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

March 28, 2016 The 2016 Nuclear Industry Summit (NIS) will include a final joint statement from the reports from working groups and previous summits, underscoring the important role of the nuclear industry internationally in setting high standards and best practices for the secure use, storage, and transport of nuclear and radiological materials. The 2016 NIS

January 28, 2016 The United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has authority over all matters related to energy research, development, and demonstration projects, including commercial applications of energy technology, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) RD&D programs, DOE national laboratories, and so forth. As such, the Committee has taken a keen interest in

December 08, 2015 The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the lead trade promotion agency of the U.S. Government, with a global network of centers that seek to bolster U.S. export competitiveness through developing international markets, raising awareness of commercial opportunities, and informing stakeholders and entities of relevant developments. ITA is a critical part of coordinated

Moving Forward on Nuclear Waste: Novel Approaches, Solutions, and Considerations November 12, 2015 Both the U.S. and Korea have faced significant issues in achieving progress on spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management. Although Korea recently opened a low-and-intermediate level waste facility at Gyeongju, it did so at a significant cost, and urgency remains in

October 01, 2015 Nuclear science and engineering education is essential because of the unique fundamentals and design of reactor cores and radiation systems. Engineers and physicists from other disciplines cannot replace nuclear engineers, particularly on work involving reactor thermal hydraulics, nuclear materials, radiation effects on matter, etc. Nevertheless, approaching the late 1990s, enrollment in nuclear

September 21, 2015 Initiating a new build nuclear power program requires entrant states to consider a broad array of considerations, including financing arrangements, organizational and contractual structures, and stakeholder relationships. Entrant states must also pay attention to regulatory and legal frameworks, international agreements, insurance and nuclear liability, export controls, workforce development, and more. Among these,

August 27, 2015 Proponents of small modular reactors (SMRs) claim that they can improve the economics of nuclear power by reducing upfront capital costs, decrease times for reactor construction, and expand possibilities for siting and locating nuclear plants. SMRs can theoretically be mass produced in factory settings, and have much smaller footprints than conventional light