New Nukes
Letter from Gerry Wolff: Although the failure at Copenhagen may have raised questions about nuclear power, there is huge potential in renewables. Research reviewed in the November issue of Scientific American shows renewables can meet 100 per cent of the world’s energy needs (not just electricity) and that it is technically feasible to do it by 2030. This is in line with other reports showing how to decarbonise the world’s economies via renewables and improvements in efficiency. For example, the US National Academy of Sciences reported this year that wind power could supply more than 40 times present worldwide consumption of electricity and more than five times total global use of energy in all forms.
Independent 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Radiation and Health
John Mclevy alleges that the German study on infant leukemias near all German power stations is an example of bad science being used for political purposes. However he fails to back this claim with any evidence from the study itself. It is doubtful whether he has read the study. In fact, the German study is extremely robust: it was commissioned by the German Government and carried out by a expert team of epidemiologists at the University of Mainz. These scientists actually supported nuclear power, so there was no “political purpose” as he falsely alleges. The reality is that the German study is thoroughly competent and its findings are scientifically valid, as vouchsafed by the German Government itself.
Stop Oldbury 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Carbon Costs
Had a pretty good response from the carbon post and I am glad so many decided to visit the link to learn more! The text of the post has even ended up on an anti nuke site from Oldbury. Glad to see all sides interested in the facts on this one because, as I said, the decision to build new nuclear will be an economic one, not based on out of date, polarised 20th Century views of what nuclear is or could be.
The Nuke Guy 28th Dec 2009 more >>
Oldbury
Staff at Oldbury nuclear power station are celebrating a generating landmark after the plant produced enough electricity during 2009 to power half a million homes. The station, near Thornbury, achieved the feat despite having both its reactors out of use for a period during the year for statutory maintenance and routine checks. It was the first time in the site’s 42-year history that the so-called outages were carried out in the same year.
Bristol Evening Post 29th Dec 2009 more >>
South Korea
Shares in South Korean state utility KEPCO hit a near two-year high and other nuclear power-related stocks jumped on Monday, boosted by a $20 billion (12.5 billion pounds) contract signed over the weekend with the United Arab Emirates.
Exec Digital 28th Dec 2009 more >>
China
China has started the construction of Shandong Haiyang Nuclear Power Station, one of the biggest in the country. The first phase of two power generating units, each with a capacity of 1.25 gigawatts (GW), will be brought online in 2014. China has 11 working reactors with 9.07 gigawatts of total capacity and wants to raise its capacity to 60 GW by 2020, over 5 percent of its total installed capacity, or enough to power Spain. Officials said China is considering raising the already ambitious goal to 70 GW by 2020. This article lists China’s nuclear power plants already operating, under construction, approved by the government or planned.
Reuters 29th Dec 2009 more >>
Disarmament
Vladimir Putin has claimed American plans for a missile defence system were hindering talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty. Speaking to reporters in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, Putin said U.S. plans for the missile shield in Europe would destroy the strategic balance between the United States and Russia.
Herald 29th Dec 2009 more >>
Energy Efficiency
We all have a part to play, not only in reducing our emissions, but also in “keeping the lights on”. The move towards zero carbon homes has been a leading topic of policy in the UK for the last few years. New builds are adding just a tiny percentage towards the target less than 1 per cent a year. That means we need to look at retro-fitting existing properties and convincing people to pay for expensive energy-saving solutions.
Scotsman 29th Dec 2009 more >>
