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Firefly Aerospace to Fly Zeno Power Radioisotope Heater to Validate Lunar Night Survival Capability

Firefly Aerospace announced on August 19 that it has reached a commercial payload agreement with Zeno Power Systems to carry Zeno's Lunar Night Survival Package and radioisotope heater unit on a Blue Ghost lunar lander mission. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028 and aims to verify whether the relevant nuclear power technologies can help spacecraft, lunar infrastructure, and future lunar base systems continue operating through the long, extremely cold lunar night environment. *Rendering of Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander with Zeno Power's Lunar Night Survival Package on its top deck. Under the plan, Zeno's payload will travel with Blue Ghost to the lunar nearside...

2026-08-20

NRC Initiates Pre-Application Review of Terra Innovatum's SOLO Construction Permit Application

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has initiated the first phase of its readiness review of selected materials from the proposed construction permit application (CPA) for the SOLO micro modular reactor submitted by Terra Innovatum Global NV. This review is a limited-scope pre-application assessment designed to help the applicant identify potential information gaps, technical issues, or policy concerns early in the process. According to the schedule published by the NRC, Terra Innovatum requested a two-phase readiness review of its proposed construction permit application on July 20, 2026. The NRC subsequently developed a review plan, and the first phase began on August 10, 2026, through a kickoff meeting...

2026-08-20

Japan's regulator says steam leak at Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 was "avoidable"

On August 19, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) released the results of its nuclear regulatory inspections for the first quarter of the current fiscal year, determining that the steam leak incident at Mihama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., in May this year was "foreseeable within a reasonable range" and that the associated losses "could have been avoided." The incident occurred in the high-pressure turbine area of Mihama Unit 3. A small hole approximately 8 centimeters long and 1 centimeter wide appeared in the metal cover atop the high-pressure turbine casing, causing a steam leak that forced a manual reactor shutdown. In its assessment, the NRA concluded that the event was foreseeable and could have been prevented through appropriate management or maintenance measures. However, since no pipe rupture or fire occurred between the onset of the steam leak and the reactor shutdown, the NRA rated the significance and severity of the incident at the lowest of four levels.

2026-08-20

Kansai Electric's Dry Cask Storage Project for Spent Fuel at Three Fukui Nuclear Plants Accelerates

Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) plans to construct dry cask storage facilities for spent fuel at the sites of its three nuclear power plants in Takahama, Oi, and Mihama in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, and the local approval process for the project has recently accelerated. According to local arrangements, in addition to regulatory review, the project requires prior consent from the Fukui Prefectural Government and the towns where the nuclear plants are located. The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan has completed safety reviews of the dry cask storage facility plans for the Takahama and Mihama nuclear power plants, while the plan for the Oi plant remains under review. Takahama Town Mayor Hisakatsu Nishijima...

2026-08-20

Trial lifting of damaged fuel assembly completed at Unit 2 of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced on August 18 that a trial lifting of a damaged fuel assembly in the spent fuel pool of Unit 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has been completed. The assembly was damaged in a fall 45 years ago and was subsequently repaired with wire. This trial lifting was conducted to confirm whether it can be safely handled during the subsequent removal operation. A total of 615 fuel assemblies are stored in the Unit 2 fuel pool, including 587 spent fuel assemblies and 28 unused fuel assemblies. The removal work began on June 2, and the fuel assemblies will be transferred to the shared fuel pool within the plant site. As of August 17, 35 fuel assemblies had been removed. Despite interruptions during the operation, Tokyo Electric Power Company...

2026-08-20

Eight economic organizations in Hokkaido urge early restart of Tomari Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 and electricity price reduction

On August 19, eight economic organizations in Hokkaido, including the Hokkaido Economic Federation, submitted a request to Hokkaido Electric Power Company (HEPCO), urging the company to promote the early restart of Unit 3 at the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant and to reduce electricity prices as soon as possible after restart, while ensuring that safety measures are given priority. On the same day, Hiroshi Fujii, Chairman of the Hokkaido Economic Federation and Chairman of Hokkaido Electric Power Company, and Mitsuharu Yasuda, Chairman of the Hokkaido Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of Hokuyo Bank, along with other heads of economic organizations, visited HEPCO's headquarters in Sapporo and presented the request to HEPCO President Susumu Saito. The request states that the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant is of great significance for Hokkaido's economic growth and decarbonization efforts...

