Financial folly or pressure tactic? Trump eyes Ukraine’s occupied nuclear plant https://www.byteseu.com/848894/ #DonaldTrump #Nuclear #NuclearEnergy #RussiaUkraineWar #U.S.
Recent searches
Search options
#nuclear
56 posts41 participants3 posts today
‘Never forget’: #Pacific countries remember #nuclear test legacy as weapons ban treaty debated
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/21/never-forget-pacific-countries-remember-nuclear-test-legacy-as-weapons-ban-treaty-debated
Supporters of the #UN treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons gathered this month in New York to call for wider ratification
The Guardian · ‘Never forget’: Pacific countries remember nuclear test legacy as weapons ban treaty debated
"A team of remote technology specialists have achieved an industry first at the UK's Sellafield site by successfully operating a robot remotely from an off-site location. The achievement, by AtkinsRéalis and Sellafield Ltd, demonstrates the potential of virtual site access on nuclear-licensed sites.
Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRéalis has been working at Sellafield to deploy a customised Boston Dynamics Spot quadrupedal robotic 'dog' on site, working alongside employees to inspect areas, capture data and carry out tasks in hazardous areas for the past two years. This trial successfully established highly secure networks and tested the ability to operate robotics like Spot on site, remotely, from a location outside the site licence boundary.
AtkinsRéalis worked closely with Sellafield Ltd's remote technology group in the months building up to the trial to put in place the necessary digital and cyber protocols to enable the safe and secure operation.
Working from an immersive room at the Westlakes Science Park in Whitehaven, West Cumbria, specialists operated Spot, live-streaming footage from a non-critical area on the Sellafield site.
This kind of virtual site access is already deployed by AtkinsRéalis for major construction projects to record and view footage across sophisticated and secure networks for teams across locations.
"This successful trial marks a significant milestone in our journey towards integrating advanced robotics into our operations at Sellafield," said Deon Bulman, ROV Equipment Programme Lead at Sellafield Ltd. "The ability to remotely operate robotic systems like Spot demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance safety, efficiency, and decision-making on nuclear-licensed sites. By collaborating with AtkinsRéalis, we are exploring cutting-edge solutions that not only support our decommissioning mission but also pave the way for future advancements in remote operations."
Richard Brook, Technology Solutions Lead for Decommissioning at AtkinsRéalis, added: "Sellafield Ltd has pioneered the adoption of technology across its operations, and this latest milestone is another step forward for the role of robotics in decommissioning. Virtual site access is already being used in the delivery of major infrastructure programmes: this trial is a big step towards unlocking its benefits for nuclear-licensed sites without compromising safety or security.""
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/remotely-operated-robot-deployed-at-sellafield
World Nuclear NewsRemotely operated robot deployed at SellafieldA team of remote technology specialists have achieved an industry first at the UK's Sellafield site by successfully operating a robot remotely from an off-site location. The achievement, by AtkinsRéalis and Sellafield Ltd, demonstrates the potential of virtual site access on nuclear-licensed sites.
;
"Russia's nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor has issued a licence for the locating of a fourth unit at the Kursk II nuclear power plant.
The licence approval comes two weeks after a similar licence was issued for the proposed unit 3 at Kursk II.
Alexander Khazin, adviser to the President of JSC ASE, said "obtaining a licence is an important stage in the implementation of any project. In parallel with the preparatory work directly at the construction site, active work is also beginning to agree with the customer on the list of equipment" with the aim of placing orders within the next year for items with a long manufacturing time.
Kursk II is a new nuclear power plant in western Russia, about 60 kilometres (37.5 miles) from the Ukraine border, that will feature four VVER-TOI reactors, the latest version of Russia's large light-water designs. They have upgraded pressure vessels and a higher power rating of 3300 MWt that enables them to generate 1300 MWe gross. Construction of the first unit began in 2018, its polar crane was installed in October 2021 and the reactor vessel was put in place in June 2022. Concreting of the outer dome of the first unit was completed in August 2023 and the aim is for it to enter commercial operation this year. The second unit is also under construction and the target is for all four units to be in operation by 2034.
The new units will replace the four units at the existing, nearby Kursk nuclear power plant, which are scheduled to shut by 2031. The first unit was shut down after 45 years of operation in December 2021. The original design life for the four RBMK-1000 reactors at the plant was for 30 years but had been extended by 15 years following life extension programmes."
