Jan 27 2021
As the weekly uranium spot price oscillates in a tight range, we examine further impetus for the nuclear industry after the US re-joins the Paris climate agreement.
-Biden rejoins Paris climate agreement
-Upcoming catalysts to continue momentum for nuclear
-Minor covid disruption for Kazatomprom
-Uranium spot price remains range-bound
Momentum gained by the US nuclear industry during the Trump administration is expected to be maintained after the Biden administration’s commitment to low-carbon energy, assesses industry consultant TradeTech. One of the first executive orders signed on January 20 was for the US to re-join the Paris Climate Agreement.
Upcoming catalysts include a full Senate vote on the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act. This includes an annual program for a US Strategic Uranium Reserve, which would provide assurance of the availability of uranium recovered in the US, in the event of a market disruption and support strategic fuel cycle capa
22 January 2021
Share
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted for review a topical report on Westinghouse Advanced Doped Pellet Technology (ADOPT) Fuel, which the company has said is a major achievement for the advanced fuel portfolio it is developing as part of its EnCore fuel programme.
(Image: Westinghouse)
Topical Report WCAP-18482-P/WCAP-18482-NP, Revision 0 was originally submitted to the NRC in May 2020, and a draft safety evaluation is expected early in the summer of this year, Westinghouse has said.
ADOPT fuel pellets have been designed to improve fuel cycle economics and accident tolerance. The fuel pellets are doped with small amounts of chromia and alumina, enabling them to achieve greater uranium efficiency and a 50% lower oxidation rate compared to conventional uranium oxide pellets. The pellets are suitable for use in all Westinghouse and Combustion Engineering pressurised water reactor and boiling water reactor designs and are compatible with all