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BR2 is one of the most powerful research reactors in the world contributing significantly to the global supply of medical radioisotopes and testing nuclear innovations. Since it began operating in 1962, it has been fuelled by highly enriched uranium (HEU), considered a nuclear proliferation risk. Belgium’s nuclear research centre, SCK-CEN, plans to replace this with low-enriched uranium (LEU).
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Friday, 31 March 2023
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsbelgiums-br2-research-reactor-to-use-low-enriched-uranium-fuel-10714503
Countries around the world turned to nuclear as a reliable low-carbon energy source as they looked for ways to wean themselves off Russian imports and lower carbon emissions.
New plants began operating, deals for small modular reactors were signed and countries announced ambitious plans for new-build.
On the political front, US president Joe Biden signed into law new legislation that will help to finance struggling nuclear reactors and could save dozens from being shut down early. In Europe, the nuclear industry celebrated when members of the European parliament decided to “follow the science” and support legislation which includes nuclear in the bloc’s sustainable finance taxonomy for green investment.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Tuesday, 10 January 2023
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/five-major-developments-that-are-setting-the-stage-for-2023-and-beyond-1-1-2023
The US Department of Defence’s (DOD’s) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) has released a Record of Decision (ROD) for Project Pele, a programme intended to design, build, and demonstrate a mobile microreactor.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Wednesday, 20 April 2022
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsus-defence-department-to-build-project-pele-mobile-microreactor-9635695
The Fueling Our Nuclear Future Act of 2022 would ensure a domestic supply of Haleu for advanced reactors by directing the Department of Energy to prioritise establishing a domestic Haleu enrichment capability and to use enriched uranium held by the DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration to fuel advanced reactor demonstrations until US commercial enrichment is available.
The bill explicitly excludes uranium sourced or processed by any entity owned or controlled by the governments of Russia and China.
The American Nuclear Society said Russia currently operates the only commercial Haleu enrichment capacity. A mature commercial Haleu infrastructure in the US could serve domestic Haleu needs and also supply US allies with Haleu.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Wednesday, 13 April 2022
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/senator-introduces-bill-to-ensure-domestic-supply-of-haleu-for-advanced-reactors-4-2-2022
The AA Bochvar Research Institute of Inorganic Materials (VNIINM), a subsidiary of Russian nuclear fuel manufacturer TVEL, has successfully developed the technology and manufactured experimental fuel pellets from uranium disilicide for light water reactors. The move is part of a programme for the development of so-called accident-tolerant fuel (ATF).
- Source: World Nuclear News
- Date: Friday, 04 February 2022
- Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/TVEL-develops-accident-tolerant-fuel-pellets
The total appropriation for the Department of Energy is $42bn, which is $3.45bn above the level enacted in 2020 and $6.3bn above the budget request. This includes $1.5bn for nuclear energy research, development and demonstration, including $280m for the Advanced Reactors Demonstration Programme, which was announced in May.
The plan still needs to be signed by president Donald Trump, but he said this week he would ask Congress to “amend” the bill. Among other changes he wants to increase a $600 direct payment for every American adult to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple.
The relief and stimulus provisions were attached to a wider appropriations bill to fund the federal government and avert a government shutdown. If the president does not sign the legislation by the start of next week, the federal government will be shut down from December 29.
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Friday, 25 December 2020
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/stimulus-plan-includes-usd1-5-billion-for-nuclear-energy-programmes-12-4-2020
Mr Trump ordered his Cabinet secretaries to study the matter, with an eye toward government grants for production equipment, as well as tariffs, quotas or other import restrictions against China and other non-market foreign adversaries.
The order states that the county’s “undue reliance on critical minerals, in processed or unprocessed form, from foreign adversaries constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.”
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Saturday, 03 October 2020
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/uranium-on-critical-list-as-trump-declares-national-emergency-10-5-2020
In order to secure the economic and security benefits of a true 'all-of-the-above' energy agenda, the United States must be at the forefront of nuclear innovation, writes Dan Brouillette. The following is the US secretary of energy's 21 August blog for the Department of Energy (DOE).
- Source: World Nuclear News
- Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2020
- Original article: world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Viewpoint-You-cant-have-true-energy-independence
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced a change to its Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP) to enable support for nuclear power projects and align the definition of renewable energy with the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA’s) definition.
- Source: NEI Magazine
- Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2020
- Original article: neimagazine.com/news/newsus-removes-restrictions-on-nuclear-financing-8044919
Mr Brouilette said many countries of geopolitical importance are pursuing nuclear energy for their domestic electricity needs. Those countries are largely turning to Chinese and Russian state-owned enterprises for the technological support needed to build reactors, while the US sits on the sidelines.
“In effect, China and Russia are gaining geopolitical leverage by exporting nuclear expertise and building 100-year bilateral relationships.
“Our strategy calls for increasing American competitiveness in new markets by making it easier to export civil nuclear technologies, equipment, and fuel.”
- Source: Nucnet
- Date: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
- Original article: nucnet.org/news/we-must-regain-ground-lost-to-china-and-russia-says-energy-secretary-6-2-2020