Paradigm shift in US reactor technology?
Babcock & Wilcox's announcement of a new modular reactor design for the US market has crystallised some of the concerns regarding large new reactors, and may result in a rather different approach to building nuclear capacity there and more widely. Indeed, arguably the modular concept resulting in a full-sized plant of 500-750 MWe is more appropriate elsewhere than in today's main nuclear power territories.
The B&W mPower reactor is a 125 MWe integral PWR designed to be factory-made and railed to site. The reactor pressure vessel containing core and steam generator is thus only five metres diameter. It would be installed below ground, have an air-cooled condenser, and passive safety systems. It has a "conventional core and standard fuel" enriched to 5%, with burnable poisons, to give a five-year operating cycle between refuelling. (B&W draws upon over 50 years experience as the main manufacturer of nuclear propulsion systems for the US Navy, involving compact reactors with very long-life cores.)
It is modular in the sense that several units would be combined into a power station of any size, but most likely 500-750 MWe and using 250 MWe turbine generators, constructed in three years. B&W's present manufacturing capability in North America can produce these reactor units, and it has set up B&W Modular Nuclear Energy LLC to market the mPower concept. This is not the first modular design - both the pebble bed and General Atomics high temperature reactor (HTR) designs are similarly modular, but they represent a more radical departure from today's industry norms. Novelty will not appeal to risk-averse utility customers and are likely to be slower in US design certification, as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has intimated.
The advantages of modular design and build are that a utility only needs to complete the first module before getting a cash flow, and can progressively add the rest, leading to a vast reduction in the challenge of financing a plant. Then when operational, refuelling or maintenance only takes one module at a time off line. Also, much of the plant can be built in an established factory - B&W's manufacturing capability for these is in place and well used. This sidesteps any concerns about bottlenecks in the world's (and especially US) heavy engineering capacity for fabricating large reactors.
"B&W believes that this optimised advanced light water reactor Generation III ++ nuclear technology can be certified, manufactured and operated within today's existing regulatory, industrial supply chain and utility operational infrastructure." This is the key statement. Though modular may be novel to US utilities, being substantially within the conventional envelope of known PWR technology with 5% fuel enrichment, "conventional core and standard fuel" will give reassurance.
Then, getting right around the discussion about strength of concrete containment structures and aircraft crash resistance, the whole thing is underground. Furthermore, the integral design (steam generator within reactor pressure vessel), which is realistic for smaller reactors, adds to safety. And if US environmental constraints are tightening for using either fresh water or sea water for cooling, then it is air-cooled.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is investigating a site for the first plant, at Clinch River - originally proposed for another new-paradigm plant, the first commercial US fast breeder reactor of 375 MWe. B&W expects to lodge an application for design certification in 2011, with a view to construction and operating licence application in 2012, construction start in 2015, and operation of the first unit in 2018.
But this is not the only modular proposal for the USA. A smaller unit is the NuScale multi-application small PWR, a 150 MWt or 45 MWe integral PWR. It will be factory-built with 3 metre diameter pressure vessel and convection cooling. The whole unit is installed below ground, and a standard power plant would have 12 modules together, giving 540 MWe. According to Platts, an application for US design certification is expected in 2011 and considerable interest is being shown by Energy Northwest, in Washington state.
So a coincidence of design features makes these designs, led by the industrial muscle and considerable nuclear engineering experience of B&W, a possible paradigm breaker for the USA, and more widely. The economics of factory build and replication will tend to balance the diseconomies of small scale, and perhaps most importantly, the financing challenge shrinks greatly.
USA
Further US licence renewals
Oyster Creek nuclear power plant has the 52nd licence renewal (20 year extension) to be granted by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, taking it to 2029. The reactor is the oldest operating in the USA, and the NRC said that it was "the most extensive licence renewal review to date".
Then the operating licences of Southern Company's Vogtle units 1 and 2 were extended for 20 years, taking them to 2047 and 2049. This makes 54 out 104 operating US nuclear reactors to have had licence renewals.
Utility suspends plan for new reactor
US generator AmerenUE has announced it is suspending plans to build a new nuclear power plant at Callaway in Missouri, saying that state policies are making it too difficult to finance the project. New legislation, the Missouri Clean Air and Renewable Energy Construction Bill, no longer allows regulators to authorize funding mechanisms for construction of clean energy plants in the state including nuclear. This means that utilities cannot recover financing costs from customers while in the process of building a new plant, adding substantially to the plant's final cost.
