Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation says yes to next phase of repository process
Members of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in northwestern Ontario have expressed their support for moving forward to the next phase of the site selection process to host a deep geological repository for Canada's nuclear fuel.
_15186.jpg)
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) is the second of the two communities in Nuclear Waste Management Organization's (NWMO) site selection process to indicate a willingness to move forward: the Township of Ignace confirmed its willingness in June.
It said it had been involved for more than a decade in discussions and information-sharing through a Learn More Agreement with the NWMO, which has enabled the community's members and leadership to thoroughly examine what potentially hosting a repository could mean to the community.
"Our Nation has spoken and the outcome was YES," Chief Clayton Wetelainen said. "We have been involved in this process for over 12 years and our members have decided to continue on this path. As Anishinaabe we have a sacred relationship with the land. We belong to the land, and we have a sacred duty to protect the land for all our relations and for generations yet to come."
The community's decision reflects the Nation’s commitment to "thoroughly explore the project’s feasibility through a rigorous regulatory process that upholds WLON’s Anishinaabe laws and values." The vote does not signify approval of the project, but demonstrates the Nation’s willingness to enter the next phase of in-depth environmental and technical assessments, to determine safety and site suitability.
"It may take a decade for NWMO to finalise their plan, complete the necessary studies and assessments, and obtain permits. This is just the beginning of a long process, and our Nation will be leading every step of the way. WLON is committed to prioritising safety and environmental protection throughout this process," WLON’s Chief and Council said.
“We sincerely thank the members of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Chief Wetelainen and Council for their thoughtful approach and commitment to learning and engagement over the past 12 years,” said NWMO Vice President of Site Selection Lise Morton.
The Mayor and Council of the Township of Ignace, which declared its willingness to host the repository earlier this year, expressed their "respect and appreciation" for WLON's decision, saying: "The proposed DGR (deep geological repository), designed to safely store Canada’s used nuclear fuel, presents a unique opportunity for both the Township of Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation to exercise self-determination while addressing the pressing environmental stewardship and economic challenges of today for both our community and the land we all live on."
The NWMO launched the process to select a suitable site with informed and willing host communities for the deep geological repository in 2010. The list of 22 communities that proactively expressed interest has been gradually narrowed down through social engagement and technical site evaluations and now two areas - both in Ontario - remain as potential hosts: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area.
The Municipality of South Bruce recently confirmed its willingness to move forward to the next phase of the site selection process following a referendum held in October.
Brazil's Angra 1 approved for 20-year life extension
Eletronuclear's Angra 1 nuclear power unit has been authorised by Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission to operate to 2044 - extending its life to 60 years.
Angra 1 reached criticality in 1982 and entered commercial operation in 1985. The Westinghouse pressurised water reactor has a design capacity of 640 MWe. Eletrobras Eletronuclear also operates Angra 2, a 1275 MWe PWR which began commercial operation in 2001.
The request for the life extension was submitted in 2019. Since then there has been a "meticulous technical evaluation" of the request, a series of studies, four missions undertaken by International Atomic Energy Agency experts and an Integrated Implementation Plan for Safety Improvements.
As part of this plan there will be upgrades to control systems, physical protection structures and radioactive waste management protocols, the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) said. They will be implemented during maintenance and refuelling shutdowns.
CNEN’s Director of Radiation Protection and Safety Alessandro Facure said: "Each aspect of this process was analysed with technical rigour and responsibility. Our mission is to ensure that the Angra 1 operation remains safe for workers, the environment and society."
Eletronuclear said it will be investing BRL3.2 billion (USD550 million) between 2023 and 2027 and noted that similar plants in the USA had been going on to receive approval for further extensions to 80 years.
In May the company said that it also uses the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's License Renewal Application process and said that measures already taken to extend the service life include new steam generators, changing the reactor pressure vessel cover and replacing the main transformers, as well as implementing ageing/obsolescence management systems. It said it would get short-term financing from its main shareholders, ENBPar and Eletrobras, while negotiations were completed with the US Export-Import Bank for the full modernisation programme.
