NEI Weekly Newsletter
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 the latest edition of Nuclear Engineering International's newsletter on LinkedIn.
Another busy week for the sector and lots of news items shared.
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See this week's highlights below:
RWANDA SIGNS NANO NUCLEAR DEAL
The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB) has signed a deal with US company NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) Energy for the possible deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. An RAEB statement said the arrangement aims to support Rwanda’s energy requirements in a more sustainable and safe manner.
RAEB CEO Fidele Ndahayo said: “Small modular reactor technologies are now being developed and Rwanda wishes to be part of the development process. This will put us in a good position to embrace the technology when it will be available on the market.”
ZAPORIZHIA PLANT FIRE
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors have visited the cooling tower at the Zaporizhia NPP (ZNPP) that was damaged in a drone attack on 11 August. They were accompanied by ZNPP Director, Yuriy Chernichuk, who clarified that there was no visible damage to the cooling tower’s load-bearing structures but said everything needs to be evaluated by specialists.
OKLO SELECTS SIEMENS TO POWER AURORA
US-based Oklo Inc has signed a preferred supplier agreement with 西门子能源 for the power conversion system of its Aurora powerhouse. Oklo said that, building on a previously signed memorandum of understanding, this binding agreement marks a crucial step in its vision to enhance production scalability, cost efficiency, and rapid deployment to meet growing customer demand.
RUSSIAN RESEARCH REACTOR LIFESPAN EXTENDED
Russia’s Institute of Reactor Materials (IRM, part of Rosatom’s Scientific Division) has completed the procedures necessary to extend the service life of the IVV-2M pressurised water research reactor until the end of 2040.
IVV-2M is one of the basic reactor installations for materials science research of fuel, absorbent and structural materials necessary for the creation of innovative designs of power reactors. The reactor has wide experimental and applied capabilities. It is also used to produce isotopes used in nuclear medicine (for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer) and in industry (flaw detection).
领英推荐
WESTINGHOUSE PRODUCES HIGHER-ENRICHED FUEL
US-based 西屋电气公司 has produced new fuel pellets that contain slightly higher enrichment levels than those currently used in commercial reactors. The low enriched uranium plus (LEU+) ADOPT fuel pellets were pressed at Westinghouse’s Springfield fuel manufacturing facility in the UK. The specialised ADOPT fuel pellets were developed as part of the US Department of Energy (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuel programme to improve the performance and safety of nuclear plants. The new fuel will be tested at unit 2 of the Vogtle NPP in Waynesboro, Georgia in 2025.
OPTIMIZING NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT: THE ROLE OF DQO IN DECOMMISSIONING
For almost 70 years, nuclear power has been an integral part of the energy supply chain and it is currently experiencing a resurgence reflecting its green credentials. However, as much of it was built with haste and no focus on how to deal with it afterwards, the nuclear legacy left behind presents complex challenges to decommissioning in uniquely hazardous environments.
There is renewed excitement around nuclear with small modular reactor (SMR) technology and plans for new large light water reactors signalling the start of a new nuclear age. But for nuclear to remain a vital part of the energy mix, the industry needs to deal with the legacy of the previous age efficiently and cost-effectively to maintain positive public perception and support and protect future generations.
NUCLEAR PLANT LIFESPAN: ESSENTIAL RISK ASSESSMENT MODELLING
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), more than two-thirds of the world’s 442 nuclear power reactors are now over 30 years old and approaching or already surpassing the end of their originally anticipated 40-year lifespan.
Around 100 of those reactors globally have already had their operating licences extended. However, the IAEA also projects that, unless more operating licences are extended, existing nuclear capacity will decline sharply before 2030, particularly in Europe and North America, with all existing plants scheduled to retire by 2060.
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Until next week.