Exelon program for reactor uprating
The largest US nuclear operator Exelon has announced plans to uprate much of its reactor fleet to provide the equivalent of one new power plant by 2017 - more than 1300 MWe. A 38 MWe increase at its Quad Cities plant has launched the program. Uprate projects are underway at Exelon’s Limerick and Peach Bottom nuclear stations in Pennsylvania and the Dresden, LaSalle and Quad-Cities plants in Illinois. Those are expected to produce nearly a quarter of the total new megawatts. In addition to increasing power, many of the uprates involve component upgrades, and these improve the reliability of the units and support operating licence extensions, which require extensive review of plant equipment condition. Exelon has already added 1100 MWe in uprates over the last decade.
US energy budget
The US Department of Energy has released its FY2010 budget request, totalling $26.4 billion. This would boost spending on nuclear fuel cycle R&D to $192 million, and also increase funds for Generation IV reactor development to $191 million. The MOX fuel fabrication plant would get $494 million, much the same as this year. Some other nuclear power-related spending is being wound down, though $333 million for low-emission vehicles will have ramifications for base-load power demand. FY2010 starts in October, and Congress must yet debate the appropriations.
Areva doubles enrichment plant plans
Areva Enrichment Services has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it wants scope and flexibility to double the size of its new Eagle Rock Enrichment Plant at Idaho Falls, to 6.6 million SWU per year, after the first two modules totalling half this size are commissioned. Construction is due to begin in 2011. The expanded plant would contain a total of 96 cascades and be capable of producing eight different tails assay streams. If translated to firm plans, the expansion would bring to 22 million SWU the annual new capacity under construction or planned in the USA, nearly double the present domestic demand.
Generic EIS for in situ mining
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a generic environmental impact statement (EIS) on in situ leach (or in situ recovery - ISR) mining in the western USA. This will streamline but not eliminate the requirement for a Supplementary EIS for each new mine. The NRC expects 17 applications for ISL facilities in the next couple of years, with each taking two years to process, including public participation.
USA classifies CO2 as pollutant
The US Environment Protection Authority has classified carbon dioxide as a pollutant. As a result of a scientific review conducted at the behest of the US Supreme Court, it has declared that six greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution and may affect public health and welfare. As well as CO2, it listed methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs, PFCs and sulfur hexafluoride. The finding is reported to be already impacting coal-fired generation plans.
EUROPE
Italian Senate approves nuclear bill
The bill which provides for re-establishing nuclear power in Italy has passed in the Senate after passage in the lower house in November. Some revisions mean that it will not become law until about mid June. The government, which is making nuclear power a key component of energy policy, will then have up to six months to define sites, technology, etc. Despite an earlier agreement between ENEL and France's EdF to build up to four large EPR reactors, starting by 2013, the technology choice remains open. The Finnish model of funding, from major electricity users who take long-term supply contracts, is said to be favoured.
UK utility to take 20% of British Energy
When Electricité de France (EdF) bought British Energy last year, it was envisaged that Centrica would take 25% of it. Negotiations were inconclusive for some time, but now Centrica has agreed to take 20% of the company for £2.3 billion, along with the rights to that portion of production. It will pay £1.1 billion and asset swap with EdF its 51% stake in the major Belgian utility SPE, giving EdF a significant stake in that country. Centrica also has an option to take 20% of each of EdF's four new nuclear power plants in the UK. A major reason for the purchase has been to reduce Centrica's exposure to fluctuating gas prices. The company currently supplies about 43% of the UK's gas as well as 22% of electricity, which it generates by burning further gas. With an agreement to buy 18 billion kWh per year from BE's present nuclear generation, Centrica will be able to meet about 85% of its customers' peak needs.
RWE and E.On advance in UK
Major European utilities RWE and E.On have jointly secured two brownfield UK sites for new nuclear power plants - Oldbury in Gloucestershire and Wylfa in Wales - and have announced plans to build 6000 MWe of nuclear capacity in UK. Their choice of technology remains open, with Westinghouse AP1000 a strong contender. EdF plans four large new EPR nuclear reactors totaling 6400 MWe at Sizewell in Suffolk and Hinkley Point in Somerset, the first one starting up in 2017. Altogether this will mean a 27% nuclear contribution in UK in the early 2020s, including the existing Sizewell plant.
