International Atomic Energy Agency

Why Japan has started pumping water from Fukushima into the Pacific – and should we be concerned?

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 25, 2023
DNA, Zebrafish, Industry, Radioactive decay, Drinking water, Ruthenium, Pacific Ocean, Strontium, Half-life, Hydrogen, Survival, Radioactive waste, Electricity, Uranium, World, Seafood, Genistein, Research, History, Movement, Plant, Tritium, DNA repair, Animal, Seawater, International Atomic Energy Agency, Pacific National University, Time, Water, Helium, Plutonium, World Health Organization, Uranium mining, Lithium

Japan’s decision to release water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant has been greeted with horror by the local fishing industry as well as China and several Pacific Island states.

Key Points: 
  • Japan’s decision to release water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant has been greeted with horror by the local fishing industry as well as China and several Pacific Island states.
  • China – which together with Hong Kong imports more than US$1.1bn (£866m) of seafood from Japan every year – has slapped a ban on all seafood imports from Japan, citing health concerns.
  • Japan remains steadfast in its assurance that the water is safe.

Contaminated water

    • Since the accident, water has been used to cool the damaged reactors.
    • But, as the reactor core contains numerous radioactive elements, including ruthenium, uranium, plutonium, strontium, caesium and tritium, the cooling water has become contaminated.
    • Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen that forms water molecules with properties similar to regular water.
    • To safely store the water that will continue to be contaminated over that time (some 100 tonnes of water each day), the plant’s operators will need to construct an additional 2,700 storage tanks.

Should we be concerned?

    • However, much of this research has focused on organisms such as zebrafish and marine mussels.
    • Interestingly, the zebrafish were exposed to tritium concentrations similar to those estimated to be in the storage tanks at Fukushima.
    • Marine organisms within the discharge zone will experience consistent exposure to this low concentration over the next 30 years.

But that’s not everything

    • The amount of tritium used in this study was over 3,000 times less than that used in the French study.
    • But it still exceeded the levels being discharged into the Pacific Ocean from Fukushima by almost 250 times.

Nuclear Waste Management Market to Reach $5.7 Billion, Globally, by 2032 at 1.9% CAGR: Allied Market Research

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023
International, Radioactive decay, Table, ILW, Waste management, Radioactive waste, Power plant engineering, Multilateralism, Rolls-Royce PWR, Organization, IAEA, Pressurized water reactor, International Atomic Energy Agency, La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor, United Kingdom, HLW, PDF, Health, Environment, Uranium mining

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report titled, "Nuclear Waste Management Market by Waste Type (Low-Level Waste, Intermediate-Level Waste, and High-Level Waste), Reactor Type (Pressurized Water Reactor, Boiling Water Reactor, Gas Cooled Reactor, and Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor), and by Disposal Method (Incineration, Storage, Deep Geological Disposal, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global nuclear waste management industry generated $4.8 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $5.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 1.9% from 2023 to 2032. 

Key Points: 
  • High-level nuclear waste (HLW) refers to highly radioactive materials that are produced as a result of nuclear fuel reprocessing or spent fuel from nuclear power plants.
  • The management of nuclear waste generated from PWRs involves several key steps and considerations.
  • International cooperation and knowledge sharing play an important role in nuclear waste management in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Nuclear waste management in Europe involves the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plants, research facilities, medical institutions, and other sources of nuclear technology.

Nuclear Waste Management Market to Reach $5.7 Billion, Globally, by 2032 at 1.9% CAGR: Allied Market Research

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 3, 2023
International, Radioactive decay, Table, ILW, Waste management, Radioactive waste, Power plant engineering, Multilateralism, Rolls-Royce PWR, Organization, IAEA, Pressurized water reactor, International Atomic Energy Agency, La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor, United Kingdom, HLW, PDF, Health, Environment, Uranium mining

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report titled, "Nuclear Waste Management Market by Waste Type (Low-Level Waste, Intermediate-Level Waste, and High-Level Waste), Reactor Type (Pressurized Water Reactor, Boiling Water Reactor, Gas Cooled Reactor, and Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor), and by Disposal Method (Incineration, Storage, Deep Geological Disposal, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global nuclear waste management industry generated $4.8 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $5.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 1.9% from 2023 to 2032. 

Key Points: 
  • High-level nuclear waste (HLW) refers to highly radioactive materials that are produced as a result of nuclear fuel reprocessing or spent fuel from nuclear power plants.
  • The management of nuclear waste generated from PWRs involves several key steps and considerations.
  • International cooperation and knowledge sharing play an important role in nuclear waste management in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Nuclear waste management in Europe involves the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plants, research facilities, medical institutions, and other sources of nuclear technology.

