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Areva modular reactor selected for NGNP development

15  February 2012

An Areva prismatic steam-cycle high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (SC-HTGR) concept has been selected by the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Industry Alliance as the optimum design for next generation nuclear power plants. In addition to generating electricity, these modular plants could produce process heat for use by industry.

The NGNP Alliance said that it had selected an unspecified Areva reactor concept, presumably based on the Antares design, "as the optimum design." It said, "The Areva HTGR technology's capability and modular design would support a broad range of market sectors, providing highly-efficient energy to industries such as electrical power generation, petrochemicals, non-conventional oil recovery and synthetic fuel production." Areva, it said, "has the technical and design capabilities to develop a HTGR for the process heat co-generation and generation markets."

UraMin investigation prompts call for governance reform at Areva

15 February 2012

Areva's Supervisory Board, upon completing an analysis of the acquisition of mining company UraMin, has turned up no evidence of fraud - but has set out a plan of action to improve corporate governance practices at the company.

New technology supported in US budget request

14 February 2012

The development of small modular reactors and domestic uranium enrichment technology has received support in US budget requests for fiscal year 2013. However, industry complained that cuts are being proposed to the funding of university nuclear programs and that a levy to fund the cleanup of legacy enrichment facilities would be re-imposed on nuclear companies.

Yes, no and maybe for Australian ventures

14 February 2012

Four_Mile_(Quasar)_48Legal actions concerning uranium projects in South Australia have concluded with very different outcomes for the two projects concerned. Meanwhile, the government of New South Wales is taking steps to allow uranium exploration in the state.

2014 startup for Novovoronezh II

15 February 2012

Novovoronezh_2_SG_arrives_(Atomenergoproekt)_48Rosatom head Sergei Kiryenko has indicated that the second phase of the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant will start operations up to two years later than previous estimates suggest.

Unconditional offer in for Extract

14 February 2012

A China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC) subsidiary has taken a further step towards purchasing the Husab uranium project in Namibia.

Japanese stress test results approved

13 February 2012

Ohi 66x48Japan's nuclear safety regulator has endorsed the results of stress tests at two idled nuclear power reactors, clearing the way for their possible restart. Meanwhile, a sharp rise in the temperature recorded in unit 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi plant could be the result of a faulty thermometer.

Industry Talk

Canadian government seeks partners for AECL labs

Having sold AECL's nuclear reactor business to SNC-Lavalin for $15 million last year, the Canadian government has now issued a request for expressions of interest to "assess the willingness of respondents to participate in, invest in and/or manage" AECL's nuclear laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario and Pinawa, Minatoba.

New UK energy minister

Ed Davey has taken over as UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change after Chris Huhne resigned following charges of perverting the course of justice to avoid a driving penalty. Both politicians are from the Liberal Democrat Party, the junior partner in a governing coalition with prime minister David Cameron's Conservatives.

Horizon completes Oldbury land purchase

RWE and EOn's joint venture Horizon Nuclear Power has completed the purchase of land near the existing Oldbury nuclear power plant in Gloucestershire, on which it proposes to build a new plant. The land was purchased from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority under terms agreed in a 2009 auction.

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