Latest news with #NuclearPowerPlant
CTV News
4 days ago
- Science
- CTV News
French nuclear plant shuts down due to swarm of jellyfish in cooling systems
A display of types of Jellyfish in a display tank at the Shippagan Aquarium in Shippagan, N.B., on February 23, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Diane Doiron Four reactors at France's Gravelines nuclear power plant were shut down late Sunday due to a swarm of jellyfish in the cooling systems, operator EDF said on Monday, likely due to rising water temperatures because of global warming. The plant in northern France is one of the largest in the country and cooled from a canal connected to the North Sea. Its six units produce 900 megawatts of power each, or 5.4 gigawatts in total. The entire plant has now temporarily halted production as the other two units are offline for planned maintenance, EDF data showed. The beaches around Gravelines, between the major cities of Dunkirk and Calais, have seen an increase in jellyfish in recent years due to warming waters and the introduction of invasive species. 'Jellyfish breed faster when water is warmer, and because areas like the North Sea are becoming warmer, the reproductive window is getting wider and wider,' said Derek Wright, marine biology consultant at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. 'Jellyfish can also hitch rides on tanker ships, entering the ships' ballast tank in one port and often getting pumped out into waters halfway across the globe,' he said. An invasive species known as the Asian Moon jellyfish, native to the Pacific Northwest, was first sighted in the North Sea in 2020. The species, which prefers still water with high levels of animal plankton like ports and canals, has caused similar problems in ports and at nuclear plants in China, Japan and India. 'Everyone talks about nuclear being clean but we don't think about the unintended consequences of heat pollution,' Derek said. EDF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reactors 2, 3, and 4 at Gravelines stopped automatically just before midnight when the filter drums of the pumping stations became packed with a 'massive and unpredictable' swarm of jellyfish, and reactor 6 went offline several hours later, the EDF notice said. The event did not affect the safety of the facilities, staff or the environment, it said. The nuclear plant is also near beaches that have become hotspots for migrants attempting to cross into Britain. The invasive jellyfish are not considered a threat, as they do not have a poisonous sting.
Daily News Egypt
06-08-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Russia discuss localising electrical systems, equipment manufacturing
Egypt's Electricity Minister Mahmoud Essmat met with Alexei Kononenko, Vice President of AtomAstroyExport and Project Manager of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Station, along with his accompanying delegation, to discuss strengthening cooperation, enhancing coordination, and advancing joint efforts to increase the share of locally manufactured components in joint projects. The talks focused on transferring and localising selected industries that supply equipment for nuclear power plants—industries already engaged in projects across several countries in the Middle East. Discussions also reviewed the latest progress in executing the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, confirming that works are proceeding according to the approved schedule and timelines. Attention was given to the role of manufacturing departments as vital facilities within the project, including the production of components for the reactor building's inner containment vessel—a key technical and engineering element of this strategic national undertaking. The meeting highlighted ongoing local manufacturing of several major components, including the cooling system connections, which are now produced entirely in Egypt. Egyptian workers currently make up around 80% of the total workforce on the project, reflecting sustained efforts to enhance domestic participation. Officials also explored new areas of cooperation with entities such as the Arab Organization for Industrialization to further expand the localisation of industry and the domestic production of electrical equipment. The talks addressed steps already taken to localise the manufacturing of a range of electrical systems, equipment, and components, as well as ways to expand training programmes to prepare the workforce required for plant operations. These training initiatives are being implemented both domestically and abroad. The meeting concluded with an outline of measures to be taken under the framework of ongoing Egyptian–Russian coordination, with close cooperation between on-site teams. Progress reviews and future requirements were discussed, reaffirming the shared commitment to completing the strategic project in line with agreed plans and schedules. Preparations are also under way for the installation of the turbine generator for the first nuclear unit, which is expected to arrive at the El Dabaa site before the end of this year. Minister Essmat stressed that there are presidential directives to intensify efforts to transfer technology and localise the manufacturing of electrical systems, equipment, and components as part of Egypt's peaceful nuclear energy programme for electricity generation. He noted that Egypt has many qualified entities capable of contributing to this field, highlighting the ongoing partnership and coordination with the Russian side. He further confirmed that implementation of the El Dabaa project is progressing as planned, with continuous follow-up and strong commitment from all parties in Egypt, Russia, and participating international companies to adhere to the project's timetable, complete its various phases, and connect the plant to the national grid on schedule. Essmat underscored the special significance of the El Dabaa plant within Egypt's peaceful nuclear energy programme and its alignment with the national energy strategy. This strategy emphasises an energy mix that diversifies electricity generation sources, expands reliance on new, renewable, and clean energy, and reduces fuel consumption.
