Can 3D printing build a better, cheaper reactor faster?

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A 3D-printed nuclear reactor, if built and demonstrated, could open a path to advanced commercial nuclear power stations that produce carbon-free electricity at a cost competitive with natural gas turbine power plants. That’s the hope of Kurt Terrani, director of the Transformational Challenge Reactor Demonstration Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. …

Canada, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation One Step Closer to Constructing World’s First Micro Modular Reactor with Signing of Project Host Agreement

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) continues to make progress towards deployment of its first micro modular reactor (MMRTM) with the signing of the Project Host Agreement for the company’s initial deployment site in Canada. Global First Power (GFP) Ltd., the joint venture between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Seattle-based Ultra Safe Nuclear, has signed a …

Turkey grants construction license for Akkuyu NPP’s 3rd unit

A construction license has been granted for the third unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), according to Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The ministry announced on Twitter Tuesday that the first reactor of the plant would be operational by 2023. “Our energy portfolio will be further diversified with a new energy source,” the …

Boris Johnson set to reveal plan for reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce fresh backing for electric vehicles, hydrogen, and nuclear power as part of a 10-point plan to put the country on course for net zero emissions by 2050. Mr Johnson is expected to unveil his strategy in the coming week, as he sets out his vision for transforming the UK into a low-carbon leader with thriving green …

Japan now has 16 reactors that meet requirements

Japan now has 16 reactors at nine nuclear power plants that have cleared government requirements adopted after the 2011 Fukushima accident. The No.2 reactor at Tohoku Electric Power Company’s Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture, and the reactor at Japan Atomic Power Company’s Tokai No.2 plant in Ibaraki Prefecture were affected by the 2011 earthquake and …

Nuclear power stations will create 6,000 UK ‘levelling up’ jobs by 2025 and 40,000 in 15 years in a boost to green economic recovery

The UK SMR consortium, led by Rolls-Royce, has announced it expects to create 6,000 regional UK jobs within the next five years, if the UK Government makes a clear commitment that enables a fleet of 16 small modular reactor (SMR) power stations to be built over the next 20 years. The power stations will help …

Russia retires Leningrad 2 RBMK

The Leningrad 2 nuclear power unit in in Sosnovy Bor in Western Russia was shut down permanently today. The RBMK, which has been in operation for 45 years, is to be replaced by Leningrad II-2, a VVER-1200, which on 6 November received regulatory approval to start pilot operation. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said Leningrad 2 …