We round up the past week’s news and updates from the world of Nuclear.
China’s nuclear power firm could be blocked from UK projects, by the Guardian: “China’s state-owned nuclear energy company could be blocked from all future power projects in the UK, with ministers understood to be investigating ways to prevent its involvement. The move would exclude China General Nuclear (CGN) from the consortium planning to build the £20bn Sizewell C nuclear plant on the Suffolk coast, as well as one in Bradwell-on-Sea in Essex.”
Italians do not rule out future use of nuclear energy, by World Nuclear News: “One-third of Italians are in favour of reconsidering the use of nuclear energy in the country, according to the results of a public opinion poll conducted on behalf of Comitato Nucleare e Ragione. More than half of respondents said they would not exclude the future use of new advanced nuclear technologies.”
Elon Musk: It’s possible to make ‘extremely safe’ nuclear plants, by CNBC: ““I think modern nuclear power plants are safe contrary to what people may think,” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said. “I really think it’s possible to make very, extremely safe nuclear.” And “I’m talking about fission. You don’t need fusion,” Musk said.”
Expanding nuclear energy to the Arctic: The potential of small modular reactors, by Atlantic Council: “With increased emphasis on achieving political and technological solutions to climate change, many experts in the global community are turning their focus to the virtually emissions-free power produced by nuclear reactors. The continued development of small modular reactors (SMRs) offers a potential opportunity to overcome many of the hindrances presented by larger nuclear power plants, including high costs, complex supply chains, large physical infrastructure, and unsuitability in harsh environments, such as the Arctic.”
Bechtel, Westinghouse teaming up to pursue Polish nuclear energy projects, by Power Engineering: “Longtime U.S. nuclear industry contractors Bechtel and Westinghouse will team up to pursue new reactor plant projects in Poland. This news follows the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announcement on June 30 providing a grant for a front-end engineering design (FEED) for a plant in Poland using Westinghouse AP1000 reactors. The FEED is expected to be delivered in 12 months. Poland is working toward its first nuclear power plant in Gdansk and wants to build out the carbon-free resource as it also phases out coal-fired generation.”
