Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Thorium Nuclear Reactor Trial Begins, Could Provide

Cleaner, Safer, Almost-Waste-Free Energy


http://www.care2.com/news/member/412766260/3729098

Could Another Fukushima-Like Accident Happen In The US? Nuclear Expert Explains How

Could Another Fukushima-Like Accident Happen In The US? Nuclear Expert Explains How


http://www.ibtimes.com/could-another-fukushima-accident-happen-us-nuclear-expert-explains-how-1555063

UAE, China build for larger energy future while US, UK, France tweak and maintain nuclear power and energy in general and Japan Grinds towards nuclear restarts

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/02/uae-china-build-for-larger-energy.html

Dr. Charles Forsberg and the MSR Molten Salt Reactor

http://nucleargreen.blogspot.com/2014/02/dr-charles-forsberg-and-msr-molten-salt.html

The Importance of Innovation to the Nuclear Industry

http://theenergycollective.com/mzconsulting/339921/importance-innovation-nuclear-industry

TEPCO reveals record cesium level in Fukushima No. 1 well via RT

http://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/atomicage/2014/02/15/tepco-reveals-record-cesium-level-in-fukushima-no-1-well-via-rt-2/

Nearly Half of U.S. Power Plants Don’t Reuse Water

Nearly Half of U.S. Power Plants Don’t Reuse Water
Photo: iStockphoto In the past half century, power plants in the United States have made considerable strides in water use, but there is still a long way to go, according to new figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). More than 70 percent of electricity in the United States comes from plants that require some water for cooling. Most plants that generate steam to mak
http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/fossil-fuels/nearly-half-of-us-power-plants-dont-reuse-water

Starpower: Boost in quest for nuclear fusion

http://www.brecorder.com/weekend-magazine/0/1153737/

Dan Hurley: Call for Pilgrim power-down ignores energy realities

DAN HURLEY: Call for Pilgrim power-down ignores energy realities - See more at: http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140215/OPINION/140217107/2011/OPINION#sthash.neDkMWmb.dpuf

DAN HURLEY: Call for Pilgrim power-down ignores energy realities - See more at: http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140215/OPINION/140217107/2011/OPINION#sthash.neDkMWmb.dpuf
http://www.patriotledger.com/article/20140215/OPINION/140217107/2011/OPINION

‘Russia determined to construct second unit of Bushehr nuclear power plant’ | Tehran Times


‘Russia determined to construct second unit of Bushehr nuclear power plant’ | Tehran Times

http://iranian.com/posts/view/post/28396

Global Nuclear Power Plant Outlook, 2013-2020


Global Nuclear Power Plant Outlook, 2013-2020


Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/02/14/6158878/global-nuclear-power-plant-outlook.html#storylink=cpy
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/02/14/6158878/global-nuclear-power-plant-outlook.html

Group warns more nuclear power plants may shut down

http://www.nhregister.com/business/20140214/group-warns-more-nuclear-power-plants-may-shut-down

Argentina pours nuclear grade concrete for CAREM, a 25 MWe SMR

http://atomicinsights.com/argentina-pours-concrete-carem/

Climate Benefits of Natural Gas Are Questioned in A Major New Report

http://e360.yale.edu/digest/climate_benefits_of_natural_gasare_questioned_in_a_major_new_report/4076/

Arctic Autumns On Track To Warm A Staggering 23°F, NOAA Warns

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/02/13/3280421/arctic-autumn-staggering-warming/

California Drought Emergency Sparks Call To Ban Fracking And Protect Water

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/02/13/3282341/california-drought-fracking-ban/

Green Haze


Green Haze


How Wood-Burning Environmentalists Show Behavior Changes Won't Solve Climate Change


http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/energy-and-climate/green-haze

Ocean Energy Industry Turns to Crowdfunding

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/25505

Sorry, But Fusion Power Result Was Disappointing

http://www.realclearscience.com/articles/2014/02/14/sorry_but_fusion_power_result_was_disappointing_108509.html

The Dark and Stormy Side of Science-Policy Mixology

http://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2014/dark-and-stormy-side-science-policy-mixology

