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France’s nuclear regulator finds “a lack of surveillance” in the defective welding in EPR nuclear reactors

Le Monde 12th April 2018 , [Machine Translation] EPR Flamanville: the Nuclear Safety Authority
criticizes “a lack of surveillance” ASN President Pierre-Franck Chevet
describes the new anomalies discovered on third-generation reactor welds as
“serious”.
The President of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN),
Pierre-Franck Chevet, came back in harsh terms, Thursday, April 12 in the
Senate, on new weld defects unearthed Tuesday on the EPR Flamanville
(Channel). An anomaly that he considered “serious” before the Parliamentary
Office for evaluating scientific and technological choices, to which he
presented the annual report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation
protection in France .
He had already used the same qualifier in February,
about first “deviations” detected in the realization of certain welds
piping connecting the steam generators (four in the EPR) to the turbine.
Thirty-eight welds were involved. But, at that time, EDF was assured, these
were deviations from a “high quality” standard , more demanding than the
standard standards applied to nuclear pressure equipment, so that,
according to the electrician, these circuits remained ” able to carry out
their mission safely . “
The problem is actually more extensive than EDF
then heard . At the end of March, the company discovered, during the
“initial complete visit” prior to the commissioning of the third-generation
reactor, new “quality deviations” . And this time, not in relation to
increased safety requirements, but compared to the normal regulations for
this type of equipment.
http://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2018/04/12/epr-de-flamanville-l-autorite-de-surete-nucleaire-pointe-un-defaut-de-surveillance_5284559_3244.html

April 14, 2018 Posted by | France, safety | Leave a comment

EDF warns of delays to Flamanville nuclear plant – it doesn’t augur well for Hinkley nuclear

EDF warns of delays at Flamanville nuclear power station in France
Experts fear UK’s planned Hinkley plant will face similar budget and deadline problems, Guardian,  Adam Vaughan, 10 Apr 18, EDF Energy has warned that a flagship nuclear power station it is building in France could run further behind schedule and over budget, after it detected faults at the €10.5bn ( £9.2bn) plant.

The French state-owned firm said inspections last month had uncovered problems with welding on pipes at the Flamanville plant in north-west France.

Flamanville’s reactor design is the same as the one being used at a delayed plant in Finland and at Hinkley Point in Somerset, where EDF is building the UK’s first new nuclear power station in decades.

The company said that it had discovered “quality deviations” on 150 welds in a system used to transport steam to turbines used for electricity generation.

EDF said it was performing further checks to see what works would be needed to satisfy the safety requirements of the French nuclear regulator, ASN, and would report back in May.

In a statement, the firm said: “Following the current checks and the licensing process by the ASN, EDF will be able to specify whether the project requires an adjustment to its timetable and its costs.”

The plant is already three times over its original estimates and several years late.

Nuclear industry experts said the announcement cast doubt over whether Flamanville unit three would be operational by the end of 2019, as planned………..https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/10/edf-warns-of-faults-at-nuclear-power-station-it-is-building-in-france

April 11, 2018 Posted by | business and costs, France, UK | Leave a comment

No wonder that nuclear company AREVA changed its name (to ORANO): former director indicted for corruption.

Le Monde 7th April 2018, Acquisition of Uramin: the former director of the Areva mines indicted for  “corruption” The former director of the Areva mines has been indicted in Paris for “corruption” in the investigation of the acquisition of the mining company Uramin in 2007.

Areva, now Orano, had paid 1.8 billion euros to acquire the Canadian Uramin, but the exploitation of the three deposits
of the company in Namibia , South Africa and Central Africa had proved much more difficult than expected. The operation had turned into a financial chasm and had forced Areva, at the end of 2011, to provision 1.5 billion euros.
http://www.lemonde.fr/police-justice/article/2018/04/07/rachat-d-uramin-l-ex-directeur-des-mines-d-areva-mis-en-examen-pour-corruption_5282269_1653578.html

April 9, 2018 Posted by | France, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

Resurrected nuclear company Orano (formerly Areva) – still losing money

Nasdaq 29th March 2018, French uranium mining and nuclear fuel group Orano, formerly called Areva, said its 2017 revenue fell 11 percent to 3.9 billion euros ($4.80 billion) and core earnings fell 30 percent to 946 million euros as demand for nuclear fuel remains low.

