MakinikiA
JF-Expert Member
- Jun 7, 2017
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US nuclear industry has a Russia problem
New state-funded atomic energy reactors need the type of fuel only Moscow can provide
US nuclear industry has a Russia problem.
US companies may fail to launch next generation nuclear power plants with new Small Modular Reactors (SMR) without supplies of Russian uranium, Reuters reported on Thursday.
The advanced reactors, according to developers, are three times more efficient than conventional versions, they consume less fuel and are crucial for the country’s agenda to meet net-zero emissions.
SMRs need High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is enriched to levels of up to 20%, compared to about 5% for the uranium that powers most nuclear plants. The only company which currently sells this type of uranium commercially is Tenex - a subsidiary of Russian state-owned nuclear energy major Rosatom.
While the company has not been subject to Western sanctions, being an important part of the global nuclear fuel supply chain, US firms X-energy and TerraPower that have state contracts to develop advanced reactors, are reluctant to buy Russian uranium.
“We understand the need for urgent action to incentivize the establishment of a sustainable, market-driven supply of HALEU,” a spokesperson from the US Department of Energy told Reuters.
It is not clear who can replace Russian HALEU which is needed to fuel nine out of ten of the advanced reactors funded by Washington
NB: Wanasiasa kama Biden halijui hilo
New state-funded atomic energy reactors need the type of fuel only Moscow can provide
US nuclear industry has a Russia problem.
US companies may fail to launch next generation nuclear power plants with new Small Modular Reactors (SMR) without supplies of Russian uranium, Reuters reported on Thursday.
The advanced reactors, according to developers, are three times more efficient than conventional versions, they consume less fuel and are crucial for the country’s agenda to meet net-zero emissions.
SMRs need High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is enriched to levels of up to 20%, compared to about 5% for the uranium that powers most nuclear plants. The only company which currently sells this type of uranium commercially is Tenex - a subsidiary of Russian state-owned nuclear energy major Rosatom.
While the company has not been subject to Western sanctions, being an important part of the global nuclear fuel supply chain, US firms X-energy and TerraPower that have state contracts to develop advanced reactors, are reluctant to buy Russian uranium.
“We understand the need for urgent action to incentivize the establishment of a sustainable, market-driven supply of HALEU,” a spokesperson from the US Department of Energy told Reuters.
It is not clear who can replace Russian HALEU which is needed to fuel nine out of ten of the advanced reactors funded by Washington
NB: Wanasiasa kama Biden halijui hilo
