World Nuclear News

TerraPower circles 2023 for Natrium construction permit

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 11:59:38 GMT

TerraPower hopes to apply for a construction permit in August 2023 and an operating licence in March 2026 for its Natrium fast reactor, according to a regulatory engagement plan (REP) it has sent to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

NEA proposes new approach to back-end funding

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:34:15 GMT

The current approaches to assessing financial adequacy for decommissioning and radioactive waste management - which are based on the linear discounting of estimated future costs - should be complemented with a broader "circular" approach, a new OECD Nuclear Energy Agency report proposes. This approach, it says, reflects that changes of different kinds will play out between today's decisions and future funding needs.

USNC subsidiary supporting cislunar rocket contractors

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:11:03 GMT

Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies - a subsidiary of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation - is providing "critical support" to both prime contractors in the first phase of the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations programme to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion system for cislunar operations. USNC-Tech is the only company participating in both tracks of the programme.

Hongyanhe 5 achieves first criticality

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:18:27 GMT

Unit 5 of the Hongyanhe nuclear power plant in China's Liaoning province has attained a sustained chain reaction for the first time. The 1080 MWe domestically-designed ACPR1000 pressurised water reactor is expected to be connected to the grid later this year, after which it will enter commercial operation.

Fusion demonstration plant to be built in UK

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:28:07 GMT

Canadian company General Fusion is to build and operate a plant to demonstrate its nuclear fusion technology at UKAEA's Culham Campus near Oxford in the UK. The Fusion Demonstration Plant will pave the way for a commercial pilot plant using Magnetised Target Fusion technology and is expected to begin operations in 2025.

USA needs nuclear to achieve net zero, says Granholm

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:41:24 GMT

Preserving the existing fleet of nuclear plants, driving the development of advanced reactors and investing in nuclear R&D are all essential to the USA's clean energy transition, Jennifer Granholm, secretary of the US Department of Energy, stressed this week. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the American Nuclear Society, Granholm told nuclear industry workers and students watching the webinar: "We need you".

Battery backup system for Olkiluoto plant

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:52:03 GMT

One of Europe's largest battery energy storage systems is to be built at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in Finland under a contract signed by Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and Hitachi ABB Power Grids. The 90 MWe system will act as a fast-start backup power source to ensure the stability of the country's energy network in the event of an unplanned shutdown of the Olkiluoto 3 EPR unit, currently being commissioned at the site.

Fuel failure confirmed at Taishan 1

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:56:24 GMT

An increase in the concentration of noble gases in the primary circuit of the Taishan 1 EPR is related to a few damaged fuel rods, China's National Nuclear Safety Administration confirmed today. It said the increase is "a common phenomenon" and is still in accordance with the requirements of the plant's operating technical specifications. Earlier this week, France's Framatome - which designed the EPR - said the unit was experiencing a "performance issue".

TVEL passes niobium-tin superconductor tests

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:49:07 GMT

The European Organisation for Nuclear Research has completed the acceptance testing of Russian-made niobium-tin superconductors made as part of the Future Circular Collider CERN Conductor Development Programme. TVEL, the nuclear fuel manufacturer subsidiary of Russia's Rosatom, said the high performance of the wire fully complies with the CERN specification.

UAE records '100 million safe man-hours' at Barakah NPP

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:39:03 GMT

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has marked four years and more than 100 million safe man-hours without a Lost Time Injury at the Barakah nuclear power plant. ENEC says the milestone sets a new benchmark for industrial safety for nuclear new-build projects around the world.

EU industry bodies seek more support for nuclear medicine

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 14:42:19 GMT

Europe must take action to maintain the current level of medical radioisotopes supply, according to a joint position paper from Foratom, the European nuclear trade body, and Nuclear Medicine Europe, which represents pharmaceutical and imaging equipment companies in the field of nuclear medicine. They say the European Union should promote new research reactor capacity along with innovation in the sector and the design modification of the current fleet.

Centrus receives licence for HALEU production

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:11:37 GMT

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a licence amendment that will allow Centrus Energy Corp to produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium at its Piketon enrichment facility. Centrus expects to begin demonstrating HALEU production at the facility in Ohio early next year.

Dalton Nuclear Institute outlines eight actions for net zero

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:50:05 GMT

Nuclear experts at The University of Manchester have identified the eight actions required to assess objectively the role of nuclear in the UK's net-zero future. Their position paper Nuclear energy for net zero: a strategy for action determines what policymakers and industry need to explore in order to take an informed decision based on a 'best economics' basis. This includes the development of advisory bodies, non-partisan modelling of the economic path, and the optimisation of R&D programmes.

Chinese EPR experiences 'performance issue'

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:18:22 GMT

Unit 1 of the Taishan nuclear power plant is operating at full power and there has been no release of radiation at the plant or in the surrounding area, China General Nuclear announced yesterday following media reports of a leak at the plant in China's Guangdong province. France's EDF, which holds a 30% stake in the two-unit plant, said it had been informed of an increase in the concentration of certain noble gases in the EPR reactor's primary circuit.

Kenya makes nuclear infrastructure progress

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 11:59:06 GMT

The International Atomic Energy Agency has provided an update on Kenya's progress since its 2015 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission. INIR missions enable IAEA member states to have in-depth discussions with international experts about the conditions and best international practices in the development of a nuclear power programme.

G7 highlights technology-driven clean energy transition

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:44:03 GMT

The Group of Seven countries will lead a technology-driven transition to net zero, according to a joint statement at the end of their three-day summit in Cornwall, England. The G7 is an inter-governmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA. As host of the first in-person G7 Summit in almost two years, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the other leaders "to seize the opportunity to fight and build back better from coronavirus, uniting to make the future fairer, greener and more prosperous".

