|  | | The Nuclear Energy Oak Ridge Site Office (NE-ORSO) of the Department of Energy (DOE) plans to contract with American Centrifuge Operating LLC (ACO), a subsidiary of Centrus Energy Corp., for the demonstration of high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) production to support DOE research and development activities and programs. The HALEU Demonstration Program has two primary objectives: (1) Deployment of a 16 machine AC-100M HALEU Cascade producing a 19.75% U-235 enriched product by October 2020; and (2) Demonstration of the capability to produce HALEU with existing U.S.-origin enrichment technology, and provide DOE with a small quantity of HALEU beginning in 2020 for use in its research and development for the advancement of civilian nuclear energy and security, and other programmatic missions. The period of performance for this award is anticipated to be January 2019 ? December 2020 with a one year option. READ MORE
| 1/7/2019 |
|  | | "Transatomic is extremely grateful to the GAIN initiative for supporting our technology development and the growth of the advanced reactor sector as a whole. Via GAIN, we've worked with the Oak Ridge National Lab to validate our reactor's neutronics and fuel cycle performance, and with the Argonne National Lab to gather material property data for our fuel salt. One of the things we like best about our work with GAIN is that, once a project is completed, the results are openly published so that everyone in the advanced reactor community can learn from the research.
We saw firsthand the benefits of GAIN's collaborative and inclusive attitude – in a new and rapidly-developing sector like advanced reactor design, everyone wins when we can pool resources and share knowledge. Ultimately, GAIN inspired us to put our reactor design in the public domain, making it available for any researchers – private, public, or non-profit – who want to continue the work we've started.
It will take all of us working together to build a robust advanced nuclear sector and make better sources of carbon-free electricity." ~ Leslie Dewan, TransAtomic Power Corporation
| 12/18/2018 |
|  | | GEN IV International Forum is happy to announce that they are resuming their webinar series on Gen IV systems and cross-cutting subjects. Mr. Ilya Pakhomov from IPPE, Russia, will give a webinar on the operating experiance of BN600 and BN800 sodium-cooled fast reactors, on December 19th at 5:30 AM (PST); 8:30 AM (EST).
Please register at the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4122346564850819852.
All webinars are archived and can be found at www.gen-4.org.
| 12/17/2018 |
| | | Researchers can support small business-led proposals under the FY 2019 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement. A webinar is scheduled Dec. 20 to expand your understanding of the opportunity. Please check the Funding Opportunity Announcement website for webinar registration, schedule and details.
| 12/17/2018 |
|  | | ANS Global and Top Fuel 2019, September 22-27, 2019, Seattle, WA
Global is the leading international meeting on the nuclear fuel cycle held every other year, alternating between Asia, Europe, and the US. Bringing these two meeting together will give managers, scientists, and engineers an opportunity to share ideas and enter intro mutually beneficial collaborations.
TopFuel is the preeminent international meeting on new developments in LWR fuel performance held every year, atlernating between Asia, Europe, and the US. READ MORE
| 12/11/2018 |
| | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced funding selections for eleven domestic advanced nuclear technology projects. These projects, located across six states, will receive varying amounts for a total of approximately $18 million in funding, with project values totaling approximately $25 million. The projects are cost-shared and will allow industry-led teams, including participants from federal agencies, public and private laboratories, institutions of higher education, and other domestic entities, to advance the state of U.S. commercial nuclear capability.
DOE has selected five companies to receive technology development vouchers under the GAIN program. The companies selected are Westinghouse Electric Company (Cranberry Township, PA) in the amount of $420,000; Elysium Industries (Clifton Park, NY) in the amount of $500,000; NexDefense (Atlanta, GA) in the amount of $400,000; Exelon Generation (Kennett Square, PA) in the amount of $480,000; and Eastman Chemical Company (Kingsport, TN) in the amount of $350,000. Further detail and description of these awards can be found under the GAIN website. READ MORE
| 11/13/2018 |
|  | | A high-profile, science-based environmental nonprofit is calling for financially struggling nuclear power plants to remain open, citing their benefits to tackling climate change. READ MORE
| 11/8/2018 |
| | | The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites the public to review and comment on a draft environmental assessment for a proposal to fabricate fuel at Idaho National Laboratory's Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) and/or the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) to support efforts by U.S. companies to develop and deploy new reactor technologies. READ MORE
| 10/31/2018 |
| | | DOE is preparing an Environmental Assessment to address the potential use of DOE-owned high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) currently stored at Idaho National Laboratory. The proposed use of this HALEU would involve fabrication of advanced reactor fuel in support of nuclear energy. A draft environmental assessment is being prepared, will soon be issued for public comment, and will be available on the web at http://www.id.energy.gov. DOE will issue a news release announcing the availability of the document for public review and comment. If you would like to be notified when the draft is released for public comment, please contact Dave Herrin, U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, 1955 Fremont Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415-1222; or email haleu@id.doe.gov. If you would like a paper copy of the draft after it is released for public comment, please include your mailing address.
| 10/25/2018 |
| | | The Fiscal Year 2019 Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) funding opportunity announcement has been released. TCF leverages research and development funding in the applied energy programs to mature promising energy technologies with high-impact potential. TCF works to expand the commercial impact of the U.S. Department of Energy's portfolio of research, development, demonstration and deployment activities.