E.On has also set out its plan for EUR 30 billion investment in the next two years. This includes renewables, gas and clean coal-fired plants. To frame the investment, the company has called for a universal, market-based carbon regime. "Prerequisites would be clear emission caps, a common carbon trading system and a phased scheme for auctioning carbon allowances that is equally applicable to all industrialised countries and emerging economies as well as all major greenhouse gas emitting sectors of industry." It concluded that "without nuclear energy - in particular without German nuclear energy - Europe won't reach its ambitious climate protection targets."
UK potential nuclear plant sites listed
The UK government has published a list of eleven potential sites for new nuclear power plants, which have been nominated through the Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) process. The sites have been nominated by Electricite de France (EdF), EOn and RWE, and by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), which owns some of the land. Nine of them are existing nuclear power plant sites, with operating or decommissioned reactors. The sites will be assessed against criteria announced in January.
Following a one-month public comment period, feedback from the public will be used alongside the advice of regulators and other specialists. Potentially acceptable sites will be included in the draft National Policy Statement (NPS) on nuclear power to be published later this year for public consultation. This is part of the planning system under the new Planning Act 2008. The NPS will set frame the new independent Infrastructure Planning Commission's decisions on new nuclear power.
Ownership spread in new French reactor
France's second new-generation Areva EPR is to have substantial equity from GdF-Suez, whose nuclear base is in Belgium. With oil giant Total it will take a one third share in the 1650 MWe EPR to be built at Penly from 2012. Italy's Enel is expected to take up its right to 12.5%, so the split is likely to be Electricite de France 54.2%, GdF-Suez 25%, Enel 12.5% and Total 8.3%, making it an unusually international project for France. EdF may sell down its share to 50%, and discussions are underway with E.On in this regard. GdF-Suez said it was "a major step forward in the implementation of [its] nuclear strategy", though through Electrabel it already operates all seven Belgian nuclear power reactors, and has shares of two Chooz units in France. It also bought a 5% share in Areva's new enrichment plant in France. Areva, GdF-Suez and Total are together bidding to build a pair of EPRs in Abu Dhabi. Total is the first major oil company to invest in nuclear power in recent years.
Hungary votes for new nuclear plant
Hungary's parliament has voted 330 to 6 to proceed with plans for two new nuclear power reactors at its Paks plant, 100 km south of the capital. Paks has four small Russian reactors from the 1980s operating now, and supplying 40% of the country's electricity. Plans are for two new larger ones, to star up about 2020. The parliament's economic and environmental committees have also strongly supported the proposal.
Romania sets up company for new power plants
EnergoNuclear SA has been formally established to undertake the construction, commissioning and operation of two new Candu 6 720 MWe reactors in Romania. In November 2008 an investment agreement was signed between state nuclear power corporation Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica (SNN), with 51% of the project, and Enel, CEZ, GDF Suez, RWE Power (each 9.15%), Iberdrola (6.2%) and ArcelorMittal Galati (6.2%). The new company will now embark upon an 18 month pre-project phase for Cernavoda units 3 & 4. Construction cost is expected to be about Eur 4 billion. The first unit is expected on line in 2016.
Spain secures major supply agreement
GE Hitachi has signed a strategic agreement for Equipos Nucleares SA (ENSA) to manufacture and supply reactor pressure vessels for new GE Hitachi-designed ESBWR and ABWR units. In February, Japan Steel Works supplied the first of six forgings required to fabricate one ESBWR reactor pressure vessel, and ENSA anticipates completing the manufacturing process by mid-2012. It produces reactor pressure vessels, steam generators and other components at its factory on the north coast of Spain for nuclear power plants in several countries. ENSA provides a lot of heavy equipment for Westinghouse plants, and exports 85% of its production.
Sweden confirms waste repository site
After seven years of geological investigation and consultation with local communities, a site near the Forsmark nuclear reactors at Östhammar has been selected as Sweden's permanent high-level waste repository. It was preferred to Oskarshamn due to better granite, though both communities were keen to host the facility. Sweden's waste management company SKB, owned by the four nuclear power utilities, plans to begin site works in 2013, with full construction starting in 2015 and operation in 2023. This single facility, using only 15 hectares above ground, will hold all of the high-level radioactive waste from the nuclear power reactors which provide nearly half of Sweden's electricity.