President of Eletronuclear Raul Lycurgo said: "The renewal of Angra 1 should be celebrated and praised as it is the culmination of the great work carried out by our technical team. Everyone has dedicated themselves to the maximum over the last five years and have proven that Angra 1 continues to be completely safe and able to deliver steady, clean energy for the development of Brazil."
Angra 1 generated 4.78 million MWh in 2023 and has had a load factor of 88.24% for the past five years. It delivers enough energy to supply a city of two million people.
CNEN said that an important part of the authorisation process had been the Local Emergency Plan and the Fukushima Response Plan, implemented after 2011 - "CNEN teams will continue to monitor the implementation of these measures, including technical improvements and emergency response protocols, which are fundamental to the safety and protection of the plant and surrounding areas".
The decision was a "milestone" not just in terms of energy production but also in showing the maturity of the regulatory system in Brazil. It said Eletronuclear will also be required to carry out a Periodic Safety Reassessment in 2033 "where compliance with the highest international safety standards will be verified".
Strategic partnership plans to develop advanced nuclear energy in South Africa
Specialist global investment firm C5 Capital and multinational mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater are joining together to participate in future development of advanced nuclear energy opportunities in South Africa and globally.
_70148.jpg)
Their newly announced strategic partnership will explore opportunities worldwide related to the identification, acquisition, financing, development, and management of uranium projects and production facilities which have the potential to supply uranium to small modular reactors (SMRs) and the fuel cycle for SMRs globally, the companies said.
C5 Capital invests into advanced nuclear energy, space, and cybersecurity, and has an Energy Security Fund that invests to strengthen the resilience of the global nuclear value chain. The company is a signatory of the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, a global initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
South Africa has a history of uranium production - generally as a by-product of gold or copper mining. Sibanye-Stillwater's diverse portfolio includes interests in mine tailings retreatment operations, including nearly sixty million pounds of mineral resources at its Cooke and Beatrix gold operations.
At Cooke, the company has 32.2 million pounds U3O8 (12,386 tU) of measured and indicated uranium resources contained in two surface tailings facilities, a byproduct of gold mining operations. These surface resources "represent a key strategic opportunity due to the proximity of the existing Cooke (gold only) and Ezulwini (gold and uranium) processing plants," the company says. According to World Nuclear Association information, the Ezulwini-Cooke operations last produced uranium in 2016.
The Beisa section of the Beatrix underground gold mine contains 26.9 million pounds U3O8 (measured and indicated).
Andre Pienaar, founder of C5 Capital, said the combination of C5's innovative investments in advanced nuclear with Sibanye's uranium production potential "creates a transformative partnership in clean energy both for South Africa and globally".
Finland and UK to work together under new nuclear energy pact
Finland and the UK will intensify their cooperation in a broad range of peaceful uses of nuclear energy under a newly signed agreement that recognises the potential for new and emerging nuclear technologies, including for non-power applications.
_86233.jpg)
The objective of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Finland's Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen and UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Lord Hunt of Kings Heath is to establish a bilateral framework for UK-Finnish collaboration concerning nuclear energy projects, programmes, research and development, and policies. The two parties intend to "establish a platform by which to facilitate bilateral opportunities for mutual collaboration in civil nuclear energy".
Areas for collaboration include new nuclear deployment, stressing the importance of a technology-inclusive approach encompassing traditional large-scale reactors as well as small modular reactors to provide secure baseload energy, and noting the potential of advanced modular reactors in meeting future energy demands. The MoU also notes "the potential of advanced nuclear technologies for electricity production as well as heat and hydrogen production as well as other non-power applications", plus the fusion-related research activities of both participants. Recognising the importance of regulatory exchange in enabling the efficient deployment of SMRs and other advanced nuclear technologies, the participants "intend to encourage further regulatory collaboration across jurisdictions as required, as well as supporting global regulatory alignment".
The MoU also highlights cooperation in diversification of fuel supply - noting that Finland is planning uranium recovery and the UK has "significant capabilities across the entire civil nuclear fuel cycle, with ambitions to develop advanced nuclear fuel capabilities in HALEU" - regulatory exchange, financing, nuclear waste management and final disposal of spent fuels, nuclear safety, and skills and talent development. The UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance, has "up to" GBP4 billion (USD5 billion) available for Finland-based projects that buy UK goods and services, and "has signalled its interest in considering support for the deployment of UK SMRs in Finland", the MoU notes. Finland’s export credit agency, Finnvera, can similarly finance certain UK-based projects that buy Finnish goods and services.
