After 15 years, Japan is set to restart operations at its largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa.
The decision comes after the Niigata local government approved a partial restart of the Japanese plant this week. Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant that went into meltdown in 2011 following an earthquake and tsunami, will be in charge of the restart.
Tokyo Electric Power Company is currently considering bringing Unit 6 back online by January 20, 2026, according to a Dec. 17 article by NHK. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, though shut down, has seven reactors, making it the largest nuclear power plant in the world.
BWX Technologies has been awarded $100 million by a Wyoming state agency to construct its tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel fabrication facility in Gillette, Wyo.
The Wyoming Energy Authority made the announcement Dec. 19. BWXT applied for the large sum of money through Wyoming Energy Authority’s Large Project Energy Matching Funds.
The start of construction for the TRISO fuel fabrication facility could begin as soon as next year depending on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval of BWXT’s Category II facility, BWXT said in a Tuesday article by WyoFile. The facility is expected to be in operation by 2030.
Orano has signed with Perpetual Atomics to source Americium-241 from spent nuclear fuel recycling to create space-based power systems.
According to Orano’s Dec. 19 press release, the supply of Americium-241 will be sourced from Orano’s La Hague fuel processing site in France. Perpetual Atomics plans to develop a radioisotope power system, built on Americium-241, to power spacecrafts.
The power systems will use heat generated from the decay of radioisotopes, such as Americium-241, to keep a spacecraft operationally warm or convert into electricity to power pivotal energy systems, according to the release.
A recent report by Oxford Economics found that Urenco USA contributed around $360 million towards the United States economy last year.
Along with the $363.6 million contribution towards United States gross domestic product, Urenco USA’s National Enrichment Facility in Eunice, N.M. provides over 1,700 jobs.
“From fueling reliable electricity production across the country to inspiring the next generation in our local schools, Urenco USA and our employees make substantial contributions at a local, regional, and national level, as evidenced by the results seen in the Oxford Economics report.” Urenco USA Managing Director John Kirkpatrick said in its Monday press release.