A few weeks earlier SKB has signed an investment agreement with both towns which had volunteered as host. Both already host nuclear power plants - Forsmark and Oskarshamn. The agreement specified investment of $245 million in the two municipalities, with the majority going to the unsuccessful bidder, now Oskarshamn, which will thereby be disadvantaged.
Russia pushes into world enrichment market
Russia's Tenex has signed long-term enrichment services contacts with three US utilities - AmerenUE, Luminant and Pacific Gas & Electric - and one in Japan - Chubu. The following week it signed a contract to supply enriched uranium product with Exelon, the largest US nuclear utility. The contracts cover supply from 2014 to 2020, starting after the current "megatonnes to megawatts" program finishes. This has supplied blended-down ex-weapons uranium from Russia's military stockpiles to the USA, effectively filling almost half its enrichment demand. The Tenex contracts, using Russian plants, are in direct competition with three new enrichments plants being built in the USA and coming on line in the next three years.
Scandinavian power price surprises
Finland has announced its intention to put a tax on nuclear and hydro power sources built before 1997 because in the operation of a carbon trading market they will make good profits. The tax will apply to 2182 MWe of nuclear capacity and about 3000 MWe of hydro at a rate of up to Eur one cent per kWh. It will thus counter the incentive to maximise the utilisation of non carbon-emitting base-load plant.
Denmark trades power in the same Nord Pool, which has announced that from October the spot floor price for surplus power will drop from zero to minus Eur 20 cents/kWh. In other words, wind generators producing power in periods of low demand will have to pay the network to take it. Nord Pool said that "A negative price floor has been in demand for some time - especially from participants trading Elspot in the Danish bidding areas ... Curtailment of sales may give an imbalance cost for the affected seller and thus creates a willingness to pay in order to deliver power in the market." This is likely to have a negative effect on the economics of wind power in the region, since a significant amount of Denmark's wind power production is affected.
CENTRAL ASIA
Fanfare for Chinese equity in Kazakh mine
The formal opening of the Irkol ISL uranium mine in southern Kazakhstan was attended by high-level Chinese and Kazakh officials. This is the first uranium mine to be put into commercial operation within the framework of the October 2008 Kazakhstan-China nuclear power agreement. It is 49% owned by a subsidiary of China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group (CGNPC) and managed by the Semizbai-U joint venture. All the 750 tU/yr production will be claimed by or sold to CGNPC. The Semizbai mine (500 tU/yr) in the northern province is due to start production under the same ownership later this year. Not to be outdone, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is investing in the Zhalpak mine, due to start production in 2012 at 1000 tU/yr, albeit with less uranium resources.
A further announcement was of an agreement with CGNPC for establishment of a specialized company for the construction of nuclear power plants in China, since Kazakh plans to work with Russia's Atomstroyexport developing and marketing innovative small and medium-sized reactors has been put on hold.
KazAtomProm affirms foreign partnerships after leadership change, arrests made
After the former head of KazAtomProm was replaced, he and three senior colleagues were arrested and accused of selling certain uranium deposits very cheaply to shadowy offshore companies. Equity in one deposit was then sold on to a western uranium company in 2005 at full commercial price - about 700 times the alleged initial cost. In recent years KazAtomProm has set up about ten joint venture projects for 14 new uranium mines, involving Canadian, French, Japanese, Russian and Chinese partners who have invested a total of over $1.5 billion in the mines.
As investigations proceeded regarding these matters, the World Nuclear Association issued a "statement of interest and concern." It called for a "just resolution" that "upholds the sanctity of contracts fairly and properly made" and facilitates continued cooperation between Kazakhstan and the global nuclear industry "of which it can be an increasingly important part". It urged the President to avoid any disruption to plans for uranium supply or mine development, and the US nuclear industry association echoed this.
Early in June the top management of Kazatomprom held meetings with the company's foreign joint venture and equity partners in uranium mining, from Japan, Russia, Canada, France and China. These apparently "stressed ... their intention to continue cooperation in the nuclear fuel sector," and Kazatomprom announced that despite ongoing investigation regarding how certain Kazakh entities came to hold title to minerals, no existing arrangements with foreign partners would be changed.
