US energy secretary Steven Chu has announced that up to $40 million in funding will be available from the Department of Energy to support design and planning work for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP). Next generation nuclear plants will use new, high temperature, gas-cooled reactor technologies to integrate multiple industrial applications in one plant or facility, such as generating electricity while refining petroleum.
“Support for new developments in nuclear technologies will be critical to meeting our energy, climate and security goals for years to come,” said Chu. “Next Generation Nuclear Plants hold the promise of safe, cost-effective, zero-emissions energy for major US industries that are some of the largest energy consumers in the country. By integrating multiple industrial processes, this next generation technology will offset imported fossil fuels, reduce pollution and create tens of thousands of quality jobs in industries across America.”
The NGNP project is being conducted in two phases with Phase 1 comprised of research and development, conceptual design, and development of licensing requirements, and Phase 2 comprised of detailed design, license review, and construction that would lead to a demonstration plant by 2021 that is capable of producing hydrogen, electricity, and/or process heat.
DOE has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) which will support the following Phase 1 activities: the development of cost-shared conceptual design(s), cost and schedule estimates for demonstration project completion and a business plan for integrating Phase 2 activities. DOE will use the information and data gathered in Phase 1 as a basis for determining whether the project should continue to Phase 2.
Applications for the FOA are due 16 November 2009. Applications must be submitted through www-fedconnect-net to be considered for award. DOE expects to make up to two awards in February 2010 with each supporting a unique reactor concept. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement is available at www-fedconnect-net under DE-NE0000149, CFDA No. 81.121.
Related ArticlesDounreay PBO Competition events: 5 February 2010 and 9 March 2010 Fluency in effluent NDA launches PBO competition Dounreay team to look inside ILW waste vault
