The King of Oil...investing in Nuclear?

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter of oil and it gets approximately 75% of its domestic energy from fossil fuels. But if Arabia is swimming in oil why would they be looking into a nuclear future? Possibly because they understand that oil will not be around forever. That is why Saudi Arabia is currently speaking with a country where 75% of its energy comes from nuclear power...France.

France has made a deal with the oil king that allows Saudi Arabia's "experts" to study France's nuclear power technology. As of now, Saudi Arabia has planned a budget of $400 billion to change the face of Saudi Arabian domestic energy (which includes nuclear) by 2013.

This is a very important sign that I hope the entire world is seeing. If the oil-blessed country of Saudi Arabia has come to the realization that the world cannot survive on fossil fuels forever...when will every one else realize it.

Update: What does an SMR consist of?

From Westinghouse itself, "The Westinghouse SMR is a 200MWe class, integral pressurized water reactor, with all of the primary components locked inside the reactor vessel."

Sounds nice...but more detail please.

So for all of you scientists and engineers out there, I was able to find a picture illustrating just what was in the SMR and how they would look.

http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/smr/index.htm

 

 

 

Also, the reactors would be built in pieces and then shipped to their final site and assembled there. If you are interested in SMRs I would check out Westinghouse's SMR page they've got videos and even an interactive SMR to play with!

Everything Else is Getting Smaller...Why Not Nuke Reactors?

Technology Update:
Westinghouse, a company who has over fifty years of nuclear experience, has just introduced its newest nuclear reactor design: the SMR. Small Modular Reactors are described by Westinghouse as being a "compact, simplified system configuration" that due to its simplicity is easier to operate and maintain. It uses components that have already been employed in the AP1000 reactor design and therefore they have already been put through the test and proven safe.

In the end, Westinghouse claims that this reactor design will be the safest, most efficient, least expensive, and least complex design available at this time (yes, I know...those are lot of claims). Once a reach a computer that is not ancient (and actually plays videos), I will post more information on the design including videos and pics.

Please let all of your questions loose!

Obama's Budget Plans for Nuclear Energy

Below is a quote and link to an article about the budget outlook for both nuclear reactor construction and nuclear research. Check it out.

"President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget outlines a plan for reviving the country’s nuclear power industry, calling for $36 billion in government-backed loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors and setting aside more than $800 million for nuclear energy research." For entire article click link below.

Obama budget request calls for major investments in nuclear energy 

A Nuclear Future in Sight for some Countries...Thanks to Russia?

I recently came across an article that talked about Russia preparing to build nuclear power plants in other countries. Why would they want to do that? Why else? The money. As the story goes, over a decade ago Russia signed a contract with Iran for 1 Billion US dollars to build a reactor unit in Iran.

So why not do the same in other countries? Turns out that Russia is planning on trying the same thing in countries such as Egypt, Bangladesh, Jordan and perhaps even Morocco.

I am sure that Americans might find this troubling. As we have all seen recently...Egypt (a country very near and dear to my heart) has been in political unrest for the past couple of weeks. So, is it safe for countries that are not as "stable" as others to have nuclear reactors? The government of Egypt recently intentionally released its prisoners to cause riot and panic...what would have happened if Egypt already had a nuclear reactor when this happened?

For anyone that knows me personally you will know that I am always for freedom...no matter what country you live in. It is Egypt's or Morocco's or whatever country's job to provide safety for both its people and the environment. I believe that if countries want to possess nuclear energy, then they have every right to and should be praised for doing such.

Bottom Line: Nuclear energy is the future...and no one should ever hinder another country's attempt at a fossil fuel free energy economy.

Self Evaluation

My blog “The Nuke Truth” was created with one simple goal in mind…to inform people of updates occurring in the nuclear energy field. To evaluate myself, and thus my blog I feel it is important to answer the question of whether or not I feel I have succeeded at this goal. Since the first day I created this blog I have been consistently providing interesting, current, and easy-to-read stories on nuclear energy technologies. I have exceeded the required amount of posting. I write my blog posts with excitement and eagerness because I cannot wait to read the comments that I have received…both agreeing and disagreeing. As for the comments, I always check up on new comments and try to answer them thoroughly. Several of my blog posts have been a direct result of someone’s comment.

My Posts:

What's all the fuss about? 

Underwater Nuclear Reactors in France's future

Duke's Nukes down

More on Underwater Nuclear Reactors

Update: Underwater reactor safety

China to Spend $121 Billion on Nuke reactors

Uranium Production

A Jibba-Jab Free Zone

Blog Self-Interview

            Design. The design of my blog is unique and carefully picked in order to artistically portray the word “technology”. The title banner was custom made. I also installed a poll (which got quite a few votes) in order to get a reading on the audience's view of the topic I was currently writing about.

            As with all the writing I have ever presented this blog brings out my voice. I always write as if discussing the topic with a friend. I write posts exactly like the type of posts I want to read. Not too long, not too technical. All my posts are intended to get the information out, spark some curiosity, and maybe ignite some controversy.
            Commenting. I have commented on many blogs. I understand that many people know their topic much better than I do so sometimes it is hard to post a comment/question and not have a fear that it is really...dumb.