EAST ASIA
Further Chinese construction start
First concrete has been poured for the construction of the first AP1000 nuclear reactor in China, at Sanmen. Though the inauguration ceremony was delayed, work went ahead at the end of March, so the reactor is now properly under construction. Site works commenced in February 2008 and an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was signed in March 2009 between the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation and China National Nuclear Corporation on behalf of Sanmen Nuclear Power Co., and China Nuclear Engineering & Construction Group for two units. The work will be overseen by Westinghouse and Shaw. First power is expected late in August 2013 for unit 1 and 2014 for unit 2.
China green light for more Westinghouse reactors
China's Power Investment Corporation (CPI) has received government approval to prepare to build the second pair of Westinghouse AP1000 reactors at Haiyang, in Shandong province. Construction of the first one at the site is due to start in September, and units 3 and 4 will be about a year behind that. As well as these, CPI plans to start building four more AP1000 units at Xiaomoshan in Hunan and Pengze in Jiangxi next year, and has listed proposals for 28 more after them.
China likely to build on Russian fast reactor expertise
China's 65 MW experimental fast reactor, is near completion at China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) near Beijing, built by Russia's OKBM Afrikantov in collaboration with OKB Gidropress, NIKIET and Kurchatov Institute. A 600 MWe prototype was to follow this, but in line with a recommendation from the Russian-Chinese Nuclear Cooperation Commission last year, St Petersburg Atomenergopoekt has announced that it is starting design work on a BN-800 fast reactor for China. This is the design being built at Beloyarsk in Russia, and due to start up in 2012. In China, two are proposed at coastal sites and a decision is expected about the end of 2009 on whether to proceed with these, using Russian BN-800 technology. At the very least, increased bilateral cooperation of fuel cycles for fast reactors is likely.
Five of the seven Generation IV reactor designs being developed internationally are fast reactors, and both Russia and China (along with Japan and France) have made clear that they see fast reactors becoming the predominant technology from mid century.
Quaked Japanese reactor resumes operation
Unit 7 of Tepco's Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power station is now supplying electricity after a 22-month shutdown for detailed checks and subsequent upgrading. The checks showed up no problems with the main plant, despite the earthquake forces being much more severe than the design basis had been required to cater for. The 1315 MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactor started up in 1997, one of the first Generation III units on line.
New Japanese reactor starts up
Unit 3 of the Tomari nuclear power plant started up early in March. Commercial operation of the 912 MWe PWR reactor is expected in December. Hokkaido Electric Power started construction in 2003. This is the last second-generation reactor under construction in Japan. It is one of eleven Japanese reactors approved for using mixed oxide fuel.
Japan doubles nuclear liability limit
Japan's Diet has revised the two laws governing nuclear liability provisions - the Law on Compensation for Nuclear Damage and Law on Contract for Liability Insurance for Nuclear Damage. In Japan, plant operator liability is exclusive and absolute, and power plant operators must provide a financial security amount of 60 billion yen ($600 million) through the insurance market. From 2010 this now doubles to 120 billion yen ($1.2 billion). Beyond that, the government provides coverage, and liability is unlimited.
SOUTH ASIA
Indian company consolidates internationally
India's Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), the country's biggest engineering and construction company, which has American N-stamp accreditation, has signed an agreement with Russia's Atomstroyexport. This is primarily focused on components for the next four Russian VVER reactors at Kudankulam, but extends beyond that to other Russian VVER plants in India and abroad. The first two 1000 MWe Russian reactors are nearing completion at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu state, with some equipment supplied by L&T, but the new agreement will greatly increase L&T's role. Earlier this year L&T signed similar agreements with Westinghouse, which sets it up to produce component modules for the AP1000 reactor, and with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) "to develop a competitive cost/scope model for the ACR-1000."
AFRICA
South Africa changes course on PBMR
South Africa's PBMR company has had to make some significant changes to its plans in deploying the pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR). This high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTR) design has been under development in South Africa since 1993, based on earlier German technology. First, its main customer Eskom has delayed all nuclear power investments by at least two years due to financial problems. The PBMR company has responded to this by dropping its plans to use the innovative but challenging direct Brayton cycle to drive the generator via a gas turbine, opting for conventional steam cycle instead, with less power output. This is aligned with a new emphasis on industrial process heat applications of the reactor - for synfuels production with SASOL, for the US thermochemical hydrogen production plant, for Canadian tar sands, and for desalination. These were flagged last year, but are now foremost due to Eskom's problems.
