New News information at Nuclear Engineering International

US DOE pushes ahead with HALEU development

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:36:00 GMT

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear has released a Notice of Intent (NOI) inviting public comment on the scope of an upcoming draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS will analyse the impacts of DOE’s proposed action to acquire high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) through procurement from commercial sources and to facilitate the establishment of commercial HALEU fuel production.

Preparatory work to begin at Paks II

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:30:00 GMT

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Hungary's Foreign Affairs & Foreign Economic Relations Minister, Peter Szijjártó, says preparatory works would start at the Paks II NPP project in July. “The European Commission has approved amendments to the contract for the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant,” he said on his Facebook page. “Last week, Finance Minister Mihai Varga signed financial amendments to the contract from the Hungarian side, while Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov is expected to sign them this week. This will remove all obstacles to continue the project with less bureaucracy, at a faster pace and in full compliance with all nuclear safety rules.”

IAEA Director General to inspect Zaporizhia NPP in the aftermath of crucial dam destruction

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:18:00 GMT

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“Today the Nova Kakhovka dam was severely damaged leading to a significant reduction in the level of the reservoir used to supply cooling water to the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP),” International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told the IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) on 6 June.

Westinghouse and Astrobotic to collaborate on space technology

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:00:00 GMT

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US-based Westinghouse Electric Company and Astrobotic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on space technology programmes for NASA and the Department of Defense. The focus will be on space nuclear technology and delivery systems and will also include strengthening the space nuclear supply chain and workforce in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia regions.

More US DOE funding for commercial fusion

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced US$46M in funding for eight companies proposing designs and research & development for fusion power plants. This funding from the Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program aims to “solidify US leadership in fusion commercialisation”.

Operating licence granted for Karachi 3

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 09:00:00 GMT

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The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) has granted an operating licence for unit 3 of Pakistan’s Karachi NPP (K-3) in accordance with regulations PAK/909 and following a demonstration of safe operation of the plant. The licensing process included a review of licensing submissions, inspections during initial fuel loading, initial criticality, low power and power ascension tests, and operation at full power.

Constellation acquires ownership stake in South Texas Project

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:00:00 GMT

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US power company Constellation is acquiring NRG Energy’s 44% ownership stake in the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STPEGS). The 2,645 MWe two-unit plant is located about 90 miles southwest of Houston. The transaction is valued at $1.75bn, with an effective purchase price of $1.4bn after taking into account tax benefits to Constellation. The transaction will be financed with a combination of cash and debt. The South Texas Project is one of the newest and largest NPPs in the USA with a good track record for safety and reliability.

Grossi underlines determination to publicly report any violations at Zaporizhia NPP

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:00:00 GMT

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In the wake of his address to the UN Security Council on the situation at the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi recalled in his latest update that ZNPP has been without external back-up power for three months, “leaving it extremely vulnerable in case the sole functioning main power line goes down again and underlining the importance of adhering to five principles established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the protection of the facility during the military conflict”. Those principles – aimed at preventing a nuclear accident – state that off-site power to the ZNPP “should not be put at risk” and that “all efforts should be made to ensure that off-site power remains available and secure at all times”. The other principles include commitments not to attack from or against the plant, not to use it as storage or a base for heavy weapons, and to protect structures, systems and components essential to its safe and secure operation from attacks or acts of sabotage.

Framatome extends long-term partnership with Slovenské Elektrárne

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:00:00 GMT

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France’s Framatome has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a global strategic relationship with Slovak power utility Slovenské Elektrárne. The signing ceremony took place during the visit to Slovakia of French President Emmanuel Macron for talks with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova. Cooperation on a long-term solution for fuel diversification for nuclear power plants in Slovakia is one of the key areas of the MOU, which outlines future strategy and an agreement for further discussions about extending the long-term commercial relationship between Framatome and Slovenské Elektrárne on areas of interest. These include nuclear operations and maintenance, nuclear fuel, safety, instrumentation & control (I&C) and cybersecurity, as well as the feasibility of nuclear medicine and radioisotope production in Slovakia.

Concreting of the dome of the inner containment completed at Rooppur 2

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:00:00 GMT

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Rosatom’s Engineering Division (ASE - Atomstroyexport) has completed concreting the 16th tier of the inner containment (VZO) at unit 2 of the Rooppur NPP under construction in Bangladesh. For the entire structure, which is 17.6 metres high and 42.8 metres in diameter at its base, more than 3,200 cubic metres of concrete was required.