| NEWS The MARVEL project can seek blanket DOE


approval to fabricate the reactor components and systems. The project team is currently testing a full-scale, electrically heated replica of MARVEL that will help to verify the performance of the microreactor’s cooling system. Later this year, INL will work to purchase fuel


for the microreactor, which will use a version of TRIGA fuel that is similar that used in US university research reactors. Future milestones include safety analysis,


training, and drafting procedures, followed by the construction and assembly of the microreactor, and finally, fuel loading. MARVEL will provide the nuclear industry with a dedicated location to test, develop, and demonstrate microreactor technologies needed to help the US achieve 2050 net-zero emissions.


Italy Edison looks to nuclear revival Edison has presented a development strategy to 2030 and its ambitions to 2040 that include nuclear power. “Edison 140 years – Towards 2030-2040”


was launched on the 140th anniversary of the start of its activities. The portfolio of activities to 2030 will see renewable electricity generation represent over 45% of the group’s profitability, services to industrial and domestic customers and the public administration will contribute approximately a quarter, while gas and thermoelectric production will represent 30%. Looking to 2040, Edison says it “has the ambition of developing new nuclear power if the conditions are created for its return to Italy”. As to 2040, Edison believes nuclear energy


can play a key role in achieving EU carbon neutrality, giving stability to the electricity system and compensating for the intermittency of renewable sources. It says nuclear energy is a generation source with the lowest CO2 emissions. It adds: “Furthermore, the new small modular reactor (SMR) technology can be used to produce electrical and thermal energy, responding in a versatile way to the needs of energy-intensive districts and territories.”


Edison’s goal for 2030 is to satisfy 20% of


Italian gas demand with green gas which will represent approximately 5% of the portfolio. Edison also aims to reduce its CO2


emission


factor from 293 grams per kWh in 2022 to 190 grams per kWh in 2030 and up to 50 grams per kWh in 2040, reducing absolute emissions in parallel. Edison says it would like to develop new


nuclear power if the conditions are created for its return to Italy. “In particular, Edison aims to launch two nuclear plants of 340 MWe each with SMR technology between 2030 and 2040, enhancing in particular the distinctive technological skills of shareholder EDF.” In March, EDF, Edison, Ansaldo Energia and


Ansaldo Nucleare signed a Letter of Intent for new nuclear development. The aim was to leverage the specific expertise of the companies to assess potential industrial cooperation for the development of nuclear power in Europe, specifically in the field of SMRs. The companies envisaged collaborating on new nuclear power in Europe as well as promoting its deployment, in Italy. The aim of the agreement was to use the expertise of the Italian nuclear power sector, headed by Ansaldo Nucleare to support development of EDF Group’s new nuclear projects. The signatories undertook to explore


potential industrial cooperation, drawing on


their respective skills: ● Ansaldo Energia Group as a developer of engineering components and service provider for the energy and nuclear industry;


● EDF as the world’s largest nuclear energy producer, involved in new nuclear projects based on its portfolio of technologies, including the Nuward SMR and larger EPR reactors; and


● Edison as a leading Italian energy player, fully engaged in Italy’s energy transition.


The companies agreed to assess the potential for new nuclear power in Italy, given the growing need for energy security and independence of the Italian electricity system.


round up


EQUIPMENT A STATE-OF-the-art Glove Box Training Facility for the UK nuclear industry has been opened at Sellafield. The new facility will reduce the amount of training done within plants and provide a standardised approach across the sector. It was delivered by the UK Alpha Resilience & Capability (ARC) programme.


POLICY THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT has cancelled the decision to build the Belene NPP as a project of national importance and the procedure for selecting a strategic investor. Work on the construction of two Russian VVER-1000/V-466 reactors began in 2008 but was suspended in 2012. Bulgaria paid compensation for the equipment already delivered, which is now stored at the construction site. Ukraine is considering using the equipment at its Khmelnitsky NPP.


RUSSIA SIGNED MEMORANDUMS of understanding (MOUs) on nuclear energy cooperation with both Burkina Faso and Mali on the sidelines of the VI Forum Russian Energy Week in Moscow.


THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC Energy Agency has released its annual outlook for nuclear power in the coming decades, increasing its global growth projections for a third year. The report, “Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050”, both its high and low case scenarios, sees a quarter more nuclear energy capacity installed by 2050 than it did in 2020.


www.neimagazine.com | November 2023 | 9


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