Safety systems at Units 1 and 2 at CNE Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania will have an added defense-in-depth layer with the installation of AREVA’s Filter Containment Venting System (FCVS). This compact, modular and proven system can be used in all types of reactors: Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR), Boiling Water Reactors (BWR), and CANDU plants.

Bigger picture—the FCVS is just one component of AREVA’s comprehensive Safety Alliance, an initiative providing expert safety analyses, upgrades and enhancements to help utilities meet post-Fukushima safety requirements. Last year’s spate of extreme U.S. weather events and U.S. nuclear energy facilities’ successful safety responses and return to reliable energy generation clearly showed the benefits of decades of ongoing safety upgrades and enhancements.

World-view—New Gen III+ nuclear reactor projects are designed from the foundations up to incorporate these decades of safety experience in multiple redundant passive and active safety systems, for example, in AREVA’s EPR^TM reactor. With more than 60 nuclear reactors under construction in 14 countries, the benefits of modern nuclear facilities generating reliable, safe clean energy will be a reality in these locations. Now, for the rest of the world …

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, then an app is worth a million.

We launched the AREVAinc App today to do just that— spread the good word and provide instant smartphone access to everyone curious about the company, our North America activities, our clean energy portfolio, and our latest announcements.

You can download the AREVAinc App onto iPhones or BlackBerry devices now.

As stated in the press release,

With the AREVAinc App, users have direct access to the latest AREVA North America content, including blog posts, images, videos, news releases, company information and links to online resources. Where available, the content is enabled for personal download and sharing via popular social media tools and email.

And speaking of pictures, be sure to peruse the media library for incredible technology shots and even a floating robot to download for your screen image.

This new app joins an expanding social community presence for AREVA in North America, including the Next Energy blog, Twitter accounts for nuclear (#AREVAinc) and renewable (#AREVArenew) energies, Facebook page, YouTube channel, Google+ page, and LinkedIn company profile.

For all these links, check the right column of our North America website or (of course) connect to them with the new AREVAinc App.

Specific to the EREF project, pre-construction and design activities at Eagle Rock continue as planned. There is no change to ongoing work on these teams.

At the same time, we are actively seeking to reduce our capital requirements for this $3 billion project.

What may change is the proposed construction schedule. We are working to ensure that construction begins as soon as a capital solution is in place. The overall impact on the EREF project is likely to be minimal. EREF contracts already in place, remain in place.

EREF is a solid project. We received our construction license from the NRC in October. We currently have approval for a conditional loan guarantee. The U.S. enrichment market is strong and is expected to grow. We have contracts in place for a significant amount of the output from this facility. In summary, we have a sound project, a proven technology, an NRC license, and off-take contracts with investment-rated customers. We are confident that capital solutions will be found in a timely manner.

What do we need to move forward? We need the $2 billion loan guarantee from DOE and solutions to reduce our near-term capital expenditures.

Since EREF was primarily developed to address U.S. demand from 104 operating reactors, this project is not impacted by the events in Japan.

AREVA remains committed to invest in the American nuclear power industry. We employ more than 5,000 American employees, at more than 30 industrial and commercial locations in the country. In the past few years, we made significant investments for the modernization of our industrial equipment and for the development of new products and designs. Globally, 95% of all nuclear utilities are AREVA customers, and we are continuing our multi-billion dollar investment in the industry worldwide.

As Mr. Oursel stated, the Action 2016 strategic plan is a growth-focused plan that will make AREVA even stronger.

Hence, the AREVA Inc YouTube channel is a great resource for the latest video or animation on our advanced technologies.

Here are three favorites, plus the “Energy” video; recognize that song?

EPR^TM reactor projects update

AREVA Solar’s powerful technology

AREVA Wind installs 5MW offshore wind turbines

Are you willing to join in a straightforward conversation about this topic? Submit your questions and comments in advance here, and then join the live chat tomorrow (12/6) at 1 PM EST.

To lead this conversation and ensure the technical facts are correct, we’ve tapped one of our top scientific advisors, Bertrand Barré (read his credentials on the Live Chat page).

