5 Nuclear Storylines to Watch for in 2019

With growing concerns over the climate and heated debates on grid reliability, the narrative on nuclear is starting to shift.

More and more people are starting to realize that the nation’s largest and most reliable source of clean energy must be in the mix to help America meet its future energy needs.

The next decade will be crucial for the industry as it desperately tries to bridge the gap between its current fleet of reactors and new designs that are smaller, more flexible and cheaper to build.

Here are five storylines to watch for in 2019.

1. Accident tolerant fuel testing

Accident tolerant fuel pin developed by Framatome.

Idaho National Laboratory

Accident tolerant fuels are new, robust fuels that have the potential to improve plant performance and survive longer in accident conditions.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working with industry on an aggressive timeframe to commercialize these fuels by 2025.

Framatome, General Electric and Westinghouse are testing their concepts in commercial reactors in 2019—an important step in licensing the fuels.

If these projects stay on track, they could help make the case for utilities to extend operating licenses on reactors that are set to expire in the 2030s.

2. Nuclear is getting smaller

NuScale Power passed the first phase of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) review process in 2018 and is currently building out its supply chain for its small modular reactor (SMR).

One thing to watch in 2019 will be electricity wholesaler, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS). The group is working to secure power contracts from its utility members to build America’s first SMR project at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) by 2026.

DOE recently showed its support for the project by agreeing to purchase two SMRs to help meet its research and power needs at the lab.

The department is also expected to deliver a report to Congress on a pilot program for the future use of microreactors at essential federal facilities and military bases. More than ten developers have already expressed interest in the project.

3. Advancing advanced reactors

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