Malaysia Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Russia and Malaysia to boost nuclear cooperation
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and a Malaysian delegation have discussed steps to deepen ties during high-level talks in Moscow Russia and Malaysia have agreed to expand cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced, following high-level talks in Moscow on Friday. The meeting was attended by Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof. The discussions focused on the use of Rosatom's Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) technologies, according to a Rosatom press release. "We value our collaboration and aim for a long-term strategic partnership based on mutual trust and shared objectives," Fadillah, who is also Malaysia's Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, stated at the meeting. Likhachev said Malaysia is interested in Russian floating nuclear power stations, following Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Russia last month. "We offered [Malaysia] the entire spectrum: large and small stations, both land-based and floating. For various reasons, the Malaysians are choosing floating nuclear power plants with a capacity of 100 MW each," he told Izvestia news outlet. "They can be created here in Russia and brought there fully operational." During their current visit, the Malaysian delegation toured the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant in St. Petersburg, one of Rosatom's largest facilities, to observe Russia's latest nuclear technologies and safety standards. They also visited the ATOM Pavilion at Moscow's VDNKh - the country's key nuclear science education hub, featuring more than 1,700 interactive exhibits. Fadillah called the experience "eye-opening," praising the pavilion as both a display of innovation and a center of historical awareness. "This visit reinforced my belief that technology, when guided by knowledge, values and responsibility, can be a powerful driver for a future that is sustainable, innovative and globally competitive," he wrote in a post on social media. During his 5-day visit, Fadillah also held a bilateral meeting in Moscow with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk. (
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about the proposed 5 high-rises,192 foot building on South Hutchinson Island
A proposed multi-use development on South Hutchinson Island could exceed local height restrictions, in part due to 2023 legislation. The Live Local Act is a state law that allows developers to circumvent local government approvals if at least 40% of a project is set aside for affordable housing. With this law, development is allowed to be built to the maximum height allowed on any property within a mile of the project. The proposed development on the 42.4-acre Causeway Cove Marina property at 601 Seaway Drive would include: Five high-rise buildings 2,326 parking spots 1,066 apartment units 204 hotel rooms 198-slip marina Tens of thousands of square feet of retail space Here's what to know about the proposed development. Fort Pierce sewer plant: First master plan released for redevelopment of South Causeway South Hutchinson Island: 17-story high rises are part of 5-building complex proposed The proposed development includes five high-rise buildings, which are labeled as Building A, B, C, D and E. Here's what each building is proposed to have, according to site plans: Building A: 17-story complex topped out at 192 feet 887-space parking garage 33,284 square feet of commercial space 27,779-square-foot convention center on the ground floor. 215 apartment units 204 hotel rooms Building A's proposed height would be taller than Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. The castle stands at 189 feet, according to Walt Disney World's website. Building B: 17 stories topping out at 186 feet 415 apartment units 440-space parking garage Building C: 14-story building that would reach 127 feet at its rooftop 164 apartment units 388 parking spots, including some set aside for the planned marina Other marina amenities and retail spaces would be housed within Building C Building D: Same height as Building C 164 apartment units 433 spots Marina parking and amenities, as well as retail space Building E: 11 stories, or higher than 118 feet 108 apartment units 178 parking spots The tallest planned building at Causeway Cove, which is Building A, likely would match or exceed the tallest structures anywhere on South Hutchinson Island. The normal height limit for the South Beach Overlay District, the parts of South Hutchinson Island inside of Fort Pierce city limits, is 45 feet. The maximum building height on the island in unincorporated St. Lucie County is 125 feet, with a few high rises that predate those rules stretching to 150-175 feet, county spokesperson Erick Gill said last year. The tallest structures on the island, the containment buildings of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, are about 190-200 feet, Gill said. In Martin County, the limit on the island is just 40 feet. Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's trending reporter. You can contact her at 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: See proposed development for 5 high-rises on South Hutchinson Island
