Nuclear power could reshape energy use in Gulf

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Regional Security ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Nuclear Power Development ◽  
Nuclear Development ◽  
Foreign Ministers

Subject Nuclear power development in the Gulf. Significance Last month's nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany) received the public backing of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states after a meeting between Gulf foreign ministers and US Secretary of State John Kerry on August 2. Yet GCC leaders remain concerned that the deal does not eliminate Iran's nuclear industry and fear that it will try to develop weapons capability. Several GCC states are advancing the development of civilian nuclear energy programmes, mainly to address rising domestic demand for electricity, but also with the regional rivalry with Iran in mind. Impacts Hydrocarbons will dominate the GCC power sector while subsidies remain. Nuclear expansion will increase regional security risks. The GCC envisages 20 nuclear reactors by 2030, producing 23 Gigawatts of electricity. Other GCC states will draw from the UAE's experience in pioneering nuclear development in the Gulf.

Energy Needs and Potential Nuclear Power Development in China

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danlu Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Development ◽  
Social Attitude ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Energy And Environment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Nuclear Power Development ◽  
Nuclear Security ◽  
Nuclear Development

The harmonious development of economic, energy and environment is an important premise to realize the objective of China’s modernization. Currently, different parts of China have different main energy source, while nuclear power development has many opportunities and challenges. This paper considers the current trends of energy needs in China, and discusses the different influencing factors of energy needs throughout China. In addition, this paper will focus on the potential nuclear power development in China, which mainly focuses on policy, technology, nuclear security and social attitude. Then it will focus on the application in Shenzhen (Daya Bay). Based on previous analysis, technical/engineering feasibility and site feasibility are considered in this part. Finally, a number of recommendations for nuclear development management in China will be given. These recommendations will help the public to have a basic understanding of nuclear power management, and to improve the social attitude of China’s nuclear energy development. In all, this paper puts forward the management methodology of nuclear power industry, which has positive significance for the field of nuclear power education. Meanwhile, the paper will play a positive role on popularize the knowledge of nuclear power to the public.

Decontamination and Provenance Tracking

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bradbury ◽  
George R. Elder ◽  
John C. Ritchie ◽  
Robert G. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Contamination Levels

Decommissioning of retired nuclear plants and facilities demands the proper management of the process, both for economic reasons and for retaining public confidence in the continued use of nuclear power for electricity generation. There are significant potential benefits, both economic and environmental, in recycling materials from retired nuclear facilities for new uses rather than disposing of them as radioactive waste. Although it is technically possible to decontaminate many retired nuclear components to reduce contamination levels to below those appropriate for free release into the public domain, there is some public unease at the prospect of formerly contaminated materials passing into unrestricted public use. Greater support for recycle can be achieved by converting decontaminated materials into products for new controlled uses, particularly within the nuclear industry. Irrespective of the future of nuclear power, the industry has a need for many new items such as waste containers, replacement components etc. Good economics can be achieved by decontaminating the materials and then using existing non-radioactive manufacturing facilities for fabrication of new components. Provided that materials have first been decontaminated to below unrestricted release levels, there is no objection in principle to using non-radioactive facilities for recycling and manufacturing activities, so long as the materials are properly tracked to prevent their uncontrolled release. Surface decontamination has an important role to play in these activities. Efficient and economic decontamination processes are needed to prepare materials for recycle. The EPRI DFDX Process is a process for achieving these objectives. Recent progress with this process is described.

Emerging Energy Development Demands on Water

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Hightower
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Water Withdrawal ◽  
Electric Power Generation ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Nuclear Power Development ◽  
Future Demands

Currently, electric power generation is one of the largest water withdrawal and use sectors in the U.S. Additionally, future energy development such as biofuels production, hydrogen fuel or synthetic fuels production, oil shale development, carbon sequestration, or nuclear power development could significantly increase water use and consumption. On the other hand, water resource development — distribution, treatment, and transmission — is one of the largest energy use sectors. As future demands for energy and water continue to increase, competition for water between the energy, domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors, could significantly impact the availability of water supplies for energy development, thus impacting reliability and security of future energy production and electric power generation. Therefore, it is critical that water and energy resources planning and development be integrated and coordinated across state and regional boundaries. This paper provides a short overview of the emerging energy-water challenges and issues identified in a recent series of national workshops on energy and water related issues as well as summarizing the research and development needs to address these emerging energy and water challenges.

