After unit shutdown for preventive maintenance during the routine test of reactor overpower emergency protection in the low power range (LPEP) the failure of ionization chamber power supply cabinets of 3 trains out of 4 due to insulation damage of the +500 V power cable was found. The damage (melting) of cable insulation occurred due to high temperature in the room, where the cable route passes. Operating personnel activated only AZM protection (power level emergency protection) and started to perform refueling (unloading of the spent fuel assembly, installation of additional absorber) without activating the LPEP protection, which is forbidden by the procedure. In fact, because of the effect of RPS normal interlocking the LPEP protection could not be activated at any position of RPS control rods. BASIS FOR RATING: Initial event - deenergization of ionization chamber power supply cabinets. Event - expected, postulated. Safety function availability - insufficient (since no protection existed for the 0%-10% Nnom range), which corresponds to Level 2/3 (D-2P). The event revealed operation deficiencies (contradictions between the items of the technological procedure and reactor operating instruction) as well as safety culture deficiency (item 4.2,b). Therefore the maximum level has been chosen. DIFFICULTIES IN RATING:
The Netherlands has agreed to allow Urenco to be used for the British military nuclear program. This clears the way for uranium enriched by Urenco to be used in nuclear weapons. With his decision, Foreign Minister Berendsen (CDA Christen Democrats) is departing from the principle that civilian and military nuclear applications must remain strictly separate. […]
Behnam Raeesian is an internationally recognized visual artist and poster designer from Iran, known for bold political and cultural works. Through exhibitions, workshops, jury roles, and collaborations with cultural institutions worldwide, he has built a strong voice in contemporary political graphic design. His projects confront complex issues such as nuclear risk and technological impact, transforming […]
Everywhere you look, the nuclear industry’s hype machine is in overdrive. Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and the UK government all tout small modular reactors as the silver bullet for climate change and energy security. Tech billionaires are hiring nuclear veterans. Wall Street is whispering about “round-the-clock power” for artificial intelligence data centers. For those old enough […]
Kernenergie en veiligheid: A wargame sought to test if a major radiological release that would prompt the evacuation of millions of civilians in South Korea could distract key US allies from assisting and rebuffing an all-out military invasion of Taiwan. The short answer was yes. The game originally presumed that China, wanting to keep the […]
Big batteries and EVs to the rescue again as faults with new nuclear plant cause chaos on Nordic grids The Finnish nuclear power plant Olkiluoto was finally connected to the grid last year, at an estimated cost of €11 billion compared to the original budget of €3 billion. That cost blowout forced its developer, the […]
