As part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to accelerate clean energy leadership and to enable a low-carbon economy, the Energy Department announced $3.5 million for four advanced nuclear reactor projects that go beyond traditional light water designs. These projects — led by General Atomics, GE Hitachi, Gen4 Energy and Westinghouse — will address key technical challenges to designing, building and operating the next generation of nuclear reactors. These steps support the President’s plan to cut carbon pollution and spark innovation across a wide variety of energy technologies including emerging nuclear technologies, as announced earlier this week.
“Public-private research in advanced nuclear reactors will help accelerate American leadership in the next generation of nuclear energy technologies and enable low-carbon nuclear power to be a significant contributor to the U.S. energy economy,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
With support from the Energy Department, private industry and the Department’s national laboratories have achieved significant advances that boost the safety and efficiency of new nuclear power reactors worldwide. For example, the Department’s early research and development investments in passive safety laid the foundation for the nuclear reactors currently under construction in Georgia and South Carolina. The projects announced today will further advance nuclear energy technology – providing more options for low-carbon energy.
The four projects selected for negotiation will receive up to $3.5 million in total, with a 20 percent private cost share:
Continue reading at More funding for advanced nuclear power reactors
