Crypto miners look to nuclear power

Cryptocurrency mining is hugely energy intensive, and with the United States now the leading source of Bitcoin production, companies are looking to nuclear plants to power their operations The global Bitcoin mining network consumed an estimated 67TWh of electricity in 2020, according to Cambridge university’s Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (BECI). This has already been surpassed …

Energy-starved France mulls burning more coal to keep lights on

France is considering a plan to allow electricity producers to burn more coal after the nation’s grid operator warned of possible power shortages. The government may raise the annual cap on running coal-fired power stations, plugging a potential gap in supply as an unusually high number of nuclear reactors halt for maintenance just as the coldest months get under way. The country’s three remaining coal units may …

Energoatom explores cooperation with British developer of small modular reactors Rolls-Royce

On January 5, 2022, Energoatom’s senior managers held an online meeting with representatives of the British company Rolls-Royce, during which the latter showcased the UK SMR technology. Rolls-Royce representatives briefed the Ukrainian side on plans to build 16 UK SMR power units in the UK by 2050. The UK SMR project is expected to be …

Green finance row splits Berlin

The EU is in the final stages of honing its green finance rules and a leaked draft proposing that nuclear and gas should receive the label for the transition has prompted complaints from Berlin. But positions differ even inside the new German coalition government The EU sustainable finance taxonomy is a long, detailed list of …

Experts weigh in on planned nuclear facility

The Wyoming Energy Authority and the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources presented a recent webinar titled “Advanced Nuclear 101” to provide expert information and to answer questions involving the proposed Natrium nuclear plant to be built near Kemmerer.  Expert testimony was provided by Dr. Steve Aumeier, senior advisor at the Idaho National Laboratory; …

World’s 3rd Hualong One reactor connects to grid

On January 1, 2022, the Chinese independently developed nuclear reactor, HPR1000, brought a good start: Unit 6 of Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant(FQNP) of China National Nuclear Corporation(CNNC) successfully achieved the grid connection, marking the beginning of power generation. This is the 3rd HPR1000 unit in the global, meanwhile the 2nd HPR1000 unit in China that …

EU drafts plan to label gas and nuclear investments as green

The European Union has drawn up plans to label some natural gas and nuclear energy projects as “green” investments after a year-long battle between governments over which investments are truly climate-friendly. The European Commission is expected to propose rules in January deciding whether gas and nuclear projects will be included in the EU “sustainable finance …

HPR1000 Karachi unit 3 finished fuel loading

The K-3 Unit of Karachi nuclear power plant in Pakistan, the second overseas nuclear power unit adopting HPR1000 technology, finished first fuel loading recently, marking the unit’s entry into the nuclear commissioning stage. This has laid a sound foundation for subsequent criticality and grid-connection of K-3 Unit. HPR1000 is one of the most widely accepted …