Advancements in Nuclear Technologies Propel Demand for Nuclear Grade Zirconium Material - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Nuclear, Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, Radiation, Electricity, Power plant engineering, Research, Nuclear energy, United Arab Emirates, Zirconium, IAEA, Corrosion, International Atomic Energy Agency, Investment, Growth, Alloy, Void coefficient, Safety, Rare-earth element, Uranium mining, Renewable energy, Marketing

The Nuclear Grade Zirconium Material Market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for zirconium materials in the nuclear power industry.

Key Points: 
  • The Nuclear Grade Zirconium Material Market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for zirconium materials in the nuclear power industry.
  • Advancements in nuclear technologies, such as next-generation reactors and advanced fuel cycles, are driving the demand for nuclear-grade zirconium material.
  • In conclusion, the Nuclear Grade Zirconium Material Market is on a growth trajectory, driven by increasing investments in nuclear power generation, advancements in nuclear technologies, and a growing focus on nuclear safety and reliability.
  • What are the key micro and macro environmental factors that are impacting the growth of Nuclear Grade Zirconium Material market?

Science and Technology Daily: Japan's Ocean Discharge Plan to Have Unpredictable Impact

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, China Association for Science and Technology, MEE, History, Wang, Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Pacific Ocean, Ministry, Science and Technology Daily, Tritium, IAEA, Seawater, Water, International Atomic Energy Agency, Tsinghua University, Health, Rare-earth element, Uranium mining, Lithium, Science, Ecology, ALPS, Environment, Nuclear

It is unprecedented in the history of the nuclear industry and will bring long-term and unpredictable consequences, scientists and researchers said at a seminar organized by China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing on July 18.

Key Points: 
  • It is unprecedented in the history of the nuclear industry and will bring long-term and unpredictable consequences, scientists and researchers said at a seminar organized by China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing on July 18.
  • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently said Japan's plan to discharge the "treated" contaminated water into the ocean is consistent with IAEA safety standards.
  • Japan's ocean discharge plan is largely limited and incomplete, and its so-called "treated water" should be questioned.
  • The plan has focused on the treatment of tritium and carbon-14, which is the common difficulty faced by the nuclear industry and makes the plan sound more acceptable.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is a 'dirty bomb' waiting to happen – a nuclear expert explains

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Weapon, Maintenance, Radioactive decay, Failure, Accident, Aerosol, Electricity, Power plant engineering, Kakhovka Reservoir, Snow, Wind, Steam, IAEA, River, Risk, Water, International Atomic Energy Agency, Assault, Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Dnieper, Environment, Nobel Peace Prize, Void coefficient, Safety, Rain, Palladium, Arms industry, Uranium mining, Dam, Transformer, Renewable energy

After the explosion at the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine last month, many Ukrainians feared the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could be next.

Key Points: 
  • After the explosion at the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine last month, many Ukrainians feared the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could be next.
  • So, how serious are the risks of an attack at the power plant?

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant

    • Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine generated about half its electricity from 15 nuclear power reactors across four sites, with Zaporizhzhia generating almost half of this.
    • The plant has cooling ponds for spent nuclear fuel, which require continuous power and water (like the reactors themselves).
    • Read more:
      Could the Ukraine dam attack pose risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant?

How quickly a meltdown could happen

    • The sixth was maintained in hot shutdown at around 200 degrees Celsius, producing steam for the plant.
    • in a pressurised water reactor, the meltdown of the core could occur within less than one minute after the loss of coolant.
    • The radioactivity released from damaged spent fuel ponds could be even greater than from a meltdown at the reactor itself, he wrote.
    • The radioactive release could possibly be at Chernobyl-scale or even larger amounts if multiple reactors and spent fuel ponds were involved.

A nuclear plant under continuous assault


    The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the first time war has engulfed operating nuclear plants and, in a real sense, weaponised them as potential radiological weapons, or “dirty bombs”. As IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has documented, Zaporizhzhia has been under comprehensive and unprecedented assault. This has included:

    • Read more:
      Russian shelling caused a fire at a Ukrainian nuclear power plant – how close did we actually come to disaster?

    • The other three nuclear power plants in Ukraine have also experienced interruptions to their electricity supply.

