Industry Update—December 2024

Aalo Atomics has also joined the Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA) as a founding member. TNA has been expanding its membership since it was established in 2022 with the purpose of advancing the nuclear energy industry in Texas. The organization hosted the inaugural Texas Nuclear Summit in November in Austin.

Another new founding member of TNA is Reploy Power, a developer of advanced nuclear reactor technology headquartered in Austin, Texas. Reploy Power’s remotely operated submerged power system (SPS) entails “the placement of advanced nuclear reactors in ocean floor locations, enabling efficient thermal regulation and operation with an oxygen-free environment.” The company states that its reactors can be scaled for a power range of 300–600 MWe.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has selected Montreal-based Velan Inc. to provide engineering support and valves for its BWRX-300 small modular reactor. The partnership positions Velan to be GEH’s strategic supplier as the BWRX-300 gets deployed in Canada and around the world. GEH is currently developing the first BWRX-300 with Ontario Power Generation at OPG’s Darlington site in Ontario, Canada. Construction of the reactor is expected to begin in 2025, with commercial operation starting by the end of 2029. Four of the BWRX-300 reactors eventually will be deployed at Darlington.

Curtiss-Wright Nuclear has signed a memorandum of understanding with Westinghouse Electric Company to support Canadian projects using Westinghouse’s AP1000 pressurized water reactor and AP300 SMR. Curtiss-Wright and Westinghouse agreed to explore commercial opportunities for the AP1000 and AP300, as well as the eVinci microreactor; to examine licensing and regulatory pathways for new nuclear projects in Canada; and to consider other potential areas for new-build collaboration. Westinghouse expects to receive design certification for the AP300 by 2027, with construction on the first unit to begin before 2030.

Terrestrial Energy has signed an MOU with Viaro Energy to form a strategic partnership aimed at developing an integral molten salt reactor (IMSR) project in the United Kingdom. Viaro is an independent energy company with operations in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands’ North Sea. Viaro and Terrestrial Energy intend to initially evaluate siting, regulatory, macroeconomic, and policy issues to confirm the viability of a U.K. IMSR project. Subsequent steps would include identification of target sites, detailed evaluations, and site selection. A joint venture for the IMSR project is to be established, involving Viaro providing infrastructure and investment for deployment and Terrestrial Energy leading nuclear system development and procurement efforts. The companies expect a final investment decision to be made for this project in 2030.

Great British Nuclear has narrowed its search for technology for the United Kingdom’s SMR program to four companies—GE Hitachi, Rolls-Royce SMR, Westinghouse, and Holtec International. GBN has invited the four finalists to enter formal negotiations for the next stage of the procurement process.

GBN’s goal is to place contracts with two or three technology providers by the end of 2024. Those contracts are to cover cofunding technology through to completion of the design; regulatory, environmental, and site-specific permissions processes; and potentially the supply of equipment. Each selected technology will have an allocated site with the potential to host multiple SMRs. A final investment decision for the SMR program is expected in 2029.

Holtec International has selected South Yorkshire, England, as the preferred site for its proposed U.K. SMR factory. The Florida-based company had evaluated 13 sites that responded to its call for interest, which was released earlier this year. The selection of South Yorkshire was made by the company’s Holtec Britain subsidiary. The factory is expected to provide $2 billion in gross value added to the local economy and hundreds of high-skilled jobs.

Holtec has also signed MOUs with two British research centers for the support of its SMR manufacturing and testing—the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The agreement with AMRC calls for analyses of manufacturing technology efficiency and skill challenges, as well as collaboration on modular and large-scale nuclear projects and fusion. The agreement with MTC focuses on cooperation in examining best manufacturing and testing processes from proof of concept through final installation, training, and support.

Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected by Czech government–owned nuclear power company ČEZ to supply technology for the country’s planned SMR program. ČEZ is planning to deploy its first SMR at a location near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant during the 2030s. This modular deployment is to occur before the planned startup of a new large nuclear reactor at Temelin by 2040. Additional SMR units will then be deployed at other sites.

France-based Naarea has entered into a strategic partnership with Energy Observer subsidiary EO Concept to evaluate the use of Naarea’s planned XAMR molten salt fast neutron microreactor for hydrogen and low-carbon electrofuel production, especially in heavy maritime applications. The companies are considering conditions and methods for ensuring the competitive production of these products, with a primary focus on investigating the advantages of the XAMR for high-temperature hydrogen production. EO Concept has been developing the Energy Observer 2, a cargo ship powered by 4.8-MW fuel cell systems that use liquid hydrogen. After Naarea completes development of the XAMR compact reactor design, it intends to target a number of applications in transportation, agriculture, and “smart” buildings. Naarea expects its initial XAMR units to generate 80 MWt/40 MWe and to be produced by 2030.

