Who Will Build the Nukes?

When all is said and done, they'll just import their nuclear techs from India.

"More plutonium with that vindaloo, sir?"

Hi vermin. Try Iran?

Or what about that Doctor from Pakistan?

Of course, all parts will be built in China.

Why do not look to france? Why look so far away? the expereince exists since electrical power in france is 78% produced with nuclear plants. The 3rd generation is now in building in a northern european country and in france as well. And Chernobyl was in former soviet union where politicians were stronger than professionals.

That fits in with France's intent to take over the world. A whole army run on nuclear power... except the extension cords are too short!

Could you some time not try to earn your name?

I thought according to what I read that French are antiamericans i see that the opposite is also valid. Sorry to notice both resentments since if the USA exists is also due to the French help and if Europe is free it is due to the American help.

Actually, it's more of a love-hate relationship. We used to love them, then they snubbed us and hurt our feelings, so we decided to take our ball and go home.

Ben Franklin, where are you now that we need you!!!

French Military History in a Nutshell

Gallic Wars: Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.

Hundred Years War: Mostly lost, saved at last by a female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare - "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."

Italian Wars: Lost. France becomes the first and only country ever to lose two wars when fighting Italians.

Wars of Religion: France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots.

Thirty Years' War: France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.

War of Devolution: Tied; Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chappeaux.

The Dutch War: Tied.

War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War: Lost, but claimed as a tie. Deluded Frogophiles the world over label the period as the height of French Military Power.

War of the Spanish Succession: Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved ever since.

American Revolution: In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare: "France only wins when America does most of the fighting".

French Revolution: Won, primarily due to the fact that the opponent was also French.

The Napoleonic Wars: Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.

The Franco-Prussian War: Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly-girl-home-alone-on-a-Saturday-night.

WWI: Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like not only to sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fräulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.

WWII: Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.

War in Indochina: Lost. French forces plead sickness, take to bed with Dien Bien Flu.

Algerian Rebellion: Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a Western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare -"We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Eskimos.

War on Terrorism: France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe.

All tongue-in-cheek, of course.

They betrayed the Israelis too. When Gamal Abdul Nazer from Egypt declared his intention to attack Israel in 1967 with forces combined with Syria and Jordan, the French imposed arms embargo on Israel, being at the time their chief supplier to the Israeli armed forces, while the USSR kept arming the Egyptians to their teeth.

Later, during the nineties and up till now, they started selling detailed satellite pictures of developed countries, including the US Britain and Canada (of all places), to buyers in the so called third world, including Arab countries.

When Israel, in return, offered satellite pictures of France to interested parties in Europe and the far east, they provoked diplomatic clashes with Israel, and retaliated by supporting Iran and Syria with strategic materials.

Following the Nine-Eleven, they stopped the mentioned strategic materials support, but keep selling satellite photos to the third world.

Yes, but it took Devo to show the French how to wear flowerpots as chappeaux:

And they 'av ow you say ze rong plerg?

If you recognize my nom de plume, then you proabably know what I am going to say. Atomic Energy Canada Limited has been building nuclear plants over the past couple of decades as well as doing mid-life refurbishments of CANDU plants which are a planned event at about the 25 year point. They have formed a consortium of partners to engage in this sort of work around the world. The CANDU designs are such that they can be built as sub assemblies and lowered through the top of the containment vessel.

The Balance of Plant aka BOP, the turbines, generators, condensors, switchgear, etc are items that are in common with fossil fueled plants so that part should not be too difficult. AECL has completed their latest projects on time and on budget, some before the schedule and underbudget. CANDU's are currently operating in Canada, China, argentina, Romania, Pakistan, and India. India has developed a line of domestic CANDU clones as well.

What do they do about 20 years of high neutron flux on concrete?

Don't know about irradiated concrete, but back in the 60s, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission extolled the virtues of using uranium-mine tailings in concrete mixes used to build the foundations of homes, schools, and businesses in Western Colorado. Specifically, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Ignorant of the radiological hazards, many homebuilders and contractors were happy to take the stuff off the AEC's hands.