Canadian institute launches nuclear hydrogen feasibility study

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 15:11:08 GMT

A Canadian innovation organisation has launched a new study into the role of nuclear power in supporting a growing hydrogen economy. The Nuclear Innovation Institute study will be the first of its kind in Canada to evaluate the technical viability and business case for hydrogen production from emissions-free nuclear power.

Korean collaboration to research marine SMR

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 14:04:42 GMT

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries have announced plans to work together on the development of a molten salt reactor for marine propulsion and floating nuclear power plants. Samsung Heavy Industries is also carrying out R&D into using ammonia and hydrogen to power ships in efforts to find alternative, low-emission propulsion options.

Energoatom contracts Westinghouse for VVER-440 fuel supply

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:44:24 GMT

Westinghouse and Energoatom have signed a VVER-440 fuel supply contract fuel for the Rovno nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The contract - for the development and delivery of licensing documentation - was signed yesterday by Energoatom Acting President Petro Kotin and Westinghouse Vice President and Managing Director Northern and Eastern Europe Aziz Dag, at the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, in the presence of Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko.

Rosatom 'plans USD7 billion new nuclear technology exports'

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:19:04 GMT

Rosatom will soon submit to the Russian government its plan to invest RUB506 billion (USD7 billion) in new nuclear technologies by 2030, according to Kommersant. Of this, RUB150 billion will be from the state budget. The plan, dubbed 'New Atomic Energy', was presented for assessment to the working group of the State Council on Energy. If approved, it would be included in the government's socio-economic development strategy for the next decade, the newspaper says.

Alberta oil sands producers look to SMRs

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 20:32:01 GMT

Canada's largest oil sands producers have formed an alliance that aims to work with federal and provincial government to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from their operations by 2050. The Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative will, amongst other things, evaluate and accelerate the application of emerging emissions-reducing technologies including small modular nuclear reactors.

Clean energy should be investment priority: IEA

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 15:24:52 GMT

Annual investment in clean energy in emerging and developing economies will need to increase sevenfold by 2030 if the world is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency. Financing Clean Energy Transitions in Emerging and Developing Economies is a collaboration between the IEA, the World Bank and World Economic Forum.

Ostrovets unit 1 enters commercial operation

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:54:09 GMT

Unit 1 of the first nuclear power plant to be built in Belarus was put into commercial operation today, Russia's Rosatom has announced. The milestone took place following the transfer of the 'acceptance certificate', signed by the general designer and general contractor of the project - Rosatom subsidiary AtomStroyExport - to the customer, Belarusian NPP. ASE. is responsible for the "operability" of the power unit equipment during the unit's warranty period, Rosatom said.

Renewables need nuclear to be effective, says Gorman

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:29:55 GMT

Solar and wind power have the same share of low-carbon electricity globally that they did 20 years ago, proving that they need to work together with nuclear energy for net zero to be achievable, John Gorman, president & CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association, told delegates at the Nuclear Energy Assembly yesterday. Gorman was speaking in the panel discussion Nuclear Energy: A Tool for Meeting Global Goals at the US Nuclear Energy Institute event. The panel was moderated by Carol Berrigan, NEI's executive director for Federal Programs and Supplier Relationships.

Viewpoint: UK needs 'sober analysis' of pathways to net zero

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:05:24 GMT

The possible roles of advanced nuclear energy in meeting the UK’s legally binding net zero by 2050 target are not well understood and need to be clarified urgently, write Francis Livens, Gregg Butler, Juan Matthews and William Bodel of The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute.

IAEA invites support for Nuclear Saves Partnerships

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:06:02 GMT

The Nuclear Saves Partnerships are an opportunity for companies to support the International Atomic Energy Agency in transferring nuclear science and technology to countries to improve the health and prosperity of millions of people around the world, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told delegates at the Nuclear Energy Assembly yesterday. The three-day virtual event was hosted by the US Nuclear Energy Institute.

US utility leaders look to decarbonised future

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 15:48:34 GMT

New nuclear technologies will be needed alongside existing nuclear plants and renewables as the USA transitions to a carbon-free future, but they will continue to need legislative support at the federal and state level, utility leaders said during the opening session of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Nuclear Energy Assembly this week.

St Petersburg forum debates route to carbon neutrality

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:21:00 GMT

The pace of the clean energy transition was debated last week during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Panellists in the session Energy Sector Transformations discussed how the rapid growth in energy consumption, together with increasingly pressing requirements to protect the environment, are creating new development scenarios at a time of transformation for the global fuel and energy sector.

CORDEL: Regulatory harmonisation needed to speed SMR deployment

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 07:51:14 GMT

For small modular reactors to play their part in the clean energy transition, it is crucial that vendors and regulators engage early to clarify the degree of design maturity required to start the licensing process, according to a new report published today by World Nuclear Association. National regulators should collaborate through bilateral and multinational agreements on design and safety reviews, share technical reviews, establish common positions on safety criteria, and make appropriate use of existing reference SMR design reviews to streamline SMR licensing processes, it says.

Plans unveiled for clean energy 'innovation campus'

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:52:43 GMT

Canadian company Kinectrics has announced plans to design, build and operate a collaborative clean energy innovation campus, Helius, which will amongst other things provide infrastructure needed to support the development, testing and commercialisation of small modular reactors. The new campus is to be sited alongside Kinectrics’ existing laboratories in Toronto, Ontario.