Sunday, August 20, 2006
NUCLEAR ISSUES THREAD
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Here are some excerpts from a profound paper about China’s energy needs:
China’s economic security depends on “Three Es,” namely, economic growth, energy
security, and environmental protection. The three variables are dynamically linked with
one another. With rapid economic growth, China’s energy security has become increasingly
salient in ensuring sustainable development. Energy security means security of
supply—sustainability of access to global energy resources—and security of demand—
efficiency of energy consumption and environmental protection....
In the long term, nuclear power will become one of China’s main energy sources. China
has quite rich uranium resources but lacks adequate uranium reactor spent fuel reprocessing
capacity. China’s nuclear development is also becoming more indigenous. Although the
Daya Bay nuclear power plant was imported, with Chinese engineers taking part in the
construction and management, the situation is changing. The 300,000-kilowatt Qin Shan
Phase I nuclear power plant was designed by Chinese engineers and built from 95 percent
homemade equipment. Similarly, the Qin Shan Phase II plant is a pressurized water reactor
that would use some imported technology, but China now has the capability to design
and build small- to medium-sized pressurized water reactors....
China stands ready to cooperate with the United States and other countries on the basis
of equality and mutual benefit. By working together on energy issues, the two countries
can minimize the risk of any potential conflict over oil. China has the world’s largest coal
reserves and is increasing the share of energy use from coal. It also is investing in alternative
sources and is expected to be the largest generator of nuclear energy in the world by
2050. For China and the United States, the major objective should be far less dependence
on petroleum. It is imperative that the two countries establish a meaningful dialogue to
manage these growing pressures....
[Xuecheng Liu, “China’s Energy Security and Its Grand Strategy,” The Stanley Foundation Policy Analysis Brief (Sep. 2006) www.stanleyfoundation.org]
China’s economic security depends on “Three Es,” namely, economic growth, energy
security, and environmental protection. The three variables are dynamically linked with
one another. With rapid economic growth, China’s energy security has become increasingly
salient in ensuring sustainable development. Energy security means security of
supply—sustainability of access to global energy resources—and security of demand—
efficiency of energy consumption and environmental protection....
In the long term, nuclear power will become one of China’s main energy sources. China
has quite rich uranium resources but lacks adequate uranium reactor spent fuel reprocessing
capacity. China’s nuclear development is also becoming more indigenous. Although the
Daya Bay nuclear power plant was imported, with Chinese engineers taking part in the
construction and management, the situation is changing. The 300,000-kilowatt Qin Shan
Phase I nuclear power plant was designed by Chinese engineers and built from 95 percent
homemade equipment. Similarly, the Qin Shan Phase II plant is a pressurized water reactor
that would use some imported technology, but China now has the capability to design
and build small- to medium-sized pressurized water reactors....
China stands ready to cooperate with the United States and other countries on the basis
of equality and mutual benefit. By working together on energy issues, the two countries
can minimize the risk of any potential conflict over oil. China has the world’s largest coal
reserves and is increasing the share of energy use from coal. It also is investing in alternative
sources and is expected to be the largest generator of nuclear energy in the world by
2050. For China and the United States, the major objective should be far less dependence
on petroleum. It is imperative that the two countries establish a meaningful dialogue to
manage these growing pressures....
[Xuecheng Liu, “China’s Energy Security and Its Grand Strategy,” The Stanley Foundation Policy Analysis Brief (Sep. 2006) www.stanleyfoundation.org]
Nuclear Power Revival Could Encounter [Uranium Fuel Supply] Hurdles
(John J. Fialka, Wall Street Journal)
Tuesday, December 5
The Bush administration's plan for a "renaissance" in nuclear power may be crimped by tightening world-wide supplies of uranium and a lack of enrichment facilities to turn the uranium into fuel for power plants.
In a recent setback, an accident in October flooded the world's largest uranium mine, which was set to open in Canada next year. That nudged prices for processed uranium ore, already up more than 800% since 2001, even higher.
Meanwhile, enrichment facilities, which turn uranium into fuel for nuclear power plants, have already pledged their services because of growing interest in nuclear fuel by other countries. The result is that the U.S. is relying more than before on Russia, which provides about half the enriched nuclear fuel used in this country.
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(John J. Fialka, Wall Street Journal)
Tuesday, December 5
The Bush administration's plan for a "renaissance" in nuclear power may be crimped by tightening world-wide supplies of uranium and a lack of enrichment facilities to turn the uranium into fuel for power plants.
In a recent setback, an accident in October flooded the world's largest uranium mine, which was set to open in Canada next year. That nudged prices for processed uranium ore, already up more than 800% since 2001, even higher.
Meanwhile, enrichment facilities, which turn uranium into fuel for nuclear power plants, have already pledged their services because of growing interest in nuclear fuel by other countries. The result is that the U.S. is relying more than before on Russia, which provides about half the enriched nuclear fuel used in this country.
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