The molten salt reactor (MSR) is a Generation IV reactor design that has received renewed interest in recent years from a number of advanced nuclear firms and developers in North America. MSR technology was extensively researched in the 1960s by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with the research work culminating in the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment

April 28, 2017 President Trump's budget proposal touches upon two important issues for U.S. nuclear power: advanced nuclear energy R&D and a final solution to the country's commercial spent nuclear fuel. Although the proposed budget earmarked $120 million for the resumption of licensing activities for Yucca Mountain, it also contained reduced spending for energy R&D

Nuclear reactors are capable of providing alternate or auxiliary functions outside of power generation. Two notable non-electricity applications are process heat and desalination. These non-electricity applications of nuclear power reactors can be utilized to improve the economics of nuclear reactors while providing solutions for high-temperature industrial processes as well as the global water shortage through

February 24, 2017 Nuclear power issues are inherently international in scope, and thus, it is vital to educate and train the next-generation of civil nuclear professionals and leaders with an international perspective. Numerous educational programs are aimed not only at addressing the technical issues of sustainability, safety, security, and safeguards, but also the social, economic,

Although there is no such thing as a perfect repository site for spent nuclear fuel, Yucca Mountain possesses many positive attributes that one can arguably characterize it as the most optimal disposal option for U.S. nuclear waste. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act clearly states that DOE and NRC are the key decision makers with respect

The management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from civilian nuclear activities remains a problematic issue for many nuclear power countries, and the United States is no exception. A final geological repository has yet to be established in the U.S., and the entirety of the growing stockpile of spent fuel is currently located at

Interest in advanced nuclear technologies is increasing during a time of uncertainty for the global nuclear industry, which is facing strong competition from low-cost natural gas and renewables. Next-generation nuclear technologies have the potential for significantly more cost-competitive power generation and improved economics. Market opportunities for these advanced nuclear concepts will likely be concentrated in

August 02, 2016 Growing global energy demand and the increasing importance of energy decarbonization warrant the expansion of nuclear power worldwide. Nevertheless, innovative ideas will be needed so that nuclear can meet the energy needs of the future. Energy distribution systems and electricity grids are becoming increasingly sophisticated, complex, and multi-directional; although conventional large light

June 28, 2016 Although nuclear power generates about 20% of U.S. electricity and almost two-thirds of the country's carbon-free electricity, much of the domestic fleet is under threat of premature closure because current policies and market structures do not adequately value the myriad benefits of nuclear in producing clean, reliable, and affordable energy. Deregulated electricity

Although much of the current attention on small modular reactors (SMRs) in the U.S. is focused on light water reactor (LWR) technologies, non-light water based SMR designs are currently being developed that may improve upon the inherent deployability, operability, and passive safety characteristics of LWR SMRs. Moreover, non-light water SMRs may have the added benefits