Why are we opening up this line of questions? As we state on the AREVA Dialogue page,

AREVA wants to take everyone’s opinions into account and provide information to the public with the aim of full transparency. Not wishing to avoid difficult subjects, the group would like to enter into open, civilized debate between the public and energy experts. From a standpoint that all questions posed by the general public are worthy of attention, AREVA wants to give people the possibility of expressing themselves about the subject areas linked to energy and the group’s activities.

Spread the word. We look forward to hearing from you.

David Rupert, incoming Alliance Chair and Director, discusses Alliance achievements in 2011. Source: EUISSCA

On a supplier panel moderated by AEP’s Manager of Sustainable Supplier Development, Mark Bueltmann, I presented on AREVA’s using Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology to reduce environmental impact. Given its inherent focus on eliminating waste and process improvement, the LSS approach easily lends itself to natural resource/energy efficiency projects. For example, one of our LSS energy efficiency projects reduced that site’s energy consumption by nearly ten percent without requiring any major capital investment. Through this project, we defined the main drivers of the site’s energy consumption and then identified and prioritized a series of behavioral and technical solutions. As another example, AREVA already reduced per person paper consumption in the U.S. by 45% since 2005, but is using an LSS project to achieve an additional 10% reduction.

AREVA and our utility customers have a shared commitment to sustainability. Through supply chain sustainability (facilitated by the Alliance) and complementary supplier diversity programs, we systematically ensure that our operations and initiatives reflect an increasingly inclusive and responsible approach to doing business. Our clean, reliable, safe, and affordable energy future depends on this kind of leadership and collaboration.

Stephanie Jones

The CAC held our final meeting of 2011 this week in Washington, DC. It was a great opportunity for CAC members to update each other on our activities and priorities, share ideas, reflect on the work we did together in 2011 and plan a vigorous agenda for 2012.

Among the AREVA CAC’s activities in 2011 were a Breakfast and Clean Energy Workshop at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Convention in Cincinnati, an energy panel discussion at Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) convention, an Energy Roundtable with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), and an Energy Symposium at National Hispanic Conference of State Legislators (NHCSL). CAC Members provided testimony to the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, offering comments on the Commission’s draft report to the Secretary of Energy. We also participated in tours of Calvert Cliffs and the Richland Fuel Facility and two very dynamic Dinner and Dialogue meetings with influential grassroots community organizations.

CAC members agreed that 2011 was a year of growth and progress for the CAC, and that we were able to be particularly effective in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster. During that time, AREVA regularly consulted with and promptly provided solid, unbiased information to CAC members, enabling us to help our communities better understand what was (and wasn’t) happening in Japan and what it meant for our energy security and safety at home. Everyone at the meeting commended how effectively and efficiently the AREVA-CAC collaboration worked during that critical time. This was one of the reasons the CAC was formed, and it has proven to be a tremendous resource both for AREVA and the communities our organizations serve.

We were reminded again in 2011 just how complex, confusing and, at times, even frightening issues related to nuclear energy can be, especially to people and communities who historically have not always been included in the conversations related to America’s energy future. So, it is critical that diverse communities across the country are an integral part of the conversations moving forward, that they are fully informed about all of the issues, and that their voices, concerns and ideas are heard and integrated into the decision-making. Stephanie Jones Strategies’ work on the AREVA Community Advisory Council is an important part of this effort.

The first installation of such a system in a U.S. reactor was recognized yesterday by Platts at its 13th Annual Global Energy Awards Assembly with the prestigious “Engineering Project of the Year” award.

As described in the press release,

The June installation of AREVA’s TELEPERM® XS is the first comprehensive application of a safety-related Digital Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Reactor Protection System in the United States. The system enables state-of-the-art digital processing of functions for the Reactor Protection System (RPS) and the Engineered Safeguards Protection System (ESPS).

Performing as a key component of the “Defense in Depth” approach to nuclear energy safety, our digital I&C enables the #2 and #3 requirements in a safety response.

AREVA is the world leader in digital I&C, with safety-related digital I&C systems installed in reactors in Europe, China and Russia over the past decade. The TELEPERM® XS platform has been installed, or is on order, at 69 units at 40 separate sites in 14 countries … and now helping maintain the unmatched energy safety record of U.S. nuclear reactor facilities.

