January 2009 Archives
On January 29, 2009 Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko formally signed Law N866-VI for the progressive decommissioning of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the transformation of the destroyed fourth power unit (“Shelter”) into an ecologically safe system. An estimate of financial costs is also included in the document.
The Act, which comes into effect on January 1, 2010 approves the National Program and makes appropriate changes to the law.
The Act, which comes into effect on January 1, 2010 approves the National Program and makes appropriate changes to the law.
I have just uploaded a map of the European continental scale of the Chernobyl accident. The map shows the deposition of Cesium-137 across Europe after the disaster. It is interesting to see the variability in deposition across a huge area.
A new agreement between Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers and the government of Belarus provides simplified procedures for the passage of automobiles on the Belorussian road connecting Slavutych and the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko attended the agreement’s signing ceremony on January 21, 2009.
The accord will introduce new passes for specialists, foreign experts, vehicles and goods involved in the implementation of international projects at the Chernobyl plant. Participants in such efforts will be exempt from customs inspections.
The accord will introduce new passes for specialists, foreign experts, vehicles and goods involved in the implementation of international projects at the Chernobyl plant. Participants in such efforts will be exempt from customs inspections.
As often as my friends in Kyiv visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and specifically Pripyat, I find myself amazed when they come across something “new.”In early January 2009, a group of Pripyat.com administrators traveled to Pripyat to work on their “Photos of Your Home” project. “Photos of Your Home” was developed as an opportunity for former Pripyat residents to see pictures of their former homes/apartments. Requests are posted in the forum and eventually site administrators photograph the apartments and post the results online.
During the latest excursion, my friends Yevgen and Sasha were covering the oldest part of the city, near the shops, hostels and hospital on Friendship of the People’s Street and Street of Enthusiasts.
As they walked amongst the buildings, Sasha remembered something from his childhood - they were afraid of playing there in the evening because of the cemetery. Yes, there is a cemetery within the city limits of Pripyat. Yevgen has been in this area more than three times and did not remember seeing a cemetery there. Hidden from sight by thick vegetation in the summer, the cemetery is easily visible during the cold white winter.
In fact, this is the old Semihody cemetery. The village of Semihody was mostly destroyed to make room for the construction of Pripyat. Apparently the city builders constructed one of the microdistricts completely around the cemetery.
Approximately 10 buildings from Semihody still exist, situated just north of Pripyat.
You can read about this interesting find on Yevgen’s website, Lost Places. The entry is entitled “Pripyat. Winter Fairy Tales”
In case you were wondering, yes, Pripyat did have its own cemetery. It is located south of the city in a more highly contaminated area closer to the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant.
Photo © Kranz - www.lost.co.ua
Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has approved a program for the complete decommissioning and elimination of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant by 2065. The work will be completed in several phases:- 2010-2013: Nuclear fuel will be removed from all reactors and temporary storage and moved to long-term storage
- 2013-2022: Preserve reactor facilities
- 2022-2045: Experts to reduce radioactivity of the reactors
- 2045-2065: Dismantle the facility
Autonomous Operation, an interregional anarcho-communist association, is calling for protests against the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Belarus. The group plans to participate in the annual “Chernobyl Way” procession on April 26 (the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster) in Belarus.
Fearing their demonstration will not be enough, the group requests international support in the form of actions held across the world on April 26, 2009. The purpose of these actions should be to help people learn about the issues surrounding the construction of the Belorussian nuclear plant.
Belarus received more radioactive contamination from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster than any other country. Despite opposition, the Belorussian government and President Aleksandr Lukashenko plan to build a new nuclear power plant in Ostrovetskaya near Lake Naroch, the largest lake in Belarus. Russia’s Rosatom is set to manage the construction, which is expected to cost approximately $5-6 billion.
Construction of the Ostrovetskaya Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin in early 2009. The facility is expected to house two 1,000 MWt reactors to be put into operation in 2016 and 2018. Once operational, the plant is expected to provide up to 15% of the country’s electricity.
Two more reactors could be built in Belarus, with operations beginning around 2025.
Unfortunately, this call for action is probably too late. The Belorussian government hopes to start construction on the new facility this month. If this happens, the protests will occur three months into construction - that is, if the protests even occur. After all, we are talking about Belarus, which is far from being a true democratic state.
Autonomous Operation Call for Action
Fearing their demonstration will not be enough, the group requests international support in the form of actions held across the world on April 26, 2009. The purpose of these actions should be to help people learn about the issues surrounding the construction of the Belorussian nuclear plant.