All TCF projects require a minimum 1:1 cost share of nonfederal funds to match the federal investment. Industry partner(s) may provide funds-in or in-kind contributions to meet the cost share requirement. READ MORE |
| 10/15/2018 |
|  | | In honor of National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, October 8th, designated for the atomic weight of hydrogen, 1.008, NEI is pleased to encourage the nuclear community to respond to the U.S. Department of Energy's Request for Information(RFI) on H2@Scale. The objective of this RFI is to assess the domestic resources compatible with large-scale hydrogen production, as well as to identify pathways to effectively leverage these resources for near- and long-term use in major industries. Examples include nuclear resource availability (electric power and/or heat) as well as end use opportunities for hydrogen. Deadline is Oct 31. READ MORE
| 10/10/2018 |
| | | A $20+ million funding opportunity that leverages the R&D funding in the applied energy programs to mature promising energy technologies with the potential for high impact for commercialization with a private industry partner. These funds are matched with funds from private partners to promote promising energy technologies for commercial purposes. READ MORE
| 9/27/2018 |
|  | | There’s a lot at stake, but the rewards are high. And the time is now to power America’s future. READ MORE | 9/25/2018 |
|  | | IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Today at 5:05 p.m., the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) pulsed for a few seconds, subjecting a small capsule of light water reactor fuel to radiation and heat. The test marked the return of a capability that is critical to the United States’ role in the development of nuclear fuels, for both the existing fleet and a new generation of advanced reactors under design. READ MORE
| 9/18/2018 |
| | | DOE is seeking information, comments, feedback, and recommendations from parties interested in supporting a pilot program to demonstrate a micro-reactor at a DoD or DOE site to provide resilience for critical national security infrastructure. In addition to reactor designers and vendors, nuclear utilities, nuclear fuel manufacturers, independent power producers, and companies with experience in engineering, manufacturing, procurement and construction of nuclear power plants are encouraged to reply to the applicable sections of this RFI with feedback on a potential pilot program. The full Request For Information details may be found at https://www.id.energy.gov/MICRO-REACTOR_REQUEST_FOR_INFORMATION%20Final.doc
| 9/13/2018 |
|  | | Save the date for a U.S. Nuclear Energy Industry face-to-face meeting and webinar on September 26, 2018, in Washington D.C. The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) will host this first annual meeting to obtain feedback from U.S. Industry on the "U.S. Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development, Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)" that was issued in December 2017. In addition, NE will lead the discussion of lessons learned for the parallel Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative technical vouchers program that helps provide U.S. industry with access to the unique capabilities of the U.S. National Laboratories. Also, the meeting will include discussion of planned upcoming activities and potential new aspects for the U.S. Industry FOA. NE has actively evaluated the FOA provisions throughout its first year and has made several modifications due to self-identified improvements and those from U.S. industry participants. This process continues, and NE is committed to evaluating all comments received at this meeting and from all sources, and to establish a feedback mechanism in response to received comments, to continue to improve the effectiveness of the FOA and the U.S. government's appropriate support of U.S. nuclear energy technology development consistent with the GAIN initiative. Register for the meeting/webinar here: https://inr.inl.gov/SitePages/Industry_Event_Registration.aspx. Please be advised that, due to room size limitations, NE anticipates limiting attendance at the face-to-face meeting in Washington, DC to one representative from a registered U.S. company. Other interested parties are strongly encouraged to participate by webinar, which will allow for two-way interaction.
| 8/23/2018 |
| | | The primary of objective of this report is to identify the core fuels and materials experimental capabilities available at the Halden Boiling Water Reactor (HBWR), assess potential capability gaps specifically related to the Department of Energy (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) program, and provide recommendations for a path forward for DOE ATF. READ MORE
| 8/7/2018 |
| | | DOE has selected two companies to receive GAIN technology development vouchers in this second review cycle. The companies selected are Yellowstone Energy (Knoxville, TN) in the amount of $160,000, and ThorCon US (Stevenson, WA) in the amount of $400,000. Further detail and description of these awards can be found under the GAIN website. READ MORE
| 7/10/2018 |
|  | | IFE's Board of Directors has decided to permanently close the Halden Reactor and to start decommissioning the reactor. IFE will continue its nuclear research activities, with focus on activities that do not depend on the reactor being operational. The closure of the reactor will not affect IFEs other operations.