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/fourth-unit-at-kursk-ii-gets-rostekhnadzor-go-ahead
World Nuclear NewsFourth unit at Kursk II gets Rostekhnadzor go-aheadRussia's nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor has issued a licence for the locating of a fourth unit at the Kursk II nuclear power plant.
;
https://www.europesays.com/1928632/ Zelenskyy dismisses claims of discussion with Trump on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant transfer to US #nuclear #RussoUkrainianWar #ZaporizhzhiaNuclearPowerPlant #Zelenskyy
Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What’s at stake? https://www.byteseu.com/846923/ #Nuclear
"France's Nuclear Policy Council - headed by President Emmanuel Macron - has agreed that a subsidised government loan should be issued to state-owned power utility EDF to cover at least half the construction costs of six EPR2 reactors.
In February 2022, Macron announced that the time was right for a nuclear renaissance in France, saying the operation of all existing reactors should be extended without compromising safety and unveiling a proposed programme for six new EPR2 reactors, with an option for a further eight EPR2 reactors to follow. The first three pairs of EPR2 reactors are proposed to be built, in order, at the Penly, Gravelines and Bugey sites. Construction is expected to start in 2027. The cost was originally estimated at EUR51.7 billion (USD56.4 billion), but this was revised to EUR67.4 billion in 2023.
The EPR2 reactor is a pressurised water reactor project developed by EDF and Framatome. It meets the general safety objectives of the third generation of reactors. Its aim is to incorporate design, construction and commissioning experience feedback from the EPR reactor, as well as operating experience from the nuclear reactors currently in service.
At a 17 March meeting, the Nuclear Policy Council (CPN) "examined the main principles of the financing and regulatory framework" for the construction of the six EPR2s, the Elysee Palace (the official residence of the French president) said in a statement. "This framework is based on a subsidised government loan covering at least half of the construction costs and a Contract for Difference on nuclear production at a maximum price of EUR100 (USD109) per MWh in 2024 value."
A Contract for Difference is essentially where there is a future fixed price guaranteed for electricity generated, with the government either paying the difference between the market price and the agreed sale price, or receiving payment if the market price is higher.
Elysee said: "This important milestone will allow discussions between the government and EDF to be finalised in the coming weeks and allow for rapid initiation of discussions with the European Commission, with a view to EDF making a final investment decision in 2026."
The Council requested EDF "step up its cost and schedule control efforts" and to present a binding cost and timeframe estimate by the end of the year.
The CPN also validated the action plan aimed at securing the upstream part of the nuclear fuel cycle and "in particular the support that the State will provide to Orano for France's uranium supply in the medium and long term".
Regarding used fuel processing, the Council confirmed continued investment in Orano's programme of upgrades in downstream activities at its La Hague site. This programme includes the storage of used fuel in a new pool installed at La Hague, which should be commissioned by 2040 to meet the needs of the existing nuclear fleet and then the EPR2 reactors.
"These facilities will ensure the proper operation of the fleet, as well as the continued reprocessing of fuel under the best economic and safety conditions, reinforcing France's leadership in controlling all industrial stages of the uranium cycle," Elysee said. "The Council also approved the principle of funding this programme primarily led by EDF, as a future customer of these facilities, and of governance led by Orano, involving EDF, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and government services."
The CPN requested that industry (EDF, Framatome, Orano), the CEA, and all stakeholders involved in fast neutrons submit to the government a work programme and a proposal for industrial organisation by the end of 2025.
In addition, the Council mandated the General Secretariat for Investment to continue supporting the development of small modular reactors by "prioritising the projects most likely to lead to the commissioning of a demonstrator at the beginning of the 2030s". The CPN also asked the CEA to make the relevant site data from Marcoule and Cadarache available to companies that request it and to initiate discussions with a view to establishing the most advanced projects on these sites.
Set up by former President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, the CPN is a top-level ministerial council on nuclear energy policy. The council sets main policy features as well as their implementation in terms of export, international cooperation, industrial policy, energy policy, research, safety, security and environmental protection."
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/edf-may-get-state-loan-for-six-new-reactors
World Nuclear NewsEDF may get state loan for six new reactorsFrance's Nuclear Policy Council - headed by President Emmanuel Macron - has agreed that a subsidised government loan should be issued to state-owned power utility EDF to cover at least half the construction costs of six EPR2 reactors.
;
Replied in thread
@SocraticEthics The #BrainDrain from #Hungary to the #UnitedStates during #WorldWar2 and the following #ColdWar catapulted #American #Mathematics and #ComputerScience (John Von Neumann…), #Chemistry (George Olah…), #Nuclear #Physics (Leo Szilard…) to become the undisputed world leader in #science and #technology.