Orano’s order book, while still representing nearly eight years of revenue, fell to 30.8 billion euros at the end of 2017 from 33.6 billion euros at the end of 2016 and the company expects revenue will fall again this year. The company continued to burn cash, with a negative cash flow of 1.06 billion euros compared to minus 915 million euros in 2016, but Orano said it targets positive net cash flow from company operations this year.  https://www.nasdaq.com/article/nuclear-group-orano-earnings-slide-in-grim-uranium-market-20180329-00098

April 4, 2018 Posted by | business and costs, France, politics | Leave a comment

France’s EDF to spend 8 billion euros ($9.8 billion) by 2035 on energy storage

Utility Dive 29th March 2018. French national utility EDF says it plans to spend 8 billion euros ($9.8
billion) by 2035 in a move to become “the European leader” in energy
storage. EDF’s goal is to develop 10 GW of storage around the world by that
same timeframe. The company already operates 5 GW of storage facilities. In
particular, EDF is targeting the residential sector in France and Europe
with a variety of self-consumption services that use batteries, as well as
Africa where the utility company hopes to develop a portfolio of 1.2
million off-grid customers by 2035 through local partnerships.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/edf-to-invest-nearly-10b-in-energy-storage-by-2035/520212/

April 4, 2018 Posted by | energy storage, France | Leave a comment

France’s govt sets cost of Bure underground nuclear waste burial at 25 billion euros (about double that is likely)

France Info 26th March 2018, [Machine Translation] Nuclear: Bure, a colossal project at phenomenal cost.
Burying waste nuclear power plants 500 meters underground in Bure (Meuse) is a pharaonic site that will last a hundred years. EDF, which has to paythe bill, estimates the cost at 20 billion euros.

For Andra, the agency that will build the storage, the cost would be 34 billion euros. ” The Agency has an interest in the fact that the costing includes the safest security options possible while EDF has an interest in the fact that this storage costs the least possible, ” says Yves Marignac, independent expert
Wise Paris.

The government has decided: it will be 25 billion euros. “The cost is likely to be at least twice as high, and it is probably the only country where the government sets the future cost of such a huge and uncertain project by decree,” he said. ‘expert.
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/environnement/dechets-nucleaires-a-bure/nucleaire-bure-un-chantier-colossal-au-cout-phenomenal_2675078.html

March 28, 2018 Posted by | France, wastes | Leave a comment

AREVA – failed company exhumed – now called “ORANO” and STILL losing money

 

Romandie 29th March 2018, Orano, a company resulting from the restructuring of giant Areva and refocused on the nuclear fuel cycle, has slightly widened its loss during
the year 2017, she said Thursday, in a context of nuclear market that remains difficult. The group’s net loss widened 4.5% to 252 million euros
compared to last year, according to a statement. EBITDA was down 29.3% to 946 million euros, mainly due to the impact of reduced volumes sold. Sales
reached € 3.9 billion, down 10.8%. These results, “in line with expectations” according to the text.
https://www.romandie.com/news/903937.rom

March 28, 2018 Posted by | business and costs, France, politics | Leave a comment

France to make a huge investment in energy storage

French Nuclear Giant Gambles Big On Energy Storage , Forbes, William Pentland  29 Mar 18

Forbes, Electricite de France said today that it plans to invest a whopping $9.93 billion in electricity storage by 2035.

“Electricity-storage technologies have a potential to radically change the energy sector,” said Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy.

The French utility company said on Tuesday that the planned investment would be used to develop an estimated 10 gigawatts of additional energy storage projects, or roughly twice the total amount of capacity it currently operates.

The utility said it would target energy storage projects in the European market, especially in France, but that it would also pursue opportunities in Africa, including battery storage and storage plus solar projects in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Over the next two years, EDF said it would use roughly one third of its investment in energy storage to acquiring projects and start-up companies focused on energy storage projects and grid applications. A portion of the investment – about $87 million – will also be used to support research and development activities in the energy storage space. ……https://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2018/03/27/french-nuclear-giant-gambles-big-on-energy-storage/#f013703d8ff7

 

March 28, 2018 Posted by | energy storage, France | Leave a comment

“Fukushima Pride” – publicity event to promote Fukushima food in Paris

Fukushima food promoted in Paris  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180325_07/  The governor of Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture is in Paris to promote farm products that are suffering from a damaged reputation following the 2011 nuclear accident.

Masao Uchibori is visiting Europe following the 7th anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Uchibori organized the “Fukushima Pride” tasting event on Saturday at a shopping mall near Paris. Rice and fruit products were handed out to shoppers.

One visitor said she likes the dried peaches a lot and is not concerned about the safety of Fukushima produce now that it is widely circulated.

France has seen Japanese cuisine surge in popularity, which is pushing up the import of luxury foodstuffs and sake rice wine.

Uchibori expressed hope that France will help Fukushima overcome lingering concerns about the safety of its food and make inroads into the global market.

The Japanese government has been calling on other countries to lift import restrictions on its food products, after they cleared radiation screening.

In December, the European Union lifted import controls on some produce and seafood from regions affected by the nuclear accident.

