Varcoe: Nuclear power could be ‘holy grail’ for oilsands, says Cenovus CEO

Cenovus CEO Alex Pourbaix speaks at a news conference on Thursday, January 30, 2020. PHOTO BY AZIN GHAFFARI/POSTMEDIA ‘If we’re able to commercialize small modular reactors, you could see a scenario where you could completely decarbonize the upstream in Alberta’ Nuclear power, meet the oilsands. As oilsands operators build a blueprint to reach net-zero emissions by …

Study examines option for floating nuclear power in Vietnam

A joint study by Vietnamese power engineering consultancy PECC2, Denmark’s Seaborg, designer of power barges using compact molten salt reactors (CMSRs) and manufacturer Siemens Energy looked at the case for floating nuclear power plants to provide electricity as well as hydrogen and ammonia production. The preliminary report sets out the milestones which would be needed …

Eletronuclear and EDF sign extended MoU on new nuclear

After the signing, there was a visit to Angra 3 (Image: Eletronuclear) Brazil’s Eletronuclear and France’s EDF signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valid for five years promoting mutual cooperation in the development of nuclear energy projects. It is a renewal of a previous cooperation agreement from 2018, but with expanded scope and includes …

Philippine government expert urges adoption of small nuclear reactors

Carlo Arcilla, director of the Department of Science and Technology, said the advanced nuclear reactors could provide the country with continuous energy with zero pollution. As the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. considers the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, the government’s nuclear science chief is pushing for the adoption …

Japan calls for strict examinations in nuclear oversight – draft document

Japan will move forward with the safe restart of nuclear power plants and include strict examinations in its nuclear regulatory oversight, the final draft of its annual economic policy outline seen by Reuters showed. The government aims to speed up decarbonisation and improve energy self-sufficiency, and the use of power sources with a high decarbonisation …

Most Australians want nuclear power to reduce emissions from coal-fired plants – but the Greens will never let it happen

Australians want to explore the option of nuclear power plants to help reduce the soaring cost of energy, according to a new survey, that found even Greens voters were backing the idea Survey shows that most Australians are open to having nuclear power plants  Coalition voters are the most in favour but even Greens and …

Gov’t earmarks $321 million to foster small nuclear reactor biz

The government will spend 399.2 billion won ($321 million) over the next six years to foster small modular reactor (SMR) businesses. The plan to develop the country’s new growth driver has gained serious traction after passing the government’s feasibility test which is required for large, long-term state-run projects, the science and industry ministries said Wednesday.SMRs …

NuScale makes public debut but requires ‘a lot of financing’ to launch small nuclear reactor in 2029

The meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011 essentially put the nail in the coffin of the construction of big nuclear power plants with similar technologies in the U.S., according to nuclear proponents and watchdogs. That disaster, along with earlier accidents, ongoing delays and cost overruns at the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia, …