Thomas Vardalas ☆☆ CSO®’s Post

In my latest for CEPA I discuss the worsening energy crisis in #Ukraine and what to do about it. Special thanks to Yevhenii Natsvin-Stepanov for technical and policy insights from 🇺🇦

The Australian government is clear about its commitment to building a modern, nuclear-powered submarine fleet with a budget of $53-$63 billion as reflected in the recently released IIP. However, it also raises important questions. Will reliance on US technology affect Australia's technological independence? How will the integration and substantial costs be managed? While maintaining a strong maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region is evident, careful planning will be crucial for the success of this program. Read more: https://lnkd.in/efd8h2KF #DefenceIndustry #DefenceCapability #DefencePartnership #IndustryEngagement #Strategy #DefenceInnovation #AUKUS

27 Sep 16:25: weareukraine.info: Ukraine 💙🦸🏻♂️🦸🏼💛 bolsters energy sector to prepare for winter ❄️☃️ and potential russian attacks 👺🚀💥🤮: 👺 ‘Peter-the-Stupidest’ Doesn’t Rule OK 🤡 He Visibly Doesn’t Actually Rule Anything Some Advice to Peter: ‘Never Turn Your Back’ Extract: ‘… Shmyhal emphasised the significant advancements made in the Ukrainian air defense capabilities. He pointed out that compared to the previous year, Ukraine now possesses a considerably larger and more powerful arsenal of air defense systems, including Patriots, NASAMS, IRIS-T, SAMP-T, and other critical systems. These enhancements have bolstered Ukraine’s air defense, making it more comprehensive and experienced. Furthermore, he assured that ongoing efforts to strengthen and develop the air defense would result in even greater effectiveness by the onset of winter’:

Applications are now open for the Nordic Security Conference: The future of Defense! Apply here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dEgCB_wP The conference will be divided into three sessions, each delving into significant areas within this overarching theme. The first session will center around technology, emphasizing both the advancements in new technologies and the integration of existing technologies into the defense sector. The second session will focus on nuclear capabilities and the regulations surrounding both conventional and emerging weapons systems through a historical perspective as well as future-oriented analyses. The third session will explore the interconnectedness of climate change and security, delving into the various aspects and perspectives on how climate change will shape the future of defense. We strongly encourage everyone with a genuine interest in security and foreign policy issues to attend. The application deadline is Sunday March 3rd. NB! You must be an active member to be eligible for participation. Not a member? For Norwegian applicants: www.yata.no/bli-medlem YATA Norge

European armed forces reduce energy consumption while increasing self-production, data shows 📊 EDA collects and analysis data in a continuous effort to monitor participating Member States’ defence energy use. The objective is to gain a better overview and understanding of the types and volumes of energy resources used by European armed forces on an annual basis. EDA’s latest factsheet on Defence Energy Data presents the results obtained from the regional compilation and analysis of data from 2016 to 2020. Download the factsheet to get a closer look at the numbers and conclusions - https://lnkd.in/eKYKaXRF #EUdefence #defenceenergy #data #energy #EU #European

"A Strategy to Help Ukraine Win the Energy War and Build a Resilient, Future-Oriented Grid"  Was a real honor to author this with Ken Medlock! --Ukraineʼs Soviet-legacy extremely centralized power infrastructure footprint offers a plethora of high value targets for the Russian military using cruise missiles, drones, and ballistic missiles. --Ukraineʼs military survived Russiaʼs early onslaught and successfully resisted in part because commanders dispersed forces before Russian strikes at warʼs outset. Now, dispersion is also needed for the power sector. --Dispersed generation capacity must be able to collectively scale up to gigawatt production levels and do so affordably. --Accordingly, gas turbines, gas piston-engines, and diesel generators whose replacement cost is insured by the US and partner governments are thus core to the solution. They can be fueled from the existing gas pipeline system and Ukraineʼs highly resilient, widely distributed wartime diesel supply chain. --A successful deployment of distributed diesel and gas-fired assets hardens Ukraine against future Russian aggression—an unfortunately likely prospect— and provides critical support for Ukrainians living in wartime stress. It also provides a blueprint for longer term deployment of other distributed assets, such as small modular #nuclear reactors, that can provide the energy density needed to support an industrial base. Vitalii Tarasiuk Artem Sherbinin 🇺🇦 Isaac "Ike" Harris Michael Hewitt Roman Motychak Roman Sheremeta #electricity #grid #energysecurity https://lnkd.in/dCHHDY53