"Nuclear energy is the cornerstone of Finland’s clean energy system. The Finnish Government welcomes the new projects. We need reliable partners like the United Kingdom for developing and deploying technologies such as small and advanced modular reactors. We are also developing new nuclear energy technologies, including reactors intended for heat production, and diversifying the fuel supply for our power plants,” Mykkänen said.
Hunt said the UK was committed to working closely with its allies to develop civil nuclear programmes and boost shared energy security with low-carbon electricity. "Through collaborating with Finland and our other international partners, we can accelerate the development of cutting edge nuclear technology - helping us hit our global climate ambitions and deliver net zero," he said.
Hermes 2 construction permits approved by US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has voted to issue construction permits to Kairos Power for the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant.
_98201.jpg)
The permits will authorise Kairos to build a facility with two 35 MWt molten salt-cooled reactors that would also include a shared power generation system.
Kairos' Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor became the first US Gen IV reactor to receive a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) construction permit in December 2023, and now Hermes 2 becomes the first electricity-producing Gen IV plant to be approved for construction in the USA, Kairos said.
Hermes 2 is intended to provide operational data to support the development of a larger version for commercial electricity production. Kairos submitted its application to build Hermes 2 in July 2023, and the NRC issued its final safety evaluation for the permits in July this year, and the final environmental assessment for site in August.
"While keeping safety at the forefront, the permitting process was quite efficient, and we issued these permits in less than 18 months," said NRC Chair Christopher Hanson "This shows we can rapidly apply relevant conclusions from earlier reviews to promptly reach decisions on new reactors."
Following a new, streamlined mandatory hearing process conducted via written documents, the NRC said it has authorised the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to issue the permits, having found the review by NRC staff of the Hermes 2 application "adequate to make the necessary regulatory safety and environmental findings". The permits are expected to be issued in the near future.
"The Commission's approval of the Hermes 2 construction permits marks an important step toward delivering clean electricity from advanced reactors to support decarbonisation," Kairos CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer said. "We are proud to lead the industry in advanced reactor licensing and look forward to continued collaboration with the NRC as we chart a path forward with future applications."
Hermes 2 plant will be built on land adjacent to the Hermes reactor, which is currently under construction. Kairos Power must apply for and obtain an operating licence from the NRC before the plant can start up.
Feasibility study for Belarus new nuclear to be prepared in 2025
Deputy Energy Minister Denis Moroz has said that a report will be drawn up next year on the options of a second nuclear power plant or a third unit at the existing plant in Belarus.
According to the country's Ministry of Energy's Telegram account, Moroz said that a systemic analysis and a final decision was needed: "We are currently working quite intensively, studying the prospects, and seeing trends of rapid growth in electricity consumption."
The official Belta news agency reported him as adding that "if we, together with scientists, come to the understanding that these trends are sustainable, then, of course, the feasibility study will show us how effective either the construction of a new nuclear power plant unit on the existing site or the creation of another station on a new site can be." He added that, in line with a request to the ministry from the president, a feasibility study would be prepared in 2025 "and we expect that the final decision will be made during this period".
The existing Belarus nuclear power plant is located in Ostrovets in the Grodno region. A general contract for the construction was signed in 2011, with first concrete for unit 1 in November 2013. Rosatom began construction of unit 2 in May 2014. They are both VVER-1200 reactors. The first Ostrovets power unit was connected to the grid in November 2020 and, the energy ministry says, the plant will produce about 18.5 TWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas, with an annual effect on the country's economy of about USD550 million. The second unit was put into commercial operation on 1 November 2023.
The country has been considering the option of a second nuclear power plant because of projections that electricity demand will rise in the coming years. Deputy Prime Minister Victor Karankevich, who was energy minister until earlier this year, said that if a second nuclear power plant was built, Belarus would become a world leader in terms of the share of its energy which comes from nuclear.