A wake-up call to the dangers of nuclear power

    • Some nuclear experts have inappropriately downplayed the risk of deliberate or accidental breach of the containment structures at Zaporizhzhia.
    • Russia has already launched large-scale attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including its energy grid.
    • The reality is that as long as nuclear power plants continue to operate, we are frighteningly vulnerable not only to severe accidents, but also to the weaponisation of these facilities.

How Long Until Small Modular Reactors Make an Impact on Energy Grids, Asks IDTechEx

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Modularity, Electricity, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, HALEU, Plant, US, Rolls-Royce SMR, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Work, Privacy and the US government, SMR, Void coefficient, Safety, Dissection, Uranium mining, Renewable energy

The first nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) are already operational in Russia and China, but widening adoption will require both technical and regulatory developments, including development in fuel supply chains and international licensing standardization.

Key Points: 
  • The first nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) are already operational in Russia and China, but widening adoption will require both technical and regulatory developments, including development in fuel supply chains and international licensing standardization.
  • Nuclear SMRs hold the promise of bringing nuclear power into a new age by cutting costs while improving safety.
  • They could even reuse existing infrastructure at the sites of old nuclear or fossil fuel power plants, cutting the cost and impact of providing new grid capacity.
  • IDTechEx's report " Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 2023-2043 " provides comprehensive coverage of the SMR space.

How Long Until Small Modular Reactors Make an Impact on Energy Grids, Asks IDTechEx

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Modularity, Electricity, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, HALEU, Plant, US, Rolls-Royce SMR, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Work, Privacy and the US government, SMR, Void coefficient, Safety, Dissection, Uranium mining, Renewable energy

The first nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) are already operational in Russia and China, but widening adoption will require both technical and regulatory developments, including development in fuel supply chains and international licensing standardization.

Key Points: 
  • The first nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) are already operational in Russia and China, but widening adoption will require both technical and regulatory developments, including development in fuel supply chains and international licensing standardization.
  • Nuclear SMRs hold the promise of bringing nuclear power into a new age by cutting costs while improving safety.
  • They could even reuse existing infrastructure at the sites of old nuclear or fossil fuel power plants, cutting the cost and impact of providing new grid capacity.
  • IDTechEx's report " Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 2023-2043 " provides comprehensive coverage of the SMR space.

Could the Ukraine dam attack pose risks to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant? Experts explain

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Defense, Pressure, Electricity, Appetite, Ambiguity, Intention, IAEA, Flood, Population, International Atomic Energy Agency, Kyiv, Risk, Water, Logic, Conventional weapon, Ecology, Dnieper, Hand, Safety, Geography, Uranium mining, Dam, Rare-earth element, Accounting, Risk management

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) want access to a location near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Key Points: 
  • Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) want access to a location near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
  • The IAEA is due to visit Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia plant in the next week.
  • The attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam in a Russian-occupied part of Ukraine unleashed flooding that devastated an area of about 600km², roughly the size of the city of Chicago.
  • The attack, which is being blamed by many western analysts on Russia, happened a week before a scheduled visit of IAEA inspectors to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
  • According to the IAEA, Zaporizhzhia – which is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant – now relies entirely on its sole remaining 750kv power line for off-site electricity.

Escalation logic

    • The Russian army appears to be the benefactor in the short term as it scrambles to slow down Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
    • This creates new levels of ambiguity in the war’s escalation logic.
    • Escalation logic refers to the strategic decisions and actions taken to intensify a conflict, aiming to gain an advantage or deter the opponent.

Russian steps

    • Russia’s war against Ukraine has followed a series of escalating steps.
    • After the initial invasion, when the Russian offensive stalled in the summer of 2022, the Russian military chose to use cruelty against Ukrainian civilians.
    • This escalation, however, negatively affected Russia’s economy and outlook as well, since the immediate and long-term forecasts do not look promising.

Prime Minister announces new sanctions in support of Ukraine and funding for nuclear safety and security

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023
Pressure, Food, Travel, Face, Government of Canada, Spread, Kremlin, Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant crisis, 48th G7 summit, Aggression, Person, Government, G7, Pain, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency, Mass, Deportation, Seizure, Conventional weapon, Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Summit, Material, Safety, WMD, Arms industry, Cryptocurrency, Uranium mining, Agency, Weapon

At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

Key Points: 
  • At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
  • The Prime Minister also highlighted Canada's recent contribution of $2 million for the IAEA's efforts to support the safety, security, and safeguards of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
  • Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $8 billion in funding for financial, military, humanitarian, development, and immigration assistance to Ukraine.
  • Since 2014, Canada has provided $17 million in extra-budgetary funding for the IAEA's monitoring and verification work on Iran.