March 25, 2018 Posted by | France, spinbuster | Leave a comment

Theft of confidential information about Cattenom, Flamanville and Paluel nuclear power plants

France Info 21st March 2018, [Machine Translation] Sensitive information concerning the Cattenom,
Flamanville and Paluel nuclear power plants was stolen a few weeks ago in
Amnéville (Moselle). The facts go back to February 16th. On a parking lot
in Amnéville, Moselle, an employee of an EDF subcontractor had his
professional vehicle fractured. The thieves stole computer equipment
containing confidential information about the nuclear power plants Cattenom
(Moselle), Flamanville (Channel) and Paluel (Seine-Maritime).
https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/normandie/plans-centrales-nucleaires-paluel-flamanville-voles-1444801.html

March 23, 2018 Posted by | France, secrets,lies and civil liberties | Leave a comment

India has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Macron keen to sell EPR reactors to India anyway

Energy Watch Group 20th March 2018, During his state visit to India, France’s President Macron agreed with
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week to sell six French EPR
reactors for the largest nuclear power plant planned in Jaitapur.

Regardless of the fact that India has not yet signed the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty. The plutonium from the reactors could be
completely used for the construction of nuclear weapons without
international control. In terms of energy, too, all EPR construction
projects in recent years are highly problematic.
http://energywatchgroup.org/new-european-nuclear-reactors-prove-financial-technically-dangerous-disast

March 22, 2018 Posted by | France, India, marketing | Leave a comment

Flamanville EPR Nuclear Reactor: The Countdown to the Atomic Clock.

Paris Normandie 17th March 2018, [Machine Translation]“They are not ready. “Monday morning, at the end of acommittee of health, safety and working conditions of the plant, trade unionists of the CGT are circumspect. EDF agents have just visited the  future Local Crisis Center (CCL), one of the “post-Fukushima” equipment whose vocation is to ensure the management of crises.

“They’re supposed to be up and running in two weeks, but we’re far from it …” After seven
years of delay and a construction cost that has tripled to reach 10.5
billion euros, the commissioning of the EPR, this new generation nuclear
reactor under construction in Flamanville, is scheduled for May 2019. The
goal is to be able to load the fuel into the tank in December.

But the context remains tense for this site which accumulated the setbacks: the
problems recently discovered on the tank lid – which will have to be
changed before 2024 when it is normally every 20 or 30 years – or on the
secondary circuit welds leave an uncertainty about the authorization that
could give – or not – the ASN, the “policeman” nuclear.

Sébastien Lecornu,”second” of Nicolas Hulot and former president of the departmental council
of the Eure, visiting the site of the EPR in early February, had said: “I trust EDF
http://www.paris-normandie.fr/accueil/reacteur-nucleaire-epr-de-flamanville–le-compte-a-rebours-de-l-horloge-atomique-FH12516146

March 19, 2018 Posted by | France, politics, safety | Leave a comment

America’s NuScale, and UK firms trying to sell Small Modular Nuclear Reactors to France.

France considers developing mini nuclear reactors, eyes cost Euro News , By REUTERS 15/03/2018 PARIS  – The French nuclear industry is considering developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), but will have to ensure these miniaturised generators are not only technically feasible but also financially viable, executives said.

CEA head of nuclear energy François Gauché said the agency would study the technical and financial feasibility of SMRs in the coming 18 months.

He said some organisations – notably NuScale, majority-owned by U.S. Fluor Corp – had submitted SMRmodels to their nuclear regulators for design approval.

Critics say SMR economies of scale will be limited because each reactor will need its own control and safety systems. They also point at the danger of spreading radioactive material more widely, increasing radiation and security risks.The British government said in December it would provide funding for research into mini nuclear plants. Rolls-Royce is part of a consortium of UK firms developing SMR technology…….. Reporting by Benjamin Mallet; Writing by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Dale Hudson http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/15/france-considers-developing-mini-nuclear-reactors-eyes-cost

March 17, 2018 Posted by | France, marketing, UK | Leave a comment

France to commit 700 million euros to International Solar Alliance 

13 Mar 18
France will commit 700 million euros to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday at the founding conference of the organization, reiterating the European country’s commitment to the alliance and clean energy.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-solar-alliance/france-to-commit-700-million-euros-to-international-solar-alliance-idUSKCN1GN0JU

March 14, 2018 Posted by | France, renewable | Leave a comment

Director general of Orano (formerly Areva) tries to convince French Assembly that nuclear fuel pools are not dangerous

National assembly 9th March 2018, [Machine Translation]
La Hague: the boss of Orano (ex-Areva) minimizes the risks in the event of a plane crash on spent fuel pools. According to
Philippe Knoche, a plane crash or rocket fire could not damage enough spentfuel storage tanks to dewater them. “I would like to take this example
because our opponents use it a lot …”
Thursday, before the parliamentary commission of inquiry on the safety and security of nuclear facilities, the director general of Orano (formerly Areva) Philippe Knoche tried to reassure the deputies on the resistance of the reprocessing site of La Hague. According to him, spent nuclear fuel storage pools are not vulnerable to falling or rocket fire.
http://www.lcp.fr/la-politique-en-video/la-hague-le-patron-dorano-ex-areva-minimise-les-risques-en-cas-de-chute-davion

March 12, 2018 Posted by | France, safety | Leave a comment

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