nuclear-news

The US NRC had concerns over Areva testing and documentation at least as early as 2009, and the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) was aware of these concerns: “July 2009 – French Regulator Autorité de Sûrete Nucléaire (ASN) observed NRC inspection at Creusot Forge, Le Creusot, France… Summary of Findings • 10 CFR Part 21 Program – NOV for failure to meet the requirements for implementing a procedure to evaluate deviations and failures to comply, and for imposing Part 21 in procurement documents • Control of Measuring and Test Equipment – Failure to require the calibration of the temperature measuring thermocouples for the temperature baths for the impact tests to conform to ASME Code, Section III, Subsection NB-2360…” ML092800118 https://web.archive.org/web/20160617220431/http://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0928/ML092800118.pdf
(Greenpeace says that the French Safety Authority raised concerns to Areva as early as 2006.)

French State-Owned Areva at Le Creusot Steam Rolling Over International Nuclear Safety-the Environment

Science and Technology:

¶ This past May was the warmest May month in a 137-year period, breaking global temperature records, according to a report published Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Right now, 2016 is on pace to be the hottest year on record. [CNN]

The planet could see 20 more hurricanes and tropical
storms each year by the end of the century.

World:

¶ India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has come out with its most ambitious capacity addition target yet, for 16,600 MW of renewables added this fiscal year. During the current fiscal year, solar capacity is expected to reach its largest-ever capacity addition target of 12,000 MW. [CleanTechnica]

¶ India’s renewable energy targets will see massive amounts of capacity added quickly to the grid. The Indian government is looking at ways to minimize its impact on the existing grid. A…

Science and Technology:

¶ The Dead Sea, the salty lake located at the lowest point on Earth, is gradually shrinking under the heat of the Middle Eastern sun. It surface level is dropping by more than a meter (3.4 feet) per year. For those who live on its shores it’s an ongoing slow-motion crisis. [BBC]

The ruins of the Naharayim hydro-electric power plant.

World:

¶ According to Solar Intelligence analyst Finlay Colville, the UK installed 1.553 GW of new solar PV capacity during the first quarter of 2016. The UK’s first quarter was the second highest quarter ever for the UK solar PV industry, as the first quarter of last year retains its record. [CleanTechnica]

¶ El Salvador will conduct an auction to deploy 170 MW of renewable electricity. This follows an award of 100 MW of PV projects in its previous auction, even though no…