The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Metal Tech News - January 1, 2025
The Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, once the largest nuclear facility in the U.S., has the capacity to deliver reliable, carbon-free energy to over 800,000 homes in the surrounding region.
With a series of significant advancements and strategic investments, 2024 is shaping up to be a defining year for the U.S. nuclear sector as the momentum built over the past few years continues with the activation of new reactors and substantial efforts in securing a domestic fuel supply.
These developments highlight the growing role of nuclear power as a crucial component of the nation's clean energy strategy, with ten big wins in 2024 that the U.S. nuclear industry can leverage to continue its upward trajectory.
Throughout 2024, the U.S. nuclear sector saw another surge of progress, with new projects and initiatives promising to strengthen its role in reliable, clean energy. As the industry focused on modernizing its infrastructure and introducing cutting-edge technologies, last year stood as a turning point in establishing more resilient power.
Several significant projects drove the growth of nuclear energy in the U.S. From the activation of new reactors to historic restarts and innovative fuel solutions; these efforts collectively paved the way for a more sustainable energy future. As the sector builds on past successes, it is well-positioned to meet both current energy demands and future challenges.
The Plant Vogtle expansion reached a significant milestone with the activation of Vogtle Unit 4 on April 29, marking the completion of a project that added two AP1000 reactors to the U.S. nuclear fleet – the first new builds in over 30 years.
Unit 4's entry into commercial operation made Plant Vogtle the largest clean power generator in the U.S., a milestone that not only increases the nation's nuclear capacity but also supports long-term job creation, having employed 9,000 people at peak construction.
With the addition of both Unit 3 and Unit 4, Plant Vogtle now generates nearly 2,200 megawatts of clean, baseload energy, helping to power millions of homes while contributing significantly to the nation's low-carbon energy goals.
In 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) closed a $1.52 billion loan to repower and upgrade the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant, a single-unit 800-megawatt reactor that shut down in May 2022. This would mark the first-ever recommissioning of a U.S. reactor if approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
The project aims to restore the plant to operation sometime this year, supporting up to 600 high-quality jobs and contributing to the long-term stability of the region's energy supply.
This historic restart is backed by DOE's Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program, which was created under the Inflation Reduction Act. The repowered Palisades facility is expected to play a crucial role in bolstering the nation's clean energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Constellation announced plans to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1, which had been shut down since 2019. This project follows a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft to supply energy for its data centers.
The restart, expected to be completed by 2028, pending regulatory approval, will transform the plant into the Crane Clean Energy Center.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to repurpose existing nuclear infrastructure to meet future energy demands and support clean energy goals while providing a reliable, carbon-free power source for critical technology infrastructure.
The U.S. set ambitious nuclear deployment targets aimed at expanding domestic nuclear capacity by 200 gigawatts (GW) by 2050. The plan includes over 30 actions the U.S. government can take to add 35 GW of new capacity by 2035, with a goal of achieving 15 GW annually by 2040.
This initiative is designed to ensure a sustainable pace of nuclear expansion, much of which could come from existing plant sites.
Early research shows that many of the current U.S. nuclear plants could host up to 95 GW of new capacity, with additional expansion possible at coal plant sites. This strategic push positions nuclear energy to play a central role in achieving the U.S. climate and clean energy goals, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and enhancing energy security.
The U.S. also took major steps toward securing its domestic nuclear fuel supply with the launch of a $3.4 billion initiative to build low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) production capacity.
The effort supports the nation's move to reduce dependency on foreign sources, particularly Russia, for nuclear fuel.
Through partnerships with several companies, the U.S. aims to develop a robust fuel cycle infrastructure that will meet the needs of current and future reactors. This includes strengthening the supply of HALEU, which is essential for advanced reactors that offer greater efficiency and smaller sizes.
Alongside this, the U.S. also imposed a ban on uranium imports from Russia, a crucial step in bolstering national energy security and reducing geopolitical risks associated with foreign fuel supplies.
Several advanced reactor projects made significant strides, first with the Department of Defense (DOD) breaking ground on Project Pele, a transportable microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, while TerraPower began construction on its Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor in Wyoming.
Additionally, Kairos Power's Hermes reactor in Tennessee continued its development under the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
These projects, collectively representing a range of advanced reactor technologies, aim to provide clean, reliable power while advancing U.S. energy security.
The successful development of these reactors is a critical step toward diversifying the U.S. energy mix and achieving climate goals, with each project offering unique features, including portability, high-efficiency cooling, and advanced safety protocols.
DOE launched a $900 million program to demonstrate up to two advanced light-water small modular reactor (SMR) systems in the U.S. This initiative aims to lower the risks associated with deploying new reactor technologies and facilitate the development of multi-reactor orders.
These advanced SMRs incorporate enhanced safety features and modern instrumentation, offering the potential to reduce construction, operational, and maintenance costs.
The program is designed to support the supply chain for these reactors and provide the necessary groundwork for large-scale deployment, further solidifying the role of nuclear energy in the U.S. clean energy transition.
DOE launched the world's first two regional Clean Energy Training Centers in Poland and Ghana to support the development of civil nuclear energy programs. These centers aim to provide training and resources for countries considering new nuclear reactor deployments.
The centers are part of a broader effort to strengthen global nuclear energy capacity and foster international cooperation. The Ghanaian center, in particular, will serve as a key resource for African nations, helping them develop the necessary expertise to build and operate nuclear power plants. The initiative also reflects the U.S. commitment to expanding nuclear energy's role in global clean energy strategies.
DOE also moved forward with plans to design, build, and operate a federal consolidated interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. The project, which is progressing through the department's consent-based siting process, is aimed at securely storing up to 15,000 metric tons of spent fuel, with the option for future expansion.
This facility is a critical component in the U.S. nuclear waste management strategy, providing a safe and long-term solution for storing spent nuclear fuel while permanent disposal solutions are developed.
It also includes the development of new railcars for transporting the fuel, ensuring efficient and safe movement of materials across the country.
DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy surpassed $1 billion in total funding for nuclear energy research and training across U.S. colleges and universities. This funding supported more than 2,570 awards, including undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships, aimed at advancing nuclear research and development.
This investment is critical for ensuring the continued growth of the nuclear workforce and fostering the next generation of nuclear energy leaders. By providing funding for research, training, and innovation, the DOE is helping to strengthen the U.S. nuclear sector and support its transition to a clean energy future.
Finally, after years of negotiation, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) received its first shipment of spent nuclear fuel since the 1990s. The delivery of 25 fuel rods marked a significant milestone in managing the state's legacy waste and is expected to support the development of new fuel technologies.
This achievement is crucial for advancing nuclear energy safety and efficiency. The data collected from these spent fuel rods will inform the design of new fuel technologies that improve reactor performance, extend operational lifetimes, and ultimately reduce energy costs.
This milestone contributes to the ongoing efforts to modernize the U.S. nuclear fuel cycle and improve energy sustainability.
As these ten projects and milestones demonstrate, 2024 has been a year of significant progress for the U.S. nuclear sector, with advancements across a range of technologies and initiatives.
With continued government support, private sector innovation, and a focus on sustainability and energy security, nuclear power is positioned to play a central role in the nation's clean energy future.
Looking ahead, the momentum gained this year will be essential in achieving long-term energy goals and ensuring a reliable, carbon-free energy supply for generations to come.
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