At the end of March the PBMR company renewed its 2005 link with its Chinese counterpart, with which it now has even more in common - China is also deferring use of the gas turbine Brayton cycle, and early units will be steam cycle. A new agreement was signed with the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) of Tsinghua University and Chinergy Ltd at a ceremony in Beijing. Chinergy is the project company about to start building China's first full-scale HTR units which are very similar to the PBMR, but smaller and simpler. The HTR-PM of 200 MWe (with twin reactor modules) is being built in Shandong province with the backing of China Huaneng Group, one of the country's major generators. Both Chinergy and PBMR believe that the inherently safe pebble bed technology built in relatively small units will eventually displace the more complex light water reactors.
New Paladin mine opened
Perth-based Paladin Energy has opened its new Kayelekera uranium mine in Malawi. Paladin acquired the deposit in 1997. A Development Agreement with the Government of Malawi ceded them 15% of the project. Following environmental approval, Paladin undertook a US$ 220 million mine development. Production is with a conventional acid leach treatment process, and will ramp up to 1400 tU/yr.
CANADA
Saskatchewan report affirms nuclear power
A major report from a widely representative government-appointed panel has recommended that Saskatchewan moves towards building nuclear power capacity. The panel was commissioned "to identify, evaluate and make recommendations on Saskatchewan-based, value added opportunities in the uranium industry," in the context of growing electricity demand. It included representatives from universities, urban and rural municipalities, business, labour, First Nations, the environmental community and Canada's nuclear industry. Its 136-page report included 20 recommendations, starting with maintaining a focus on uranium mining and exploration. It specifically discourages value adding in conversion and fuel fabrication, but says that up to 3000 MWe of nuclear power capacity would be appropriate for the province, with major net economic benefit. Overall the panel's recommendations could increase the province's GDP by an estimated $50-billion and create 6500 construction jobs and 5500 long-term jobs. It also suggests that Saskatchewan teams up with neighbouring Alberta to consider "a common power-generation solution for the two provinces by pooling their power needs."
Subsidiary recommendations include building a research reactor and pursuing medical isotope production in partnership with the federal government; getting involved with laser enrichment technology (Saskatoon-based Cameco has 24% of the main developer already); and avoiding involvement in recycling used nuclear fuel (beyond general support for Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organisation). A public consultation on the report begins now.
Last year Ontario's Bruce Power undertook a joint feasibility study with SaskPower to build a nuclear power plant in Saskatechewan. It showed that 1000 MWe of nuclear capacity by 2020 would be appropriate, situated in a region east of Lloydminster on the Alberta border, and north of Saskatoon. SaskPower currently operates 3065 MWe of plant, more than half of it coal-fired, and part of any nuclear increment might be exported to southern Alberta.
Restructure for Canada's nuclear flagship
An 18-month review of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) has resulted in recommendation for its restructure, separating its two divisions. In particular, the "Reactor division is too small to establish a strong presence in the high growth markets that are a key to its success." Its future success "depends on partnering with corporations that have global scale to leverage AECL’s technology, skills, experience and capabilities." This might involve its sale. The Research and Technology division, notably the Chalk River Laboratories which produce a lot of the world's medical radioisotopes, "would benefit from a strong partner to drive innovation and renewal, while ensuring safe and reliable operations," while CRL should remain government-owned. "An operating and management partner with the capacity to contribute risk capital, build new alliances with the private sector and academia, and develop new commercial opportunities in the domestic and export markets" is envisaged.
AECL is a crown corporation, created in 1952. It has fostered the successful development of the Candu reactor design, which has been sold internationally as well as providing for all of Canada's nuclear power. A new development of this, the ACR-1000, is ready to market. The Review found that AECL's current mandate and structure hampers its success and development and does not maximize benefits for Canada. "In trying to fulfil both its commercial and public policy mandates, AECL has not been able to bring the necessary focus each Division requires."
AUSTRALIA
Olympic Dam environment statement published
BHP Billiton has released the 4600-page environmental impact statement for its proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam mine in South Australia. The plan is to develop a large open pit with associated infrastructure over 11 years and lift uranium production to 19,000 tonnes U3O8 per year. The 1000m-deep open pit will mean that up to 98% of the ore is mined rather than 25% of it. Most of the uranium will be separated at the mine, but about 2000 t/yr will be exported in copper concentrates, requiring a new smelter for these in China or Japan which is subject to safeguards. New infrastructure in South Australia will include a 280 ML/day desalination plant on Spencer Gulf, supplying 200 ML/day to the operation, and 650 MWe increase in power supply. The present underground mining will continue in the narrow northern part of the orebody.
