We round up the past week’s news and updates from the world of Nuclear.
Dounreay in potential bid to host world’s first nuclear fusion power station, by John O’Groat Journal: “Highland Council is set to consider a potential bid for Dounreay to host the world’s first nuclear fusion power station later this month. The local nuclear facility is one of two sites in Scotland said to be preparing applications to construct a multi-billion-pound prototype reactor offering a virtually limitless source of clean electricity by copying the processes that power the sun.”
UNECE provides pathways for nuclear energy to support sustainable development, by World Nuclear News: “Nuclear energy is an “indispensable tool” for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the report says. It has a crucial role in providing affordable energy and climate change mitigation, as well as eliminating poverty, achieving zero hunger, providing clean water, economic growth, and industry innovation. UNECE says there are many sustainable options for implementing a nuclear fuel cycle and waste management strategy.”
Nuclear Power Looks to Regain Its Footing 10 Years after Fukushima, by Scientific American: “Instead of fear, activism or political oversight, what has profoundly weakened the outlook for nuclear power is a shift in the economics of electricity generation that favors cheaper natural gas and renewables, such as wind and solar energy. But nuclear power advocates—and some environmentalists—still see nuclear power as a cornerstone of clean-energy policies meant to address climate change. And they tout a new generation of nuclear reactors designed to be safer and perhaps more cost-competitive.”
Trident nuclear warhead numbers set to increase for first time since cold war, by The Guardian: “Downing Street’s integrated review of defence and foreign policy is expected next week to signal a potential increase of the number of Trident nuclear warheads for the first time since the end of the cold war.”
US could operate a fusion plant by 2040, Academy says, by World Nuclear News: “The US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has called for urgent investment by the government and private sector to enable a pilot fusion plant to be operational in the 2035-2040 timeframe.”