            Media. I have used pictures and videos on my blog. Nuclear technology is not something easy to understand, so what is better than a little visual aid?

            If you were to visit my blog, either on day one or this very day you would see that I love my topic, I will fight for my topic, and I want to tell everyone about my topic. I feel that one of the best features of my blog is that your question will be answered. I believe that if you know the truth about nuclear energy instead of “telephone” information or information from bad media…you will see that it is the right choice.

            I’m not going to lie…I don’t really know what I am supposed to write in this evaluation. Perhaps I am simply supposed to state that: yes I have done all the requirements (minus the framing assignment because my entire blog is framed…it is very one-sided (pronuclear)), I have commented on other blogs, I have used all types of media formats (unless there is a nuclear energy song out there that I need to post), I speak in a clear and respective voice…and best of all my blog always sparks conversation.

I’d like to discuss future plans for the blog now. I am hoping that I can get an interview with a professor of mine who is a long, long, long time nuclear physicist and who would have much to tell us on his view of nuclear energy: its benefits and possible dangers. I’d like to provide my audience with more updates on France’s underwater plans, and of course find out the rest of the world’s plans.

A Jibba-Jab Free Zone

Recently I read the article "Communication: a responsibility of all scientists". As you can tell from the title, it discussed what is expected from scientists when is comes to relaying the information they develop to the public.
One of the key problems in communicating science is that half the time no one understands the words you are using. I've experienced way too many scientists/professors that use technical jargon from their department while assuming everyone else already knows it. There is always a simpler way to say something. If you still feel your audience won't understand you...relay your information as a metaphor. I just came from Nuclear Energy class where if you walked by our classroom today you might have thought we were talking about hanging Christmas decorations...but instead we were learning about how to use the cross-sections of atoms to estimate reaction rates. Using metaphors, allows the audience to visualize what you are discussing and relate it to something they have previously seen...in other words, your topic seems "familiar" to them. With familiarity comes comfort and the willingness to listen more and perhaps become more interested in what you have to say. To me, understanding the power of a metaphor is a crucial skill in communicating science.

With all that aside, this post is just a friendly reminder that...as always my blog will be a Jibba-Jab free zone. That is...no jargon... just plain English. If something I write ever confuses anyone...I welcome questions.

Uranium Production

So I had a question from someone that was curious as to what exactly 20,000 tons of Uranium meant...so I found this table from the World Nuclear Association that describes how much Uranium is mined each year from different countries. CHECK IT OUT  HERE.

There is actually a ton (no pun intended) of information on this page about Uranium production so make sure you check it all out. Also, for more on uranium mining...check out the blog The Nuclear Option

Blog Self-Interview

What is the purpose of this blog?

To inform people of the new advances in nuclear energy technology and how these advances might affect them.

Who is the imagined audience(s) of this blog?

People who are interested in the future and how science can make it better/easier. There is no specific education level that I am writing to. I write my posts in a way that even Jr. high students can fully understand the post.

Have my posts matched up with my purpose/audience?  What/who might I be overlooking in defining my purpose/audience this way?

My posts are pro-nuclear...all the time. Of course I would love to convert people to nuclear energy but there will always be those who don't agree. I do not feel I am leaving them out of my audience because they still have the ability to take away info from my blog just as everyone else does.

What can I do to encourage more reader participation with my blog?

I could ask questions...I already posted a poll for viewer's opinions.

How can I expand my audience in this class?  Outside of this class?

Word of mouth? Email friends the link.  I could build a working nuclear reactor in my backyard and have it run for 100 years with no problems...maybe then people would be interested in my blog.

How would I characterize the tone of my blog?

My blog is as cheery as I am...although I have found that some of the comments are not.

What do I hope to get out of writing this blog?

Conversion!!! If I could get one person to change his/her mind about the future of nuclear energy then I would be satisfied.

What would I like others to get out of it?

Power!!!! From my blog people can arm themselves with the knowledge of nuclear energy...they can then support politicians who support nuclear energy!

What are the strengths of my blog/my blogging?

Many posts. Interesting. Current.

What are the weaknesses?

It deals strictly with nuclear energy...if someone doesn't like nuclear they won't like my blog.

Have I used a deficit model in my writing, or something else?  How would I know?

I do not think I have used a deficit model. I have never explained what nuclear power/energy or the science behind it. I am assuming everyone knows what it is. This is not a blog to learn about nuclear reactions or what uranium is cool. I write my blogs as if the reader is current on the newest nuclear technologies...if you do not know what I am talking about (which I doubt will ever happen) you can surely wiki it.

How have I characterized (implicitly or explicitly) science, engineering, and/or technology in my blog?  

I have made it important, as if it is the key to a better future because that is what I feel it is. Progress is always made to better people's lives...no one does research on how to make things more difficult.

How have I characterized myself?

I have characterized myself as someone who believes that nuclear energy is the answer to a very old question. I am proud of countries that put themselves on the forefront of nuclear technologies. I am open to what others have to say...but my view will not change (kind of hypocritical). I will always search for the answers to what my audience asks.