Belarus received more radioactive contamination from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster than any other country. Despite opposition, the Belorussian government and President Aleksandr Lukashenko plan to build a new nuclear power plant in Ostrovetskaya near Lake Naroch, the largest lake in Belarus. Russia’s Rosatom is set to manage the construction, which is expected to cost approximately $5-6 billion.
Construction of the Ostrovetskaya Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin in early 2009. The facility is expected to house two 1,000 MWt reactors to be put into operation in 2016 and 2018. Once operational, the plant is expected to provide up to 15% of the country’s electricity.
Two more reactors could be built in Belarus, with operations beginning around 2025.
Unfortunately, this call for action is probably too late. The Belorussian government hopes to start construction on the new facility this month. If this happens, the protests will occur three months into construction - that is, if the protests even occur. After all, we are talking about Belarus, which is far from being a true democratic state.
Autonomous Operation Call for Action
On Monday, Russia and Ukraine both signed an agreement with the European Union which allows for the resumption of natural gas supplies to Europe. The agreement allows international monitors to be stationed at key pipeline checkpoints in Russia and Ukraine to verify that all gas intended for Europe gets through Ukraine.
This agreement only allows for the transit of Russian gas to European consumers. It does not resolve the existing price dispute between Ukraine and Russia.
An article in yesterday’s Huffington Post poses an interesting theory about the problem between the two countries. The argument goes back to Ukraine getting gas allocations from Soviet planners and expected the same after independence. When independent Ukraine failed to pay Russia for its gas, the supply was shut down, but Kyiv simply diverted gas intended for the rest of Europe.
The article continues by noting that the dispute is more an issue of economics for both countries than Russia wielding a heavy fist. Further, Russia is facing a budget deficit due to falling gas prices while Ukraine’s economic crisis makes it difficult to pay for its gas deliveries.
This agreement only allows for the transit of Russian gas to European consumers. It does not resolve the existing price dispute between Ukraine and Russia.
An article in yesterday’s Huffington Post poses an interesting theory about the problem between the two countries. The argument goes back to Ukraine getting gas allocations from Soviet planners and expected the same after independence. When independent Ukraine failed to pay Russia for its gas, the supply was shut down, but Kyiv simply diverted gas intended for the rest of Europe.
The article continues by noting that the dispute is more an issue of economics for both countries than Russia wielding a heavy fist. Further, Russia is facing a budget deficit due to falling gas prices while Ukraine’s economic crisis makes it difficult to pay for its gas deliveries.
I just read an interesting article in the latest issue of New Humanist about how many environmentalists are now going nuclear. I understand and appreciate the points being made, but one passage really surprised me, though I have heard this argument before:
Fully passive safety systems depend on natural, physical phenomena such as pressure differentials, convection, gravity or the natural response of materials to high temperatures to slow or shut down the reaction.
However, hybrid systems also exist. For instance, some systems use pressure relief valves to manage excess pressure levels. While these valves are supposed to function without human intervention, there is a possibility, however slight, that they can fail. Parallel redundant systems may be used, but the possibility of failure still exists.
Some examples of passive systems include:
If that’s not enough, nuclear energy creates other accident possibilities including the transportation and storage of nuclear wastes. Don’t forget the accident at France’s Tricastin facility last year, caused by liquid containing unenriched uranium spilling from an overflowing reservoir. I can also point to the small plutonium leak at an Austrian IAEA facility last August.
Sure, things may be getting safer, but inherent danger from nuclear power continues to exist.
Len Green, an engineer who helped build Sizewell B nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast, explained that modern plants are engineered to meet every possible contingency, including the kind of employee negligence that lead to the explosion at Chernobyl: “The designs have to be thoroughly assessed, then every stage of construction is assessed, and when they’re operating, they’re assessed.” According to Professor Robin Grimes, a materials physicist at Imperial College London and former researcher at the US Los Alamos National Laboratory, they’re not just safe, they’re foolproof: “The new designs of power stations use passive systems, which means that they automatically behave in such a way as to shut the reactor down. The operator doesn’t even have to take any action at all.”What bugs me is the statement that new reactors using passive systems are foolproof. First of all, there are different types of passive systems.
Fully passive safety systems depend on natural, physical phenomena such as pressure differentials, convection, gravity or the natural response of materials to high temperatures to slow or shut down the reaction.
However, hybrid systems also exist. For instance, some systems use pressure relief valves to manage excess pressure levels. While these valves are supposed to function without human intervention, there is a possibility, however slight, that they can fail. Parallel redundant systems may be used, but the possibility of failure still exists.
