James Hopf

Article link: nucnet.org/news/support-f…

The Czech Republic may be the world's most pro-nuclear country. Support for nuclear power is now 85%! They're also planning to build multiple reactors. Article link in reply.

Article link: world-nuclear-news.org/articles/terra…

TerraPower is developing the supply chain for its Natrium reactor. They've chosen a Korean shipbuilding company to fabricate components for multiple Natrium plants. Article link in reply. This is a good choice, IMO. Korea has a superior record in terms of nuclear plant construction. It's also has a world-leading shipbuilding industry. I'm wondering if the Natrium fabrication will occur at a Korean shipyard (the article didn't say). The Korean's said that: "...this would "establish a robust foundation for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction execution and the supply of major equipment.."

Article link: world-nuclear-news.org/articles/deep-…

Deep Fission is going public with an IPO valued at $1.66 billion. Their novel approach is to place 15 MW PWR reactors down a deep borehole, using mature drilling tech that was developed by the oil, gas, and geothermal industries. Article link in reply. The reactors use traditional pressurized water and low-enriched uranium fuel. They rely on the boreholes, and the local geology, for shielding and containment.

@Atomicrod Right! A closed plant site is more likely to have unused grid capacity. AI says that they did not use the site for any type of replacement generation.

@HopfJames Maybe it's time for OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) to evaluate the FT Calhoun site for similar development. They might need a bit more fill for plant elevation this time.

Nebraska utility NPPD has identified four locations that would be suitable for a new nuclear power plant. The site of Nebraska's sole operating nuclear plant, Cooper, is one of the four locations. Article link in reply. I'd go with the Cooper plant site. Support for nuclear is highest in communities that already have a nuclear plant. (Knowing people who work at the plant, enjoying large numbers of high-paying jobs and a high local tax base.) There also may be existing local infrastructure that can be used. The existing, 835 MW Cooper plant provides ~17% of Nebraska's power. NPPD's plans are to build a "small" reactor. They may not need more power, and may lack grid capacity for large (1-2 GW) nuclear plants. Total state power generation is only ~5 GW.

Article link: reuters.com/business/energ…

Rwanda is working with the US govt. and US company Holtec to evaluate deployment of SMRs. Their (somewhat agressive) goal is to have an operating plant by the early 2030s. Article link in reply. The agreement with Holtec is to evaluate potential sites for their SMR-300 reactor.

Article link: nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-a…

Article link: xhttps://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-reviews-el-salvadors-nuclear-power-infrastructure-development

According to the IAEA, El Salvador is doing a good job in planning for a nuclear power future. They plan to get ~15% of their power from nuclear by 2050. Article link in reply. El Salvador has ample renewable energy sources. They currently provide 69% of the country's power. But El Salvador is condsidering adding nuclear to the mix, to meet growing power demand and to provide clean firm (non-intermittent) power. Growing expert consensus is that inclusion of nuclear will be required to fully decarbonize power grids while maintaining grid reliability.

@kpicord @MattLoszak Those costs have always been included. The amount to a fraction of a cent/kW-hr. It's other energy sources that don't account for their pollution and wastes.

@MattLoszak Nuclear isn’t cheaper than any form of energy. You have to account for the extremely long term, high security waste storage costs that weren’t ever included.

In the 1970s, nuclear was cheaper than coal. It was the cheapest, cleanest energy source on earth. Why didn't we just keep building more of it? 🧵

Article link: rockefellerfoundation.org/news/rockefell…

Currently, only 0.1%-0.2% of climate philanthropy goes to nuclear power. The Rockefeller Foundation and Temasek Trust aim to change that, by creating a Global Coalition for Nuclear Philanthropy. Article link in reply. Current coalition members include: Blue Horizons Foundation CleanEcon Founders Pledge Ray Rothrock The Rodel Foundation The Oppenheimer Project is serving as a Strategic Partner

Article link: reuters.com/business/energ…

South Africa's ‌state power utility Eskom is in talks with the World Bank to line up financing for a nuclear plant construction program. They're considering building up to 5,200 megawatts of new nuclear capacity. Article link in reply. Until recently, the World Bank refused to finance nuclear power projects, but they've had a change of heart. Availability of large-scale financing is a necessity for nuclear construction, particularly in the developing world.

Article link: nrc.gov/sites/default/…

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign filed an application to build a NANO Nuclear Energy KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor on their campus. The NRC has accepted the application for formal review. Article link in reply. KRONOS is a TRISO-fueled, helium-cooled HTGR that has a molten salt secondary loop. The application will use the Part 50 NRC licensing process.