Fukushima Nuclear Accident Implications for the Nuclear Power Development in China

2011 ◽  
Vol 347-353 ◽  
pp. 3810-3814
Author(s):  
Zi Ying Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
Energy Structure ◽  
Power Development ◽  
Fukushima Accident ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Nuclear Power Development ◽  
Nuclear Development

The Fukushima nuclear accident is prompting countries around the world to reassess the safety of nuclear power plant and their nuclear development aspirations. The course of Fukushima nuclear accident, the accident status to date are summarized, the global support for nuclear energy after Fukushima are stated, and the nuclear power development in China, China responses to Fukushima accident are analyzed. Nuclear energy plays an important role as means to adjust the energy structure, to avoid environmental pollution, and to address climate change in China, while the development speed of nuclear power should be reasonable and appropriate. Drawing lessons from Fukushima crisis, China insists on the safety-first principle in nuclear power development, hence China should be cautions in NPP sites selection, reviews its nuclear power development speed, lifts the safety standards, and improve the nuclear emergency response capabilities.

Fiscal woes to stymie South Africa's new health plan

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Discussion Document ◽  
Core Issues

Subject Outlook for public health policy in South Africa. Significance Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi released the National Health Insurance (NHI) White Paper on December 11 -- the latest possible date to fulfill his pledge to deliver a plan for universal insurance by end-2015. It represents little progress on the discussion document presented in 2011, leaving core issues unanswered. Impacts The lack of a clear funding plan for the government's ambitious nuclear power expansion will add to fiscal concerns. The public health system will struggle to handle growing incidence of chronic diseases, increasing pressure to find more funding. Social stigmas attached to HIV/AIDS could discourage individuals in traditional rural communities from seeking treatment.

scholarly journals Good Nuclear Neighbours: the British electricity industry and the communication of nuclear power to the public, 1950s–1980s

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. A09
Author(s):  
Thomas Lean ◽  
Sally Horrocks
Keyword(s):  
Oral History ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
The Public ◽  
Archival Material ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
Oral History Interviews

Between the 1950s and the 1980s the British nuclear industry engaged with ordinary people in a wide range of ways. These included articles in the print media, exhibitions and educational resources as well as through open days, developing nature reserves and building relations with the local communities around nuclear sites. This paper draws on recently collected oral history interviews and archival material to consider what was one of the largest and best resourced efforts to communicate science to the British public between the 1950s and the 1980s.

scholarly journals Achievability of radiological equivalence associated with closed nuclear fuel cycle with fast reactors: impact of uncertainty factors in scenarios of Russian nuclear power development through to 2100. Part 1. Fast and thermal reactors

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-76
Author(s):  
V.K. Ivanov ◽  
◽  
A.V. Lopatkin ◽  
A.N. Menyajlo ◽  
E.V. Spirin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Radioactive Wastes ◽  
Fast Reactors ◽  
Power Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
Radiation Risks ◽  
Nuclear Power Development

The Russian Government approved the Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation (Government Decree No.1523-r of June 9, 2020). The Strategy envisages the use of both thermal (TR) and fast (FR) reactors. The Strategy points out that the problems of nuclear power are associated with po-tential high expenses for irradiated fuel and radioactive wastes management. The previously de-signed model of the Russian nuclear energy development suggested that fast reactors only would operate at NPPs after 2010. Radiological equivalence, expressed as the equivalence of lifetime radiation risks to the public from radioactive wastes and from primary uranium ore, was shown to be achieved after 100-year storage. The burnup of 241Am, 237Np и 242Сm in closed nu-clear fuel cycle with fast reactors is a key part in the achievability of radiation risks equivalence. Scenarios of the Russian nuclear energy development through to 2100 with account of uncertain-ty factors in the measurement of contribution of fast and thermal reactors to the electric energy production are considered in the paper. The following three scenarios were developed: uncer-tainty is replaced by FRs; uncertainty is replaced by TRs; 50 per cent of FRs and 50 per cent of TRs replace uncertainty. If the energy is produced by fast reactors only (scenario 1) radiological equivalence was found to be achieved in 412 years. In two other scenarios radiological equiva-lence will be achieved after more than 1000 years. Contribution of main dose-forming radionu-clides and relevant ratios of potential biological hazards is included in models regardless of whether uncertainty in nuclear energy development is taking or not taking into account. Results of the study of conditions for radiological equivalence achievement should be used for amending Strategic plan of Russian nuclear power development through to 2100 that meets requirements of radiation ecology and radiation protection of the public.