South Korea’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) has granted standard design approval to the system-integrated modular advanced reactor 100 (SMART100) SMR, which was developed primarily by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. KAERI, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy applied for this approval in December 2019, and the NSSC began reviewing the application in 2021. The SMART100, an advanced and simplified version of KAERI’s original SMART design, is a 300-MWt pressurized water reactor that can be used for electricity generation up to 100 MWe and for such thermal applications as seawater desalination. South Korea and Saudi Arabia have been collaborating on refining the SMART design since 2019, and they intend to work together to construct and operate a SMART reactor in Saudi Arabia and promote the technology elsewhere.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Westinghouse divides its Operating Plant Services business

Westinghouse Electric Company has announced that it is transforming its Operating Plant Services business into two separate global business units: Long-Term Operations (LTO) and Outage and Maintenance Services (OMS). The business transformation be effective beginning in 2025. LTO will focus on developing and delivering engineered solutions, instrumentation and controls systems, training and resource solutions, and parts that support the global operating fleet of nuclear power plants. OMS is to deliver outage, maintenance, inspection, and welding and refurbishment services for operating nuclear power plants around the world.

London-based Element Materials Technology, a provider of testing, inspection, and certification services, has acquired ISS Inspection Services. The acquisition enhances Element’s nondestructive testing (NDT) and special process services in the energy, aerospace, space, and defense sectors while solidifying Element’s U.S. presence. The acquisition allows Element to offer its customers more NDT services in the aftermarket and maintenance, repair, and overhaul subsectors.

TerraPower Isotopes has begun producing highly pure ­actinium-225 at a commercial scale for the global pharmaceutical industry. This radioisotope is being used in pharmaceutical products in several human clinical trials of cancer treatments. The firm produces radioisotopes with a natural decay method that prevents isotopic impurities and increases the efficiency and automation of the process. The process begins with the decay of thorium-229 that is derived from legacy uranium-233, which is obtained through a partnership between TerraPower Isotopes, Isotek Systems, and the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.

IsoEnergy has agreed to acquire Anfield Energy, the owner of the Shootaring Canyon uranium mill in Utah. The site is one of the three licensed and permitted conventional uranium mills in the United States, although it has been on standby status since 1982. Earlier this year, Anfield submitted a production reactivation plan for the mill to Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality, including a request for increasing the mill’s capacity from 1 million to 3 million pounds U₃O₈. Potential restart is set for 2026.

In another uranium mill transaction, Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. has agreed to acquire Pinon Ridge Corporation, which owns the site for a proposed uranium mill in Colorado. According to Western, the acquisition is part of the company’s plans to develop and license one or more uranium and vanadium processing facilities to handle output from its resources in Colorado and Utah. The former owner of the Pinon Ridge site, Energy Fuels, received a radioactive materials license from the Colorado Department of Public Health in 2011, but the department later revoked the license after challenges from environmental groups.

AtkinsRéalis has welcomed McMaster University as a new ambassador in support of the Canadians for CANDU campaign. The campaign, cochaired by former Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien and former Ontario premier Mike Harris, was launched last February to promote the deployment of CANDU nuclear technology in Canada and abroad in support of global efforts to reach net-zero emissions. Canadians for CANDU consists of members from industry (including the Canadian supply chain), academia, and the citizenry. Among the other ambassadors are Velan, Celeros Flow Technology, Black & McDonald, NWI Precision, Brotech Precision, Carpenters’ Regional Council, Schneider Electric, and L3Harris. McMaster University, located in Hamilton, Ontario, is home to a 5-MW nuclear research reactor and several nuclear research facilities. McMaster is also the world’s leading supplier of iodine-125, a medical isotope used to treat patients with prostate cancer and other cancers.

Orano has opened its fully automated manufacturing plant in Cherbourg, Normandy, for fabrication of the company’s TN Eagle casks, designed for the transport and dry storage of used nuclear fuel. Ground broke on the 6,600-square-meter facility in February 2023 with support from the France Relance investment fund. The TN Eagle factory is capable of assembling weld-free packages in 15 months. Along with no welding, the manufacturing process for the casks involves about one-tenth as many parts as comparable conventional packaging processes. The production capacity of the factory equals as many as 30 packages per year. The design of the TN Eagle cask, which has a length of five meters, a diameter of three meters, and a weight of 150 metric tons, was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2023.

