ATI Energy joins Solar Energy Industries Association SEIA

ATIP Chairman, Dr. Huu Dinh, presents strategic potential for nuclear technology to the Energy Regenerating and Nuclear Project Investment Preparation Committee under Electricity of Vietnam (EVN)

At the invitation of the Head of Energy Regenerating and Nuclear Project Investment Preparation Committee under EVN, MA. Phan Minh Tuan, Dr. Huu Dinh – Advisor of Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC) – made a presentation on the latest technologies for Nuclear Plant Construction. At the seminar, Dr. Dinh emphasized the safety and security aspects of nuclear power, including the design of nuclear reactors and their safety systems. With the application of cutting-edge technology, Vietnam will be able to economize on materials and equipment: A 50% reduction in valves, 83% reduction in pipes, 87% reduction in cables, 36% reduction in pumps, and 56%  reduction in volume.  The construction period can also be dramatically shortened from 10 years to 5 years at the cost of about $35 per megawatt-hour, far less than using coal at a cost $40.8/MWh or gas  at a cost of $41.4/MWh. 

Many issues relating to the technique and operation of nuclear power plants were also discussed, and different technologies were assessed to determine the most advantageous ones in Vietnam and rest of the world up to this time. 

Dr. Dinh focused on analyzing and comparing two distinct types of pressure technologies: EPR 1600  from France and AP1000 from the United States. France is very experienced in nuclear technology and has made many improvements for EPR, the existing designs continue to utilize an proven Safety injection system  for reactor cooling.  Cooling is the predominate safety measure for nuclear power plants operating .  AP1000 technology from the United States applies a natural law, i.e. water evaporates and flows from the top for cooling the reactors, rather than using supporting equipment.  AP1000 technology is therefore capable of reducing risks and securing the safety for nuclear power plants with . Based on latest news reports, many countries have selected and ordered AP1000 plants and EPR1600.   

Chernobyl in the Soviet Union and Three Mile Island in the United States remain as constant reminders of the need for the safe operation of nuclear plants.  These incidents illustrated the significant problem that is faced by countries employing nuclear technology.  The result has been the postponement by the United States of numerous nuclear power plant projects due to a lack of nuclear experts. It is estimated that the market will need a staff of approximately 200,000 trained individuals, including some 10,000 senior experts, in order to safely and efficiently manage and operate its nuclear power plants.  In contrast, only some few hundred  students are majoring in nuclear power studies at University every year.  This is perhaps the most significant problem faced the world in implementing its nuclear power strategy.

September 10, 2008

Nuclear power - energy for economic development

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) latest research, the world is now facing a serious challenge in energy for developing economies. Fossil fuel resources including oil and coal are limited and will eventually be exhausted. Such resources are also the main reason for global warming, a phenomenon which has serious negative ramifications to the Earth and its inhabitants.  Meanwhile, use of natural power is restricted  due to technology constraints and high cost. It has been concluded that nuclear power -- with its high capacity, reasonable price and safe nuclear plants -- has played a key role as an energy security solution for the world. In 2006, China expected to build 40 nuclear power plants or more over a 15 year period. That number is now growing to 100. The number of planned nuclear power plants is  expected to reach 40 in India and the United States, while Japan and Korea are each focusing on constructing 30. Notably, countries with the biggest oil and gas reserves in the Middle East and North America also declared that they do not intend to burn oil and gas to run electricity stations, but rather desire to build nuclear power plants.   It has been announced that roughly  1,000 nuclear power plants should be constructed over the next 30 years in order to satisfy the growing energy demand of the world. The demand for uranium will therefore increase, as it is a key ingredient in the operation of nuclear power plants.  Recognizing this opportunity, ATIP has devoted resources to securing uranium mine rights in Niger, which culminated with the acquisition of mines since 2007.

September 08, 2008

President of ATIP meets up with President of Briley Group, representatives from Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC), and Investment Preparation Committee of Nuclear Project under Electricity of Vietnam (EVN)