Things to Worry About in 2014: US Electric Grid Edition

http://grist.org/article/things-to-worry-about-in-2014-us-electric-grid-edition/

TEPCO finds falling debris damaged shield plug at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3

TEPCO finds falling debris damaged shield plug at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3
This week TEPCO released new photos which show the progress made removing debris off of the top of the Unit 3 reactor building.  These photos show some of the damage to the operating floor of the reactor building including http://enformable.com/2014/02/tepco-finds-falling-debris-damaged-shield-plug-fukushima-daiichi-unit-3/

Background Information on Tritium

Background Information on Tritium
What is Tritium? How hazardous is it? Can it cause cancer? What about Fukushima’s waste water? Existing limits on Tritium exposure are entirely arbitrary, predicated on assumption, and devoid of conclusive supporting evidence.

An Adaptive, Consent-Based Path to Nuclear Waste Storage and Disposal Solutions

http://breakingenergy.com/2014/02/14/an-adaptive-consent-based-path-to-nuclear-waste-storage-and-disposal-solutions/?utm_source=Breaking+Energy&utm_campaign=f02b6c86e8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f852427a4b-f02b6c86e8-407304281

Friday, February 14, 2014

Radiation and Reason - Radiation and Reason, the impact of science on a culture of fear

Description with pdf download of summary information, lecture contact and purchase options

http://www.radiationandreason.com/

Design of World's first Thorium based nuclear reactor is ready

Design of World's first Thorium based nuclear reactor is ready


http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worlds-first-thorium-based-nuclear-reactor-barc/1/343569.html

Back to the Old Nuclear Arguments–in a Good Way

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/

How They Do It: Turkey A Country Case Study


A Country Case Study
Turkey NPP
Turkey's first NPP project is based on a build-own-operate model.
Interview with Necati Yamac, Head of the Nuclear Energy Project and Implementing Department of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Why did Turkey opt for a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model instead of models that were used elsewhere?
Turkey has a thriving economy and a fast-growing electricity demand that increases 6-7% annually. We had four attempts in the past to introduce nuclear power: the first one was in the late 1970s when the Akkuyu site was licensed and the last one was in 2008 when Turkey issued a request for bids. In 2010, Turkey and the Russian Federation signed an agreement on the construction and operation of a NPP at the Akkuyu site based on a BOO model. This is the first time that such an approach is implemented in a nuclear power project. The Akkuyu Project Company has been set up under Turkish law and will be the future owner and operator of the NPP and the electricity generated by it. The Akkuyu Project Company is 100% owned by Russian investors, at least initially.
The BOO model has been successfully implemented in other energy projects. From our perspective, the BOO model allows newcomer countries to benefit from the human resource capacity of the technology provider country for the short term and may save time in developing its nuclear capacity in the long term.
What do you think are the strengths and the challenges of this model?
The BOO model may help in ascending the steep learning curve that a newcomer country faces when implementing its first nuclear power project: the future workforce in embarking countries comes from either a nuclear research group, which has to quickly learn the challenges of implementing a big industrial project, or from an existing utility, that would be faced with the challenges of a nuclear power project. The Akkuyu Project Company is quite unique in this respect because of the possibility to recruit staff and benefit from the knowledge of its shareholders with experience in design, construction and operation of NPPs.
The financial risk is left to the project company, which enters into contracts with its own shareholders for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the future NPP. The interest of the investor and future owner is therefore closely aligned with that of the technology provider, a factor that may help minimizing delays.
How will Turkey ensure regulatory oversight over the project?
The model has challenges as well: in theory, the nuclear infrastructure of the country needs to develop at the fast pace of the nuclear power project schedule, in particular the regulatory infrastructure that supports licensing of the plant. But in our case, the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK), which is the nuclear regulator in Turkey, will hire consultancy services for reviewing the license application. In addition to that, it is recruiting additional staff and cooperating closely with the IAEA and other bilateral partners. It has decided to engage an experienced Technical Support Organization from a nuclear power country to support the review of the project documents.