Following completion of a feasibility study, Framatome and the Romanian nuclear power plant operator Nuclearelectrica have begun implementing a joint project to procure engineering and install and commission an irradiation system at Unit 2 of Romania’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant. This project is aimed at producing lutetium-177, a beta-emitting radioisotope used in radionuclide therapy for patients with prostate cancer and certain other cancers. The feasibility study had determined that Framatome’s technology could be adapted to Cernavoda-2 to irradiate ytterbium-176 at the market technical standard required to produce lutetium-based radiopharmaceuticals. Cernavoda-2 is a 650-MWe CANDU 6 pressurized heavy water reactor that began commercial operation in 2007. The goal of the joint project is to use the companies’ technologies to launch a full-scale commercial irradiation service for medical isotopes in 2028.

Tokyo-based Muroosystems Corp. has acquired Nukem Technologies Engineering Services, a German-based specialist in radioactive and hazardous waste management and nuclear plant decommissioning, from the German company’s insolvency administrator. Nukem previously was operating under Russian ownership, and the company sought a new buyer to avoid the geopolitical difficulties stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The acquisition allows Nukem to reenter markets that had been closed to it under Russian ownership, ensuring that its expertise can again be fully leveraged. During the closing process for the acquisition, all necessary regulatory approvals were obtained and all commitments to third parties were fulfilled. Muroosystems plans to use the Nukem acquisition to solidify its business base in Europe and expand in the Asian market.

The government of India has approved the creation of a joint venture between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and the government-owned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to construct, own, and operate nuclear power plants in the country. The two companies signed their original joint venture agreement in 2011 and a supplementary joint venture agreement in 2023. The supplementary agreement calls for the collaborative development of six 700-MWe Indian-designed PHWRs, including four to be constructed at Mahi Banswara in the state of Rajasthan. The new joint venture is called Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam. In addition, NTPC has established a nuclear power subsidiary called NTPC Nuclear Power Company, which is evaluating several locations for new nuclear power plants, including sites in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Karnataka. The Indian government has tentative plans to construct 11,000 MWe of new nuclear capacity by 2040.

The BRICS organization—currently consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates—has taken steps to launch a Nuclear Energy Platform, the announced purpose of which is to develop and implement best practices for the energy- and nonenergy-related peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in BRICS+ markets. The platform is also to develop incentivizing mechanisms and models for implementing nuclear projects in member countries. The nine BRICS member countries have a total of 390 GWe of operable nuclear power units, with an additional 66 MWe under construction. Beyond the current members, more than 20 other countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS.

The Hiller brand of Trillium Flow Technologies marked its 60th anniversary in September. Hiller, based in Pittsburgh, Pa., was formally established in 1964 and its actuators were first supplied to commercial nuclear power plants in 1966. Hiller became part of Trillium Flow Technologies brands after Trillium was founded in 2019.

CONTRACTS

SRNL enhances collaboration with Flibe Energy

Savannah River National Laboratory has signed a memorandum of understanding with Flibe Energy on the mutual strengthening of their research and development capabilities and on the exploration of collaboration in nuclear energy and advanced nuclear fuel cycles. Specific areas of collaboration between the lab and company are to include Flibe Energy reactor and fuel cycle technology, potential projects supporting SRNL’s enduring missions, thorium-based and low-enriched uranium–based fuel and supply chain development, and joint research projects and funding collaborations. Alabama-based Flibe Energy is a developer of molten salt reactor technology, such as its lithium fluoride thorium reactor.

IMI Process Automation and Paragon Energy Solutions have signed a strategic partnership agreement that makes Paragon the exclusive North American representative for IMI’s valves, actuators, vent silencers, and associated equipment for the nuclear energy industry. The agreement leverages the more than 60 years of experience that IMI has accumulated in nuclear power valves, including the company’s expertise with issues related to legacy valves in existing nuclear plants and new valves for SMRs and other next-generation reactors. The agreement will also expand the reach of IMI’s products across the United States and Canada and help Paragon in its efforts to ensure the reliability and safety of flow control systems.

The governments of Argentina and El Salvador have signed an MOU regarding cooperation on nuclear energy. The agreement signed by Germán Guido Lavalle, the president of Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission, and Daniel Alejandro Álvarez, the director of El Salvador’s Agency for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Program, covers the exchange of information, scientific and technical visits, and expert missions and training opportunities.

NEW PRODUCT

Open-source fusion simulation software available

General Atomics has released the new open-source software Fusion Synthesis Engine (FUSE), designed to enable more effective collaboration on fusion energy projects. The software, which is written in the Julia programming language and incorporates machine learning, combines key aspects of fusion power development, including plasma physics, engineering, and cost analysis, into a single system. With the use of FUSE, according to the company, researchers can generate simulations of fusion plant operations under steady and dynamic conditions. FUSE is accessible under the Apache 2.0 license, making it free to use, modify, and commercialize. General Atomics states that different researchers can easily install and run the program on their own systems, thereby encouraging teamwork and collaboration on projects and, hopefully, accelerating the process of discovery and technological progress for fusion energy.