[en] NUEXCO first interviewed Mr. Nikipelov in the fall of 1989 on the subject of V/O Techsnabexport (TENEX) and its growing commercial presence in the international nuclear fuel market. In that interview, Mr. Nikipelov, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Atomic Energy and Industry (MAEI), concluded with a discussion of the non-nuclear production capability within the Ministry. He also emphasized the mutual benefits that might be derived from increased international trade in these areas. In this follow-up interview, Mr. Albert A. Shishkin, General Director of TENEX, joins Mr. Nikipelov in giving us more detail on the state-sponsored program of converting the production capacity of the Soviet nuclear fuel cycle and its supporting infrastructure from defense and power generation to commercial purposes

No abstract available

[en] Problem of financing oil industry of Russia is discussed. Main forms of attracting external financing into the oil industry of the country are considered. Main attention is paid to direct investments

[en] Presents a critical review of 'From Scientific Search to Atomic Energy - Modern Problems of Atomic Science and Technology in the USSR': The Interstate Printers and Publishers Inc. Danville, I11., 1975, 369 pp, S 17.50. This is an English translation of the 1972 Moscow 2nd edition of a book by A.M.Petrosyants, formerly head of the State Commission for the Application of Nuclear Energy. It ranges from the first European cyclotron built at Leningrad in 1935 to accelerators and nuclear fusion. (D.J.B.)

[en] The conditions for solar energy utilization in the USSR are not too favorable. Only in the country's southern regions is there sufficient insolation to make solar energy utilization economical. In higher latitudes only seasonable use of solar energy is reasonable. Up to now, the main application of solar energy was to produce low temperature heat for hot water production, drying of agricultural goods, space heating and thermal treating of concrete. A substantial part of the solar heating installations is flat plate solar collectors. The total installed area of solar collectors slightly exceeds 100,000 m². The collectors are produced by industry, as well as by small enterprises. In some cases selective coatings are used over the absorber plates; black nickel or chromium is the main coating material. Recently, new projects were launched to develop and produce advanced collectors with enhanced efficiency and reliability. Substantial progress has been made in the USSR in developing and producing photovoltaic cells, mainly for space applications. Terrestrial applications of photovoltaic is only in the very early stage. About 100 Kw of photovoltaic cells are produced annually in the USSR, based on mono or polycrystalline silicon. Some experimental photovoltaic-arrays in the range of several tenth of Kw are installed in different places. Research and development work is carried out to produce thin film cells. Effort are in progress to construct automated production lines for 1 MW per year of crystalline and amorphous silicon. In the Crimea, a solar power plant SES-5 (5 MW peak power) was commissioned some years ago. The plant is of a tower type, with a circular helioscope field. The plants working fluid is steam. The experienced gained demonstrates that this design concept has several disadvantages. The cost of electricity produced by such type plants extremely high. Recently, alternative types of solar power plants have been under development, in particular, a project to construct a MW parabolic through plant. A combination of thermal solar with photovoltaic also has been investigated, to use solar energy in a cogeneration mode. (author)

[en] Problem of financing oil industry of Russia is discussed. Basic ways of attracting foreign investments into the oil industry are considered. The main attention is paid to technical assistance and foreign credits

[en] The major design concepts and basic characteristics of the Soviet KIROV Class ship, an impressive nuclear-powered Strike Cruiser which recently appeared while undergoing sea trials in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, are discussed. Highlights are presented of the KIROV's hull form, the weapons, electronics and aviation systems, machinery, as well as the cruiser's speed and range

[en] The paper states that 'the world's worst nuclear accident (so far) happened in Russia in 1957'. Sources of information are given and possible explanations are discussed. (U.K.)

[en] This article describes observations of Ruth Werner from when she was an agent of the Soviet espionage service (code name open-quotes Sonyaclose quotes) as related in her interview with the author. The main topics covered in the interview include her opinion and relationship with Klaus Fuchs, the German-born British physicist who passed the secrets of the first atomic bomb to the Russians, and her views on German reunification. Ruth focuses her discussion on her dedication to making the world a better place and the disillusionment she has felt as she reminisces about her past

[en] Eighteen tokamak experiments in the USSR are briefly outlined. Various operating parameters of each device are given