US Cost-Sharing Partnership Proposed For Light Water Reactor R&D
Written by NucNet
Friday, 08 February 2008
8 Feb (NucNet): The nuclear industry and the US government should
establish a cost-sharing partnership for research and development into
new generation light water nuclear reactor units, the Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI) and the US Department of Energy’s Idaho
National Laboratory (INL) have proposed.
The proposals, made public earlier this week, set forth two strategies that must be employed for nuclear energy to play a substantial role in meeting future US energy needs.
The first is to efficiently construct and operate dozens of new nuclear power plants, starting in the next several years. The second is to maximise the contribution from the US’ existing nuclear power fleet by extending the operating licences. “Implementing both of these strategies will require significant investment in research and development,” the EPRI and INL said in a joint statement.
The proposed industry/government cost-shared R&D effort is focused on 10 objectives, including “high-priority objectives” such as making advances in nuclear fuel reliability and lifetime; using state-of-the-art digital instrumentation and controls; developing the nuclear workforce; and addressing electricity infrastructure problems.
Chris Larsen, vice-president and chief nuclear officer for the EPRI, said industry recognises that LWR technology is mature and that industry should carry a large portion of the responsibility in maintaining this technology.
However, he said “the magnitude of the challenges” require the active engagement and leadership of the federal government in achieving goals identified in the EPRI/INL report.
A report last year from a National Academy of Sciences panel said the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy should place greater emphasis on the Nuclear Power 2010 programme, which includes completing the design engineering of advanced light water reactors.
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
New US Nuclear Plants Should Be ‘Highest Priority’, Says Report (News No.. 232, 30 October 2007)
GNEP Recommendations Based On ‘Faulty Premises’, Says DOE (World Nuclear Review No. 44, 2 November 2007)