Global nuclear industry views: challenges arising from the evolution of the optimisation principle in radiological protection

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Saint-Pierre
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Hereditary Diseases ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
High Price ◽  
Radiological Protection ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
The Public ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Over the last few decades, the steady progress achieved in reducing planned exposures of both workers and the public has been admirable in the nuclear sector. However, the disproportionate focus on tiny public exposures and radioactive discharges associated with normal operations came at a high price, and the quasi-denial of a risk of major accident and related weaknesses in emergency preparedness and response came at an even higher price. Fukushima has unfortunately taught us that radiological protection (RP) for emergency and post-emergency situations can be much more than a simple evacuation that lasts 24–48 h, with people returning safely to their homes soon afterwards. On optimisation of emergency and post-emergency exposures, the only ‘show in town’ in terms of international RP policy improvements has been the issuance of the 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). However, no matter how genuine these improvements are, they have not been ‘road tested’ on the practical reality of severe accidents. Post-Fukushima, there is a compelling case to review the practical adequacy of key RP notions such as optimisation, evacuation, sheltering, and reference levels for workers and the public, and to amend these notions with a view to making the international RP system more useful in the event of a severe accident. On optimisation of planned exposures, the reality is that, nowadays, margins for further reductions of public doses in the nuclear sector are very small, and the smaller the dose, the greater the extra effort needed to reduce the dose further. If sufficient caution is not exercised in the use of RP notions such as dose constraints, there is a real risk of challenging nuclear power technologies beyond safety reasons. For nuclear new build, it is the optimisation of key operational parameters of nuclear power technologies (not RP) that is of paramount importance to improve their overall efficiency. In pursuing further improvements in the international RP system, it should be clearly borne in mind that the system is generally based on protection against the risk of cancer and hereditary diseases. The system also protects against deterministic non-cancer effects on tissues and organs. In seeking refinements of such protective notions, ICRP is invited to pay increased attention to the fact that a continued balance must be struck between beneficial activities that cause exposures and protection. The global nuclear industry is committed to help overcome these key RP issues as part of the RP community's upcoming international deliberations towards a more efficient international RP system.

Managing innovation in the Argentinian nuclear sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-580
Author(s):  
Javier Cantero ◽  
Natalia Lorena Gonzalez ◽  
Daiana Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technological Developments

Purpose The design, construction, and operation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) pose technological and R&D challenges for the organisations concerned. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the sources of innovation and the technological developments throughout the construction and commissioning processes for Atucha II NPP. Design/methodology/approach Studying a high-risk organisation that is reliable in practice poses several research questions the authors consider in this work. What kind of R&D processes can take place in a mature industry like the nuclear sector in Argentina? How have technological challenges been overcome since the restart of the completion phase of Atucha II NPP? Primary data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was the methodological approach adopted. Findings Multiple sources of technological developments arise, an incremental R&D pattern being the most salient. Atucha II NPP seems to be a case of network innovation in a triple helix innovation scheme led by the Argentinian state. In effect, one of the outcomes of the construction of the Atucha II NPP was the development of the Argentinian nuclear sector together with the development of organisational capabilities. In this sense, the third Argentine NPP follows the socio-technical path of the Argentine nuclear industry. Originality/value Too little is known about R&D processes in high reliability organisations (HROs), especially in the nuclear sector of a Latin American country such as Argentina as there seem to be no organisational studies analysing HROs’ impact on innovation, reliability, and economic development.

The Influences of Significant Nuclear Events on Public Attitude and Acceptance

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingye Liu
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Public Attitude ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Common People ◽  
The Public ◽  
Catastrophic Failures ◽  
Nuclear Events ◽  
Related Science

In this paper, the influence of significant nuclear events on public attitude, and the reaction, i.e., public attitude on the development of nuclear industry have been studied. Though it has been widely known that nuclear is a type of clean, green and effective source of energy, due to the characteristics of nuclear, for most common people, they seldom pay attention to the nuclear power plants (NPPs) or the entire nuclear industry except NPPs are built near the residence of their own, or when some catastrophic failures occur. This fact leads to that when the public’s attention is attracted to nuclear, the effects on their attitude to nuclear are often negative. Even if there is positive news about nuclear, in most cases, the public will still be worried and prudent. That is one of the reasons why though the nuclear power related techniques has been developing rapidly, in some countries the usage of nuclear power is still quite limited. In order to carry the development of nuclear power forward, to improve the public acceptance is as important as to improve nuclear related science and technology. This paper focuses on how the significant events related to nuclear influence the public acceptance, which will have direct or indirect effects on the development and/or policy of nuclear industry in a country, even the whole world. Additionally, this paper discusses possible and proper solutions to improve the public acceptance to NPPs and nuclear related techniques.

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