No likelihood of Australian jobs in nuclear submarine construction, nor in big Pacific vessel
as the government comes under fire from Labor over hundreds of submarine construction jobs being at risk, Defence officials also revealed that a vessel intended to conduct disaster relief missions to the Pacific would now be built overseas instead of locally.
Hybrid nuclear submarine ‘unlikely’, navy chiefs say, AFR, Andrew Tillett
Political correspondentThe Royal Australian Navy has signalled it is unlikely to select a hybrid nuclear submarine design that combines British and American technology, in a significant concession to mitigate the risk of delays.
The head of the nuclear submarine taskforce, Vice-Admiral Jonathan Mead, told a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday that Defence wanted to have at least one nuclear submarine before 2040 in a worst-case scenario and was looking to accelerate deliveries.
Officials also downplayed the possibility of leasing a submarine from the United States or the United Kingdom to avoid a capability gap with the ageing Collins class submarines, at a time China is rapidly shifting the balance in the Indo-Pacific with its military build-up.
But as the government comes under fire from Labor over hundreds of submarine construction jobs being at risk, Defence officials also revealed that a vessel intended to conduct disaster relief missions to the Pacific would now be built overseas instead of locally.
Among the mooted options are acquiring US-designed Virginia class submarines, the British Astute class, partnering with the UK on the design of its new attack submarines or a hybrid of the British and American boats.
| However, it is unclear what level of Australian content will be incorporated into the submarine despite the government’s intention to build them in Adelaide, nor whether it would be possible to use an American combat system in a UK-designed boat……….. As part of the Pacific Step-up announcement in 2018, the government said it would acquire a large-hulled support vessel for humanitarian missions in the south-west, but the committee heard the government had confirmed in recent months to buy the ship from overseas. “This is another Morrison government announcement not delivered,” Senator Wong said.Foreign Minister Marise Payne said a lack of capacity in Australian shipyards in Adelaide and Perth meant there was no room to build the new Pacific vessel…….“I don’t regard it as reneging on the commitment,” Senator Payne said. https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/hybrid-nuclear-submarine-unlikely-navy-chiefs-say-20211027-p593j3 |
Australia looking at existing design to ‘accelerate’ delivery of nuclear-powered submarines
Australia looking at existing design to ‘accelerate’ delivery of nuclear-powered submarines, SMH,
By Anthony Galloway 27 Oct 21,
Australia’s new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines would preferably be based on an existing design, Defence officials have revealed, as part of a plan to get the boats in the water before 2040 to avoid a massive gap in the nation’s maritime defences.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last month it was dumping a $90 billion agreement with France to build conventionally powered submarines and would instead develop a nuclear-powered fleet with Britain and the United States under a new defence pact called AUKUS.
If it goes with an existing design, Australia would have to choose between the US’s Virginia-class submarines and Britain’s Astute-class boats. It is widely believed that Australia is more likely to develop a version of the Astute submarine because the British submarine is smaller and less expensive………….
Defence officials also revealed on Wednesday that a plan to build a new naval ship for the Pacific had been quietly dumped in favour of purchasing the vessel on the open market.
The Morrison government announced in 2018 that it would build a large, new naval ship that will cruise the South Pacific and help Australia’s neighbours deal with natural disasters.
But it was confirmed during the Senate estimates hearing that the government would instead purchase the ship to get into the water next year……….https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/accelerate-australia-looking-at-existing-design-to-build-nuclear-powered-submarines-20211027-p593ji.html
Half-baked plan to build half of each nuclear submarine in Australia, and conflicts of interest in the planners,
the three committee members have reportedly identified ‘conflicts of interest’
Australia could build front half of nuclear-powered subs, Australian Defence NewsBy Ewen Levick | Melbourne | 28 October 2021
More details on Australia’s intended acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines have come to light this week following a Senate Estimates hearing and an interview given to the AFR by Defence Minister Peter Dutton.
Both confirmed that Australia is seeking an unchanged mature design – either the UK Astute class or the US Virginia class – but sources told the AFR that Defence is leaning towards the Virginia class.
The sources also indicated that the rear half of the submarine and the nuclear reactor would be built overseas and joined together with a locally-built front half. According to the AFR, Defence has told industry that the submarine will include about 40 per cent local industry content.
ice Admiral Jonathan Mead told a Senate Estimates hearing that British and American designers are coming to Australia next year as part of the 18-month planning and evaluation process, which VADM Mead said would report to government ‘regularly’ and government will then decide whether that information is made public.