-- Interview by Marta Ferrari, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2014/csturkey.html 

How They Do It: China A Country Case Study

How They Do It: China

A Country Case Study

Turkey NPP
Construction works at China's Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, January 2013. (Photo: CNNC)
Interview with Huang Wei, Minister Counsellor and Alternate to the Resident Representative at the Chinese Permanent Mission to IAEA.
Why is China's nuclear capacity growing so quickly?
If we take into account the average 10% gross domestic product growth rate in the past decade and the 7-8% growth rate forecast for the coming five years, energy demand will remain very high in China. Nuclear power emits no greenhouse gas emission, causes no air pollution, has low operational cost and is applicable on a large scale. It provides a reliable energy supply to sustain the rapid economic growth especially in the eastern and southern coastal areas of China, which used to rely heavily on fossil fuel.
After the Fukushima accident, the Chinese government carried out a comprehensive safety assessment of all nuclear power units in operation or under construction, which confirmed that all nuclear facilities meet advanced nuclear safety standards. Based on this outcome, the Chinese government made the decision that nuclear power will remain an important part of our national energy mix and formulated a new policy on "developing nuclear power in a safe and efficient manner".
Since then, construction of four new units started, including the first High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR), and five units started commercial operation. Currently, there are 20 units in operation with a total capacity of 17.86 GW, and 28 units are under construction with a total capacity of 30.41GW.
Nuclear power generation so far was predominantly present in Europe and North America. Is the world balance of nuclear power shifting towards Asia?
Looking at facts and figures in the expansion programmes of China, India and the Republic of Korea, plus new projects in several newcomer countries in this region, Asia is becoming the most dynamic area in terms of nuclear power development. The recent developments in Eastern Europe, Middle East and North America are also encouraging.
China is building power plants from many different designs. Is this a deliberate choice?
No, the current mix of nuclear technology in China is not based on any particular decision. Due to some historic reasons, such as financing, bilateral cooperation and others, different nuclear technologies from France, Russia, Canada and the USA were introduced in the past decades.
What does China do to ensure safe operation in light of such a variety of designs? Can you expand on your country's post-Fukushima safety assessment?
In the past decades, through national efforts and intensive international cooperation, China has developed and established a comprehensive and effective Nuclear Safety Regulatory and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response infrastructure based on the IAEA Safety Standards to ensure that all projects in operation or under construction in China are strictly regulated and overseen.
Immediately after the Fukushima accident, the State Council of China called for a nationwide nuclear safety assessment and suspended the approval of new projects. In the meantime, the National Regulatory Body and the National Competent Authority have been given more resources to enable them to fulfil their duty. All nuclear power plants have upgraded their safety features based on the lessons learned from Fukushima.
In October 2012, the Assessment Report and Nuclear Safety Planning for the Mid-Long Term were approved by the State Council and the process to approve new projects resumed. All new projects must meet nuclear safety standards of third generation nuclear power technology.

-- Interview by Ayhan Evrensel, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy
http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2014/cschina.html 