Gulf Insider
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Ukraine's Kursk Blunder Opens the Door for Russian Invasion of the North
The true purpose behind Ukraine's attack on the Kursk region of Southwest Russia has been hotly debated, mostly because the area holds little to no traditional strategic purpose. Not all seized territory has equal value in a war; some territory has no value. Some believe that the incursion was meant to open a door to an attack on the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, which could then be held hostage or sabotaged, leaving a radioactive mess for the Russians to clean up. But the plant is too far from the border to be successfully captured by anything other than a large scale offensive force with superior logistics. Others argue that the mere act of invading Russian soil (no matter how useless) was intended to send a message to Ukraine's western allies that Vladimir Putin's 'red lines' are a false front and that he would never respond with a nuclear defense. In other words, Kursk was supposed to encourage US and European officials to enter the war with boots on the ground. It remains to be seen if Putin would in fact use the nuclear option, but Ukraine certainly isn't worth taking the risk, at least not for the majority of western citizens. Kyiv has claimed that the action was designed to lure Russian troops away from the eastern front where they have been making significant gains, thus slowing the Kremlin's attrition machine and giving Ukraine a better position at the negotiating table. If this was the intent, then the plan failed. The momentum in Kursk was contained within a couple weeks of the operation and the Ukrainians have been stuck there ever since. In the past month their gains in the area have been whittled down and now their lines are imploding. It is expected that Russia will take back the last Ukrainian holdings within the next two weeks, but this is not the biggest problem Ukraine faces after the failure of their Kursk operation. At the end of February the Russians were already initiating cross-border strikes into the Sumy Oblast of Northern Ukraine and it looks as though these strikes might turn into a full invasion. As we noted at the end of December, the Kursk attack by Ukraine could end up backfiring in spectacular fashion. With tens of thousands of Russian troops amassed in the region, the fall of Ukrainian lines means the path is open for those same troops to come pouring into Sumy and cut the country in half. Vladimir Putin's recent appearance in Kursk and ample geolocation data in the town of Sudzha proves that the area is well under Russian control despite claims that the Ukrainians are holding. Russian incursions into Sumy have also escalated. The troop surge comes just as the Trump Administration positions for peace negotiations, an effort which is meeting resistance from all sides. Even US allies within NATO are insisting that the war continue until Ukraine gains back all of its lost territory (which they know is not going to happen). The precarious nature of peace talks is amplified by Putin's refusal to enter into a ceasefire agreement. Putin claims the ceasefire would serve no purpose other than to allow Ukraine to strengthen their lines. The western media continues to promote the narrative that Russia is using thousands of North Korean soldiers as 'meat waves' to run Ukraine out of Kursk. We're still waiting for any significant evidence to back this claim but none has materialized. Russia has multiple ethnic groups within the country that 'look Asian' and the presence of these people on the battlefield is not proof of North Korean troops. To this day there is no evidence of 'meat waves' or a large contingent of DPRK soldiers. In any case, Kursk is lost to the Ukrainians, which will hopefully give Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv motivation to finally agree to realistic peace negotiations. If not, then the Russians are perfectly positioned to invade Northern Ukraine and close in on Kyiv. Putin has presented two terms for any agreement: Ukraine must give up the captured Donbas region and allow the separatists to join Russia. And, Ukraine is never allowed to join NATO. Sadly, these were the basic terms at the very beginning of the war. Hundreds of thousands of lives (perhaps millions when the true tally is revealed) could have been saved if peace talks had not been interfered with in 2022. If peace is achieved now, at least World War III can be avoided.
