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Wolf Creek selects Orano for dry storage services

Friday, 3 August 2018

Orano TN will design, construct and commission an interim used fuel storage facility at the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant in Kansas, USA, under a contract signed with the plant's operator.

Wolf Creek selects Orano for dry storage services — Orano TN's NUHOMS MATRIX dry storage module (Image: Orano)

In addition to developing Wolf Creek's first Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI), Orano TN will carry out the transfer of used fuel from the plant's storage pool to the new dry storage facility. The installation of the facility and the initial fuel transfer is expected to be completed by 2021.

The ISFSI will use Orano's unique two-tiered NUHOMS MATRIX horizontal storage modules as well as its NUHOMS Extended Optimized Storage canisters, each with a capacity to store up to 37 used fuel assemblies.

Jaime McCoy, site vice president at Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company, said: "Wolf Creek has chosen Orano TN to join our team as we implement dry fuel storage. We look forward to a strong partnership between Orano and Wolf Creek as we implement this critically important project."

Orano TN Senior Vice President Greg Vesey commented, "Our continuing investment in developing and deploying advanced storage technology was a key value during the highly competitive bid process. As the selected vendor, our experienced teams are prepared to complete this construction and transfer in a safe, timely and efficient manner."

Wolf Creek is a single unit plant, with an 1200 MWe pressurised water reactor, which began operating in 1985. It is currently licensed to operate until 11 March 2045.

Orano noted that its NUHOMS systems have been used for used fuel storage in the USA for more than 20 years, with installations at 33 sites around the country representing more than 45,000 stored used fuel assemblies.