Environmental approval sought for Yeelirrie mine
After announcing in November that was reactivating the Yeelirrie uranium project in Western Australia, BHP Billiton has applied to the federal government to commence the process of environmental approval. Yeelirrie is about 420 km north of Kalgoorlie and close to the Goldfields gas pipeline. It was discovered in 1972 and extends over 9 km x 1.5 km, is up to 7 metres thick and has an average depth of about 7 metres of overburden. Old published figures show some 52,000 tonnes of uranium oxide at 0.15% average grade, and considerable metallurgical work was done before a new federal Labor government killed the project in 1983. The mine could possibly open in 2014, and production of 5000 t/yr U3O8 over 30 years is suggested, which would likely have 2000 t/yr vanadium oxide as by-product.
INTERNATIONAL
US economic report updated
An update of the 2003 MIT study on the economics of nuclear power has been published, with a primary focus on the USA. The report said that "since 2003 construction costs for all types of large-scale engineered projects have escalated dramatically. The estimated cost of constructing a nuclear power plant has increased at a rate of 15% per year heading into the current economic downturn. This is based both on the cost of actual builds in Japan and Korea and on the projected cost of new plants planned for in the United States. Capital costs for both coal and natural gas have increased as well, although not by as much. The cost of natural gas and coal that peaked sharply is now receding. Taken together, these escalating costs leave the situation [of relative costs] close to where it was in 2003." The overnight capital cost was given as $4000/kW, in 2007 dollars. Applying the same cost of capital to nuclear as to coal and gas, nuclear came out at 6.6 c/kWh, coal at 8.3 cents and gas at 7.4 cents, assuming a charge of $25/tonne CO2 on the latter.
US President approves UAE nuclear cooperation
President Obama has approved an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. It was originally signed in the closing days of the Bush presidency, and now needs to be approved by Congress in 90 days. The agreement is important because the UAE is seen as a leader in Middle East nuclear power development and expects to have three large power rectors operating by 2020, while the USA has a key role in world nuclear trade. Under special terms in this Agreement, the UAE has renounced plans to enrich and reprocess uranium or other fuel, instead pledging to obtain nuclear fuel from reliable international suppliers. The USA will have the right to cancel the agreement if the UAE reneges on its commitment not to engage in enrichment or reprocessing activities. The UAE already has several other high-level nuclear cooperation agreements in place.
Nuclear power back on UN climate change agenda
The first drafts of texts to be the basis of negotiations on a future United Nations climate change agreement in Copenhagen in December have brought back the issue of nuclear energy into the discussions. A key element for the new agreement to supercede the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol will be the future of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI), which both give emissions credits to projects which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under rules agreed in 2001, nuclear projects cannot be counted towards credits. The draft text suggests that nuclear projects being granted full eligibility as CDM and JI projects is the best of four possibilities.
Russia-Japan cooperation focused on fuel
Japan and Russia have signed a high-level nuclear cooperation agreement, under which Toshiba and Tenex are advancing their intentions to cooperate in nuclear fuel supply. This is to "contribute to stable and secure supply of services for the front-end civilian nuclear fuel cycle in Japan, the United States and elsewhere," including possibly centrifuge enrichment plants using Russian technology.
WNA Information Papers
updated in last two months include:
Reactor table
Economics of nuclear power
Advanced reactors
Small nuclear power reactors
Generation IV reactors
Nuclear power reactors
Fast neutron reactors
World uranium mining
Uranium enrichment
Heavy manufacturing of power plants
World energy needs
In situ leach mining of U
Renewable energy and electricity
Electricity and cars
Civil liability for nuclear
Chernobyl accident
Country papers:
Africa
Australia
Canada
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
India
Iran
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea
Lithuania
Namibia
Niger
Romania
Russia
Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
Taiwan
UAE
UK
Ukraine
UK
USA
Emerging nuclear countries
Published Uranium Prices
UxC Uranium spot price: 1/6/09 $49.50/lb U3O8, $128/kgU.
UxC long-term uranium price: 21/6/09 $65/lb U3O8, $169/kgU.
See also Ux Consulting graphs
World reactor changes in last two months:
Switzerland: Muehleberg uprate 17 MWe net Jan '09
Czech Republic: Dukovany-3 uprate 38 MWe May '09
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