GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), Holtec International and SMR Inventec, LLC (SMR, LLC), today announced a collaboration to advance the SMR‐160, a single loop, 160 MWe pressurized light water reactor based on existing light water technologies.
In a Memorandum of Understanding, the companies have agreed to enter into a procompetitive collaboration to progress the SMR-160 which SMR, LLC intends to develop, design, license, commercialize, deploy and service globally. The cooperation will initially include nuclear fuel development supported by GNF and control rod drive mechanisms designed by GEH, and may later extend to other areas.
“We are excited to leverage the experience and capabilities of world class nuclear companies like GEH and GNF as we bring our game changing SMR-160 technology to global markets,” said Holtec President and CEO Dr. Kris Singh. “SMR-160 has prioritized safety in its design, to produce a right-sized, passively safe and cost-effective solution for carbon-free energy. This collaboration will ensure the SMR-160 supply chain, to deliver and fabricate critical SMR-160 technologies and components, including at our new Advanced Manufacturing Division in Camden, New Jersey.”
“With more than half a century of experience and a solid global track record in the nuclear power business we look forward to providing engineering expertise and technical capability to help advance the development of the SMR-160,” GEH President and CEO Jay Wileman said. “Our combined strengths allow us to accelerate commercialization of this technology.”
On January 31, SMR, LCC submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy with support from GEH and GNF, among others, in response to funding opportunity announcement DE-FOA-0001817. The “Integral and Separate Effects Test Program for the Investigation and Validation of Passive Safety System Performance of SMRs” project would yield a uniquely configurable set of testing platforms to demonstrate passive safety system performance, accelerate the SMR-160 and other small modular reactor designs to market and help license these designs with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and international regulators. GEH and GNF will support phenomena assessments, scaling analyses, safety analysis system code assessment and benchmarking and identification of recommended experimental tests.
“We believe that our experience with boiling water reactor fuel lends itself quite well to the design features of the SMR-160,” said Amir Vexler, CEO of GNF. “We’ve been manufacturing boiling water reactor fuel at our Wilmington, North Carolina facility for nearly 50 years and we look forward to the possibility of making SMR-160 fuel here too.”
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety. Follow GEH on LinkedIn and Twitter.
About GNF
Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) is a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel-related engineering services. GNF is a GE-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and operates primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.
About Holtec International, Inc.
Holtec International, headquartered Jupiter, FL, is a world leader in nuclear technologies with ongoing projects in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine, China, Korea, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland. The Company is carrying out some of the most challenging nuclear projects around the world including the defueling of Chernobyl’s shuttered reactors. The equipment and systems supplied by Holtec to its worldwide clients are largely based on the Company’s own patents and proprietary technologies. The Company is the largest exporter of capital nuclear equipment in the US and is recognized as the operator of manufacturing plants in three states with an excellent record of safety. Please visit www.holtecinternational.com for more information.
About SMR, LLC
Based in Camden, NJ, SMR, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Holtec International. SMR, LLC’s mission includes establishing business alliances and securing regulatory acceptance of operating SMR-160 small modular reactors in global power markets, with existing and expanding corporate manufacturing facilities – and with associated direct benefit to US and local economies. As its name implies, the SMR-160 is a small modular reactor with 160 MW(e) net electric output that will provide safe, dependable, carbon-free power to US and world energy markets, while creating thousands of well-paying U.S. engineering and manufacturing jobs, growing this nation’s economy. SMR-160 offers safe, secure, clean power to energy consumers, through a product solution optimized for safety and security, minimum land use, and affordability. Planned for operation by 2026, SMR-160 offers unique and innovative solutions for achieving real enhancements in safety, operations, and performance compared to existing power plant options.
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