NEI Catch-Up Newsletter - 13th February 2024
Nuclear Engineering International
NEI has been providing technical insight behind the news headlines for the entire civil nuclear sector for over 60 years
Welcome to another LinkedIn newsletter from the team at Nuclear Engineering International. Some out of this world news to cover this edition and lots going on elsewhere closer to home!
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NASA completes initial phase of lunar nuclear reactor project
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has completed the initial phase of its Fission Surface Power Project, which sought to develop concept designs for a small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor that could be used during a future demonstration on the Moon and to inform future designs for Mars.
NASA awarded three $5m contracts in 2022, tasking each commercial partner with developing an initial design that included the reactor; its power conversion, heat rejection, and power management and distribution systems; estimated costs; and a development schedule that could pave the way for powering a sustained human presence on the lunar surface for at least 10 years.
European Commission launches SMR Industrial Alliance
The European Commission has launched an Industrial Alliance to support the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Europe by the early 2030s. The announcement came alongside the EC’s assessment for a 2040 climate target for the European Union (EU).
An EC statement said: "The commission is also launching an Industrial Alliance to facilitate stakeholder's cooperation at EU level and to accelerate the deployment of SMRs and ensure a strong EU supply chain, including a skilled workforce.'
Tepco reports radioactive water leak at Fukushima
Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings (Tepco), owner-operator of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi NPP, has reported that contract workers had identified a leak of radioactive water from the water treatment system. The leak came from a pipe connected to a caesium adsorption device.
The water, used to cool the melted reactor cores in the aftermath of the 2011 nuclear disaster, is stored in around 1,000 huge tanks at the plant containing more than 1.3 million tonnes, which is now undergoing treatment dilution and eventual discharge to the sea.
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Nuvia contracted to dismantle Ringhals 1&2
NUVIA , a subsidiary of France-based VINCI Construction has been awarded a contract by Swedish energy company Vattenfall to dismantle units 1&2 of Sweden’s Ringhals NPP. Nuvia will be responsible for dismantling, controlling and sorting all materials, including radioactive materials, present inside the reactor buildings. The work, which is expected to take place between 2025 and 2031, will involve up to 400 people.
Five EPC companies express interest in Kozloduy expansion project
Kozloduy NPP subsidiary, Kozloduy NPP - New Build EAD (KZNPP-NM - Kozloduy NPP Novi Mostnosti) has announced that five companies have expressed interest in building units 7&8 at Bulgaria’s Kozloduy NPP under an EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) contract. KZNPP-NM invited expressions of interest in January with applications to be submitted by 2 February.
While the units are to have 西屋电气公司 AP1000 reactors, US-based Westinghouse will not take part in the construction but will retain overall control of the project.
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