How They Do It: Belarus A Country Case Study

How They Do It: Belarus

A Country Case Study

2014 Meeting on Nuclear Infrastructure Development
Construction of Belarus' first NPP started at the Ostrovets site on 6 November 2013. (Photo: Directorate for NPP Construction, Belarus)
Interview with Aleksei Raiman, Senior Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarus
Why and how did Belarus decide to include nuclear power into the country's energy mix?
There were plans to construct a 2000 MWe nuclear cogeneration plant and a 6000 MWe nuclear power plant. However, after the Chernobyl accident both projects were cancelled. Currently, thermal power stations are the primary source of electricity in Belarus. As a result, we rely heavily on oil and natural gas imports, mostly from the Russian Federation. The share of natural gas for electricity generation and heating has reached 95%. This significantly affects the energy security of Belarus. Also, unpredictable increases in costs of imported energy pose obvious risks for our export oriented economy.
These were the primary reasons why Belarus, in 2006, decided to consider once again the nuclear option.
The subsequent energy planning activities confirmed that nuclear was a viable and feasible option for the country. The Concept of Energy Security was approved in 2007 and stipulated, among other measures, a plan for commissioning two nuclear power units by 2020. The political decision to launch the nuclear power programme was made in 2008, and extensive preparation activities began, which took almost six years.
In November 2013, Belarus started constructing its first nuclear power plant. What are the challenges Belarus is facing in this respect?
Any country that decides to embark on a first NPP construction project faces numerous challenges related to establishing a robust nuclear power infrastructure. Developing the required infrastructure has to begin long before the start of the construction phase and should be completed by the time when the NPP is commissioned. Belarus is not an exception and still has a long way to go.
One of the vital issues in this regard is developing the necessary human resources. We have adopted a comprehensive, long-term training programme for personnel in the nuclear energy sector. In 2013, this programme was revised with IAEA assistance. The national efforts are complemented by IAEA training programmes and by bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation and the European Commission.
Many other issues also deserve close attention, including national legislation, effective construction management and efficient public communication.
The IAEA offers a number of services to countries embarking on a new nuclear power programme. Have these helped Belarus during the planning phase?
Belarus has a long and successful history of cooperation with the IAEA. We continue to enjoy this intense cooperation especially in such a complex endeavor as building a national nuclear power programme.
In 2008, the IAEA assisted Belarus in energy planning to support the decision-making process on whether to include nuclear power in the national energy mix. In that year, we also asked the IAEA to assist us in evaluating the surveys of three candidate NPP sites. To facilitate the development of a long-term nuclear energy strategy, Belarus also used the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles methodology in a national Nuclear Energy System Assessment.
While preparing for the NPP construction, Belarus has used the "IAEA Milestones" approach, which proved to be a very useful tool. In June 2012, Belarus hosted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission to review the status of its nuclear power programme. The INIR mission team concluded that Belarus was "on its way to being well-prepared with its infrastructure to support the construction of a nuclear power plant". The mission's recommendations have assisted the national authorities in planning future activities and were the basis for a National Action Plan which is now being implemented.

-- Interview by Elisabeth Dyck, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energyhttp://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2014/csbelarus.html

IAEA Delivers Final Report on Decommissioning Efforts at Fukushima Daiichi

IAEA Delivers Final Report on Decommissioning Efforts at Fukushima Daiichi

TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
IAEA experts visiting TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on 27 November 2013 looked at the fuel assembly removal process in Reactor Unit 4. Last week, TEPCO began moving nuclear fuel assemblies from Reactor Unit 4 to the Common Spent Fuel Pool. (Photo: G. Webb/IAEA)
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivered a report on 12 February 2014 to the government of Japan describing the findings of a two-part review of the nation's efforts to plan and implement the decommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS).
At Japan's request, the IAEA organized two expert teams to provide an independent review of Japan's Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the Decommissioning of TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Units 1-4. The first team visited Japan from 15 to 22 April 2013 and the second from 25 November to 4 December 2013.
"Japan has established a good foundation to improve its strategy and to allocate the necessary resources to conduct the safe decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi," said team leader Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. "The situation, however, remains very complex, and there will continue to be challenging issues that must be resolved to ensure the plant's long-term stability."
The expert teams examined a wide variety of issues relating to decommissioning the power plant, including Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO's) efforts to remove fuel assemblies from Reactor Unit 4's Spent Fuel Pool and to manage the growing volume of contaminated water at the site.
The teams held extensive discussions with senior officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and TEPCO. The teams also visited the nuclear accident site twice to gain first-hand information on the conditions at the power plant and the progress made toward decommissioning the facility.
The team also examined Japan's efforts to monitor radiation condition in the marine environment, including seawater, sediments and biota, which were further discussed with officials of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA).
"The team was impressed by the comprehensive monitoring system in place in Japan, both for seawater and for the products in the food chain. Additionally, the team observed that Japan introduced limits for food controls based on the international standard level. This systematic approach, together with the distribution restrictions by relevant local governments, ensures the safety of the marine fishery products in the market," Lentijo said.
The report acknowledges Japan's progress towards preparing Fukushima Daiichi NPS for decommissioning and offers technical and policy advice on a range of issues, including fuel removal efforts, contaminated water management, and waste storage.
As for the growing amounts of contaminated water at the site, the report advises that TEPCO should bolster its efforts to treat this water and then examine all options for its further management, including the possibility of resuming controlled discharges in compliance with authorized limits. To pursue this option, TEPCO should prepare appropriate safety and environmental impact assessments and submit them for regulatory review. In this context, the report also stresses that the NRA should further enhance the seawater monitoring programme by coordinating interlaboratory comparisons to ensure good harmonization of the environmental data.
Japan's request for the decommissioning missions came in the context of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by all IAEA Member States in September 2011. The Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework, and it encourages the use of peer review missions to take full advantage of worldwide experience.