That brain drain resulted in the Russia-aligned country full of morons that you see today.
#DonaldTheDeplorable is also a #Putin puppet and starting a brain drain FROM here.
Ukraine Daily summary - Thursday, March 19 2025
US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage -- Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What's at stake -- Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky's rivals -- Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine -- US may relinquish leadership of NATO's European command -- and more
writeworks.ukUkraine Daily summary - Thursday, March 19 2025US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage -- Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What's at stake -- Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky's rivals -- Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine -- US may relinquish leadership of NATO's European command -- and more
Zelensky says discussed with Trump US idea of owning occupied nuclear plant https://www.byteseu.com/846605/ #DonaldTrump #EmmanuelMacron #Nuclear #NuclearPowerPlant #PowerPlant #Russia #SouthernUkraine #Ukraine #UkrainianPresident #volodymyr
"The US Department of Energy approved a loan disbursement of nearly $57m (€52m) on 17 March to help restart the Palisades nuclear power station in Michigan, marking the Trump administration’s first significant financial commitment to the country’s nuclear revival effort.
“Unleashing American energy dominance will require leveraging all energy sources that are affordable, reliable and secure - including nuclear energy,” said energy secretary Chris Wright. “Today’s action is yet another step toward advancing president Trump’s commitment to increase domestic energy production, bolster our security and lower costs for the American people.”
The DOE said Palisades, on the shores of Lake Michigan, will be the US’s first restart of a commercial nuclear reactor that had been shut down, but noted the move is subject to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing approvals. Moves to restart the plant began under the Biden administration.
The $57m is the second disbursement of funds from the DOE for Holtec, which bought Palisades from previous owner Entergy in 2022. In September 2024, the DOE announced a $1.5bn financial loan for the restart project. The funds will go towards the restart and also to ensuring the plant is NRC compliant.
New Jersey-based Holtec bought Palisades to decommission the facility, which had struggled to compete with natural gas-fired plants and renewable energy. But in early 2023, Holtec applied to the DOE for federal loan funding to repower the plant.
The single-unit 805-MW pressurised water reactor unit at Palisades ceased operations in May 2022. It will be brought back online and upgraded to produce power until at least 2051.
In addition to the main 805 MW reactor, Holtec intends to use the Palisades site as the location for its first two small modular reactor units, which would potentially add an additional 800 MW of generation capacity."
The Independent Global Nuclear News AgencyUS DOE Approves $57 Million Loan For Palisades Nuclear Plant RestartProject will see first restart in the US of a commercial reactor that has been shut down
https://www.europesays.com/1928325/ US scientists unlock molten salt nuclear reactor tracking at 662°F #Energy&Environment #Isotope #laser #MoltenSalt #nuclear #physics #plasma #reactors #research #science #Spectroscopy
#Greenpeace has just lost $667 million (!) “trespass, nuisance, defamation” lawsuit from Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace claims this is a “free speech” matter and that it could potentially destroy the NGO.
And while I don’t support fossil fuel companies, I’m pretty much convinced disappearance of Greenpeace would be eventually positive for climate and environment.
Why? Because from an environmental activism Greenpeace turned into an aggressive and openly anti-scientific black PR company:
- Greenpeace fiercely rejects IPCC scientific position on #nuclear power and has frequently falsified (!) IPCC findings in order to continue vilifying nuclear power
- Greenpeace rejects scientific consensus on genetically engineered plants, which contribute to reduced use of herbicides and pesticides and reduced land use for farming.
- Greenpeace has contracted known scientific frauds such as Seralini to procure falsified pseudo-scientific reports about evils of glyphosate
- Greenpeace fiercely fights Golden Rice, an entirely harmless project that saves lives of millions of people suffering from vitamin A deficit
- Greenpeace engaged in literal sabotage, destroying scientific plantations of genetically engineered plants for the sake of PR and fundraising.
- Greenpeace Germany has been running Greenpeace Energy which, while vilifying nuclear power, has been trading fossil gas. They also sued (!) UK Hinkley Point C over “unfair competition” in probably the most absurd PR stunt ever - a fossil gas company presenting itself as “environmental” sues low-carbon electricity power plant.
- Fierce propaganda of Greenpeace Germany has been one of the main factors for Germany’s nuclear phase-out which led to restarting of coal power plants and building dozens of new fossil gas plants.
