South Korea energy policy will put industry first

Subject Developments in South Korea's energy sector. Significance Despite policy statements and actions in support of the country's emissions targets, South Korea's coal-fired power generation fleet will see a major expansion over the next decade. This will be supported by nuclear power plant construction, leaving little room for either renewables or natural gas in the electricity sector. Impacts Thermal coal imports are set to rise by nearly 40% by 2021. LNG imports are likely to remain flat (and possibly contract) out to 2030. Emissions targets are unlikely to be met and local air pollution is likely to worsen.

Subject The Akkuyu nuclear plant that Turkey is building with Russia's Rosatom. Significance Since the Turkish air force downed a Russian warplane last November, bilateral relations have plunged to an all-time low. Rumours persist that Moscow has frozen funding for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) and is unwilling to complete the project unless it can share the risk. Impacts Continued development would be an added incentive for Ankara and Moscow to repair relations. Abandoning the project would further strain relations between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey may look for other developers to complete the NPP while prioritising other forms of power generation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binita Shah ◽  
Seema Unnikrishnan

Purpose India is a developing economy along with an increasing population estimated to be the largest populated country in about seven years. Simultaneously, its power consumption is projected to increase more than double by 2020. Currently, the dependence on coal is relatively high, making it the largest global greenhouse gas emitting sector which is a matter of great concern. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the natural gas electricity generation in India and propose a model using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Design/methodology/approach LCA is used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impact of the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant, as it adopts a holistic approach towards the whole process. The LCA methodology used in this study follows the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards (ISO 14040: 2009; ISO 14044: 2009). A questionnaire was designed for data collection and validated by expert review primary data for the annual environmental emission was collected by personally visiting the power plant. The study follows a cradle to gate assessment using the CML (2001) methodology. Findings The analysis reveals that the main impacts were during the process of combustion. The Global warming potential is approximately 0.50 kg CO2 equivalents per kWh of electricity generation from this gas-based power plant. These results can be used by stakeholders, experts and members who are authorised to probe positive initiative for the reduction of environmental impacts from the power generation sector. Practical implications Considering the pace of growth of economic development of India, it is the need of the hour to emphasise on the patterns of sustainable energy generation which is an important subject to be addressed considering India’s ratification to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. This paper analyzes the environmental impacts of gas-based electricity generation. Originality/value Presenting this case study is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the challenges associated with gas-based electricity generation in India. It gives a direction and helps us to better understand the right spot which require efforts for the improvement of sustainable energy generation processes, by taking appropriate measures for emission reduction. This paper also proposes a model for gas-based electricity generation in India. It has been developed following an LCA approach. As far as we aware, this is the first study which proposes an LCA model for gas-based electricity generation in India. The model is developed in line with the LCA methodology and focusses on the impact categories specific for gas-based electricity generation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang-Kuan Chen ◽  
Yen-Wu Ti ◽  
Kuo-Yu Tsai

In nuclear power plant construction scheduling, a project is generally defined by its dependent preparation time, the time required for construction, and its reactor installation time. The issues of multiple construction teams and multiple reactor installation teams are considered. In this paper, a hierarchical particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the nuclear power plant construction scheduling problem and minimize the occurrence of projects failing to achieve deliverables within applicable due times and deadlines.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonjun Chung ◽  
Jinbong Choi ◽  
Chang Wan Woo ◽  
Soobum Lee ◽  
Christina E. Saindon

Purpose This paper investigates whether building a nuclear power plant in a community would inherently bring local conflict phenomena such as “not in my back yard (NIMBY)”, focusing especially on the interactive effect between different types of local publics and their exposure to either a supportive or opposing message about a hypothetical local governmental plan to build a nuclear power plant on community participation intentions. Design/methodology/approach Applying the two theoretical frameworks (situational theory of publics and social exchange theory) to NIMBY, this study used a quantitative approach by using 471 participants in a 4 (publics: active, aware, aroused or inactive) × 2 (advocacy message type: supportive or opposing message) experimental design. Findings The results showed that regardless of message types, active publics were more likely to participate in community activities than any other public, but this group strongly opposed the harmful facility, while inactive publics continued to be inactive. However, aware and aroused publics were significantly influenced by messages. Originality/value The rationale and findings of this research are original, as they have not been published previously, and are not being simultaneously submitted elsewhere. This research should contribute to the broad body of knowledge and practices in community-based conflict issues in terms of risk management. It is believed that the discussion and implications of the findings should raise interesting areas for further research.


Author(s):  
Kenji Akagi ◽  
Masayuki Ishiwata ◽  
Kenji Araki ◽  
Jun-Ichi Kawahata

In nuclear power plant construction, countless variety of parts, products, and jigs more than one million are treated under construction. Furthermore, strict traceability to the history of material, manufacturing, and installation is required for all products from the start to finish of the construction, which enforce much workforce and many costs at every project. In an addition, the operational efficiency improvement is absolutely essential for the effective construction to reduce the initial investment for construction. As one solution, RFID (Radio Frequent Identification) application technology, one of the fundamental technologies to realize a ubiquitous society, currently expands its functionality and general versatility at an accelerating pace in mass-production industry. Hitachi believes RFID technology can be useful of one of the key solutions for the issues in non-mass production industry as well. Under this situation, Hitachi initiated the development of next generation plant concept (ubiquitous plant construction technology) which utilizes information and RFID technologies. In this paper, our application plans of RFID technology to nuclear power is described.


Author(s):  
Taihei Yotsuya ◽  
Kouichi Murayama ◽  
Jun Miura ◽  
Akira Nakajima ◽  
Junichi Kawahata

A composite module construction method is to be examined reflecting one of the elements of construction rationalization of a future nuclear plant planned by Hitachi. This concept is based on accomplishments and many successes achieved by Hitachi through application of the modular construction method to nuclear power plant construction over 20 years. The feature of the composite module typically includes a planned civil structure, such as a wall, a floor, and a post, representing modular components. In this way, an increased level of rationalization is expected in the conventional large-scale nuclear plants. Furthermore, the concept aiming at the modularization of all the building parts comprising medium- or small-scale reactors is also to be examined. Additional aims include improved reductions in the construction duration and rationalization through use of the composite module. On the other hand, present circumstances in nuclear plant construction are very pressing because of economic pressures. With this in mind, Hitachi is pursuing additional research into the introduction of drastic construction rationalization, such as the composite module. This concept is one of the keys to successful future plant construction, faced with such a severe situation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feixiang Peng ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Xin Sui ◽  
Shubo Hu ◽  
Hui Sun ◽  
...  

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