2026-08-20

CGN's "Summit Plan" Hydrogen Purity Control Technology for Nuclear Power Promoted at Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Base

Recently, the promotion meeting for key scientific research achievements under CGN's Summit Plan was held at the Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Base. Experts from CGN and CNNC nuclear power bases, research institutes, and equipment manufacturers gathered at Hongyanhe to conduct technical exchanges and achievement validation and promotion. Wang Wenfeng, member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of the company, attended the meeting. The key technology promoted this time is the innovative hydrogen purity control technology for nuclear power half-speed turbogenerators, which can significantly reduce generator windage and friction losses, lower hydrogen consumable consumption, and eliminate the risk of high-frequency purification operations on units. Based on operational data calculations, the annual comprehensive benefit per unit exceeds 2.6 million yuan, saving 2,100 man-hours, achieving comprehensive improvements in safety, cost, and operation and maintenance efficiency...

2026-08-20

CNNC Xiyi Waste Barrel Storage Well Grinding Robot Completes On-Site Testing

Recently, the waste barrel storage well grinding robot developed by CNNC Xiyi officially completed on-site testing in the grinding project of the process BOP (three wastes) storage wells of Units 3 and 4 at Xudabao, marking a substantial breakthrough in the field of automated construction in confined deep-well spaces within the nuclear industry. Waste barrel storage wells feature great depth, small openings, high verticality requirements, and high dust concentrations. Traditional manual grinding requires multiple workers to take turns entering the confined space, resulting in long construction cycles and high risks. The grinding robot developed by CNNC Xiyi is equipped with an XYZ three-axis movement mechanism and a multi-degree-of-freedom motion system with R rotation and W width adjustment, covering a working width of 12 meters with a maximum grinding depth of 5 meters, applicable to the construction of standard waste barrel storage wells across various reactor types...

2026-08-20

Harbin Electric Group and CGN Hold Talks to Deepen Cooperation on Digital Nuclear Power and Major Equipment Projects

Recently, Liu Qingyong, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Harbin Electric Group, warmly received Pang Songtao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of CGN, and his delegation. The two sides conducted in-depth exchanges on serving national strategies and deepening industrial cooperation. Liu Qingyong extended a warm welcome to Pang Songtao and his delegation, expressed gratitude for CGN's long-standing trust and support for Harbin Electric Group, and introduced the company's production and operation, industrial layout, and execution of key projects. He stated that Harbin Electric Group and CGN have maintained close cooperation and a solid foundation over the years in areas such as technological innovation, equipment development, and new energy. He expressed the hope that both sides, with the goal of serving the construction of an energy-strong nation, would continue to deepen strategic synergy...

2026-08-20

Full-Scope Simulator for Units 1 & 2 of Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant Officially Put into Operation

On August 19, the commissioning ceremony for the full-scope simulator of Units 1 & 2 of Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant was held in the simulator main control room. Chen Jin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Liaoning Nuclear Power, and Zhang Xiong, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, attended the ceremony. Gao Shunlong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of CNNC Wuhan, was invited to attend. The ceremony was presided over by Li Zhusan, Deputy General Manager of Liaoning Nuclear Power. At the ceremony site, attendees jointly watched a video reviewing the simulator construction process, and leaders from both sides jointly unveiled the plaque for the "CAP Simulator Training Center." Gao Shunlong stated that the commissioning of the simulator is an important milestone in project construction and also a brand-new starting point. CNNC Wuhan will make every effort to ensure simulator operation and maintenance support as well as optimization and upgrades, and will take this opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of cooperation with Liaoning Nuclear Power, jointly promoting high-quality project construction.