-- by Greg Webb, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Transatomic Power presents their molten salt reactor at Google Solve for X 2014

Transatomic Power is developing a molten salt reactor. They are using
a zirconium hydride moderator instead of graphite. They also use a
different salt. They presented at Google Solve for X 2014. They would
use 75 times more of the uranium than a conventional reactor. They
could use current high level nuclear waste for energy at about the
$500/kg cost  that has been set aside by the US laws on nuclear waste
management.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2014/02/transatomic-presents-their-molten-salt.html

Report: Saudi Arabia Wants Uranium-Enrichment Capacity

Report: Saudi Arabia Wants Uranium-Enrichment Capacity


http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/saudi-arabia-reportedly-wants-develop-full-nuclear-fuel-cycle/

U.N. Agency Eyes Flushing More Fukushima-Contaminated Water

http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/un-agency-presses-action-fukushima-contaminated-water/

Nuclear News Round Up (10th Nov – 14th Nov 14)



10th Feb 2014
11th Feb 2014
13th Feb 2014
14th Feb 2014

TVA’s Bad Nuclear Report Cards

http://allthingsnuclear.org/tvas-bad-nuclear-report-cards/

Nuclear Waste Gets Expensive




By PaulBrown, Climate News Network
This piece first appeared at Climate News Network.
LONDON—Nothing divides environmental campaigners as much as nuclear power.
Some have always believed renewables offer cleaner power while avoiding the dangers of radioactivity and nuclear waste disposal. Others, including new converts who now support the industry, believe the threat of climate change is so terrifying that the drawbacks to nuclear power are far outweighed by its potential for producing large quantities of low-carbon electricity.
All governments who have nuclear power stations have to deal with practicalities and have a problem that so far is unresolved: how to get rid of all the radioactive waste their existing nuclear plants have produced.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/nuclear_waste_gets_expensive_20140214

How Nuclear Bombs Could Save Earth from Killer Asteroids

http://www.space.com/24696-asteroid-strike-nuclear-bombs.html

Amidst bitter cold and rising energy costs, new concerns about energy insecurity

Amidst bitter cold and rising energy costs, new concerns about energy insecurity
New York NY (SPX) Feb 14, 2014 - With many regions of the country braced by an unrelenting cold snap, the problem of energy insecurity continues to go unreported despite its toll on the most vulnerable. In a new brief, researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health paint a picture of the families most impacted by this problem and suggest recommendations to alleviate its chokehold on millions of struggling ... morehttp://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Amidst_bitter_cold_and_rising_energy_costs_new_concerns_about_energy_insecurity_999.html

Fukushima should eye 'controlled discharges' in sea: IAEA

Fukushima should eye 'controlled discharges' in sea: IAEA
Tokyo (AFP) Feb 13, 2014 - The UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday urged Japan to consider "controlled discharges" into the sea of contaminated water used to cool the crippled reactors at Fukushima. The proposal was among recommendations outlined in a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency after its latest inspection of the worst nuclear accident in a generation. "The IAEA team believes it is necessary to fi ... morehttp://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Fukushima_should_eye_controlled_discharges_in_sea_IAEA_999.html

Obama's 'Bridge Fuel' Causing More Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than Thought

Obama's 'Bridge Fuel' Causing More Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than Thought
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/02/14-6

Energy in Central Asia: Balance, Not a Great Game

http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/energy-central-asia-balance-not-great-game-9882

New maps reveal locations of species at risk as climate changes

New maps reveal locations of species at risk as climate changes
Canberra, Australia (SPX) Feb 14, 2014 - In research published in the journal Nature, CSIRO and an international team of scientists revealed global maps showing how fast and in which direction local climates are shifting. This new study points to a simpler way of looking at climatic changes and their likely effects on biodiversity. As climate change unfolds over the next century, plants and animals will need to adapt or shift loc ... morehttp://www.terradaily.com/reports/New_maps_reveal_locations_of_species_at_risk_as_climate_changes_999.html

