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NIGER - BOOST TO
POWER SECTOR THROUGH MINING
Niger is one of the major potential supplier of uranium and China is
already in the Country mining uranium. The Country's power supply from
Nigeria has been erratic and recently Niger and China have come together
to boost the power sector of Niger. Niamey region is likely to benefit
from the transfer of the proposed power units almost by 30%.
related:
Uranium Mining in Niger issues
02082008
KAZA KHSTAN-LOOKING AHEAD
In the absence of a viable alternative yet for fossil fuels, nuclear
energy has emerged as the immediate alternative indicated by the number
of reactors under construction and being planned world wide. The
World Nuclear Association expects uranium mining to increase
almost by 300% in the next two decades and already resources are being
searched for by existing suppliers apart from the current and future
planned expansions.
Kazakhstan holds the largest uranium deposit outside Australia which has
almost one-third of world's uranium but of lower quality. Kazakhstan is
already moving to assert its position and the workings at Tortkuduk and
the existing
liquefaction process is expected to take the stages further.
28032008
CHINA,RAPSEEDBASED BIO-DIESEL INDUSTRY
Liu Xinghua, Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange looks optimistically at the
future of China's rapeseed-based
bio-diesel. The developments of China's projects being
considered the world's largest producer of rapeseed are
being closed watched by international players
01072007
ON "ENERGY SECURITY"
"Energy Security" has become the catchword of nations and has become one
of the major factors determining investment in that country. Moving
towards renewable energy and reduction of dependency on fossil based
fuels, though being taken earnestly, has a long time to catch up with
the current needs and nuclear energy has returned with force. All the
old mines once considered uneconomical, otherwise closed, and with
operational constraints are getting a second but deeper look around the
globe.
Czech Republic is an example as to how far the market forces influence
the uranium come-back and the "Energy Security" is finding priority
in the National Agenda. Czech Republic is planning the revival of old
closed mines, as well as extending the life of running Rozna
mine beyond 2008. Activists point out that this could result in a
disaster and totally negate the initiatives taken so for by way of huge
investments in re-cultivation of former mining areas
India is on a "fast-forward" mode as far as nuclear energy is concerned.
Though the Jadugoda mine
is in operation for more than 30 years safety measures, still appear to
lack trigger mechanisms for "tailings-pond" failure on occurrence, to
prevent the spread of contamination by toxic sludge which directly
confronts the displaced persons who pay a very high price on their
health. The emergence of the a local anti-uranium mining group "Jharkhandis
Organization Against Radiation" is a reflection of the seriousness.
JOAR does its bit to resist further nuclear development and educate the
local community
The seriousness of a toxic spill is reflected in the spill that occurred
in the United States at Church
Rock N.M in 1979 which
showed strong radiation even after eighteen months and the ground
percolation feared at 30 feet.
more on:
uranium deposits in Hamr, north Bohemia
Uranium in-situ leaching in Czech Russia,
Asia and others
20042007
COAL BASED FUEL
CELL POWER
The Department of Energy (DOE)'S third project is to conduct
research for the development of near-zero emission fuel cell power
plants that efficiently convert coal to electricity
ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN CEMENT INDUSTRY
What is burning in the cement kiln? It is
no longer only coal and oil. Survival becomes important with cost
cutting measures and at the same time improving efficiency all round.
The one major source of costs in the cement plant is energy and the
industry is seized with this issue already reflected by the increase
in alternate fuel consumption. To
make a point, Holcim reports its share of alternate fuel consumption in
2005 is at 13.2% compared to 2% during 1995. related:
Smart technology for the cars now and maybe
the future trucks. Vision 2020
BRAZIL SHOWS
THE WAY
Brazil saw it long before anybody realized and
with a head start of 30 years, more than 300 bioethanol plants
already converting sugarcane to transportation fuel, leave nothing to
waste.Now looking further ahead for the next 30 years, Brazil looks at next-generation
technologies for
converting cellulosic
biomass to
fuels and chemicals with an integrated approach from all sectors.
The collaboration between US and Brazil
brings out the fact that sustenance can not be in isolation and the
effort has truly to be global in the future.
also: What
is bioethnol?
26062007
INDIA
COAL DEMAND TO QUADRUPLE IN 2031
The Minister for Coal indicates that the
demand for coal could exceed two billion tonnes per annum by 2031-32.
The current level is around 460 million tonnes per annum. The Government
is alive to the environmental issues and Global Warming forecasts and is
taking steps to add more washeries and look at alternative fuels. The
current moves include acquisition of properties in other countries as
well as allocating coal blocks linking to captive power plants with the
possibility of a private role. 17042007
Energy:
Bio diesel-increasing acceptance to B20
Role of titanium in hydrogen storage Hydrogen
from water
06092005
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