Latest news with #nuclearreactor
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
On Singapore visit, IAEA head addresses nuclear waste and energy plans
SINGAPORE – Mr Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was in Singapore on July 25 to meet leaders and deliver a public lecture at NUS. To mark his first visit to Singapore, he also met the local media for an hour-long interview at Shangri-La Singapore. A range of issues were discussed, including on nuclear waste, Asia's bid to harness more nuclear energy and China's nuclear reactor manufacturing. Here are his takes. Q: What are the possible options for nuclear waste disposal in Asean? A: Mr Grossi said there are a number of steps involved in the proper disposal of nuclear waste. 'In the case of a nuclear power plant, for quite a long period, the spent fuel is stored at the site of the nuclear power plant,' he said. Spent fuel refers to nuclear fuel that has been removed after being used in a nuclear reactor. Used fuel is normally stored underwater – with the practice known as wet storage – for at least five years, before it is moved to dry storage, according to the World Nuclear Association. 'Eventually, with time, with decades passing, countries start to look into a final repository,' Mr Grossi said. The IAEA helps countries to determine this through a process known as siting, he added. 'What is done here is a very thorough geological analysis to determine which place (in) a country has geological conditions that would allow for the storage of a few containers of spent fuel that are going to be there without any leaks or without affecting the environment.' Q: What is the appetite for nuclear energy in Asia and South-east Asia? A: Mr Grossi said there is 'a lot of activity' in the region, citing Japan, China and South Korea as examples of countries that are ramping up their nuclear energy capacities. On Asean, he said: 'There is a real interest. I don't know if they're going to be able to deploy (nuclear energy) by the early 2030s, but they are going in that direction.' During a public lecture he delivered at the National University of Singapore on July 25, Mr Grossi said countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are also planning to have nuclear power plants. 'On the feasibility of each case, (the IAEA) will be seeing it individually. We will be engaged, and we are,' he said. 'The issue of the timeline is a national thing.' The UN nuclear body has a method to assist countries that are considering or planning their first nuclear power plant. The IAEA also guides them through the process, from the decision-making to final investment and construction. Q: China is building small modular reactors. Is this the latest technology for nuclear power plants? A: Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced and compact reactors that can be factory-assembled and installed in dense urban areas. They are also known to be safer than traditional large reactors, but are currently still in a research phase. Noting that Chinese technology is 'very developed', Mr Grossi said China might be one of the potential vendors of SMRs for Singapore if the Republic decides to tap nuclear energy. 'I think that China is perhaps the fastest-growing country in terms of the number of units being built at this point in time, and that creates a lot of expertise and a lot of experience,' he said. According to the IAEA's website, China operates 58 civil nuclear reactors and has almost 30 new builds in progress. This represents nearly half of all power reactors currently under construction worldwide. The nation is expected to leapfrog the US to become the world's largest atomic energy generator by the end of the decade, Bloomberg reported in April. Q: How does the IAEA strike a balance between its two roles as the international authority for nuclear power and as the global watchdog for nuclear security? A: Mr Grossi said that the IAEA is an impartial institution. 'I think every country that is operating normally and safely and with no proliferation concerns is a member of the IAEA in good standing,' he said. Nuclear non-proliferation refers to efforts aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. He added that these countries are transparent and undergo inspection by IAEA. They also carry out safety and security reviews and participate actively in the regulatory activities. 'The IAEA is an impartial institution that is there in support,' Mr Grossi said, adding that the institution will share best practices and advice with countries. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's next-generation nuclear plans take step forward with fast gigawatt reactor design
China's state-owned nuclear power firm has unveiled the design for an advanced nuclear reactor that could mark a 'crucial step' in the country's plans to develop next-generation nuclear energy Named the CFR-1000, it will be China's first commercial fourth-generation gigawatt-level fast neutron reactor. The facility is now awaiting approval and expected to become operational after 2030. Other major nuclear powers, including Russia and the United States, are also working on advanced reactors with the aim of developing a more fuel-efficient source of power. The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) told a symposium on advanced nuclear energy held on Tuesday in Fuzhou that the preliminary design of the reactor – which has a maximum output capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts of electricity – had been completed. The event in the capital of southeastern Fujian province – where China has built a demonstration reactor – was attended by representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority and National Energy Administration.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Denver airport reveals 'plan' to build nuclear reactor
