Nuclear
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Power
How NRIC Is Helping Advance Technology for the Nuclear Power Industry
The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) is a national Department of Energy (DOE) program led by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) that allows collaborators to harness the world-class capabilities of the U.S. National Laboratory System. NRIC supports the construction and demonstration of advanced reactor systems through a suite of services and capabilities. “Our vision is […]
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Press Releases
NuScale Power Joins the United Nations 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
NuScale joins energy buyers, energy suppliers, governments, investors and other organizations in committing to decarbonizing global electricity systems PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) has joined the United Nations (UN) 24/7 Carbon-free Energy Compact (CEC) to advance the UN’s goal of accelerating the decarbonization of the world’s electricity systems to mitigate climate change and ensure access […]
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Press Releases
Advocates for Sound Climate and Energy Policy Praise New York for Proposing Nuclear Power
Albany, NY – Today climate scientists, engineers, environmentalists, labor and community leaders applaud the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for recognizing the importance of nuclear power in meeting state energy goals—now and in the future. “It’s a significant step in the right direction,” said Dr. James E. Hansen, renowned climate scientist […]
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Press Releases
CNL and General Fusion Sign MOU to Advance Commercial Fusion Energy
CHALK RIVER, Ontario, Nov. 10, 2022 — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and General Fusion, an international leader in the development of commercial fusion energy, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue a series of joint projects to accelerate the deployment […]
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Hydrogen
Six Major Electric Utilities Join Forces to Pursue a Southeastern Hydrogen Hub
Marking intent interest from the power sector in hydrogen’s decarbonization potential, six major utilities—Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Louisville Gas & Electric Co. (LG&E), Kentucky Utilities Co. (KU), Southern Co., and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)—have announced they will jointly pursue federal financial support for a Southeast Hydrogen Hub. The utilities, along with Battelle, an independent […]
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Nuclear
Potential Deal Brewing for Second Polish Nuclear Plant Based on South Korean Technology
Days after Poland chose Westinghouse to supply its AP1000 technology to the country’s first nuclear plant in Pomerania, northern Poland, the government and two Polish energy firms signed a letter of intent with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to “push ahead” with development of a second nuclear plant based on APR1400 technology in Pątnów, […]
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Top Plant
A Half-Century of Reliability: Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
Baltimore Gas & Electric set out to build the 1.8-GW Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in 1967 because fossil energy was becoming expensive and controversial. Over its nearly 50 years of operation
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Top Plant
New Units at Hongyanhe Further China’s Nuclear Ambition
An innovative design, emphasizing safety and economic efficiency, is key to the reactor technology at China’s newest—and now largest—nuclear power plant. China’s nuclear power program has utilized
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History
History of Power: Dominion Energy’s Fluid Transition
A company that has corporate roots that go back to the Colonial era, Dominion Energy has been shaped by acquisitions and market forces. It is now in the midst of an extraordinary transformation to expand its
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Nuclear
China Approves Commissioning of Thorium-Powered Reactor
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Aug. 2 gave Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) the green light to commission the experimental 2-MWth thorium-based molten salt reactor (TMSR-LF1) at
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Trends
European Energy Crisis Prompts Utility Takeovers in Germany, France
With winter fast approaching, and the dreaded effects of extreme natural gas price levels and volatility looming, together with unprecedented uncertainty of fuel supply, governments in Germany and France have
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Trends
POWER Digest [November 2022]
JX Nippon Acquires NRG’s Share of Petra Nova Carbon Capture Plant for $3.6 Million. ENEOS Group, a Japanese energy and non-ferrous metals business group that owns JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration, will
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O&M
In-Service Testing of Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure relief valves (PRVs) are a critical line of defense for pressure vessel protection in the power industry. Generating facilities worldwide depend upon these devices to sense and quickly relieve
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Nuclear
Poland Picks Westinghouse to Build Country’s First Nuclear Reactors
Poland continues to move forward with its plan to deploy nuclear power, choosing U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co. to build the country’s first large-scale nuclear power plant. The decision, announced late Oct. 28 by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, is seen as a move by Poland to strengthen its relationship with the U.S. and continue moving […]
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Coal
PacifiCorp, TerraPower Evaluating Deployment of Up to Five Additional Natrium Advanced Reactors
Regulated utility PacifiCorp has launched a joint study with nuclear technology firm TerraPower to evaluate the feasibility of deploying up to five additional Natrium pool-type sodium fast reactors (SFRs) and integrated energy storage systems at retired coal plant sites in the utility’s service territory by 2035. The joint study “will evaluate, among other things, the […]
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Power
Southern Company Cuts Its Cost Forecast for Vogtle Expansion, Provides Update on Project
In its third quarter 2022 earnings call presentation, Southern Company reduced its “Total project capital cost forecast” for Vogtle Units 3 and 4 to $10.383 billion from $10.453 billion, which is what it had reported in the company’s second quarter 2022 earnings call presentation. The company’s cost estimate reduction doesn’t mean that total project costs […]