Some examples of passive systems include:
- Increasing the probability that neutrons are captured by U-238 atoms instead of U-235, which initiates fission
- Utilizing steam voids to moderate fewer neutrons and dropping power - this is currently used in Pressurized and Boiling Water Reactors
- Using pools of liquid metal for thermal expansion that allows more neutrons to escape the core - this is currently used in some Fast Breeder Reactors
If that’s not enough, nuclear energy creates other accident possibilities including the transportation and storage of nuclear wastes. Don’t forget the accident at France’s Tricastin facility last year, caused by liquid containing unenriched uranium spilling from an overflowing reservoir. I can also point to the small plutonium leak at an Austrian IAEA facility last August.
Sure, things may be getting safer, but inherent danger from nuclear power continues to exist.
As Russia and Ukraine continue their bitter natural gas dispute, several countries now report a complete shutoff of their gas supplies from Moscow. The countries are:- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Greece
- Macedonia
- Romania
- Turkey
Bulgaria has sufficient reserves for several days, but President Georgi Parvanov said his country should begin immediate preparations to re-start Unit 3 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. It would take approximately one month to re-open the reactor.
Kozloduy-3 was shutdown in December 2006 as part of an agreement with the European Union (EU), which was concerned about inadequate safety levels. However, Bulgaria’s EU accession treaty apparently allows closed reactors to be temporarily re-started in the event of an acute energy shortage.
Varna and Dobrich in eastern Bulgaria have been left without natural gas supplies. In Varna, on the Black Sea coast, 12,000 households were left without central heating amid freezing temperatures.
Russia’s Gazprom is certain it can provide enough gas to Europe, but is attempting to find routes other than through Ukraine, which has been accused of siphoning gas from the pipelines. The Ukrainian government denies the allegations. Russia supplies Europe with approximately 25% of its natural gas, 80% of which is shipped through Ukraine.
Photo: Kozloduy NPP Units 1-4
In December 2008, testing was conducted on the PKOTRO facility at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The facility will be used to handle solid radioactive wastes. The tests covered eight different systems including:- Sorting system
- System pressure
- Combustion system
- PCS
- Cementing system
- Internal transportation
- Accounting systems
- Control systems
The final phase of these activities is testing of the combustion of low-level solid radioactive waste. This system includes a combustion chamber, re-burning and gas cleaning system. All tests were carried out over five days.Photos courtesy of ChAES
On December 30, 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed into law a constitutional amendment extending presidential terms from four to six years.This law has increased speculation that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will return as President after the next election. As President, Putin said he would prefer a longer term, but felt it was unethical to change the constitution while in office. Medvedev, perceived by many as Putin’s puppet, proposed the constitutional change six months after taking office.
The bill was rushed through the State Duma, much quicker than most laws. Officials have indicated the extension will not apply to Medvedev’s current term in office, raising further questions about the bill’s quick move through the Duma.
Apparently an anonymous Kremlin advisor has been quoted as saying the reform is intended to return Putin to the presidency as early as 2009. It has been suggested that Medvedev would enact the amendment and several unpopular social reforms. He would then resign and call a pre-term election in 2009. If Putin returns to power for two more terms, he would govern until 2021, allowing him to fulfill the Putin Plan for the social and economic development of Russia.
Once again, Russia has halted natural gas deliveries to Ukraine. The cutoff began at 10:00 AM January 1, 2009 after talks over a new energy contract between the two countries broke down.Gazprom, the Russian gas monopoly, followed through on its threats after Ukraine’s leaders united to demand that Russia pay more to ship fuel to Europe through Ukraine. To avoid panic across the European continent and as a sign of goodwill, Gazprom is increasing shipments to other countries to avoid midwinter disruptions.
The dispute is about Russia wanting to charge higher prices for gas next year and collect over $2 billion in Ukrainian gas debts so far this winter. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, coming together in a rare display of solidarity, called on Russia to resume talks and continue providing fuel to their country at last year’s prices until a new contract is established. They offered to pay $201/1,000 cubic meters of gas, but also demanded that Russia pay at least 15% more for using Ukraine’s pipelines for gas deliveries to other European countries.
Before the talks collapsed, Russia offered a price of $250/1,000 cubic meters of gas, but Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller has now stated Ukraine would have to pay $418/1,000 cubic meters of gas in 2009. That is more than double what Ukraine paid last year.
If this sounds familiar, Gazprom cut Ukrainian gas supplies in 2006 after a similar dispute, except that time supplies to the rest of Europe were affected. Also, in March 2008, Gazprom decreased supplies of natural gas to Ukraine until the former Soviet republic paid outstanding debts.
