Current IssuesDOE's Nuclear Energy Programs
Dr. Peter LyonsAssistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
Intergovernmental Meeting with the U.S. Department of Energy
October 30th, 2013
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President Obama’s Nuclear Energy Goals
"We have an obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged, and by taking steady, responsible steps to cut carbon pollution and an all-of-the-above approach to develop homegrown energy …
Thanks to the ingenuity of our businesses, we're starting to produce much more of our own energy. We're building the first nuclear power plants in more than three decades in Georgia and South Carolina.“ - Georgetown University June 26th, 2013
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“The United States is strongly committed to ensuring the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy while steadfastly preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons…
As we look collectively at the challenge of working to reduce carbon emissions while facilitating global development, nuclear energy clearly has a role to play. In that regard, I suggest that we should begin looking beyond the era of “Atoms for Peace” toward a model of “Atoms for Prosperity.”
Secretary Moniz on Nuclear Energy
2013 IAEA General ConferenceSeptember 16, 2013
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Office of Nuclear EnergyMission and R&D Objectives
Develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the safety, and extend the life of current reactors
Develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear energy to help meet the Administration's energy security and climate change goals
Develop sustainable nuclear fuel cycles
Understand and minimize the risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism
The primary mission of NE is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of making major contributions in meeting the nation’s energy supply, environmental, and energy security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, security and regulatory issues, through research, development, and demonstration (RD&D).
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NE FY 2014 BudgetRequest Summary
FY 2012 Current
FY 2014 Request
Integrated University Program 5,000 0
SMR Licensing Technical Support 67,000 70,000
Reactor Concepts RD&D 110,652 72,500
Fuel Cycle R&D 180,993 165,100
Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies 71,307 62,300
Radiological Facilities Management 69,510 5,000
International Nuclear Energy Cooperation 2,983 2,500
Idaho Facilities Management 154,097 181,560
Idaho Safeguards and Security a 93,350 94,000
Program Direction 91,000 87,500
Adjustments 7,924b
-5,000c
Total, Nuclear Energy 853,816 735,460
a) Requested within Nuclear Energy in FY 2014 (retains Defense function), appropriated within Other Defense Activities in FY 2012.b) Includes +$7,924,00 transfer from Department of State. c) Use of Prior Year Balances
(Dollars in Thousands)
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Key Areas of Focus
Small Modular Reactors
Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future – DOE response issued January 11, 2013
Fukushima Dai-ichi accident response and research impacts
Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP)
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Why are SMR technologiesof interest to DOE?
Safety Benefits
Passive decay heat removal by natural circulation
Smaller source term inventory
Simplified design eliminates/mitigates several postulated accidents
Below grade reactor siting
Potential for reduction in Emergency Planning Zone
Economic Benefits
Reduced financial risk
Flexibility to add units
Right size for replacement of old coal plants
Use domestic forgings and manufacturing
Job creation
NE working definition of SMRs: reactor units with a nominal output of 300 MWe or less and are able to have large components or modules fabricated remotely and transported to
the site for assembly of components and operation.
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SMR Licensing TechnicalSupport Program
Supports first phase for deployment
Facilitates and accelerates commercial development and deployment of near term U.S. SMR designs at domestic locations
$452 M in cost-share program over 6 years• FY12 funding is $67M and FY14 request is $70M
DOE has selected one award under the first SMR funding opportunity announcement (FOA) • Babcock and Wilcox mPower Design selected
DOE issued a second FOA that places more emphasis on innovation in improved safety attributes and further reduces regulatory risk for some of the SMR technologies through:
• lower core damage frequencies• longer post-accident coping periods • enhanced resistance to natural phenomena • potentially smaller emergency preparedness zones• smaller workforce requirements
** Both the 1st and 2nd funding opportunities will be funded out of the $452M program**
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1. A new, consent-based approach to siting future nuclear waste management facilities.
2. A new organization dedicated solely to implementing the waste management program and empowered with the authority and resources to succeed.
3. Access to the funds nuclear utility ratepayers are providing for the purpose of nuclear waste management.
4. Prompt efforts to develop one or more geologic disposal facilities.
5. Prompt efforts to develop one or more consolidated storage facilities.
6. Prompt efforts to prepare for the eventual large-scale transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste to consolidated storage and disposal facilities when such facilities become available.
7. Support for continued U.S. innovation in nuclear energy technology and for workforce development.
8. Active U.S. leadership in international efforts to address safety, waste management, non-proliferation, and security concerns.
Blue Ribbon CommissionRecommendations
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Congressional Activity
Senators Wyden, Murkowski, Feinstein, and Alexander introduced
comprehensive nuclear waste legislation – Nuclear Waste Administration
Act of 2013 (S. 1240)
Establishes a siting process for storage and repository facilities that relies on
consent agreements and Congressional ratification
Establishes a new organization – Nuclear Waste Administration – run by a single
Administrator and overseen by an Oversight Board
Addresses funding reform by creating a new Working Capital Fund in which fees
are deposited and are available as needed
Path to passage is difficult to predict
Court cases still pending
Some factions in Congress ready to “move on” from Yucca Mountain, while
others not
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High temperatureduring loss of active
cooling
Slower Hydrogen Generation Rate• Hydrogen bubble• Hydrogen explosion• Hydrogen embrittlement of the
clad
Improved Cladding Properties • Clad fracture• Geometric stability • Thermal shock resistance• Melting of the cladding
Improved Fuel Properties • Lower operating
temperatures• Clad internal oxidation• Fuel relocation / dispersion• Fuel melting
Enhanced Retention of Fission Products• Gaseous fission products• Solid/liquid fission products
Improved Reaction Kinetics with Steam• Heat of oxidation• Oxidation rate
Behaviors of Accident Tolerant Fuels &Fuel and Cladding at High Temperatures
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Nuclear Energy University Programs
Since FY09, NEUP and IUP have awarded
$290M to 89 schools in 35 States and
the District of Columbia.
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The Harnessed Atom
A new middle school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum available at http://energy.gov/ne/nuclear-energy
It covers the essential principles and fundamental concepts and addresses the latest science standards for crosscutting concepts about energy and matter.
The teacher’s kit is an updated and expanded edition of the acclaimed 1985 Harnessed Atom curriculum
The Harnessed Atom provides information on careers in nuclear science, research, and energy production
The curriculum is flexible enough to fit within the schedule of classrooms everywhere.
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Sanmen – June 2013Source: SNPTC
Vogtle – August 2013Source: Georgia Power Co.
Summer – June 2013Source: SCE&G
Global Demand for Nuclear Energy Continues
Haiyang – June 2013Source: State Nuclear Power Engineering Feng Qingyi
Wang Jinjie.