Luc Oursel, Chairman of AREVA’s Executive Board

With seven billion people living on our planet today, power demand is set to double by 2050 as the world’s population continues increasing – unless a significant portion of the population is deprived of this vital element. At the same time, we will have to address the increasing scarcity of fossil resources if we want to continue producing electricity without interruption. And let’s not forget that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at the same time in order to fight climate change, a topic which has seemingly disappeared from the environmental protection agenda.

The Fukushima plant accident does not change any of these constraints. This is why Germany remains an isolated example with its decision to abandon nuclear power. Belgium wants to identify a suitable alternative source of energy before making any decision to abandon nuclear power. Switzerland will continue building nuclear plants, but will only construct the latest generation of reactors. The United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, China, India and Brazil, among others continue their nuclear programs with determination. After the Fukushima accident, the United States decided to add another reactor to the fleet by restarting construction on a project put on hold after the Three Mile Island accident.

The German model is often presented as an example of a program focused on renewable energy, but the reality is different. Berlin’s decision will result in higher power costs, greater energy dependency fueled by an increased reliance on imported gas, particularly from Russia, and a jump in CO2 emissions triggered by the construction of gas-fired and coal-fired plants. All these undesirable effects are already being felt after just a few months.

Denmark is another interesting example. It is the European champion for wind power, which represents 30% of the country’s electricity. But because wind is an intermittent source, Denmark is also one of the largest users of coal in Europe. Result: Danish CO2 emissions are 65% higher than the European average, with an electricity cost 50% more! Conversely, the stability of the French energy policy means that, in comparison, our neighbors pay 40% more for electricity than French households. As the cost of electricity is a key element for competitiveness in today’s global economy – and an asset when it comes to preserving the industrial fabric of a country – French industry enjoys the cheapest electricity in Europe. Significantly reducing the percentage of nuclear power in the energy mix would trigger a significant increase in the cost of electricity, rendering moot all discussions on the country’s industrial redevelopment or the preservation of the population’s purchasing power. This is too much to pay for most French people, particularly since surveys demonstrate that most of the French are not philosophically opposed to nuclear power.

Let’s remember that our country’s energy policy led to the development of an industrial complex contributing 125,000 direct and 410,000 indirect jobs. A major engine for exports, it supports an array of high-tech small businesses creating local jobs. If France were to discontinue its nuclear program, most of these businesses would be destroyed and with them a significant part of the 6 billion euros generated each year in France from the export of equipment and services. What power company would order an EPR™ reactor designed to operate for sixty years if the technology provider is expected to reduce its production? To solve our energy conundrum, we must acknowledge that there is no miracle source of clean electric power – and no evil source either. AREVA’s decision to develop multiple solutions to produce electricity with low CO2 emissions, i.e. nuclear power and renewable energies, demonstrates that these energy sources complement each other.

Of course, it is imperative to maintain the highest level of safety in nuclear power production. The French nuclear safety authority monitors existing reactors and the Flamanville construction project both with rigor and transparency. Our teams are recognized for their professionalism and their obsession with safety. In half a century, three serious nuclear accidents have taken place. Only one – at Three Mile Island – took place while the plant was operating under normal conditions. There was no impact on people or the environment. In Chernobyl, the reactor’s design and unforgivable human errors triggered a disaster. In Fukushima, some have forgotten that the accident is the result of two unprecedented natural disasters, which themselves resulted in the death of tens of thousands of people. The nuclear industry will learn lessons from this accident, as it did after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents.

The EPR™ reactor is a product of this approach and the cooperation between safety authorities, nuclear operators and nuclear builders in France and Germany. It is designed to withstand events like these. All power companies interested in building a nuclear plant are considering the EPR™ reactor as a contender. Discontinuing the Flamanville project would be a gift to AREVA’s and EDF’s competitors, giving them a free pass to capture the leadership in the necessary development of nuclear power. While it is legitimate and necessary to determine the best energy mix for our country, it would be irresponsible to let emotions, dogmatic views and politically expedient maneuvers to dominate a debate that is so essential for the economic, social and financial future of our country.

Originally published in French in “Libération” – November 14, 2011