Slovakia’s SMR timescales outlined as Project Phoenix gets under way

A feasibility study, as part of the US-funded Project Phoenix, is looking into the potential for small modular reactors (SMRs) in Slovakia with an indicative timeline to 2035. Project Phoenix was announced by US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry (pictured above) at the COP27 climate conference in 2022 and aims to support energy …

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 …