Nuclear Power Roundup - January 15
Industrial-scale Fusion-grade steel; France-Japan partner on Sodium-cooled Fast reactors; Uzbekistan plans six 55MW SMRs; Nano Nuclear acquires MMR
Fusion
UKAEA demonstrates industrial-scale fusion-grade steel production
Kyoto Fusion Engineering Expands Fusion Energy R&D in Japan
Fusion Energy: Supercomputer Simulations Show Promise in Reducing Runaway Electrons
News from Governments
US-Korea MOU Expands Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation
GSA awards historic carbon-free electricity contract
India's Plan for Net-Zero Emissions by 2070
India's Thorium-Based Nuclear Power Research and Development
India's Atomic Power Plants: Capacity, Costs, and Construction
Philippines Nuclear Energy Roadmap
France-Japan partner on Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors
UK confirms funding for Sizewell C, extension of 4 nuclear power plants
Uzbekistan plans six 55MW SMRs
Partnerships & Funding
Google's Six Clean Energy Initiatives in 2024
NuScale Power Completes Warrant Redemption, Funds Carbon-Free Energy
NANO Nuclear Acquires MMR® and Pylon Reactor Technologies
GAIN Awards Vouchers for Advanced Nuclear Technologies
Nuclear Company Seeks Contractors for 6 GW of New Nuclear Power
2.85 Billion USD Contract Awarded for CANDU Reactor Life Extension in Romania
Oklo and Switch Partner for 12 Gigawatts of Clean Nuclear Power
Fusion
UKAEA demonstrates industrial-scale fusion-grade steel production
(January 09)
The UKAEA’s NEURONE consortium has achieved a breakthrough in producing fusion-grade steel on an industrial scale, potentially reducing production costs by up to 10 times and improving the efficiency of future fusion power plants. The ~£12M project involved universities and organizations across the UK and Australia.
Kyoto Fusion Engineering Expands Fusion Energy R&D in Japan
(January 08)
Japan-based Kyoto Fusion Engineering opened a new research and development base in Tokyo and moved its headquarters there. The company is focused on fusion energy and is collaborating with Canada Atomic Energy on the UNITY-2 project in Ontario, Canada. The new base will consolidate research on fusion fuel cycle systems.
Fusion Energy: Supercomputer Simulations Show Promise in Reducing Runaway Electrons
(January 07)
US-based researchers have used supercomputers to simulate how Alfvén waves can disperse runaway electrons in fusion reactors, potentially mitigating damage to the reactor walls. The simulations, performed on Summit and soon Frontier supercomputers, suggest a promising method to prevent damage from these high-energy electrons.
News from Governments
US-Korea MOU Expands Peaceful Nuclear Energy Cooperation
(January 09)
The United States and the Republic of Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Principles Concerning Nuclear Exports and Cooperation, expanding cooperation in civil nuclear power and strengthening export controls on civil nuclear technology. The MOU builds upon more than 70 years of cooperation and aims to help both countries adapt to new technologies in the sector.
GSA awards historic carbon-free electricity contract
(January 02)
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a 10-year contract with Constellation New Energy for over 10 million megawatt-hours of electricity, including 2.4 million MWh from new nuclear capacity. This is GSA’s largest energy purchase, providing power to 80 federal facilities and aiming for 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030.
India's Plan for Net-Zero Emissions by 2070
(December 18)
India has set a target of 50% of the installed power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel by 2030. A nuclear power expansion program is being implemented to increase the installed nuclear power capacity to 22480 MW by 2031-32 from the current 8180 MW. India's Long-term Low Green House Gas Emission Development Strategy recognizes a significantly greater role of nuclear energy in achieving Net-Zero targets by 2070.
India's Thorium-Based Nuclear Power Research and Development
(December 11)
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) continues research and development on thorium utilization for power generation. Currently, there are no thorium-based power projects operational or approved. However, studies on molten salt reactors have been initiated, and the DAE has made progress in thorium-based fuel fabrication and utilization in research reactors.
India's Atomic Power Plants: Capacity, Costs, and Construction
(December 11)
The Indian government, through the Department of Atomic Energy, provided details on the country's atomic power plants, including their capacity, power output, and distribution. The average tariff of nuclear power in 2023-24 was Rs. 3.83 per kWh, comparable to conventional baseload power. Nine nuclear power reactors are under construction/commissioning, and twelve are in pre-project activities.
Philippines Nuclear Energy Roadmap
(December 06)
The Philippines has made significant progress in developing its nuclear power infrastructure, as confirmed by an IAEA review mission. The country has announced its Nuclear Energy Roadmap targeting commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, with an initial capacity of 1200 MW, increasing to 4800 MW by 2050. The Philippines has expanded its Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization to include 24 organizations and has completed various assessments in regulatory framework, radiation protection, and waste management.
