NuScale Power and Enfission, a joint venture of Lightbridge Corporation and Framatome, have announced a memorandum of understanding to explore the use of next generation nuclear fuel technology in NuScale’s small modular reactors.
While NuScale’s plant design is claimed to be the most resilient nuclear reactor in the world, Lightbridge Fuel could spur improvements in core design, performance, and levelised costs of electricity.
“As NuScale continues making progress to bring America’s first small modular reactor to market, we are excited to begin work with Virginia-based Enfission,” said NuScale co-founder and chief technology officer José Reyes. “We look forward to further optimising all aspects of our unparalleled advanced nuclear reactor design.”
Enfission is developing and commercialising next generation nuclear fuel technology that will significantly improve the economics and safety of existing and new reactors. NuScale and Enfission will collaborate on the development of research and testing programs to explore the application of Enfission’s nuclear fuel rod technology, which is well suited for NuScale’s natural circulation design. The company’s advanced fuel rod design is expected to increase core performance, extend core life, reduce refuelling outages and offer reduced levelised cost of electricity.
On 1 December 2015, Framatome signed an agreement with NuScale to manufacture fuel assemblies for its SMR, based on conventional ceramic uranium dioxide fuel, and provide testing and analyses needed for its nuclear regulatory commission design certification application. The addition of Enfission’s Lightbridge Fuel into the equation further solidifies this relationship and will provide future flexibility on fuel types depending on the reactor demands.