VADM Mead also said that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has personally established the timeline of having the first Australian boat “in the water by 2040” but VADM Mead could not define what “in the water” means in the Prime Minister’s context – whether that is an operational submarine or one prior to commissioning. The task force will identify this timeline and examine options of bringing that date forward or not over its 18-month tenure……………..
The hearing also revealed that Cabinet only signed off on the AUKUS decision ‘a day or two’ before the public announcement on September 16, Minister Dutton spoke to his French counterpart the day before the announcement, and CDF General Angus Campbell spoke to his counterpart only after the announcement.
Both CDF or Secretary Moriarty said they had not been party to discussions on potentially expanding AUKUS to include New Zealand, Canada or Japan.
If Defence’s preference for the Virginia class is correct, it would reinforce existing questions over the influence of Don Winter, a former US Navy secretary and Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s personally-appointed special advisor on naval shipbuilding, as well as the government’s Submarine Advisory Committee, which ‘provides independent critical peer review of the current and projected submarine capability’.
The members of this committee include Jim Hughes, a former vice president of submarines at Newport News Shipbuilding (the company that constructs the Virginia class submarines for the US Navy), and Donald Kirkland, Chairman of the Board of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII – the company that owns Newport News Shipbuilding).
This committee was appointed by Minister Dutton and Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price.
According to Greg Sammut, General Manager Submarines, the role of this committee in acquiring the nuclear-powered boats ‘hasn’t been determined yet’ and he could not say when it would be determined – although the three committee members have reportedly identified ‘conflicts of interest’ which Sammut says will be factored into any role that committee plays in the acquisition.
Given the role of Kirkland as chairman of HII, and that organisation’s role in building the Virginia class, has that been identified as a conflict of interest?” Senator Jordon Steele-John asked……
In a separate discussion of the Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool (SSTP), which is a mechanism to redistribute Naval Group and Lockheed Martin workers affected by the cancellation of the Sea 1000 contract, Deputy Secretary of National Naval Shipbuilding Tony Dalton revealed that other companies’ employees eligibility for the SSTP will effectively be decided on a case by case basis.
So far, over 560 eligible people have been affected by the contract cancellation and 286 have applied for assistance through the SSTP, but only 13 job offers have been made and 11 people have accepted a new job. https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/australia-could-build-front-half-of-nuclear-powered-subs
Scott Morrison’s ‘net zero plan’ includes small nuclear reactors
Australia’s net zero plan includes ‘small, modular nuclear reactors’ Paul Osborne, 27 Oct 21, Australia will closely watch the development of small modular nuclear reactors as the government seeks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Morrison government’s emissions plan released on Tuesday said “all technologies” were on the table.
…….. The plan noted that Australia was working with the UK on low emissions technology, including research into small modular reactors.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Perth radio 6PR on Tuesday he did not intend to lift the current ban on nuclear power in Australia…….https://inqld.com.au/news/2021/10/27/australias-net-zero-plan-includes-small-modular-nuclear-reactors/
Australia will closely watch the development of small modular nuclear reactors as the government seeks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Morrison government’s emissions plan released on Tuesday said “all technologies” were on the table.
There must be a Conservation Plan before uranium mining operations are permitted at the fragile ecosystem of Mulga Rock, Western Australia
Nuclear-Free W,A, 28 Oct 21, We focus on Vimy Resources Mulga Rock environmental approvals, expiring on the 16th of December. The State environmental approval states under condition 3, that the company must, ‘substantially commence’ by 16 December 2021. Vimy have had five years to get up and running and now we are seeing the unnecessary and unwanted clearing of an airstrip and re-establishment of the mine camp at Mulga Rock in an attempt to demonstrate ‘substantial commencement’. This is deeply disturbing when we have argued that the project still lacks crucial information and approvals such as;
they have not entered negotiations with the Upurli Upurli Nguratja registered native title claimant group and do not intend to negotiate with them;
they do not have a final investment decision to develop the mine;they do not have a Works Approval that they require from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation;
they have not completed the Sandhill Dunnart Conservation Plan – a Federal requirement for the endangered species that has been recorded at the Mulga Rock area.
We are of strong view that no substantial works should be allowed at the site in the absence of a Conservation Plan for the increasingly vulnerable Sandhill Dunnart.
Is nuclear history repeating in South Australia?
 |
Is nuclear history repeating in South Australia? https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/is-nuclear-history-repeating-in-south-australia/13602456
By Patricia Karvelas on RN Drive Jason Bilney’s grandfather remembers the impacts of nuclear testing at Maralinga in South Australia’s far north, where atomic bombs were tested in the 1950s and 1960s.
Now, as chair of the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation, Jason has fought to have his people’s voice heard regarding a proposed nuclear waste facility at Napandee, on the Eyre Peninsula.