Representatives of ATI Petroleum warmly welcomed Mr. Bala Ramanoorthy, President & CEO of Briley Group, at Noi Bai Airport on August 14, 2008.  Briley Group is a privately-held multinational group whose holdings span a diverse range of operations, including aviation, finance, energy, hospitality, business process outcourcing, technology and service centers.   Dr Huu Dinh, President of ATIP, made a presentation on energy, an oil and gas cooperation plan, investment opportunities in Vietnam, and the status of ATIP’s Uranium mines in Niger at the Hotel.  Partcipants in the conference include Dr. Vuong Huu Tan, Director of VAEC, and Mr. Phan Minh Tuan, Head of Investment Preparation Committee of Nuclear Project under EVN.   According to Dr. Tan, the project proposes to build 2 nuclear power plants in Vietnam with total capacity of 4,000MW.  The project has been approved by the Congress and a feasibility study will be submitted to the government in September 2008. The Vietnamese Government has a strong interest in constructing a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. The government welcomes foreign partners investing in Vietnam and is confident that the projects will be of mutual benefit, Mr. Tuan added. This is a tremendous opportunity for financial investors as well as suppliers of equipment, technical services, and the main material for nuclear power plants - uranium.   At the end of the meeting, Mr. Ramanoorthy, on behalf of Briley Group, thanked Dr. Tan and the conference participants for the useful information that will be used as basis for preparing energy investment projects in Vietnam. He was pleased to accept Dr. Tan’s invitation to participate in a Vietnam seminar on nuclear power planned for October, 2008. This event marked the close partnership between ATIP and Briley Group, with Mr. Bala expressing his interest in ATIP’s potentials.   Tata Group is a multinational group based in India which operates in a wide range of businesses such as financial services, energy, steel material, aviation, telecommunication and information system, chemical, goods…

Very long term deals for Areva and CGNPC
Areva has announced two new agreements with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC). The Chinese firm will gain supplies of uranium, and the two will start a nuclear engineering joint venture....

Market conditions halt company offering
As the uranium price slides below $50 per pound, uranium investment company Nufcor Uranium Limited has withdrawn a proposed equity offering, citing adverse market conditions and recent equity market volatility....

 L-3 MAPPS to Deliver New Reactor Model for South Texas Project Simulator
L-3 MAPPS announced today that the STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) has placed an order to replace the reactor core model for the unit 1 and 2 South Texas Project simulator. The replacement model will be used for operator training and is scheduled to be in service at the end of 2008. STPNOC was L-3 MAPPS' first customer for a major simulator replacement project awarded in 1991. The customer was also the first to incorporate end-to-end replacement of software models in its simulator, using L-3 MAPPS' ROSE® Environment (now Orchid® Modeling Environment). “The L-3 simulation platform ha...

NRC ACCEPTS APPLICATION FOR NEW REACTORS
AT LEVY COUNTY SITE IN FLORIDA

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has docketed, or accepted for review, a combined license (COL) application for two new reactors at the Levy County site near Crystal River, Fla.

Progress Energy submitted the application and associated information July 30. The application, minus proprietary or security-related details, is available on the NRC Web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/col/levy.html. Progress seeks approval to build and operate two AP1000 reactors at the site, approximately 10 miles northeast of Crystal River.

The AP1000 is a Westinghouse 1,100 megawatt electric pressurized-water reactor design the NRC certified in 2006. The agency is currently reviewing a Westinghouse application, submitted in May 2007, to amend the certified design. More information regarding the review is available on the NRC’s Web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/design-cert/amended-ap1000.html.

Docketing the application does not preclude additional requests for information as the review proceeds; nor does it indicate whether the Commission will approve the license. The docket numbers established for this application are 52-029 and 52-030. The NRC will publish in the near future an opportunity to intervene in the required adjudicatory hearing for this application. Petitions to intervene in a hearing may be filed within 60 days of the notice, by anyone whose interest may be affected by the proposed license and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding.

Information about the new reactor licensing process is available on the NRC Web site at:  http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors.html.

UniStar asks NRC for Nine Mile Point nuclear reactor
UniStar Nuclear Energy, a joint venture of Constellation Energy and EDF Group, submitted a combined license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a potential new 1,600 MW nuclear reactor at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station in Scriba, N.Y.

SGT to provide engineering services at Entergy's Waterford 3

SGT, an equal-stake joint venture between URS's Washington Division and Areva NP, has been awarded a contract by Entergy Operations to provide project management, engineering and construction services for the replacement of two steam generators and a reactor vessel head at its Waterford-3 steam electric station in Louisiana. The contract has an approximate value to SGT of $120 million.

Areva and GE Consumer & Industrial India sign T&D strategic alliance
Areva, through its subsidiary Areva T&D India, and GE Consumer & Industrial India jointly announce their strategic alliance in transmission and distribution.

Nuclear renewal spurs demand for engineers
Jackie Young was always good at math and science, but when she started college she never figured she'd end up pursuing a career in nuclear energy. Then professors at the University of Tennessee's nuclear engineering department briefed her and other undeclared freshmen about what they call a nuclear renaissance; as the nation prepares to build dozens of new plants in coming years to meet burgeoning energy needs and wean the country off oil.  "They told us how it was so big in the 70s and is just now picking back up, and I was very interested...