Cryptocurrency
Moroz was speaking during a tour of the nuclear power plant to mark a year since it was fully commissioned. He said the plant will generate more than 40% of the country's electricity needs and reduce CO2 emissions by about 7 million tonnes per year.
According to Belta he said that the capacity offered by the new plant allowed incentive schemes to be introduced: "The power supply system works in such a way that it is impossible to determine where the electricity for cryptocurrency mining comes from - from a nuclear power plant or from gas generation. However, the emergence of BelNPP created conditions under which we formed incentive tariffs to attract mining to Belarus. If a company is engaged in cryptocurrency mining or processing a large array of data, it can receive electricity at incentive tariffs. Moreover, these tariffs are differentiated by the volume of electricity consumption. The more electricity such a company consumes, the cheaper the electricity is for it."
There are also steps being taken to switch homes to electric heating and also transport electrification. "We see how much the lifestyle and comfort level of people who use electricity have changed. Therefore, of course, the construction of the Belarusian NPP has had a positive impact on the energy sector and related industries," Moroz said.
Centrus to restart centrifuge manufacturing, expand capacity
Centrus Energy Corp is to resume centrifuge manufacturing activities and expand capacity at its facility in Tennessee as well as investing an additional USD60 million over the next 18 months for the effort to support a potential large-scale expansion of uranium enrichment at its American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio.
_75553.jpg)
Such a large-scale expansion would require a multi-billion dollar public and private investment, the company said. It has recently secured more than USD2 billion in contingent purchase commitments from customers to support future production of low-enriched uranium (LEU), as well as two awards from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support the enrichment and deconversion of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) - uranium enriched to contain between 5% and 20% uranium-235 that will be used by many advanced reactors.
Centrus President and CEO Amir Vexler said this latest investment "will jump-start what we hope will be a multi-billion dollar public and private commitment to re-establishing America's uranium enrichment capacity at scale while reducing our dependence on foreign nations".
"The all-American solution we are offering represents the best path forward to ensure a reliable fuel supply for today's reactors, support the deployment of next generation reactors, and meet America's enduring national security needs for enriched uranium. Most importantly, it puts us in position to execute an expansion quickly," he said.
"We have always said that restoring US enrichment capacity at scale requires a public-private partnership, including a robust federal investment alongside customer offtake commitments and private capital. This additional investment by Centrus reflects our continued willingness to step up to the plate in such a partnership."
Centrus's American Centrifuge technology is exclusively manufactured at its Technology and Manufacturing Center in Oak Ridge, supported by a domestic supply chain of 14 major suppliers and dozens of smaller suppliers.
For some years the USA has relied on imported material rather than domestic uranium enrichment capacity: currently, the only operating commercial uranium enrichment capacity in the USA is the Urenco USA (UUSA) plant at Eunice in New Mexico, which uses a European centrifuge design that is exclusively manufactured in the Netherlands and is currently being expanded. French company Orano is also looking to build a new centrifuge uranium enrichment facility, for which it has selected a preferred site in Oak Ridge.
But the US administration has been taking steps to lessen US reliance on overseas suppliers, particularly Russia, on which the USA had been relying for a sizeable portion of its enriched uranium requirements: 27% of the uranium enrichment services purchased by US nuclear plant operators came from Russia, more than any other foreign supplier.
A prohibition on Russian LEU imports has been in place since August. Centrus had obtained a waiver allowing it to import low-enriched uranium from Russia for delivery to US customers in 2024 and 2025, but the Russian government has now placed its own ban on exports of LEU to the USA. Russian government-owned company Tenex - Centrus's largest supplier of LEU for delivery to its US and international customers - has said it will seek the necessary export licences to meet its obligations, but Centrus said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that its ability to meet its own delivery obligations will be affected if Tenex cannot obtain the licences.
Centrus is competing for more than USD3.4 billion of DOE funding to jumpstart domestic nuclear fuel production. As well as the recent award of USD2 million for domestic HALEU production, the company, via its American Centrifuge Operating subsidiary, is one of several selected under a separate solicitation aimed at HALEU deconversion. A third solicitation, aimed at US production of LEU for existing reactors, has not yet been awarded.
No comments:
Post a Comment