Westinghouse begins UK licensing process for AP300

The company has formally submitted an application to the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for approval to enter the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for the AP300 small modular reactor. Westinghouse is one of six small modular reactor (SMR) suppliers shortlisted in October 2023 to bid for support from the UK government as …

Japan demonstrates floating seismic isolation system for SMRs

A team led by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency has concluded a series of large-scale demonstration tests for an innovative new floating seismic isolation system intended for pairing with small modular reactors to enable siting feasibility, including in areas of high seismicity. The series of tests – which ran from 29 January to 9 February …

The Linglong One completes external dome installation

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced that the external dome of the Linglong One, the world’s first onshore modular small reactor, was successfully hoisted into place at the nuclear power base in Changjiang, Hainan. After a series of high-precision movements, the 550-ton dome was positioned onto the outer containment shell of the reactor building. The …

South Korea’s largest shipbuilder makes nuclear move

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), a sub-holdings company of HD Hyundai, has held a joint research and technology exchange meeting with TerraPower and CORE POWER with plans unveiled to develop small modular nuclear reactors for use on newbuilds. The reactor, which will be jointly developed by KSOE and other partners including TerraPower and …

Oklo reports progress in Idaho, Ohio

A land rights agreement signed with the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) gives Oklo Inc the option and right of first refusal to purchase land in Southern Ohio where Oklo envisages deploying two of its Aurora ‘powerhouses’. Meanwhile, the safety design strategy for a planned fuel facility in Idaho to support the deployment of its …

Holtec Announces a Novel Combined Nuclear/Solar Power Plant Design To Stem the Rise of Carbon in the Environment

We are pleased to announce a new innovative power plant design which melds the benefits of nuclear (high energy density, non-polluting, base load) with those of solar (zero fuel cost, minor regulatory barriers) that is entirely carbon-free and is adaptable for deployment in any country. Called CNSP, an acronym for Combined Nuclear/Solar Plant, this design employs Holtec’s SMR-300 small …

Advanced nuclear fuel arrives at INL for testing

Westinghouse Electric Company has shipped 25 irradiated experimental nuclear fuel rods, including accident-tolerant fuel, to Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for testing and examination. The tests are part of the process to qualify the fuel for use in commercial reactors. The shipment contains both accident tolerant fuel – also known as ATF – and high burnup …

25 SMR license applications expected by 2029, plus six other takeaways from FERC, NRC joint meeting

“Even though a lot of politicians in California wanted to close [Diablo Canyon], they faced the reality that they could not close it and keep their lights on,” FERC’s Christie said. Grid reliability and small modular reactors were key topics at a biennial meeting between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission …

Newcleo and Naarea launch Gen-IV partnership

France’s Naarea and the UK-headquartered Newcleo have announced a strategic and industrial partnership designed “to support all players in their industrial, technological, scientific and regulatory development” of Generation IV fast neutron reactors. The companies say that the partnership will be open to others to join and said it will focus on key areas where there …

Agreement to advance SMRs in Alberta

The agreement between North American power producer Capital Power Corporation and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will see the two companies work together to examine the feasibility of developing grid-scale small modular reactors (SMRs) in the province, including possible ownership and operating structures. The feasibility assessment will be completed within two years. At the same time, …