DOE extends comment period on VTR environmental reviewNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsFebruary 16, 2021, 6:58AM|Nuclear News StaffThe Department of Energy has extended the public review and comment period for the Draft Versatile Test Reactor Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0542) through March 2, 2021.The DOE issued the draft EIS for the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) for comment on December 21, 2020. The draft document identifies Idaho National Laboratory as the DOE’s preferred location for the VTR, a proposed sodium-cooled fast-neutron-spectrum test reactor that, according to the DOE, will enhance and accelerate research, development, and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies.In August 2020, Battelle Energy Alliance, which operates INL for the DOE, began contract negotiations with a Bechtel National–led team that includes TerraPower and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy to support the design and construction of the VTR.ExpandTags:doeeisinlversatile test reactorvtrShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
The year in review 2020: Research and ApplicationsNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsJanuary 8, 2021, 11:59AM|Nuclear News StaffHere is a look back at the top stories of 2020 from our Research and Applications section in Newswire and Nuclear News magazine. Remember to check back to Newswire soon for more top stories from 2020.Research and Applications sectionARDP picks divergent technologies in Natrium, Xe-100: Is nuclear’s future taking shape? The Department of Energy has put two reactor designs—TerraPower’s Natrium and X-energy’s Xe-100—on a fast track to commercialization, each with an initial $80 million in 50-50 cost-shared funds awarded through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Read more.ExpandTags:arc-20ardpcore powercovid-19doefesacfusioniaeamarsmicroreactornasanatrium xe-100plasmaversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
DOE issues Versatile Test Reactor draft EIS, confirms INL as its “preferred alternative”Nuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsDecember 21, 2020, 2:37PM|Nuclear News StaffThe Department of Energy has begun the environmental review of its proposed Versatile Test Reactor (VTR), releasing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for public review and comment on December 21. The sodium-cooled, fast-neutron-spectrum VTR is intended to enhance and accelerate U.S. research, development, and demonstration of innovative nuclear energy technologies.ExpandTags:doeinlversatile test reactorvtrShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
DOE tags INL as “preferred alternative” to host the Versatile Test ReactorNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsNovember 19, 2020, 3:16PM|Nuclear News StaffRendering of the proposed Versatile Test Reactor. Image: Idaho National LaboratoryThe Department of Energy won’t publish its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) until mid-December. In a November 19 announcement on Twitter, however, the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy said that the yet-to-be-released EIS lists Idaho National Laboratory as the preferred alternative to site the VTR.The DOE plans to submit the draft EIS for public comments early next month. The DOE won’t make a final decision on the design, technology selection, and location for the VTR until the completion of the EIS and record of decision in late 2021.ExpandTags:bechteldoege hitachi nuclear energyinlterrapowerversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Versatility, leadership, and “the highest fast neutron flux in the history of ever”: Highlights from INL’s VTR webinarNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsNovember 2, 2020, 12:04PM|Nuclear News StaffClockwise from top left are Craig Piercy, Ray Furstenau, Tom O’Connor, Sean McDeavitt, Tara Neider, and Judi Greenwald.The Versatile Test Reactor’s conceptual design was approved in September, and a draft environmental impact statement could be released within the week. The completion of more project milestones leading to operation in 2026, however, will depend on congressional appropriations. An expert panel described the need for a state-of-the-art test reactor and the value that the VTR could bring to the U.S. nuclear R&D community over its 60-year lifetime during a recent webinar—“Advanced U.S. Nuclear Research and Development: A Briefing and Discussion on the VTR”—hosted by Idaho National Laboratory.Craig Piercy, ANS executive director/CEO, moderated the webinar, introducing a project update from VTR executive director Kemal Pasamehmetoglu and facilitating a Q&A session with representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, universities, reactor developers, and the Nuclear Innovation Alliance. A recording of the October 29 webinar is available online. INL also has a video and information online on the VTR.“I think that the VTR represents part of a larger effort to modernize our infrastructure, develop a new set of technologies, and really preserve our global leadership in the field,” said Piercy. Read on to learn more about the promise the VTR holds for the nuclear community.ExpandTags:advanced reactorscraig piercydoeinlnianrctamuterrapowerversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
“Critical decision” keeps Versatile Test Reactor on targetNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsSeptember 24, 2020, 3:05PM|Nuclear News StaffThe proposed Versatile Test Reactor complex would cover about 20 acres. Image: INLNow that the Department of Energy has approved Critical Decision 1 for the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) project, the engineering design phase can begin once Congress appropriates funding, according to a September 23 announcement from the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. The DOE has requested $295 million for the project in fiscal year 2021.The news came nearly one month after a team led by Bechtel National Inc. (BNI), and including GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and TerraPower, entered into contract negotiations with Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) for the design-and-build phase of the VTR. GEH’s sodium-cooled fast reactor PRISM technology was selected to support the VTR program in November 2018.Go to ArticleTags:bechteldoege hitachi nuclear energyinlprismterrapowerversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Negotiations to build Versatile Test Reactor under wayNuclear NewsResearch & ApplicationsAugust 27, 2020, 7:05AM|Nuclear News StaffArtist’s rendering of the Versatile Test Reactor. INL ImageA team led by Bechtel National Inc. (BNI) that includes GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and TerraPower is in contract negotiations with Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) for the design-and-build phase of the Versatile Test Reactor, BEA announced on August 24. As planned, the VTR would support irradiation testing of fuels, materials, and equipment designed for advanced reactors.ExpandTags:bechteldoege hitachi nuclear energyinlterrapowerversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Senate passes defense bill with advanced nuclear provisionsNuclear NewsPower & OperationsJuly 27, 2020, 7:07AM|Nuclear News StaffIn an 86 to 14 vote, the Senate on July 23 passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, incorporating by amendment S. 903, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA). The House of Representatives passed its version of the NDAA, which supports $740 billion in funding for national defense, earlier in the week in a less bipartisan manner, 295 to 125. Members of both chambers will now begin negotiations to hammer out a final bill to send to the president—a process that could take months.ExpandTags:advanced reactorsbookercrapohaleumurkowskinelarischversatile test reactorShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
Feature ArticleDigital engineering: Controlling costs for megaprojectsDigital engineering, which uses advanced technologies to capture data and optimize design in a digital environment, is being applied for the first time to a DOE nuclear project and has already realized substantial benefits.Nuclear NewsJuly 2, 2020, 4:13PM|Paul MenserWith a new generation of nuclear reactors in the works, Idaho National Laboratory has embraced digital engineering (DE) as a means of achieving the same efficiencies that companies in the private sector have been able to realize in everything from concert halls to aircraft engines.DE—using advanced technologies to capture data and craft design in a digitized environment—has been evolving since the 1990s. For Mortenson Construction, a worldwide construction firm, using virtual design and construction resulted in a cumulative 600 days saved over 416 projects and a 25 percent increase in productivity. By building digital twins for assets, systems, and processes, DE has avoided more than $1.05 billion in customer, production, and mechanical losses.Leaders at INL recognized in 2018 that DE could be useful in the design and construction of new commercial and test reactors. Managing construction costs, timing, and performance will be essential to maintain U.S. competitiveness.Go to ArticleTags:advanced engineeringadvanced reactorsdigital engineeringidaho national laboratoryinlversatile test reactorvtrShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook