I recently attended the Advanced Reactors Technical Summit III, and left the event with some great insights and information. Some common threads throughout the presentations included those by The Department of Energy, The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other Industry associations:
- Most technologies anticipate first unit in operation in early 2030s.
- NRC licensing is a big hurdle. There is a strong need for the NRC to develop capabilities for licensing advanced reactor technology.
- Strong and broad need for funding support. (Terra Power is the exception, since it funded by Bill Gates, et.al.)
- The importance of advanced nuclear for developing countries.
- The ability of advanced reactor systems to reduce high-level waste.
- Safety and non-proliferation
- For the good of the industry, we need a common message and voice.
Some interesting reactor technologies were presented:
- Advanced Reactor Concepts, L.L.C. (ARC) – a 100 MWe Sodium cooled breeder reactor modeled after the Argonne EBR II (arcnuclear.com )
- Flibe Energy, Inc. – a Liquid-Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR) ranging from 10 MWth to 250 MWth employing a combination of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF2) salts often called “F-Li-Be.” (http://flibe-energy.com/ )
- Westinghouse – lead-based fast reactor, which is a very early concept and they are seeking DOE funding. (http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/New-Plants/Lead-cooled-Fast-Reactor)
- Terra Power – Traveling Wave Fast Reactor using depleted uranium as fuel. Targets a 600MWe prototype for mid 2020s, probably in China. (http://terrapower.com/ )
- Transatomic Power – 520 MWe molten salt reactor that generates clean, passively safe, proliferation-resistant nuclear power. Consumes spent nuclear fuel generated by commercial light water reactors or use freshly mined uranium at enrichment levels as low as 1.8% U-235. (transatomicpower.com)
- General Atomics –Energy Multiplier Module (EM2), 265 MWe High Temperature Gas Reactor with even fuel burnout, precluding need to shuffle fuel rods…thereby allowing 30-year life in a sealed non-proliferation arrangement and significantly reduced high level waste. If financially possible, expects prototype in ~2027.
- Terrestrial Energy – Canadian (Oakville) firm developing an Integral Molten Salt Reactor that burns conventional U235 fuel in liquid form. (http://terrestrialenergy.com/)
- X-energy – Developing a pebble-bed high temperature gas-cooled 50 MWe reactor system. Operating with a five-year $40M grant from DOE. (x-energy.com)
- Gen4 Energy – Lead-Bismuth cooled, 25 MWe system with 10-year no-refuel core lifetime, after which the entire reactor module is replaced. (gen4energy.com)
- U-Battery – Gas cooled, 4 MWe modular system with very small footprint, being developed in UK by URENCO in partnership with Amec Foster Wheeler and Atkins. (http://www.u-battery.com/
- Moltex Energy – Molten Salt 150 MWt modular reactor being developed in UK. Appears more conceptual than others at this time. ( moltexenergy.com )
- NuScale Power – Although not an “advanced Reactor system per se because it is a light pressurized water 50 MWe modular system; NuScale discussed its technology and plans for submitting a Design Certification Application in 4Q 2016. (nuscalepower.com/)
One last thing to note was a compelling speech made by Donald Hoffman regarding the American Nuclear Society’s Nuclear in the States Toolkit initiative. The toolkit catalogs policies related to new and existing nuclear reactors for state policymakers to consider as they draft their Clean Power Plan compliance strategies. Hoffman says he is visiting with all state governors to personally present the toolkit and discuss nuclear power issues, including the impact of nuclear plant closures.
