China to Spend $121 Billion on Nuke Reactors

There are 25 nuclear reactors currently being built in China and they plan on building 10 more "mega" reactors in the future. The goal: raise the country's nuclear power generation by 5%, which means up to a total of 86 GW. Currently, China has 12 nuclear reactors up and running that account for 2.2% of the countries total power. This means that by 2020 China's annual demand for uranium will be up to 20,000 tons. For the entire story click here.

Update: Underwater Reactor Safety

So I have been doing some research on The Engineer about the proposed design aspects (including designs for safety) regarding France's underwater nuclear reactors. It looks like the mini-reactors will be designed like nuclear submarines and will produce 50-250 megawatts. Power cables would transport electricity from the plant to the coast. And like many have discussed in the comments...yes the sea water will be used as a natural coolant. Just like nuclear submarines their will be extreme measures taken to prevent the materials from ever coming in contact with the water. It seems that three "barriers" will be implemented to prevent the reactor from leaking: a fuel cladding, a reactor vessel and a hull. As for those concerned with costs, I have yet to find any data on the budget...I'll keep looking and hopefully update you soon.

Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/video/french-company-proposes-offshore-nuclear-power/1007070.article#ixzz1CFxdskIU

More on Underwater Nuclear Reactors

Here is a short video put together by Flexblue demonstrating the sea floor nuclear reactors being placed.

DCNS is now working on the next steps of the project (that will take approx. 2 years). And for all of you that posted concerned comments about the safety of the reactors, one of the key components that they will be discussing with the EDF (France's Elec. Company and the world's largest utility company) , AREVA and the CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) are the safety and security aspects of the reactors. One of their main goals will be trying to demonstrate that these reactors are safer than land based reactors.

Duke's Nukes Down

Duke Energy Corp. (North Carolina) shut down its nuclear reactors today...dropping the USA's nuclear energy output by 1.8 percent. This is all because a fish clogged an intake strainer

Underwater Nuclear Reactors in France's Future

So, some cool news! I just read that France (The King of Nuclear Energy) is planning on constructing some nuclear reactors that will be placed underwater. The idea is to test out a prototype by 2016 (work will begin in 2013) and then have several of the reactors up and running to supply electricity to those on land.

The work will be done by a combination of three French companies including the well-known nuclear company Areva. They say that this project is in effort to provide safer reactors that would be less vulnerable to both terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

This is great news for the nuclear industry. As most know, probably the biggest reason for those who do not support nuclear energy is that it is “too dangerous”. However, with possibly being able to put reactors in the water we could reduce those worries. Thus, possibly gaining the nuclear movement more support!

What's all the fuss about?

This blog will provide updates on what is going on in the world of nuclear energy. As most of you know this is a very controversial topic! But I will try to limit the controversy to the readers. I will try to provide unbiased information on current events related to nuclear energy...key word there is "try". Nuclear energy is a good thing...France can prove that...but if you feel that it is not, you still have the right to post on my blog (but I can still delete you).