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Clean Core fuel completes phase one of Canadian vendor design review
Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) has completed Phase 1 of the pre-licensing Vendor Design Review (VDR) process with Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). No issues were identified by CNSC that could present a fundamental barrier to the licensing of Clean Core’s ANEEL fuel in Canada.
China’s Fangchenggang 4 achieves first criticality
Unit 4 at China’s Fangchenggang NPP in the Guangxi Autonomous Region has achieved first criticality, according to China General Nuclear (CGN). The unit is the second of two demonstration Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors (units 3&4) at the site. The Fangchenggang plant will eventually house six reactors. Phase one (units 1&2) are CPR-1000 units which began commercial operation in 2016. Units 5 and 6 are expected to be Hualong One reactors.
Commissioning work begins at Akkuyu 1
Rosatom has begun commissioning activities at unit 1 of the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Turkiye. A delegation of Rosatom officials, led by Director General Alexey Likhachev, paid a working visit to the construction site to assess progress of the work. They visited the nuclear and turbine island facilities of unit 1, as well as the onshore hydraulic structures of the NPP. Likhachev held a working meeting with the General Director of project company Akkuyu Nukleer, Anastasia Zoteeva, and other project managers, for detailed discussions.
IAEA Board to hold emergency meeting on Zaporizhia NPP
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is to hold an emergency meeting at the request of both Russia and Ukraine to discuss attacks on the Zaporizhia (NPP), following a series of drone attacks on the plant.
UK Space Agency funding benefits two nuclear projects
The UK Space Agency is funding two nuclear projects as part of the second phase of investment awarded through its £20m ($25m) International Bilateral Fund (IBF). Rolls-Royce and BWXT receive £1.18m for their collaboration on fission nuclear systems for space power missions. The University of Leicester and its international partners receive more than £783,000 to identify a range of mission opportunities for UK space nuclear power technologies. The collaboration also includes the development of hybrid power systems with existing US conversion technologies.
Licence renewals sought for New Jersey NPPs
US Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) subsidiary PSEG Nuclear has notified the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that it intends to seek subsequent licence renewal (SLR) for the units 1&2 of the Salem Generating Station and the Hope Creek Generating Station. Together these produce nearly half of New Jersey’s electricity and 85% of the state’s carbon-free generation. The three nuclear plants are co-located on one site on the Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County.
NUKEM initiates insolvency proceedings
NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH (NUKEM) has filed for insolvency under self-administration and is undergoing debtor-in-possession restructuring. Despite this measure, NUKEM says business will continue as normal.
Nagra to establish subsidiaries to construct Swiss repository
Switzerland’s National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra) will establish two new subsidiaries to be responsible for the construction and operation of the planned deep geological repository (DGR). Nagra gTL AG will be responsible for the GDR and Nagra BEVA AG for the associated encapsulation plants.
Russia bets big on small reactors
Rosatom already commands a substantial slice of the GW-scale nuclear power plant export market. Now it is focusing on the small and micro reactor sector too where it intends to become the only nuclear vendor in the world capable of meeting demand for plants of any size.
New IAEA publication discusses molten salt reactor technology
A new publication in the IAEA’s Technical Report Series, Status of Molten Salt Reactor Technology, outlines the current status of molten salt reactor (MSR) technology around the world. It reviews the history of MSRs and takes a look at the current research and development activities taking place. The advantages of this technology, including a smaller high level waste footprint and passive safety features, as well as some of the technical challenges, such as developing components capable of operating in very high temperature environments, are detailed.