Years later, Geiger counters held near the local elementary school's foundation sang like canaries on steroids. Same thing happened with my ex-in-law's front steps.

Oops.

Is this the same AEC that injected Down Syndrome children with plutonium?

It was there chance, after all, to do something patriotic!

Yes. With help from non-governmental institutions.

Atomic Energy Canada Limited was not involved in any such studies, those took place in the United States.

Uh, no one said it did... So why are you so defensive? Ya got a couple of baby harp seals in the freezer downstairs? Hmmm?

Baby harp seals are a bit too gamey for my tastes. Instead, I prefer Arctic Snowy Owl stuffed with ground Snail Darters marinated in wine sauce. Top with Gorgonzola and bake. Serve with whipped Tuscan garlic potatoes (lots of butter, please) and steamed white asparagus.

We should allow marketing men ,accountants, HR and management consultants build 'em.

They receive far better pecuniary remunaration than us engineers.

Ooooh yes and 'celebrities' and soccer stars.

YES..A new reality TV show with all the above building a Newcular (sic) Power staion..

hey we could even add in politicians..

An what if they all get killed in industrial accidents.......

...

....

A tumble weed rolls across in silence

Umm I want a job doing that.

Just until you get sick as a dog, and your hair starts falling out, right? Kind of like Chernobyl in reverse.

I think there might be lots to do before the core gets loaded with fuel anyway.

Maybe I might like Homer Simpson's job, donuts and coffee are good.

"We need to find foreign companies to give billions of dollars to become rich instead of american companies to harness the heat causing reaction of uranium fuel pellets in a core that produces heat that water turned to steam turns turbines that produce electricity on a massive scale and regulate the heat by the proximity of the fuel in the core and secondary coolant systems."

We need to who hah what? Can you make that a little more clear?

Damn lazers.

For the record, the correct spelling is Canuck, not Canook.

In any case if any US power companies decided to buy something from the CANDU family they would not have to fear long lines of trucks and trains bearing all of the parts for the nuclear power plant. Between 70 and 80% of the sub assemblies would be made in the US. Most of the man-hours would be performed by US citizens or at least green card holders. The CANDU may be considered to be a Made in Canada product but much of the actual plant would be made in America.

Many of the innovative features of the CANDU were developed because Canada lacks the industrial infrastructure to build some items such as the large vessels used to house the reactor core. Instead the CANDU uses high pressure fuel channels running through a relatively low pressure calandria. These fuel channels can be replaced and such a replacement is part of the 25-30 year midlife refurbishment. They also allow the reactor to be refuelled while on full power eliminating the shutdown required by the standard light water reactors.

AECL is a design and engineering company partnered with several other large international companies that have the capability of taking on nuclear power plant projects ranging from project management, construction to operation, waste fuel management, refurbishment, and eventual decommissioning.

In fact to get a new nuclear power plant design built in the US, the design must be first approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities which will result in several million dollars coming into the US. Should the US need to look to foreign countries for nuclear plant construction, it will not be a one-way path for money to leave the country.

Spreading work around is not an unusual situation when big budget projects are under taken. Take a look at the countries where the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is being built. Even the 747's that are going to be used to bring fuselage sections from Italy are being modified in Taiwan (they will have a swing away tail and a full upper fuselage in order to get the desired volume).

Canook

Who are you, George Dubya Bush? I guess not.. he's not as creative as you have been... very funny bit.. you do standup?

Definitely not Dubya. A post that long requires an attention span greater than twenty seconds.

When I wrote the original article, I was actually wondering what engineering & construction firms would build the plants as opposed to equipment suppliers. Names like Black & Veatch and Fluor were on my mind, perhaps because I used to work for B&V. While these firms subcontract some work to China & India, the bulk of their work is still done in the U.S. at or near their HQ.

All of the big E&C firms in the U.S. were burned in the past with nuclear plant construction projects that ran over budget and schedule, so it will be interesting to see which step up to the plate this time.