PennEnergy's Top Power Headlines 2/14

Top Power Headlines
UNC researchers harness solar power for use at night through chemistry
Researchers led by Tom Meyer at the Energy Frontier Research Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have built a system that converts the sun’s energy not into electricity but hydrogen fuel and stores it for later use.
Full Article

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Lockheed, Victorian to develop world's largest wave power project
Lockheed Martin and Victorian Wave Partners sign contract to start development of world's largest wave energy project.
Full Article

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From PennEnergy
PennEnergy Research enters exclusive power research partnership
PennEnergy Research is now the exclusive destination for expert analysis of the electric power sector from Power Generation Research.
Full Article

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PennEnergy's Top Oil & Gas News 2/14

Top Oil & Gas News
New gas discovery in China could meet two years of demand
Chinese oil and gas company PetroChina recently uncovered one of the biggest gas discoveries in more than a decade in the Sichuan basin, which is significant for a nation trying to wean off natural gas imports.
Full Article

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PennEnergy Video News Update
From a gas well explosion in Pennsylvania, to a billion dollar investment in Nigeria, to the results of a crude oil transportation investigation, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update.
Full Article

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This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News
1 injured, 1 missing at natural gas well fire in Pennsylvania
Nigerian Petroleum Development to invest billions to increase oil production
PHMSA Bakken crude oil transportation investigation finds testing and classification issues
Senators request analysis of oil export effect on gas prices
The return of peak oil and Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Lukoil and Gazprom join efforts to prevent offshore oil emergencies
Major natural gas reservoir find for CNPC
GDF Suez announces first oil production from Amstel field
Pioneer announces proved oil reserves for 2013
Gazprom pushing ahead with gas pipeline projects
Technip awarded contract for Asgard subsea compression stations
Linde to deliver hydrogen plants to Russia
Approval granted for Cameron LNG export project
Versalis starts overhauling Porto Marghera site

Energy Insights
Start Working Toward Your Goals
Even if you do everything right, in this unpredictable economy, you may still find yourself unemployed. You can regain control of your life by replacing blind loyalty to faithless employers with a commitment to your own long-term economic survival.
Full Article

Steam generator pre-order for Watts Bar 2

Steam generator pre-order for Watts Bar 2
The board of the Tennessee Valley Authority has approved a $160 million contract to order additional steam generators for Watts Bar 2. The plant is expected to start up in two years using its previously-supplied steam generators.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Steam-generator-pre-order-for-Watts-Bar-2-1402147.html

Hamaoka 4 seeks restart approval

Hamaoka 4 seeks restart approval
Chubu Electric Power Company has requested a safety review of unit 4 at its Hamaoka plant in Shizuoka prefecture. It becomes the seventeenth Japanese reactor to seek permission to restart.http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Hamaoka-4-seeks-restart-approval-1402144.html

10 Big Changes In Energy Since The 2013 MIT Energy Conference

http://theenergycollective.com/robertcarmstrong/338336/10-big-changes-energy-2013-mit-energy-conference?utm_source=tec_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&inf_contact_key=980b613d565c9ec1c5f4d6027e0a3a2f7995b9c3de407e55cad650e5f60fc9e6

America’s natural gas system is super-leaky, and that’s bad news for the climate

http://grist.org/news/americas-natural-gas-system-is-super-leaky-and-thats-bad-news-for-the-climate/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%2520Feb%252014&utm_campaign=daily

Safety is a top priority for ITER

http://fusionforenergy.europa.eu/mediacorner/eventsview.aspx?content=751

FirstEnergy completes hydro sale

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/firstenergy-completes-hydro-sale/2014-02-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

Hydrogen demand to grow with increased energy demand

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/hydrogen-demand-grow-increased-energy-demand/2014-02-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

A blueprint for becoming more "power resilient"

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/blueprint-becoming-more-power-resilient/2014-02-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

For more:
- see this report
http://assets.fiercemarkets.com/public/sites/energy/reports/resilientcommunitiesreport.pdf
Related Articles:
Microgrids moving into mainstream 
Microgrids could quadruple by 2020