America's largest airport by size is reportedly considering plans to build a nuclear reactor on its sprawling 33,500-acre property. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington, 67, made the shocking revelation during a recent Future of Aerotropolis event hosted by local business publication, Business Den. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands. 'When we think about capacity and electricity and power, the development that's going on out there, we need to be thinking about this,' Washington said, according to Business Den. 'And so this is something that is imminent, that I plan to bring forward, for a study on how we can do this.' The project comes as the largest airport in the US by land area works to attract private development on its property. When asked whether those development efforts were in the early or later stages, Washington said they might be in the 'bottom of the first.' 'I think we have warmed up,' he said. 'We have finished our warmups. And we might be in the first inning, bottom of the first.' In 2023, Washington, who has served as DIA CEO since 2021, withdrew himself from being considered for former President Biden's pick to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He did so after facing criticism for his lack of aviation experience amid six high-profile near-miss collisions earlier this year. Critics against Washington's ascension to top aviation regulator also cited his potential legal entanglements. These include questions about his connection to a corruption investigation in Los Angeles while heading the county's MTA. Since then, Washington assumed the role of chief executive of Denver International, with Biden tapping him for the all-important role this past July. Washington's current post is his only involving aviation in a more than four-decade career. Interest in nuclear energy is growing across the country as states look for cleaner ways to power their communities. In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently directed the state's power authority to build a new zero-emission nuclear plant upstate. This would be the first in a generation. In Colorado, Democratic Governor Jared Polis signed a new law in April that labels nuclear as a 'clean energy resource.'
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
America's largest airport reveals 'plan' to build NUCLEAR REACTOR on its land
America's largest airport by size is reportedly considering plans to build a nuclear reactor on its sprawling 33,500-acre property. Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington, 67, made the shocking revelation during a recent Future of Aerotropolis event hosted by local business publication, Business Den. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands. 'When we think about capacity and electricity and power, the development that's going on out there, we need to be thinking about this,' Washington said, according to Business Den. 'And so this is something that is imminent, that I plan to bring forward, for a study on how we can do this.' The project comes as the largest airport in the US by land area works to attract private development on its property. When asked whether those development efforts were in the early or later stages, Washington said they might be in the 'bottom of the first.' 'I think we have warmed up,' he said. 'We have finished our warmups. And we might be in the first inning, bottom of the first.' In 2023, Washington, who has served as DIA CEO since 2021, withdrew himself from being considered for former President Biden's pick to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He did so after facing criticism for his lack of aviation experience amid six high-profile near-miss collisions earlier this year. Washington's nomination was announced by the White House the year prior. But the decision was quickly met with pushback from Republican lawmakers questioning the then 65-year-old's credentials. Critics against Washington's ascension to top aviation regulator also cited his potential legal entanglements. These include questions about his connection to a corruption investigation in Los Angeles while heading the county's MTA. Since then, Washington assumed the role of chief executive of Denver International, with Biden tapping him for the all-important role this past July. Washington's current post is his only involving aviation in a more than four-decade career. Interest in nuclear energy is growing across the country as states look for cleaner ways to power their communities. In New York, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul recently directed the state's power authority to build a new zero-emission nuclear plant upstate. Washington, a former pick to lead Joe Biden 's FAA before he withdrew under heavy Republican criticism over the airport's safety record, told the panel discussion the he was seriously considering a 'small modular reactor' to meet growing energy demands This would be the first in a generation. In Colorado, Democratic Governor Jared Polis signed a new law in April that labels nuclear as a 'clean energy resource.' This means future plants could now qualify for state funding alongside wind and solar. And in Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has gone even further creating a new state nuclear energy office and investing $350 million to expand nuclear power.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Europe heatwave: Swiss nuclear reactor shuts down amid soaring temperatures
A deadly heatwave is sweeping across Europe, claiming four lives and triggering widespread wildfires. Spain reported two fatalities from a wildfire in Catalonia, while France confirmed two heatwave-related deaths and 300 hospitalizations. Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities, and a Swiss nuclear reactor reduced operations due to high river water temperatures. Spain experienced their hottest June on record, with meteorologists describing the current heatwave as unusually early and exceptional. Scientists link the extreme temperatures and rising global heat to greenhouse gas emissions, noting that last year was the planet's hottest on record.
