Uranium having less than the natural 0.7% U-235. As a by-product of enrichment in the fuel cycle it generally has 0.25-0.30% U-235, the rest being U-238. Can be blended with highly-enriched uranium (e.g. from weapons) to make reactor fuel
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two, accompanied by the release of a relatively large amount of energy and usually one or more neutrons. It may be spontaneous but usually is due to a nucleus absorbing a neutron and thus becoming unstable
Removal of a facility (e.g. reactor) from service, also the subsequent actions of safe storage, dismantling and making the site available for unrestricted use.
Netanyahu’s government has approached the US in the aim to try to promote the construction of a nuclear power station at Shivta in the Negev as the best solution to the shortage of electricity generation. A report prepared for the Infrastructure Ministry by one of the world’s largest energy companies indicated that a nuclear plant would best address Israel’s needs at this time. Plans for building a nuclear reactor in Israel have been in place since the 1960s. The government has already reserved a plot of land for the venture in the south of the country. The government needs America’s approval so it can build an internationally monitored civilian reactor while avoiding monitoring of Israel’s other nuclear capabilities Israel’s main problem in this respect is that it will not sign the non proliferation treaty. Israel has recently sent the requirement to the U.S. government for getting its approval, but receiving no response so far, the report said. Israel is interested in adopting the Indian model, which could allow it to build an internationally monitored civilian reactor while avoiding monitoring of Israel’s other nuclear capabilities.
Israel cannot undertake to construct a nuclear power station on its own and will thus have to purchase a shelf product from one of the reliable companies such as the French Areva or the US Westinghouse.
Construction began on the Soreq NRC in 1058. The Research reactor in this center became critical in 1960. The reactor is fueled by HEU, cooled and moderated by light water. Cooling and moderation are done using purified water. The reactor’s nominal capacity is 5 MW. The reactor of the Soreq NRC is operated under IAEA safeguards. Radiation control is one of the NRC’s fields of activity. To that end, the NRC provides consulting services regarding ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Extensive research is conducted at the Soreq NRC, especially in the field of electro-optics. Additional activities are held at the Shalheveth Freier Center and at the National Data Center (NDC).
The cost to generate 1 MWH of electricity with diesel oil is more than $200 (in March 2009), namely ten times more than with natural gas which would cost about $20 and compared to $30 for coal.
According to IEC, in 2010 it cost 13.4 agorot to generate 1 KwH of electricity, whilst it cost 47.9 agorot for 1 kwH by fuel oil and 1.43 shekels by gasoil
Uranium in which the proportion of U-235 (to U-238) has been increased above the natural 0.7%. Reactor-grade uranium is usually enriched to about 3.5% U-235, weapons-grade uranium is more than 90% U-235
Company is jointly owned by the Turkish Zurlu (51%) and the Israeli Edeltech (49%). They are establishing a 55 MW cogeneration plant at the Agan Chemicals plant in Ashdod to provide the energy needs of the Machteshim Agan Group. Surplus electricity will be sold to other consumers. The natural gas to the plant is to be supplied by EMG
The electricity sector in Israel is the main cause for air pollution, caused by the consumption of fuels. Israel’s power stations emit 65% of the sulfur dioxide, 45% of the nitrogen dioxide, 38% of the particles and 60% of the carbon dioxide emitted yearly into the atmosphere. In January 2009, The Socioeconomic cabinet in Israel decided that 10% of the country’s electricity would be generated by renewable energy sources by 2020 with land, incentives and tariffs determined. This will save about 35 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2020, which means that about 8.5 billion KwH will be produced from clean sources of energy. In addition, an interim target of 5% of savings has been set for 2014 which means 3.4 billion KwH. As a comparison a 600 MW natural gas generated power station that operates 6,000 hours a year produces about 3.6 billion KwH a year. In December 2009, President Peres represented Israel at the Copenhagen conference where he declared a goal for Israel of reducing the growth in emissions by 20% by 2020, namely a 20% reduction compared to business as usual scenario. If Israel continues business as usual it will double its emissions by 2030 to 71 million tons of carbon dioxide to 142 according to an analysis carried out by McKinsey. However, Israel can reduce that increase to around 30% by implementing certain technologies and using more natural gas and alternative energy in place of coal and oil, according to McKinsey. McKinsey has developed a methodology that it has applied in 21 countries. Slowing the increase would involve heavy investment in the short-term, but in the long-term the savings would more than balance the initial investment according to the analysis. It is hard for Israel to reduce its emissions because of a higher than average for developed countries population growth and in increasing standard of living which lead to more demand for electricity. Tons of emissions per person per year in Israel come out to 10.2 which is slightly higher than in Western Europe and about half as much as in the US. 55% of greenhouse emissions in Israel are generated by the production of electricity, 18% from transportation, 10% from garbage and less than 5% each from a variety of industries such as agriculture, cement and buildings. Much of the reduction in growth of emissions can be brought about through several specific changes. In order of reduction potential they are: (1) Using more solar thermal and photovoltaic solar energy to produce 25% of electricity; (2) Making internal combustion cars more efficient; (3) Green building; (4) Efficient lighting; (5) Renovating homes; (6) Switching the fuel basket away from coal and oil to natural gas and biomass, (7) Switching to electric cars; (8) Using wind turbines. The report continued by saying that Israel was limited in its potential for emission reductions because of a lack of nuclear, hydroelectric and biomass power as well as lack of carbon capture and storage technology. In addition, the PA’s emissions are counted against Israel adding another 6% or 8 million tons. Also, Israel lacks a heavy industry that has reduction potential.
