GE Vernova receives regulatory approval to manufacture higher enrichment fuel

GE Vernova receives regulatory approval to manufacture higher enrichment fuel
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 15, 2024

In a significant advancement for the nuclear energy sector, GE Vernova's Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) division has received the green light from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to manufacture and supply nuclear fuel enriched with Uranium-235 up to 8 weight percent. This approval marks a pivotal moment, positioning GNF at the forefront of nuclear fuel technology in the United States.

Mike Chilton, Executive Vice President of GNF, highlighted the importance of this regulatory milestone, stating, "These regulatory milestones build on our long history of designing and fabricating fuel for the nuclear industry." Chilton emphasized the company's commitment to innovation, aiming to enhance operational efficiency for their clients and support emerging reactor technologies with flexible, reliable fuel products as the industry evolves towards higher enrichment levels.

This latest approval enables GNF's manufacturing facility in Wilmington, NC, to become the first commercial site in the U.S. authorized to produce fuel with enrichments up to 8 weight percent. Additionally, the NRC has issued a Certificate of Compliance for GNF to utilize its RAJ-II shipping container for the transportation of nuclear fuel bundles enriched up to this new limit. The regulatory body also approved licensing topical reports that allow GNF to employ advanced nuclear methods for analyzing fuel with enrichments exceeding 5 weight percent.

The groundwork for these approvals was laid in part by GNF and GE Vernova's Advanced Research business through their contributions to the U.S. Department of Energy's Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Program. Through this program, GNF is at the forefront of developing fuel technologies that not only boast enhanced accident tolerance and operational flexibility but also contribute to the economic viability of nuclear energy by improving bundle efficiency.

The shift towards higher enrichment fuels is expected to significantly impact the economics of the nuclear fuel cycle. It holds promise for power uprates in existing boiling water reactors and paves the way for the adoption of next-generation reactor technologies, including advanced and small modular reactors. This development is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the sustainability and economic performance of nuclear energy, aligning with the industry's goal of advancing towards more efficient and resilient nuclear power solutions.