursday following the failure of a local substation.
Platts 31st Aug 2010 more >>
Flamanville
Fears are growing about the safety of nuclear technology destined for a reactor in France. At Flamanville, a new third generation reactor is supposed to be activated in 2012, but tests have been deemed unsatisfactory by France’s nuclear safety authority. This has fuelled debate on the future of nuclear energy, as France hopes to sell third generation reactors around the world. (You may need to cut and paste the URL into your browser if clicking on the link doesn’t work).
France 24 24th August 2010 more >>
US
Exelon, a nuclear giant that recently backed away from building new nuclear plants, is moving into wind. The company announced today that it was buying John Deere Renewables, which has 735 megawatts in operation and 230 megawatts in “advanced stages of development” in Michigan. The price was $860 million, plus another $40 million if ground is broken on the Michigan projects. In March, Exelon withdrew its application for a construction and operating license for a twin-unit nuclear plant in Victoria County, Tex., citing lower projections for electric demand because of the recession. It had stopped work on the application last year.
New York Times 31st Aug 2010 more >>
Exelon the US’s biggest nuclear generator, has announced it will buy John Deere Renewables for as much as $900m to gain a foothold in the wind power industry. Exelon’s attempt to diversify underlines the lack of momentum in the US nuclear industry, despite support given by the Obama administration earlier this year.
FT 1st September 2010 more >>
Germany
In addition to the introduction of a new €2.3 billion ($2.9 billion) annual windfall tax, the German government has now demanded nuclear firms pay a contribution towards the development of renewable energy.
World Nuclear News 31st Aug 2010 more >>
India
India’s upper house has approved a bill to open the country’s nuclear power market to private investment. The new law allows foreign firms to supply reactors for energy-hungry India’s enormous atomic power market, worth an estimated $150bn (£97bn).
BBC 31st Aug 2010 more >>
Korea
China pressed regional powers on Tuesday to restart talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and Seoul offered aid to its destitute neighbour despite a new round of U.S. sanctions against Pyongyang.
Yahoo 31st Aug 2010 more >>
Climate
John Sauven: Cairn Energy is basing its plans on an International Energy Agency report which suggests that, by 2030, fossil fuels will still supply about 80% of the world’s energy. What it doesn’t say is that this “scenario” – the most pessimistic of several the IEA has produced – could lead to six degrees of warming by the end of the century. Six degrees sounds manageable. It is not. These companies are relying on us to keep quiet while they take humanity to the brink.
Guardian 1st Sept 2010 more >>
Renewables
The Hon Simon Howard spent £160,000 on fitting an underwater ground-source heat recovery system last year at the North Yorkshire house. As a result, he has succeeded in halving Castle Howard’s annual fuel bill from £40,000 to £20,000. The environmentally-friendly system works by converting heat stored in the ground and under the castle’s three-acre lake into power, and was part-funded by a £60,000 loan from the Carbon Trust.
Telegraph 1st Sept 2010 more >>
