Search Results

US BWXT in Discussions with Naval Reactors on Proposed Nuclear-Powered Warship Reactor Design

BWX Technologies is in preliminary discussions with the U.S. Naval Reactors program regarding a proposed nuclear-powered warship. According to company CEO Rex Geveden during the Q2 2026 earnings call, the project could begin long-lead procurement as early as 2028 if approved and funded by the U.S. Congress. Image credit: U.S. Navy. Geveden stated that the design could leverage the existing reactor design used in Ford-class aircraft carriers. Each Ford-class carrier is equipped with two large reactors, while the proposed warship could use one reactor of the same type. Given BWXT's existing naval propulsion systems business, this approach aligns directly with the company's current manufacturing capabilities...

2026-08-05

Nuvora Completes Independent Review of Pre-Feasibility Study for 300 MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Hydrogen Production

Nuvora Energy, Inc., a U.S. developer of advanced modular nuclear energy and clean hydrogen infrastructure, announced on August 3 that it has completed a pre-feasibility study for the integration of a 300 MWth prismatic high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell hydrogen island, along with an independent third-party review conducted by DBD International. The pre-feasibility study report, titled "Pre-Feasibility Study for Integrated Power Generation and Hydrogen Production Using a 300 MWth High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor," was released in May 2026, with revision number R01. DBD International was commissioned to conduct an independent review of the study and issued its review report, revision B, on May 20, 2026...

2026-08-05

Holtec, Entergy, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Partner to Evaluate SMR-300 Deployment Opportunities in the Southern United States

On August 4, local time, Holtec International, Entergy Services, LLC, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (HDEC) announced a strategic collaboration to jointly evaluate potential opportunities for deploying Holtec's SMR-300 advanced small modular reactor within Entergy's service territory to power large-load customers. The collaboration is established through a non-binding memorandum of agreement. Under the arrangement, the three parties will conduct assessments around a potential two-unit SMR-300 project, focusing on customer demand,...

2026-08-05

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to Fully Develop Small Modular Reactors, Targeting Commercialization in Japan

Against the backdrop of the Japanese government's push to expand nuclear energy utilization, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has decided to proceed with full-scale development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with the goal of achieving commercial application in Japan. This is seen as a significant step forward by a Japanese private enterprise toward the practical deployment of SMRs. The Basic Energy Plan approved by Japan's Cabinet last year calls for maximizing the use of nuclear energy. At a ministerial meeting held last week, the Japanese government once again confirmed its commitment to advancing the research, development, and deployment of next-generation nuclear reactors. SMRs represent one of the technology pathways for next-generation nuclear reactors. Due to their smaller unit size and higher degree of modularization, the industry generally...

2026-08-05

South Korea Designates SMR and MMR as National Strategic Technologies; South Gyeongsang Province Says It Will Promote Transition of Nuclear Power Companies

South Gyeongsang Province said on August 4 that it welcomes the South Korean government's designation of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Micro Modular Reactors (MMR) as national strategic technologies in the 2026 tax reform plan. Under the relevant arrangement, the South Korean government will revise the Special Tax Treatment Control Act and its enforcement decree to include industries related to small modular reactors of 300 MW or less and micro modular reactors of 20 to 30 MW class within the scope of national strategic technologies. Going forward, companies conducting R&D on SMR and MMR technologies or investing in related facilities will be eligible for higher tax credits for R&D and facility investment. South Gyeongsang Province believes that this policy will provide an opportunity for local nuclear power companies to transition into the SMR...

2026-08-05

South Korea Accelerates Safety Reviews of Long-Term Operating Nuclear Reactors and Advances Licensing of First Spent Fuel Dry Storage Facility

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of South Korea stated at its second-half work report meeting on August 4 that it will accelerate safety reviews of long-term operating nuclear reactors while simultaneously advancing regulatory efforts such as licensing systems for spent fuel dry storage facilities and small modular reactors. Under the plan, the NSSC will conduct safety inspections on nine reactors applying for continued operation, with review standards referencing newly built nuclear power plants and confirming safety margins in consideration of the characteristics of long-term unit operation. Among these, whether Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 will be approved for continued operation in the second half of this year, and whether Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 will be approved for continued operation in the first half of next year, are the near-term review priorities...

2026-08-05

NPCIL launches engineering design tender for 220 MWe Bharat Small Reactor

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has issued a tender notice inviting bids for plant engineering design and 3D modeling services for its 220 MWe-class Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) project. The reactor design is based on India's existing 220 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) technology, with a bid submission deadline of August 10. The scope of this tender covers general design and engineering services for civil, process, mechanical, piping, electrical, control and instrumentation systems, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, pipe stress analysis, and 3D computer modeling. NPCIL aims to select a supplier capable of delivering an integrated engineering solution and providing support for subsequent detailed design verification, construction and commissioning documentation. The project requires suppliers to prioritize quality assurance and comply with relevant regulatory and technical standards.