International Atomic Energy Agency
France-Japan partner on Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors
(December 06)
France and Japan have signed a cooperation agreement for Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFR) development. Framatome will collaborate with Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), and Mitsubishi FBR Systems (MFBR) on a 600 MWe demonstration reactor based on French pool-type reactor architecture. The agreement marks Framatome's contribution to Japan's new SFR development program.
UK confirms funding for Sizewell C, extension of 4 nuclear power plants
(December 05)
The UK government has outlined its commitment to nuclear power as a key component of its clean energy strategy. The government has confirmed £2.7bn funding for Sizewell C development, announced contract negotiations for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition with four shortlisted companies, and welcomed the extension of four nuclear power stations (Heysham 1, Hartlepool, Heysham 2, and Torness) to operate until 2027-2030. The government projects electricity demand to increase by 50% by 2035 and 100% by 2050, emphasizing the need for nuclear power alongside other clean energy sources to achieve clean power goals by 2030.
Uzbekistan plans six 55MW SMRs
(December 05)
Uzbekistan has announced plans to develop its nuclear power program, focusing on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with six 55 MW reactors planned. The IAEA and Uzbekistan have signed an agreement to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, agriculture, water management, healthcare, and ecology. The project includes training specialists, strengthening national agencies, and establishing a new cancer hospital under the IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative.
International Atomic Energy Agency
Partnerships & Funding
Google's Six Clean Energy Initiatives in 2024
(January 01)
Google has announced six initiatives to advance clean energy solutions in 2024. These include partnering with NV Energy and Duke Energy to develop new clean energy rate models, investing in solar capacity in Asia Pacific with BlackRock and New Green Power, partnering with Kairos Power for advanced nuclear power, collaborating with Microsoft and Nucor to scale reliable clean energy technologies, scaling procurement innovation to speed up clean energy deals, and reimagining data center power through co-location with Intersect Power and TPG Rise Climate. These actions aim to meet growing electricity demand sustainably and reliably.
NuScale Power Completes Warrant Redemption, Funds Carbon-Free Energy
(December 26)
US-based NuScale Power Corporation completed the redemption of its outstanding warrants, receiving $227.7 million in cash proceeds and issuing 19,800,548 shares of its common stock. The company is the industry-leading provider of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology.
NANO Nuclear Acquires MMR® and Pylon Reactor Technologies
(December 24)
US-based NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. has acquired Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.’s patented Micro Modular Reactor (MMR®) and Pylon Space Reactors for $8.5 million. The acquisition includes associated patents and demonstration project partnerships. NANO Nuclear plans to integrate these technologies into its existing microreactor development and expand into new markets.
GAIN Awards Vouchers for Advanced Nuclear Technologies
(December 19)
The US-based Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) awarded four vouchers to support the development of advanced nuclear technologies. Curio Solutions, Deep Fission, Inc., Kairos Power LLC, and NuCube Energy will collaborate with DOE national laboratories to advance nuclear fuel recycling, microreactor design, salt coolant monitoring, and carbon dioxide conversion technologies. GAIN vouchers provide access to national laboratory resources, with awardees responsible for a minimum 20 percent cost share.
Nuclear Company Seeks Contractors for 6 GW of New Nuclear Power
(December 19)
US-based The Nuclear Company has issued a solicitation of interest to contractors for engineering, procurement, and construction to support its first fleet of 6 gigawatts of nuclear power. The company aims to achieve significant cost reductions and shortened project timelines by adopting a design-once, build-many approach and utilizing advanced digital technologies. This initiative is driven by the surging energy demand and the need for around-the-clock, zero-carbon power.
2.85 Billion USD Contract Awarded for CANDU Reactor Life Extension in Romania
(December 19)
A consortium including AtkinsRéalis, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Ansaldo Nucleare, and the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) was awarded a $2.85 billion contract by Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica S.A. (SNN) to extend the life of a CANDU reactor in Romania. AtkinsRéalis' portion is valued at $937 million. The project will extend the reactor's operational life by 30 years, avoiding 5 million tons of CO2 emissions annually and supporting Romania's decarbonization goals.
Oklo and Switch Partner for 12 Gigawatts of Clean Nuclear Power
(December 18)
US-based Oklo Inc. and Switch signed a non-binding Master Power Agreement to deploy 12 gigawatts of Oklo Aurora powerhouse projects through 2044. This is one of the largest corporate clean power agreements ever signed, aiming to provide clean energy for Switch’s data centers and support industry-wide decarbonization.
MIT Research on Boiling Improves Energy Efficiency and Reduces CO2 Emissions
(January 02)
MIT's Associate Professor Matteo Bucci and his team have developed new experimental techniques and a unifying principle to address the boiling crisis in nuclear reactors, enhancing efficiency and preventing failures. Their research also focuses on two-phase immersion cooling for data centers, aiming to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions significantly. This work has implications for efficient energy production, electronics cooling, and more.
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