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Clean-up completed at ORNL reactor demolition site
03 May, 2024
US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) crews have completed clean-up operations associated with the demolition of a major reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Workers finished the teardown of the Low Intensity Test Reactor and disposition of rubble and debris from the facility last fall, achieving an EM priority that year. However, the reactor vessel remained on the building’s footprint until it could be shipped for final disposition offsite.

UK's National Physical Laboratory to collaborate with CERN
03 May, 2024
The UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Switzerland-based CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (formerly Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire). Under the MOU, NPL will join CERN's neutron time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) for studies intended to benefit advanced nuclear reactors, fuel cycles and nuclear fusion.

Inner dome installed at China’s Lufeng 5
03 May, 2024
The inner containment dome has been installed at unit 5 of China’s Lufeng NPP in Guangdong province, according to China General Nuclear (CGN). It is the first of two HPR1000 (Hualong One) reactors under construction at the site (unit 5&6).

PPPL develops instrument to better control fusion reactions
03 May, 2024
Scientists at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have developed ALPACA – a new plasma measurement instrument, or diagnostic, that could aid efforts to boost the heat of fusion reactions in tokamaks and potentially improve the power output of future fusion power plants.

NNSA collaborates with Japan on non-proliferation of research reactors
03 May, 2024
A Statement of Intent has been signed between the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT). Under the agreement, NNSA and MEXT will collaborate to increase the proliferation resistance of research reactors in emerging nuclear power countries including the Asian region. They will also proceed with efforts to incorporate proliferation resistance concepts in the design stage of the new research reactor at the Monju Site, which will be used for education, training and research.

Production of ITER poloidal field coils completed
03 May, 2024
The manufacture of poloidal field coil No 3 (PF3) for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is being built in France has been completed. It is the final poloidal field coil and was produced for ITER at the Poloidal Field Coils Winding Facility at the construction site in Cadarache.

Thailand considers deployment of Seaborg molten salt reactor
02 May, 2024
Thailand’s Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited (GPSC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Denmark's Seaborg Technologies to investigate the potential deployment of its compact molten salt reactor (CMSR) Power Barge in Thailand. Under the MOU, GPSC, a subsidiary of Thai state-owned oil and gas company PTT Group, and Seaborg will assess how the CMSR Power Barge could support Thailand’s transition to net-zero. The four-year assessment will be used to develop an initial project on whether deployment of the CMSR Power Barge is feasible and commercially viable.

Japan postpones restart of Shimane
02 May, 2024
Japan’s Chugoku Electric Power Co is expected to postpone the restart of unit 2 at its Shimane NPP in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture. The initial restart schedule was set for August this year but is expected to be deferred until autumn or later. The reason for the schedule change is believed to be a delay in completing safety measures. Chugoku Electric Power originally said it would load fuel into the reactor in June, resume operation in August and begin commercial operation in September.

US Senate passes act banning imports of Russian enriched uranium
02 May, 2024
The US Senate has unanimously voted to approve legislation banning the import of enriched uranium from Russia. The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act must be signed by President Biden before becoming law. It would bar US imports 90 days after enactment while permitting temporary waivers until January 2028. The House of Representatives adopted a similar bill by voice vote in December 2023. However, the legislation was stalled for some time in the Senate due to unrelated political differences.

G7 acknowledges need for nuclear despite differences on energy policy
02 May, 2024
The Group of Seven (G7) nations undertook to support the use of nuclear energy in countries that opt for its use, following a two-day Ministerial Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Italy. The G7 includes Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the USA as well as the European Union. The ministerial meeting was in preparation for the G7 summit planned for June.

KHNP and EDF submit updated bids for four new Czech units as EC approves state aid
02 May, 2024
Czech power company ČEZ and its Elektrárna Dukovany II (EDU II) subsidiary has received updated binding bids from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and France's EDF for the construction of four new nuclear units in the Czech Republic. EDF is proposing its EPR1200 reactor, KHNP is proposing its APR1000.

BWXT joins GE Vernova Nuclear’s newly established SMR supplier group
02 May, 2024
GE Vernova’s Nuclear business, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), has established a group of qualified supply chain companies to advance the global deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR). The purpose of the supplier group is to help ensure a reliable, cost effective and innovative process for the manufacture and commercialisation of the BWRX-300. Suppliers who meet pre-defined criteria, customer requirements and demonstrate a willingness to invest in BWRX-300 supply chain capabilities are eligible for selection to the group. The first company to join the group is BWXT Canada Ltd, a subsidiary of BWX Technologies.

Cutting decontamination costs
02 May, 2024
Collaborative research is helping Sellafield manage and treat radioactive effluents from its large and complex site. By exploring radionuclide, mineral and microbial behaviour in waste pond environments and during effluent treatment processes, the projects are helping to cut the costs of decontamination.

Moore’s Law and nuclear computing
01 May, 2024
Nuclear has benefited from the computational power of High-Performance Computing (HPC) with its ability to analyse complex data, simulate intricate processes, and optimise operations. Despite facing several challenges, Owen Thomas, founder of Red Oak Consulting, argues that the nuclear sector will continue to thrive as HPC invariably moves to the cloud.

UAE to launch tender for four new nuclear reactors
01 May, 2024
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will tender shortly for the construction of a new nuclear power plant that would double its nuclear capacity, Reuters has reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. The UAE plans to seek bids this year, possibly within the next few months, to build four new reactors, the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, requesting anonymity to discuss details that are still private.

Terrestrial Energy and Schneider Electric to collaborate on advanced reactor deployment
01 May, 2024
US-based Terrestrial Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Schneider Electric to jointly develop commercial opportunities and advance the deployment of Terrestrial’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) technology for industrial heat and power supply. Schneider Electric systems automate and optimise energy management for improved performance, efficiency, and contribute to the commercial and sustainability goals of its customers.

Life extension work under way at Tarapur
01 May, 2024
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has engaged Mumbai-based EPC contractor CORE Energy Systems to replace the primary recirculation piping at units 1&2 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Plant (TAPS) in Palghar district, in Maharashtra state. The refurbishment should extend plant life by 10 years.

Key equipment for Paks II completed
01 May, 2024
One of the two pieces of equipment for the Paks II NPP project – the core melt trap – has already been completed, and production of the reactor pressure vessel has now begun in St Petersburg, “which is a real milestone for the expansion of Paks” Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó told a press conference in Budapest. The melt trap had been completed ahead of schedule and would be delivered to Hungary in the summer, he added.

European Commission approves state aid for Nuward SMR
01 May, 2024
The European Commission (EC) has approved, under European Union (EU) state aid rules, a €300m ($320m) French measure to support Electricité de France's (EDF) subsidiary Nuward in researching and developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The EC said the measure will contribute to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the European industrial strategy and the European Green Deal.

IAEA concludes safety review at Japan’s Mihama NPP
01 May, 2024
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA Safety Aspects of Long Term Operation (SALTO) team has completed a review of long term operational safety of unit 3 at the Mihama NPP in Japan. The review mission was requested by the plant’s operator, Kansai Electric Power Company.