2026-08-04

Valar Atomics Completes $1 Billion Equity Financing, Sequoia Capital Partner Joins Board

Nuclear energy startup Valar Atomics confirmed on August 3 that it has completed a $1 billion equity financing round led by Sequoia Capital. Company founder and CEO Isaiah Taylor stated that Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire has joined the company's board of directors. In addition to the equity financing, Valar Atomics also secured a $200 million credit facility from Erebor and other banks. Valar Atomics did not disclose its post-financing valuation. Reports indicate the company is valued at approximately $6 billion. Valar Atomics primarily...

2026-08-04

Czech Republic Leads EU Project to Assess Application of Commercial-Grade Items in VVER Nuclear Power Plants

The Czech State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) has launched a two-year EU project focused on assessment methodologies for the application of high-quality commercial-grade items in nuclear power plants equipped with VVER reactors. The project aims to establish a unified, expert-judgment-based evaluation process that provides methodological support for nuclear facilities when introducing relevant items, while ensuring that nuclear safety requirements are not compromised. As the nuclear power supply chain landscape evolves, certain plant-specific components may face the need to be replaced by commercial-grade products. In response, regulatory authorities need to establish clear rules to review the suitability, quality assurance, and safety implications of substitute items. The project will focus on evaluating...

2026-08-04

Second Ring of Steel Containment Vessel for Reactor Building of Unit 2 at Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant Successfully Hoisted into Place

At 9:57 on August 4, the second ring of the steel containment vessel (hereinafter referred to as CV Ring 2) for the reactor building of Unit 2 at Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant was successfully hoisted into place. The CV Ring 2 hoisted this time is the third ring segment of the steel containment vessel for Unit 2, with a hoisting weight of nearly 890 tons. During the assembly phase, the installation of multiple discipline items, including annular air ducts, steel structural annular corridors, and U-shaped supports for air turbulence, was completed simultaneously for this module, effectively reducing the risk of cross-operation interference in subsequent internal construction of the nuclear island. This approach fully leveraged the advantages of modular construction and effectively translated the concept of "modularize wherever applicable, prefabricate wherever installable" into tangible engineering outcomes. During the assembly and hoisting of CV Ring 2 for Unit 2, Liaoning Nuclear Power, in collaboration with...

2026-08-04

IIT Hyderabad launches nuclear technology training programme

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad), in collaboration with Pune-based technology company Crimson Energy Experts Pvt. Ltd. (CEEPL), has launched a three-month full-time residential training programme to train engineers and industry professionals for India's expanding civil nuclear energy sector. The programme, named Anugyan-Nuclear Technology Orientation Programme (NTOP), is described as India's first industry-academia collaborative initiative dedicated specifically to engineering talent development in the nuclear energy sector, with a focus on bridging the gap between academic curricula and nuclear industry engineering practice.

2026-08-04

Greece to Set Up Cross-Ministerial Group to Study Nuclear Energy Deployment, with Focus on Small Modular Reactors

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece will establish a cross-ministerial group to study the scientific basis and legal framework required for the potential deployment of nuclear energy. The Greek government has approved the establishment of the relevant cross-ministerial body, laying the institutional foundation for subsequent assessment work. At a cabinet meeting held on July 30, Mitsotakis stated that an increasing number of countries are considering generating electricity using small modular reactors, and Greece cannot ignore this trend. He said Greece should at least conduct research and obtain complete data before making any decisions. The effort aims to keep Greece abreast of international nuclear technology developments and build a professional...

2026-08-04

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Proposed Rule to Update Radioactive Material Transport Regulations for New Reactor Technologies

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a proposed rule aimed at updating regulations for the transport of radioactive material to accommodate the development of new reactor technologies. The existing regulatory framework has not fully kept pace with advances in nuclear technology, particularly as microreactors and other advanced reactor types present new challenges to current rules. Approximately three million packages containing radioactive material are transported across the United States each year, and this vast logistics operation has been managed by federal agencies for decades. The NRC's proposed rule addresses a specific issue: how to safely transport new types of nuclear reactors and their associated radioactive materials. Microreactors are compact, factory-manufactured...

2026-08-03

Annual maintenance outage begins at Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant, spanning August 2 to October 18

The annual maintenance of Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant began on August 2. Energy company Fortum stated that this annual maintenance will be carried out from August 2 to October 18. During the maintenance period, several modernization projects related to extending the plant's service life will also be launched. The maintenance will first be carried out on Unit 2, followed by Unit 1. Fortum stated that while one unit is under maintenance, the other unit will continue normal power generation. The maintenance of Unit 2 is a large-scale annual inspection conducted once every eight years, which includes removing fuel from the reactor for inspection and pressure testing of the reactor vessel, as well as replacing...

2026-08-03

Kairos Power Advances Flibe Molten Salt Applications to Support KP-FHR High-Temperature Reactor Development

Kairos Power announced on July 29 that its Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR) will be among the early adopters of a fluoride salt coolant. This coolant, commonly referred to as Flibe, is composed of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF₂). In the 1960s, Oak Ridge National Laboratory used this material as a coolant in the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment. According to Kairos Power, Flibe has a high specific heat capacity, enabling it to effectively absorb and transfer heat generated in the reactor core. Compared with some sodium-cooled or helium-cooled reactor systems, fluoride salt offers certain advantages in heat transport...

2026-08-03