NEWS |
round up
DATA CENTRES & AI US-BASED NANO Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Super Micro Computer (Supermicro) focused on exploring the integration of NANO Nuclear’s microreactor systems with Supermicro’s AI server and data centre platforms.
GE VERNOVA AND US start-up Blue Energy have announced a collaboration, which aims to develop the world’s first “gas-plus-nuclear” power plant in Texas. This 2.5 GW facility uses a phased “gas-to-nuclear” delivery model to provide near-term power while the nuclear components clear licensing.
CANADA-BASED ATKINSRÉALIS and Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI), the University of Oxford’s centre for robotics and artificial intelligence, have announced a new global partnership to accelerate the adoption of autonomous robotic solutions for the nuclear and energy sectors. The collaboration builds on joint work in the UK, where ORI systems have been integrated into AtkinsRéalis robotics platforms for autonomous navigation, advanced mapping,
and hotspot detection at nuclear sites.
SAFETY AND SECURITY JAPAN’S TOHOKU ELECTRIC Power Co has shut down unit 2 at its Onagawa NPP in Miyagi Prefecture for inspection, following the detection of a trace of radioactive steam. The 825 MWe boiling water reactor had been restarted a few days before following a scheduled maintenance outage. The shutdown took place after a patrolling worker confirmed that the steam was leaking out from a sump collecting wastewater from equipment in the basement of the reactor’s turbine building.
JAPAN’S KANSAI ELECTRIC Power Co closed unit 3 of its Mihama NPP in Fukui Prefecture after discovering steam leaking from near a high-pressure turbine. Kansai Electric said it cannot say when it will restart the 780 MWe pressurised water reactor. The leak, which originated in the plant’s secondary system and was stopped shortly after the shutdown, involved no release of
radioactive materials into the environment.
COMPANIES CYCLIFE GERMANY has successfully finalised the acquisition of Kraftanlagen Heidelberg GmbH and its associated specialised units. The transaction was completed following approval by the German Federal Cartel Office. In March, the Cyclife Group and Bouygues Construction Expertises Nucléaires signed an agreement regarding the integration of Kraftanlagen Heidelberg and Kraftanlagen Service.
8 | June 2026 |
www.neimagazine.com
Commercial operation for world’s first VVER-TOI
Unit 1 of Russia’s Kursk-II NPP, with its Generation 3+ 1,252 MWe VVER-TOI reactor began commercial operation after receiving final approval from the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostechnadzor). This was preceded by a pilot operation period. Kursk-II will replace the currently operating
Kursk NPP, which comprises four ageing RBMK reactors (two of which are now closed) with four new VVER-TOI reactors. Unit 2 is expected to begin operation in 2027, and the construction and commissioning of units 3&4 are planned for 2042. Kursk-II unit 1 will now enter the energy and
capacity market and will officially begin supplying electricity and capacity to consumers within the framework of Russia’s Unified Energy System (UES). Revenue for the power and electricity generated by the unit will amount to a total of RUB11bn ($146m) a month. Its commissioning will contribute taxes to the federal budget of RUB10bn a year. The annual output of the unit will be about 10 TWh. Thus, the capacity of the Kursk station will increase by more than 60%, and its share in the installed capacity of the UES will increase by approximately 2.5%. The key innovative features of the VVER-TOI (type optimised informatised pressurised water
reactor) include: ● Active use of digital technologies both in design and management including 3D modelling, a unified design information space, digital twins, and the most modern automation and control systems
● Improved technical and economic indicators – increased power by 25% and doubling the service life of main equipment
● The use of nickel-free steel for the reactor vessel - a material that retains its properties under prolonged exposure to radiation and
United States Clean-up costs spiral The US nuclear legacy is costing billions of dollars, according to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). Its new report, ‘Nuclear Waste Cleanup: Better Data and Project Prioritization Vital to Managing Aging Infrastructure and Communicating Needs,’ says many facilities at nuclear cleanup sites have operated longer than they were designed for, which further increase costs and risks. Nuclear research and development at 15 sites across the US have taken decades to clean up and the work is still not done. The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible
for cleaning up the hazardous and radioactive waste at sites contaminated by nuclear weapons production and nuclear energy research. “This is no small job. And DOE has had to contend with some major issues over the years with its efforts, including aging facilities and equipment, spiralling
high temperatures, which increases the service life of the equipment
● A core melt localisation device (melt trap) – a unique technology that provides safety control even when the reactor shell is destroyed
● A combination of passive and active safety systems that provide functional redundancy and allow the reactor core to remain intact for at least 72 hours in any accident scenario
● The ability to operate on 100% mox fuel (mixed oxide fuel containing uranium and plutonium);
● Compliance with international safety requirements including the requirements of European Operating Organisations (EUR) IAEA requirements.
Meanwhile, the foundation slab for Kursk-II unit 3 has been completed four months ahead of schedule. “Implementation of the Kursk-II project is being carried out using modern engineering solutions that ensure a high level of safety, quality and efficiency of construction at all stages,” said Kursk NPP Director Alexander Uvakin. “The safety and stability of any facility, especially one as complex as a nuclear power plant, depends on the foundation.” Alexander Khazin, project director for
the construction of Kursk-II units 3&4 at Atomstroyexport (ASE – Rosatom’s Engineering Division) noted: “Completion of concreting of the foundation of the reactor building is an important stage of construction, after which the installation of reinforcement blocks and concreting of the walls of the main building of the power unit will begin. Next, specialists will begin constructing the walls of the reactor building.” Work is expected to continue at the same pace and Rosatom plans to install the first components of the internal containment later in 2026. ■
costs, and increasing maintenance and repairs,” GAO noted Many of the 6,000 facilities (and the equipment used within them) are 50-70 years old. They are being used well beyond their intended life. For example, at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, a mission-critical crane used to move radioactive parts through a facility was last replaced in the 1980s. Its replacement isn’t planned for another two years. At that same site, the roof of a shutdown facility is falling apart. Leaks in that roof could allow dangerous chemicals to seep into the ground in the short term and likely would increase demolition costs in the long term. At Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico – the nation’s only repository for disposing of certain nuclear waste from defence related activities – an elevator used to move contaminated waste is mission critical. “The machinery was built more than 100 years ago. And its motor is more
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