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Nuclear
Nuclear Fuel Facility Unveiled for Natrium Fast Reactor Demonstration
A fuel fabrication facility that will create reliable fuel for TerraPower and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH’s) 345-MWe Natrium pool-type sodium fast reactor (SFR) demonstration in Wyoming and future Natrium nuclear plants is taking shape at Global Nuclear Fuel–Americas’ (GNF-A’s) nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Wilmington, North Carolina. GNF-A, a 2007-established GE-led joint venture with […]
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Trends
U.S. Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing May Be Making a Comeback—Here’s Why
The Department of Energy (DOE) has ramped up efforts to explore recycling spent nuclear fuel (SNF), or used nuclear fuel (UNF), from the nation’s fleet of light water reactors (LWRs), doling out $38 million in federal awards to a dozen projects on Oct. 21. Teams will receive funding under the DOE’s March 2022–launched “Converting UNF […]
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Nuclear
Canada Bank Group Pledges Millions Toward Nuclear Power Project
The Canadian government has pledged more financing toward development of a grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR), as the country continues to support nuclear power as a way to cut emissions of greenhouse gases from its power generation sector. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on Oct. 25 said C$970 million ($708 million) is targeted for a […]
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Press Releases
General Atomics Announces Plans for Fusion Pilot Plant
Innovative concept leverages decades of expertise in fusion research and development San Diego, Oct. 20, 2022 – Today, General Atomics (GA) announced a new concept for a fusion pilot plant (FPP) to deliver clean, safe, and economically viable fusion energy. GA’s FPP concept utilizes a steady-state, compact advanced tokamak design approach, where the fusion plasma […]
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Nuclear
Canada’s OPG and Czech Republic’s ČEZ Partner to Advance SMR and Other Nuclear Technology
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Czech Republic-based ČEZ are collaborating to advance deployment of nuclear technology, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The companies said they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Oct. 11, with an aim to “reduce financial, technical and schedule risk to both parties on their respective future projects.” OPG is Ontario’s […]
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Power
China Will Add Two More AP1000 Nuclear Reactors
China’s State Council has approved two AP1000 nuclear reactor units for State Power Investment Corp.’s (SPIC’s) Lianjiang Nuclear Power Plant in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, reactor technology supplier Westinghouse said on Oct. 12. If built, the units will become ninth and tenth reactors based on Westinghouse’s Generation III+ advanced reactor technology in China. Four AP1000 units are […]
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Nuclear
Nuclear Giant Westinghouse Acquired by Renewable Power Company and Uranium Fuel Supplier
A consortium comprised of Brookfield Renewable Partners, together with its institutional partners, and Cameco Corp. announced on Oct. 11 an agreement to acquire Westinghouse Electric Co. from Brookfield Business Partners (BBU). The deal has a total enterprise value of about $8 billion, including proceeds from the disposition of a non-core asset expected to be received […]
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Nuclear
UK Picks Coal Power Plant as Site for Nuclear Fusion Energy Prototype
The UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA’s) ground-breaking STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype fusion energy plant will be built at the site of the West Burton power station, a 1-GW coal-fired plant owned by EDF in North Nottinghamshire, in the East Midlands region of England, the UK government announced on Oct. 6. UKAEA, which carries out […]
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News
Balancing the Scales: Disparities in Decommissioning Practices for Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy
There have been historic initiatives within the U.S. to create a sustainable energy economy and to address major environmental concerns created by fossil fuels. The Inflation Reduction Act contains $369 billion in climate and energy provisions, which will have a meaningful impact on climate change. Meanwhile, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law seeks to remedy environmental issues […]
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Nuclear
Ansaldo, Westinghouse Partner on Nuclear Plant Based on Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor Design
Westinghouse and Ansaldo Energia’s Switzerland-based nuclear arm, Ansaldo Nucleare, will cooperate in developing a nuclear power plant based on lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology. The two companies, which have separately spearheaded the development of fast-reactor designs, said they will advance a common design “to maximize synergies, combine experience in design, testing and licensing, and align […]
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History
The Big Picture: Power Plant Additions Over the Decades [Infographic]
The deployment of new power plants in the U.S. over the past 14 decades has hinged on policies, markets, technologies, and new industry players. Every decade has presented its own state of multidimensional, multivariate complexity. The ongoing “energy transition,” which has been characterized by the addition of smaller, carbon-free resources, marks another pivotal period in […]
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Trends
POWER Digest (October 2022)
Saft Installs Batteries on Italian Islands. Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has installed seven maintenance-free Flex’ion lithium-ion battery systems supporting a microgrid with solar plants on the
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History
History of Power: The Evolution of the Electric Generation Industry
POWER magazine was launched in 1882, just as the world was beginning to grasp the implications of a new, versatile form of energy: electricity. During its 135-year history, the magazine’s pages have
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Nuclear
DOE Unveils Next Steps for Nuclear Waste Consent-Based Siting Process
The Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated community outreach to facilitate consent-based siting, management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), and interim storage facility siting. The effort, outlined in a series of steps the DOE expects to take in response to a recent request for public input, marks a significant first step toward advancing the agency’s […]