READ MORE
| 6/28/2018 |
|  | | The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $64 million in awards for advanced nuclear energy technology to DOE national laboratories, industry, and U.S. universities in 29 states. In total, DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy selected 89 projects for funding for nuclear energy research, facility access, and crosscutting technology and infrastructure development. READ MORE
| 6/18/2018 |
|  | | Titans of Nuclear is a podcast featuring interviews with experts throughout the field of nuclear energy. Host Bret Kugelmass is a climate change thought leader & champion of nuclear energy. This episode features INL's Rita Baranwal.
| 5/7/2018 |
| | | DOE has selected five U.S. companies to receive GAIN technology development vouchers in this first review cycle. The companies selected and the DOE contribution to the cost-shared vouchers are Terrestrial Energy, USA in New York, NY ($500,000); Vega Wave Systems, Inc. in West Chicago, IL ($130,000); Oklo, Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA ($417,000); Urbix Resources, LLC in Mesa, AZ ($320,000); and ThorCon US, Inc. in Stevenson, WA ($400,000). The DOE News Release is available at this link.
| 4/27/2018 |
|  | | The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Regulatory Information Conference this year highlighted efforts to modernize the agency's processes and culture, NRC said recently. READ MORE
| 3/21/2018 |
|  | | Iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys are candidates to be used as nuclear fuel cladding for increased accident tolerance. An analysis of the response of FeCrAl under normal operating and loss of coolant conditions has been performed using fuel performance modeling. In particular, recent information on FeCrAl material properties and phenomena from separate effects tests has been implemented in the BISON fuel performance code and analyses of integral fuel rod behavior with FeCrAl cladding have been performed. BISON simulations included both light water reactor normal operation and loss-of-coolant accidental transients. In order to model fuel rod behavior during accidents, a cladding failure criterion is desirable. For FeCrAl alloys, a failure criterion is developed using recent burst experiments under loss of coolant like conditions. The added material models are utilized to perform comparative studies with Zircaloy-4 under normal operating conditions and oxidizing and non-oxidizing out-of-pile loss of coolant conditions. The results indicate that for all conditions studied, FeCrAl behaves similarly to Zircaloy-4 with the exception of improved oxidation performance. Further experiments are required to confirm these observations. READ MORE
| 1/3/2018 |
|  | | IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) today announced the availability of fiscal year 2018 funds for vouchers to assist applicants developing advanced nuclear energy technologies who are seeking access to the world-class expertise and capabilities available across the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory complex. The vouchers are provided by the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy to support nuclear energy innovation. READ MORE
| 12/13/2017 |
| | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support development of advanced nuclear energy technology. The Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting proposals for cost-shared projects to develop innovative, industry-driven reactor designs and accompanying technologies with high potential to advance nuclear power in the United States. “Targeted early-stage investment in advanced nuclear technology will support a strong domestic industry now and into the future,” said Secretary Perry. “This funding opportunity is an important step to ensure our nation continues to benefit from this clean, resilient source of electricity.” DOE expects to make up to $30 million or more available in FY 2018 awards, subject to the availability of funding. The FOA will be open for a five-year period accepting applications on a year-round basis, with a quarterly selection process. Additional funding will be available in future years, as allocated by Congress. Through this competition, DOE encourages U.S. companies to partner with other U.S. federal agencies, public and private laboratories, institutions of higher education, and other domestic entities to share expertise needed to successfully develop these innovative technologies. This FOA is available at www.grants.gov under reference number DE-FOA-0001817. Initial applications are due January 31, 2018. DOE will conduct a webinar on January 9, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. EST for more information on this funding opportunity. You can register for the webinar here. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document is also available at www.id.doe.gov.
ANNOUNCEMENT
FOA: DE-FOA-0001817
| 12/7/2017 |
|  | | Advanced nuclear technologies can propel the world toward our climate goals by providing affordable, zero-carbon electricity and heat; supporting the growth of renewable energy sources; and supplying clean energy for water. See More
| 12/6/2017 |
| | | Idaho National Laboratory recently expanded its library of MOOSE-based, open-source modeling and simulation software with the MASTODON code. This code helps scientists and engineers design buildings and other structures to better withstand seismic events. Read More
| 10/26/2017 |
| | | This report provides a high-level review of potential technical, commercial, and natural components likely to influence the planning, preparing, and positioning for the future by investing in the build-out of energy systems at Idaho National Laboratory. Read More | 10/23/2017 |
|  | | ESSAI - Economic and Market Challenges Facing the U.S. Nuclear Commercial Fleet - Cost and Revenue Study Read More
| 10/20/2017 |