EPA vastly underestimates emissions from natural gas infrastructure Read more: EPA vastly underestimates emissions from natural gas infrastructure - FierceEnergy http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/epa-vastly-underestimates-emissions-natural-gas-infrastructure/2014-02-14#ixzz2tKcrknj3 Subscribe at FierceEnergy

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/epa-vastly-underestimates-emissions-natural-gas-infrastructure/2014-02-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

For more: http://assets.fiercemarkets.com/public/sites/energy/reports/methaneemissionsreport.pdf
- see this report

EEI, Wall Street talks include policy, environment

EEI, Wall Street talks include policy, environment 

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/eei-wall-street-talks-include-policy-environment/2014-02-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal 

 

For more:
- see this briefing
http://assets.fiercemarkets.com/public/sites/energy/reports/wallstreetelectricreport.pdf
Related Articles:
The effect of proposed carbon standards on coal and natural gas utilities
NSPS finally posts to Federal Register
Xcel accused of attacking rooftop solar
EEI sucked into APS scandal
Solar organizations call for APS investigation

Power Engineering Newsletter 2/14


Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, world’s largest CSP project, now online
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System held its dedication Thursday in celebration of reaching commercial operation, delivering solar electricity to California’s power grid.
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Video Highlights


Top Stories
Judge grants AG's request to intervene in EPA lawsuit
On Wednesday a federal judge granted Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s request to intervene in a lawsuit between the EPA andan environmental group.
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Video: DOE says CCS technologies may increase wholesale electricity costs
On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) clean coal programs.
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Section 316(b) to be finalized in April, EPA says
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it will finalize the cooling water intake rule by April 17, 2014, the sixth extension to finalize the rule.
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FirstEnergy sells 11 hydropower plants for $395M
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) completed the sale of 11 hydropower stations to Harbor Hydro Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of LS Power Equity Partners II LP, for $395 million.
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The Week's Most Read Articles
Exelon says it will close nuclear plants to save money
Exelon (NYSE: EXC) announced it would close its nuclear power plants if they are not profitable.
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A report on Combined Cycle Projects in North America
Combined cycle power plants are highly efficient, allowing power producers to ring much more power from the same amount of natural gas.
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Brayton Point will close in 2017
In a final decision from plant owners, EquiPower Resources, said the Brayton Point coal-fired power plant will close on June 1, 2017.
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Ash release at Dan River Steam Station due to pipe break
A storm water pipe broke beneath an ash basin at the retired Dan River Steam Station in Eden, N.C., causing a release of ash basin water and ash into the Dan River.
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Sierra Club: EPA failed to enforce Clean Air Act
The Sierra Club delivered a notice of intent to file a legal challenge against the EPA, saying it failed to enforce the sulfur pollution components of the Clean Air Act.
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More Headlines
LA utility to upgrade Scattergood Generating Station
Majority of US power plants use recirculating cooling systems
Alabama Power names new president, CEO
Southern Company announces management changes
ET Solar to provide modules for NC projects
JCP&L to invest $250M in 2014 for infrastructure upgrades
Two solar photovoltaic power projects completed in Georgia
Two solar photovoltaic power projects completed in Georgia
IAEA approves US nuclear regulatory framework
Deepwater Wind, Alstom sign turbine agreements for offshore wind farm
Rising natural gas prices to increase use of coal, renewables in 2014
Alliant Energy announces executive management changes
ANGA names new exec. VP of government affairs
Fire contained inside natural gas-fired turbine
EEI, NRDC sign agreement to encourage power grid enhancement
Patriot Coal spills waste into West Virginia creek
Washington considers new nuclear power projects
Bill Gates' investment Optim Energy files Chapter 11
First Wind secures $206mn financing for wind power project
AMEC to buy Foster Wheeler for $3.3bn
BGE leader FeFontes to retire, replacements named
Consumers Energy picks AMEC to decommission coal-fired power plants
Donald Trump loses Scottish wind farm appeal
Industry Trends
Henry Hub Average Natural Gas Spot Prices
The Henry Hub is the pricing point for natural gas futures contracts. Here's a look at how prices have changed up to Feb. 6, 2014.
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Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas' Economic Indicators
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas offers a glimpse into how the markets are doing domestically and internationally.
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