Nuclear Energy
TERRA Mileniul III Foundation's current activities in the field of nuclear energy are focused on collecting strong documentation and informing the public about the costs, risks and impact of nuclear energy though public participation in the decision making process on this topic.
Activities: Nuclear Energy
Regarding the use of nuclear energy, most people refer to the final product, electricity, to be clean, without taking into account the impact along the life cycle. The nuclear industry pollutes the extraction of uranium, processing, obtaining fuel, operating and closing plants and waste storage. The impact on health and the environment are not visible in the nuclear industry paid articles. Also, the costs of the nuclear life cycle are not found in the price of electricity supplied by nuclear plants. Are costs that taxpayers pay them without knowing. Construction of the Cernavoda is made with public funds and external borrowing are still using public money. The plant will probably be closed with many public money, because there is not a decommissioning fund (in kWh delivered price of Cernavoda plant should be a special component for this purpose). In case of accident, the damages are paid by the state; in other countries, nuclear operators must have a special fund for this purpose, approximately 700 million euros (that however is nothing compared to over 10 billion damage in case of seriously accident at a nuclear power plant). Construction of a permanent repository for highly radioactive waste involves huge costs, which also is not reflected in the price of electricity supplied by the Cernavoda plant, in addition, there is nowhere in the world a landfill with this purpose. Especially from this point of view, is absolutely incompatible correlation between nuclear energy and sustainable development. And the solution to climate change, a major problem can not be solved by another major problem.
Romania has a large overcapacity installed energy production and not justify new nuclear capacities production. Increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use (both chapters Romania has significant potential) are priority areas, and logical, development of the Romanian energy system. In addition, Romania has one goal in production of energy from renewable sources, a goal made in the accession negotiations to the European Union. [more]
Romania has a large overcapacity installed energy production and not justify new nuclear capacities production. Increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use (both chapters Romania has significant potential) are priority areas, and logical, development of the Romanian energy system. In addition, Romania has one goal in production of energy from renewable sources, a goal made in the accession negotiations to the European Union. [more]
In Romania, the energy efficiency of power plants is, depending on fuel used, generally about 40%, a very small, operating conditions at full capacity.
Thus, production capacity is diminished due to reduced performance (necessary maintenance, repair, refurbishment), lack of funds for rehabilitation and inefficient management of the sector (some units have not been closed social reasons, despite the inability of operation) .
Romania has considerable potential for renewable energy production.
The problem is that until now very few projects have been undertaken in this area and there is no information on the technologies used, their benefits, economic characteristics etc. (mentioned that Romania, as in the acceding State must implement the Directive 2001/77/EC on renewable energy, directive was transposed into the Strategy for the Promotion of Renewable Energy 2003 and was established methods of implementation).
Were carried out campaigns to promote renewables, but the general opinion is still that renewables are good, but we can afford them.
[more]
Thus, production capacity is diminished due to reduced performance (necessary maintenance, repair, refurbishment), lack of funds for rehabilitation and inefficient management of the sector (some units have not been closed social reasons, despite the inability of operation) .
Romania has considerable potential for renewable energy production.
The problem is that until now very few projects have been undertaken in this area and there is no information on the technologies used, their benefits, economic characteristics etc. (mentioned that Romania, as in the acceding State must implement the Directive 2001/77/EC on renewable energy, directive was transposed into the Strategy for the Promotion of Renewable Energy 2003 and was established methods of implementation).
Were carried out campaigns to promote renewables, but the general opinion is still that renewables are good, but we can afford them.
[more]
Bulgaria plans to build a new nuclear plant at Belene on the Danube, at 13.6 kilometers from Zimnicea and less than 100 km from Bucharest.
The works for this actually started in the '80s, ceased in 1992 due to a strong campaign against the plant. The project is in the Soviet reactors, russian nuclear company being part of two consortiums that have submitted tenders to built the plant. It seems that the Bulgarians have forgotten the death of Chernobyl, of leukemia, thyroid cancer, massive relocation of population, lethal radioactivity on decades and large areas.
[more]
The works for this actually started in the '80s, ceased in 1992 due to a strong campaign against the plant. The project is in the Soviet reactors, russian nuclear company being part of two consortiums that have submitted tenders to built the plant. It seems that the Bulgarians have forgotten the death of Chernobyl, of leukemia, thyroid cancer, massive relocation of population, lethal radioactivity on decades and large areas.
[more]
Hungary currently is developing a licensing process to extend the life of the Paks nuclear power plant.
Problems associated with Plex:
- aging components and systems
- reduction of safety margins due to higher power factor and the rate of combustion of nuclear fuel
- tend to weaken the safety regulation
- human resource management issues
- continued production of radioactive waste
[more]
Problems associated with Plex:
- aging components and systems
- reduction of safety margins due to higher power factor and the rate of combustion of nuclear fuel
- tend to weaken the safety regulation
- human resource management issues
- continued production of radioactive waste
[more]
Projects implemented in the nuclear domain
