The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced three public-private partnerships to develop deployment plans for small modular reactor (SMR) technologies at its Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

An Areva prismatic steam-cycle high-temperature gas-cooled reactor concept has been selected by the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Industry Alliance as the optimum design for next generation nuclear power plants. In addition to generating electricity, these modular plants could produce process heat for use by industry.

The development of small modular reactors and domestic uranium enrichment technology has received support in US budget requests for fiscal year 2013. However, industry complained that cuts are being proposed to the funding of university nuclear programs and that a levy to fund the cleanup of legacy enrichment facilities would be re-imposed on nuclear companies.

The US Department of Energy is to help push forward the manufacture of small modular nuclear reactors through new cost-sharing arrangements with private industry to support design and licensing activities.

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) is to restructure its commercial nuclear business, separating its small modular reactor operations from its other nuclear energy related businesses.

A demonstration nuclear power plant featuring small, modular reactors is to be constructed at Zhangzhou in China's Fujian province. The plant will provide the city with electricity, heat and water desalination.

Generation mPower - a partnership between Babcock & Wilcox and Bechtel - has signed a letter of intent with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) which defines the project plans for constructing up to six small modular reactors at a site in Tennessee.

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) has received a $5 million grant for its new test facility in Bedford County, Virginia, to support licensing activities for its mPower small, modular reactor design.

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) and Bechtel have entered into a formal alliance to design, license and deploy B&W's mPower reactor design. B&W announced plans for the 125 MWe modular nuclear power reactor in June 2009.