DOE funds advanced reactor R&D

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced funding to support the research, development and demonstration of advanced reactor concepts. In partnership with industry, the department will fund two awards worth up to $6 million each in the 2015 financial year.

The DOE described its funding opportunity announcement as an "early step in increasing investment in nuclear advanced reactor technologies", which it said could potentially provide "substantially enhanced operational performance, safety, security, economics, and proliferation resistance".

It is soliciting proposals for cost-shared advanced reactor concept development projects with the potential to be demonstrated by 2035. The DOE says it will partner with industry to fund up to two awards, investing up to $3.6 million in each project, with a federally funded research and development centre (FFRDC) providing up to an additional $2.4 million. Recipients will be required to invest $1.5 million as part of the cost share. The opportunity allows for multiple-year funding for up to two awards with a total of $40 million in DOE cost share per award.

John Kotek, acting assistant secretary for nuclear energy, said the department had been "encouraged" by recent interest in advanced reactor technology. "We believe this funding opportunity will foster scientific innovation to advance the goals of the Department in developing clean energy technologies," he said.

Last year, five public-private partnership R&D projects supporting advanced reactor technologies were selected to receive $13 million of DOE cost-share funding. The department is also funding the development of small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

Would-be applicants for the latest funding must submit letters of intent by 31 August, with applications due by 5 October.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News