Guest
Jason Bilney, Chairperson of Barngarla Determination Aboriginal CorporationDuration: 7min 39secBroadcast: Mon 25 Oct 2021,
The European Commission struggles with push to have nuclear power included as clean and sustainable
The Green Brief: Gas, nuclear and the EU taxonomy saga
By Frédéric Simon and Kira Taylor | EURACTIV.com 27 Oct 21, ……………………………..The EU taxonomy regulation has created three categories for sustainable investments: “green”, “enabling” and “transition”. In an interview with the FT, McGuiness said a possible compromise could be to create a new “amber” category for activities that are not “green” as such but are still helpful for the green transition. The Commission is also looking at redefining the “transition” category to prevent the taxonomy from becoming too “binary”, McGuiness said.
With the creation of a new intermediate category, and the definition of clear sustainability thresholds for nuclear and gas, the European Union may just have found the answer to a question that has been bogging down the taxonomy for years.
Some will denounce it as a fudge and an assault on the EU’s green objectives. Others will call it a pragmatic answer to one of the trickiest questions posed by the energy transition.
The French Négawatt program presents its 2022 scenario for getting France to fully renewable nuclear-free energy system
A nuclear-free future is possible, according to Négawatt. The Négawatt association presented its 2022 scenario for a France with fully renewable and nuclear-free electricity production by 2050. It hopes that its proposals, which are urgently to be implemented, will be taken up by the presidential candidates.
Energy consumption halved, electricity production 100% from renewable sources, 500,000 jobs created… This is what France could look like in 2050, if we are to believe the latest edition of the Négawatt scenario published on Tuesday 26 October .
The trajectory described by the eponymous association is not science fiction, assures its director, Stéphane Chatelin. Developed from detailed modeling of our energy system, this scenario shows that it is possible to achieve carbon
neutrality in 2050 without resorting to nuclear power. And proposes a concrete strategy to achieve it.
Reporterre 26th Oct 2021
Engie weighs changes to NSW wind farm after deluge of public submissions — RenewEconomy
The 400MW wind farm that inspired its very own anti-wind acronym attracts deluge of submissions, prompting Engie to modify its plans. The post Engie weighs changes to NSW wind farm after deluge of public submissions appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Engie weighs changes to NSW wind farm after deluge of public submissions — RenewEconomy
Solar Insiders Podcast: Australia aims for $15/MWh solar — RenewEconomy
Out of the blue, Australia is targeting ultra low cost solar to underpin its green industrial transition. The post Solar Insiders Podcast: Australia aims for $15/MWh solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Solar Insiders Podcast: Australia aims for $15/MWh solar — RenewEconomy
Households willing to switch off appliances during heatwaves, survey finds — RenewEconomy
New data finds 74% Australian households willing to reduce energy use “as much as possible” to relieve stress on the grid – and most would do it for no reward. The post Households willing to switch off appliances during heatwaves, survey finds appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Households willing to switch off appliances during heatwaves, survey finds — RenewEconomy
The lies and manipulations used for Australia’s new 2030 emissions projection — RenewEconomy
The Australian government has been enormously deceptive with the upgraded emissions forecasts it will take to Glasgow. Here’s why. The post The lies and manipulations used for Australia’s new 2030 emissions projection appeared first on RenewEconomy.
The lies and manipulations used for Australia’s new 2030 emissions projection — RenewEconomy
Webinar Transcript: Net Zero – What are we waiting for? — RenewEconomy
Transcript from the EV Transition Webinar on How to Net Zero – What are we waiting for? The post Webinar Transcript: Net Zero – What are we waiting for? appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Webinar Transcript: Net Zero – What are we waiting for? — RenewEconomy
Tochigi prefecture: waste below 8,000 becquerels to be mixed with general waste and incinerated — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
How to incinerate without further radioactive particles dispersion? Incinerators multiple screening filters are never 100% successful… Workers use heavy machinery to load designated waste onto a truck in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. On April 22, farmers in six cities and towns in Tochigi Prefecture began removing “designated waste” containing radioactive materials generated by the accident at […]
Tochigi prefecture: waste below 8,000 becquerels to be mixed with general waste and incinerated — Fukushima 311 Watchdogs
October 27 Energy News — geoharvey
Science and Technology: ¶ “High-Renewables Systems Are Scalable, Resilient, And Secure With Communication-Less Controls” • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory says transitioning to renewables is achievable. It showed that relatively simple controls can enable power grids to operate with 100% wind, solar, and storage, without dedicated device-to-device communications. [CleanTechnica] NREL Flatirons Campus (Werner Slocum, NREL) […]
October 27 Energy News — geoharvey
Antinuclear 