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Past, present and future
29 December, 2001
This is the first in a regular series that looks at how various individuals see the industry. As the title suggests, it might involve a look at the past, or the present, or the future of the industry, depending upon the viewpoint of the individual concerned. In this, the first of the series, Allen Kilpatrick, the recently retired president of AECL, talks to NEI about his view on the current state of the industry.

Temelin – the challenge of safety improvements
29 December, 2001
There have been many changes in the design of Temelin from its original conception, and there have been numerous missions by the IAEA to check the safety of the plant.

Specialist operators
29 December, 2001
Nuclear utilities are looking at ways to improve performance. One method that has been adopted by a number of utilities in the US midwest has been to take on a specialist operator for their nuclear plants.

A balancing act with nuclear weapons
29 December, 2001
USEC came through a controversial privatisation to face a market in turmoil. How does it keep holding on the HEU programme?

The need for innovative fuel cycles
29 December, 2001
Nuclear power is at a turning point, with no consensus concerning its future role. We would expect to see a rising trend for nuclear power generation in the near future, but that is not the case.

Reducing the burden of inspection
29 December, 2001
Reducing the time cost and radiation exposure incurred in inspecting steam generator tubes is a goal of all operators. Positive results have been obtained from field trials of R/D Tech's new X-Probe.

New safety valves for Kozloduy
29 December, 2001
A technology transfer between Siemens and Chekhov-Power will upgrade steam generator safety valves to western safety sandards

A new unit for Finland
29 December, 2001
TVO enters the first stage in what promises to be a long and tortuous process

ST-1 is now in force
29 December, 2001
The IAEA regulations on the transport of radioactive material have been updated, and came into force on 1 January, 2001.

Finding obsolete equipment and parts for Candu reactors
30 November, 2001
Nuclear utilities are finding it increasingly difficult to procure spare parts from the original equipment manufacturers. Obsolescence, OEMs ceasing to be in business due to lack of ongoing demand, the costs of maintaining nuclear vendor qualifications with the associated documentation burden and changing regulatory requirements are key contributing factors to these difficulties. By S Azeez, G Mizuno and P Tume

Reports of DEC's death "greatly exaggerated"
30 November, 2001
Efficiencies of over 80% are theoretically possible for nuclear electric power generation, but only by using direct energy conversion (DEC) techniques. Work on such techniques was generally abandoned in the 1960s, because technological limitations prevented practical application of DEC. Recent developments indicate that these obstacles can now be overcome. By Denis E Beller, Gary F Polansky, Samim Anghaie, Gottfried Besenbruch and Theodore A Parish

The radioactive materials roadshow
30 November, 2001
The 13th PATRAM conference was held in Chicago on 3-7 September, 2001. Nearly 200 papers were presented, with coverage of a further 50 topics in the poster session. By Michael Price

Managing nuclear assets for competition
30 November, 2001
The cost structure of nuclear plants makes them - in theory - more competitive with other forms of generation in a wholesale commodity production environment. However, regulatory, management and other challenges have made them far more marginal than they were designed to be, putting their economic future at risk. By Howard Mueller and Jong-Hyun Kim

Deregulation in the USA
30 November, 2001
Deregulation has helped create new opportunities for competitive nuclear generators in the USA, enhancing the value of nuclear generating assets and contributing to industry consolidation. Although existing nuclear generators have benefited, deregulation will not necessarily assure new plant orders in the future. By Michael W Chinworth, R Lee Clanton, Chris Rusch and Audrey K Taucher

2001: a reversal of fortunes?
30 November, 2001
The year 2001 is likely to be looked back upon as a pivotal one for nuclear power. NEI reviews some of the stories that have made 2001 such an extraordinary year for the industry.

Past, present and future Climate change in the USA
30 November, 2001
Corbin A McNeill, Jr, Chairman and Co-CEO of Exelon, explains why he believes nuclear will continue to be a significant part of the USA's energy mix.

The front end at the cutting edge
30 November, 2001
The World Nuclear Association has recently published its tenth report on uranium supply and demand. The report forecasts up until 2020. By Judith Perera

Load factors to end June 2001
30 October, 2001

Collaboration in a competitive industry
30 October, 2001
The emerging e-marketplace will increase collaboration between utilities. The very survival of the nuclear industry will depend upon it happening, but it will not happen overnight.

Testing a system with real data
30 October, 2001
The name of the game is getting the most out of a plant. Finding ways of doing this, without putting equipment at risk, is crucial. Learning lessons from other industries is a possible shortcut to efficiency.