Alternative Energy / Nuclear Power

• Nuclear Power: Safer, Cheaper, More Reliable and No CO2

  One of the features of nuclear power which is most attractive to a large segment of the population, is the fact that it does not emit CO2. Among all baseload energy sources, nuclear is the cheapest and lowest carbon emitting power source. With the coming of factory-made small modular nuclear plants, nuclear should get cheaper, more reliable, safer to operate, and quicker to install. After analysing a wealth of peer-reviewed studies on market needs, technologyperformance, life-cycle emissions and electricity costs, the researchers conclude that only five technologies currently qualify for low-emission baseload generation. Of these, nuclear power is the standout…

• How the Nuclear Renaissance Could Benefit Developing Countries

  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, British researchers outlined a vision for flexible and more user-friendly nuclear technologies, as worries over climate change, energy supply security, and depletion of fossil fuels, are overturning decades of hesitancy over the safety of nuclear power plants. Robin Grimes, materials researcher at Imperial College London and William Nuttall, senior lecturer in technology policy at the University of Cambridge, believe nuclear power will become viable for energy production in developing countries post-2030. "Outside currently established…

• Safety and Security Advantages of Small Nuclear Reactors

  Ever since Chernobyl, much of the public has been afraid of nuclear power plants. While there are no nuclear plants in Western Europe, North America, or Oceania which are designed so badly or operated so irresponsibly as Chernobyl was -- thus offering nothing like the Chernobyl disaster experience -- the public is still concerned. Along comes the small modular nuclear fission reactor (SMRs) -- which are even more safe and secure than modern western designs. The public should feel better about nuclear by learning more about SMRs. And government regulatory agencies should be feeling much better about licensing the new…

• U.S. Looking to Participate in Armenian Nuclear Energy Project

  A U.S. State Department official says Washington hopes American companies will participate in the construction of a new nuclear power station in Armenia, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. Daniel Rosenblum, who coordinates U.S. government assistance to former communist countries, said the issue was discussed on November 15 at a regular meeting in Yerevan of the U.S.-Armenia Joint Economic Task Force, which he co-chairs with Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsian. "We are interested in having U.S. companies participate [in the nuclear project], if possible," Rosenblum said at a news conference after the meeting. "It's one of many energy-related issues that were on…

• Nuclear Energy Makes a Comeback

  Better drag your leisure suits, bell bottoms, and Bee Gee’s records out the attic. The seventies are about to enjoy a rebirth. The nuclear industry, which has been comatose since the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, is gearing up for one of the greatest comebacks of all time. There is absolutely no way we can deal with our impending energy crunch without a huge expansion of our nuclear capacity, which sits at a lowly 20% of our total power generation. France has already achieved 85%, followed by Sweden at 60% and Belgium at 54%, and the last time…

• France and China Begin Strategic Nuclear Partnership

  France and China have agreed to form what they are calling a "strategic" partnership in civilian nuclear power. The announcement came on November 4 as Chinese President Hu Jintao opened a three-day state visit to France. The opening day of the visit included the announcement of more than $20 billion worth of new deals between France and China, including in the nuclear sector. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the two countries plan to work together on nuclear reactors, fuel recycling and uranium extraction from mines, and will consider selling the products of this cooperation to third parties. Sarkozy said France…

• Britain and France to Share Nuclear Research Facilities

  The leaders of Britain and France have sealed agreements on a defense partnership between their two nations which is unparalleled in scope. British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicholas Sarkozy signed two treaties, one establishing among other things a joint brigade of up to 5,000 troops with air and sea backing, the other allowing the two NATO nuclear powers to share nuclear research facilities. The cooperation, which both sides insist will not affect their sovereignty, is designed to help them remain global powers at a time of severe cuts in defense spending due to the financial crisis. "It…

• US Government Agency Faulted in Nuclear Abandonment

  If you are heading north on the Chesapeake Bay, just above where the Patuxent River enters it, and you will see the Cove Point liquefied natural gas terminal and gas processing plant. Journey on, about three miles, and you will see a superbly landscaped industrial installation that, unlike the gas terminal, blends into the cliffs of Maryland. This is the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, which has been making electricity quietly, efficiently and abundantly since 1975. By contrast, the Cove Point terminal and gas plant has been a symbol of the vagaries of the gas market. Much of the time…

• Carbon Price Alone Cannot Unlock US Nuclear Ambitions

  A federal carbon price would provide a major boost to the US nuclear power industry, but would not solve all its problems, experts said. “That would turn the industry around,” Richard Caperton, policy analyst for the Center for American Progress, told attendees of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Missoula, Montana last week. “There are still some other issues: cheap natural gas, short-term low electricity demand. But a carbon price really reshapes the electricity industry and I think reshapes it to the benefit of the nuclear industry.” But there is a lot of cheerleading for an industry that would…

• Venezuela to Have Their First Nuclear Power Plant

  Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement for Russia to build Venezuela's first nuclear power plant. The agreement was signed during a visit by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez to Moscow today. The cost of the deal, signed following Chavez's talks with President Dmitry Medvedev was not immediately announced. Medvedev said the deal would help Venezuela develop modern energy sources in addition to its hydrocarbon resources. Chavez said Venezuela needed to reduce its dependence on oil and gas, and praised Russia for helping his country acquire new technologies. Several other agreements on energy were also negotiated. Chavez's government has bought more…