2026-08-20

Summer Technical Symposium on High-Temperature Superconducting High-Field Magnets Successfully Held in Shanghai

On August 19, the Summer Technical Symposium on High-Temperature Superconducting High-Field Magnets was successfully held at the China Fusion Shanghai Headquarters. Yu Xuefeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of China Fusion, and Xue Lei, Deputy Director of the Fusion Engineering Design Institute, attended the meeting. Xue Lei delivered an address on behalf of the Fusion Engineering Design Institute, extending a warm welcome to the experts present for their guidance. The symposium was moderated by Hu Xinbo, Director of the High-Temperature Superconducting Magnet R&D Department of the Fusion Engineering Design Institute. The symposium invited research institutions including the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, High Magnetic Field Science Center of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Advanced Cryogenic Technology Research Institute, and Southwestern Institute of Physics of the Nuclear Industry, as well as universities...

2026-08-20

First Concrete Pour Launched for Conventional Island of Jinqimen Nuclear Power Unit 2

At 22:16 on August 18, Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power construction reached another key milestone as the first concrete pour (FCD) for the raft foundation slab of the turbine generator building in the conventional island of Unit 2 was officially launched, marking the full commencement of the main construction of the conventional island of Jinqimen Nuclear Power Unit 2 and the project's official entry into the civil construction phase. The raft foundation slab being poured, as the core load-bearing structure of the conventional island, is a variable-cross-section, super-large-volume, waterproof and impermeable special concrete structure, and is the core section with the largest volume, most critical working conditions, and highest precision requirements among the conventional island raft foundation structures. This construction involves long continuous operation hours, stringent temperature control and crack prevention requirements, and significant construction organization challenges. To ensure the safe and high-quality completion of the project, CNNC Zheneng fully demonstrated the "owner" spirit, played the "backbone" role, and shouldered the "main force" responsibility, jointly establishing a dedicated technical task force with construction and supervision units, building on the mature FCD construction experience of Conventional Island Unit 1 to comprehensively optimize the raft construction process for Conventional Island Unit 2, strictly adhering to the highest quality standards and safety regulations for nuclear power construction.

2026-08-20

Vattenfall plans to invest SEK 10 billion in Swedish nuclear maintenance and uprating over five years

European energy company Vattenfall plans to invest SEK 165 billion by 2030, focusing on maintenance and development of existing power assets, new fossil-free power generation projects, and grid modernization. Sweden is the core market for this investment round, with approximately SEK 10 billion allocated to nuclear maintenance and power uprating. Vattenfall currently operates five nuclear reactors in Sweden, including two at Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant and three at Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant. These units have been in operation for approximately 40 years. The company stated that routine inspections lasting several weeks are conducted annually on these units to ensure safe and stable operation of the nuclear power plants and to fulfill power generation targets as planned.

2026-08-19

Russian enterprise develops borated polyethylene material for neutron radiation protection

A neutron radiation protection material developed by Russian company NPO Gelar has obtained relevant certification. The material, named Polikeramoplast-PB, is a borated polyethylene that resembles ordinary gray or black plastic sheets in appearance, but its protective performance derives from the combination of hydrogen and boron. According to reports, the hydrogen in the material effectively moderates fast neutrons, reducing the likelihood of subsequent secondary reactions, while the boron helps absorb moderated neutrons. In contrast, traditional heavy metal materials used for gamma-ray shielding are not suitable for standalone neutron protection, as heavy atomic nuclei have limited attenuation effects on neutrons. The material can be used in radiation therapy room protection systems and combined with lead...

2026-08-19

General Fusion Announces Business Update: LM26 Plasma Heated to Approximately 0.72 keV

General Fusion released a business update on August 18, disclosing its latest progress in fusion energy technology validation, commercial partnerships, and financing arrangements. The company went public on Nasdaq in July 2026 under the ticker symbol GFUZ. General Fusion stated that it entered the public market with approximately $150 million in cash following the completion of its business combination with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III. The funds include net transaction proceeds from private placement and trust capital, and are planned to support the Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) project and drive the completion of multiple...

2026-08-19