nuclear-news

France’s plan for nuclear reactors out of sight, undersea

Anti-nuclear groups such as “Sortir du Nucleaire” (“Phasing Out of the Nuclear Age”) have described the project as “absurd”.

“Radioactivity would spread even more quickly in the water than in the air, with even fewer means to control leaks,” said Sortir du Nucleaire coordinator Anne-Laure Meladeck in Lyon……

French scientists eye underwater nuclear plants By Marie Maitre PARIS, March 2 (Reuters) – French scientists are looking at the possibility of submerging small nuclear power plants deep underwater to supply low-cost energy to isolated countries or islands that cannot afford a major inland atomic plant.

France pioneered the mass development of nuclear power stations in the 1970s and now sees a possible use in the industry for technology adapted from nuclear submarines, a top engineer said.

A study will now look into whether standardized nuclear plants the size and shape of submarines, and much cheaper to install than regular plants, could safely operate in the sea and supply power to land via underwater cables.  State-controlled submarine builder DCNS will carry out two years of feasibility studies — backed up by reactor maker Areva , nuclear power producer EDF and France’s atomic body CEA — to address pollution and security questions……

Anti-nuclear groups such as “Sortir du Nucleaire” (“Phasing Out of the Nuclear Age”) have described the project as “absurd”.

“Radioactivity would spread even more quickly in the water than in the air, with even fewer means to control leaks,” said Sortir du Nucleaire coordinator Anne-Laure Meladeck in Lyon……

French scientists eye underwater nuclear plants | Energy & Oil | Reuters

March 3, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, technology