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA

Australia's submarine capability and the transition from 6 Collins to 8 nuclear subs is in turmoil. Senators are hearing from the Australian Submarine Corporation today about the unexpected corrosion problems in one of the youngest Collins subs and one of the oldest, with each out of operation for months, maybe longer depending on further assessment. This revelation fits with analysis of the Collins class future by SAA's Head of Research, Dr Marcus Hellyer released yesterday (link below). The bottom line: the Collins fleet will not serve in the Royal Australian Navy even through the 2030s, let alone into the late 2040s as Defence originally planned. Rethinking how much is to be done in a "Life of Type Extension" program, on how many of the 6 Collins subs, is necessary for two big reasons: 1. the condition of the boats is likely to mean it is prohibitively expensive and difficult to keep older subs operating much beyond their existing planned withdrawal dates (this is what is happening right now with the ANZAC Class frigates and their earlier than planned decommissioning), and 2. the crew and industrial workforce demands of the Virginia SSNs will mean that continuing to have 5 Collins crews and an onshore workforce to do both Collins and Virginia maintenance available into the mid-2030s isn't credible. Read more here:

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA

The antipodeans Sir Ernest Rutherford "father of nuclear physics" and Sir Mark Oliphant, "Opposer of the fission bomb" were the first experimental demonstrators of nuclear fusion. Why then are the Australian Government and the Federal Opposition not working to get it developed in Australia and bring it back home? New Zealand has, so why not Australia? Interesting articles about Nuclear and I know you haven't looked at Fusion. So let's look at the nuclear or Fission option versus Fusion 1. Fission (Nuclear) Not able to be licenced. https://lnkd.in/gbm2t5uU 2. Authorities have the power to grant licenses for fusion, which is not explicitly covered by the Nuclear Act or the ARPANSA definition. https://lnkd.in/gjKFABpy The above ARPANSA link defines nuclear as fission—no mention of Fusion. 3. A fission (Nuclear)reactor without fissile fuel is a building. 4. A fusion reactor without fissile fuel is a fusion reactor building 5, Fissile (Nuclear) fuel availability and the future cost is a concern, especially for economists and users Dittmar, M. (2011). The End of Cheap Uranium. ArXiv. /abs/1106.3617 Even the UN has identified this, so why does the Fission(Nuclear) industry persist in denying its death like fossil fuels https://lnkd.in/gze5rwpr 6. Should the focus in Australia be on nuclear fission advancement or the promotion of fusion technology? 7, Fission (Nuclear) is only at present in 39 countries out of 189. 8. Is Dutton doing a Menzies and wanting a loophole to get fission (Nuclear) weapons to start with for the subs? 9. Australia still has no high-level radiation waste storage facility 10. Helion Fusion has committed to having its fusion version working in 2028 11. The FIA (Fusion Industry Association) has postulated that commercial power fusion will be available in the 2030s. 12. In its fusion conference report in 2023, the IAEA postulated that all International nuclear (Fission) Laws like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty do not consider fusion, so it seems it can be built in Australia now. 13. Fusion is also being developed "Small Modular Fusion Reactors" like Zap Energy and Avalanche Energy. 14. HB11 and the UNSW Tokamak project have positioned Australia prominently in the trillion-dollar international fusion industry. Instead of relying on fission with a limited lifetime, wouldn't it be preferable to support Australian renewables, batteries, and hydrogen energy generators and back them up with a fusion power plant? This would eliminate the traditional waste problem while still providing medical isotopes and advancements in medical technology like MRIs. Let's focus on creating a sustainable future for Australia instead of perpetuating pollution and leading to an energy crisis. https://lnkd.in/ekakyifA