Source about the lawsuit:
AP News · Jury reaches verdict in trial of pipeline company's lawsuit against Greenpeace
Yes Sir, that’s where the red #nuclear button should be but the Americans never fitted it… #labour #nuclearweapons #ukdefense
Trump’s letter to Iran demanded new nuclear deal ‘very soon’: WH https://www.byteseu.com/845666/ #DonaldTrump #ForeignPolicy #Iran #MiddleEast #Nuclear #NuclearWeapons #Politics #USNews
Trump threatening Iran to make a deal on Nuclear enrichment.
#Iran
“President #Trump made it clear to #Ayatollah #Khamenei that he wanted to resolve the dispute over Iran’s #nuclear program diplomatically – and very soon – and if this were not possible, there would be other ways to resolve the dispute.” – NSC Spokesman Brian Hughes told the Jerusalem Post."
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-846767
The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com Trump drops two-month deadline on nuclear deal with IranEuropeans have also warned Iran: If there is no agreement by June-July, "a significant wave of sanctions will be imposed," a source told The Jerusalem Post.
#Australia tabloids reporting Trump made demands for Putin regarding Nuclear Power Plants.
"#Russia-#Ukraine #ceasefire: Donald #Trump wants to take over Ukraine’s #nuclear power plants."
#UkraineWar
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-makes-play-for-ukraine-s-nuclear-power-plants-in-call-with-zelensky-20250320-p5lkyb.html
The Sydney Morning Herald · Trump makes play for Ukraine’s nuclear power plants in call with Zelensky
17 MarchL #TEPCO "Regarding the submission of "Decommissioning Implementation Plans" based on the Decommissioning Reserve Fund System" www.tepco.co.jp/press/releas... #Fukushima #genpastu #nuclear #energy #tech #engineer #policy
tepco.co.jp/press/release/...
Bluesky SocialBluesky
Replied in thread
@MAKS23 Why would #Ukraine need help to run their #nuclear power plants? The #Americans don't know how to operate them, neither does the #russian #orcs
I would see it as a potential information leak if allowing #maga supporters inside #Ukrainian #NPP
I think this is a move trying to prevent Ukraine to enrich #Uranium / #Plutonium and get their own #security guarantee.
"Japanese utility Chubu Electric Power Company announced it has removed the upper lid of the pressure vessel of unit 2 at its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka prefecture as it begins to dismantle the reactor. It becomes the first commercial power reactor in Japan to enter dismantling.
Hamaoka 1 and 2 are both boiling water reactors, starting up in 1973 and 1978, respectively. Unit 1 had a capacity of 540 MWe while unit 2's capacity was 840 MWe. Chubu decided to close both units in January 2009 as they required expensive modifications to meet seismic standards imposed after the July 2007 Niigata Chuetsu offshore earthquake.
The utility submitted a decommissioning plan for Hamaoka 1 and 2 in June 2009, which was subsequently revised in September of that year. The overall plan divided the decommissioning of the two units into four stages. The first stage is for preparations for dismantling work at the units, while the second stage covers the dismantling and removal of equipment surrounding the reactors. The third stage is for the dismantling of the reactors themselves, while the fourth covers the demolition of buildings at both units.
The plan was approved by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in November 2009, when Chubu began stage 1 of the decommissioning programme.
Having completed stage two work at both units, on 18 December last year the Nuclear Regulation Authority approved Chubu's application to move to the third stage of decommissioning at the units.
Chubu announced on Monday that it has removed the upper lid of the pressure vessel of unit 2, marking the start of the dismantling of the reactor itself. As well as the reactor pressure vessel, the reactor internals and radiation shielding surrounding the vessel will be dismantled.
"Demolition and removal work will proceed steadily with safety as the top priority, and radioactive waste generated will be stored safely within the building until a disposal site is determined," the utility said.
Chubu plans to dismantle units 1 and 2 over a period of about 12 years, starting with the reactor of unit 2 first. The decommissioning of the two reactors is expected to be completed in fiscal 2042 after the reactor buildings are demolished."
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/dismantling-of-hamaoka-2-reactor-starts
World Nuclear NewsDismantling of Hamaoka 2 reactor startsJapanese utility Chubu Electric Power Company announced it has removed the upper lid of the pressure vessel of unit 2 at its Hamaoka nuclear power plant in Shizuoka prefecture as it begins to dismantle the reactor. It becomes the first commercial power reactor in Japan to enter dismantling.
;