New News information at Nuclear Engineering International

Energoatom and Holtec to establish SMR manufacturing facilities

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:00:00 GMT

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Ukrainian nuclear utility Energoatom and US-based Holtec International have signed a “Master Agreement” intended to establish in-country manufacturing capabilities for production and fabrication of nuclear systems, structures, and components (SSCs) for advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), used fuel storage and transport systems, and other nuclear energy related application.

Blykalla closes latest funding round to support its lead-cooled SMRs

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:00:00 GMT

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Swedish company Blykalla, formerly called Leadcold, has announced the closure of its latest funding round to support its lead-cooled SMRs, raising a total of SEK80m ($7.3m). The round was led by Norrsken Launcher together with Nucleation Capital, with participation from Earth Venture Capital, Farvatn, and several private investors.

Canadian federal budget for 2024 includes some support for nuclear

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:00:00 GMT

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Canada’s 2024 Federal Budget, tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland predominantly focused on addressing public concerns over housing and affordability but also included a few new commitments or announcements related to the nuclear energy sector. According to the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), “the budget in many places reinforces the government’s clear support for nuclear by confirming a series of announced policies and financial commitments intended to support a rapid build out of nuclear over the coming decades”.

Tepco suspends fuel loading at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:38:00 GMT

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Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (Tepco) has suspended fuel loading at unit 7 of its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP in Nigata prefecture just two days after it started because of an equipment problem, NHK reported. Tepco said in a statement that there were no safety-related issues. No further details were provided.

Inner containment dome installed at Tianwan 8

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:30:00 GMT

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Rosatom’s Engineering Division (Atomstroyexport) has installed the upper part of the dome of the inner containment (VZO - Vnutrennei Zatsitnoi Obolochki) at unit 8 of the Tianwan NPP under construction in China’s Jiangsu province.

USNC and Peregrine collaborate on advanced energy systems

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:48:00 GMT

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US companies Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) and Peregrine Turbine Technologies (PTT) are to collaborate with the aim of integrating USNC’s Pylon reactor with PTT’s patented supercritical CO2 (sCO2) energy conversion system and advanced heat exchanger technologies. This partnership “focuses on enhancing clean energy generation through advanced nuclear and turbine technologies”.

Framatome signs contracts with UK’s Sizewell C

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:40:00 GMT

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France’s Framatome has signed multi-billion euro contracts with Sizewell C Ltd, a standalone company majority-owned by the UK government, laying out the scope of its involvement in the Sizewell C nuclear new build project. This followed the UK Government Investment Decision in November 2022 to approve the construction of two EPR reactors at the Sizewell site on the Suffolk Coast. The two units will generate 3.2 GW of electricity and power the equivalent of 6m homes for 60 years.

Norwegian town begins regulatory zoning work for new NPP

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:00:00 GMT

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The Norwegian municipality of Heim in Trøndelag county, Norway, has begun regulatory work to establish a zone for the construction of a NPP and cancellation of previous plans for the zone. "The regulatory plan will lay the foundation for the establishment of nuclear power plants, preferably in the form of small modular reactors (SMRs)," the Heim municipality said.

Ukraine begins construction of new units at Khmelnitsky NPP

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 GMT

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Workers at Ukraine’s Khmelnitsky NPP have poured a symbolic cubic metre of concrete for two new reactors which are planned to use US Westinghouse technology and fuel. “Today we are talking about the future, we are talking about stability, we are talking about the development of nuclear energy,” said Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. He added that the plans for Khmelnitsky were Ukraine’s most significant modernisation project since World War II. Also attending the ceremony were Petro Kotin, head of Ukrainian nuclear utility Energoatom; US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink; and Westinghouse CEO Patrick Fragman.

DOE announces more funding for nuclear energy research and development

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced more than $59m in funding for 25 US colleges and universities, two national laboratories, and one industry organisation to support nuclear energy research and development and provide access to world-class research facilities. DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy says, with these awards, it has surpassed $1bn in total funding to US colleges and universities since 2009.