Latest Innovations on Nuclear Power in 2023

Nuclear power is one of the cleanest and most reliable sources of energy in the world, providing about 10% of global electricity generation. Nuclear power plants produce electricity by splitting atoms of uranium, releasing heat that is used to boil water and create steam. The steam then spins turbines that generate electricity. Nuclear power does not emit any greenhouse gases or air pollutants, making it a key technology to combat climate change and improve air quality.

However, nuclear power also faces some challenges, such as high capital costs, safety concerns, waste management, and public acceptance. To address these challenges and unlock the full potential of nuclear power, researchers and innovators around the world are working on developing new technologies and solutions that will make nuclear power more efficient, affordable, safe, and sustainable. Here are some of the latest innovations on nuclear power in 2023.

1. Clean Energy

Conventional nuclear reactors are capital-intensive, require constant base load demand, and pose a high environmental risk. To overcome these limitations, innovators are developing new types of reactors that are smaller, cheaper, safer, and more flexible. These include small modular reactors (SMRs), microreactors, and advanced reactors that use different fuels and coolants than traditional light-water reactors.

For example, **NuScale Power** is building the first SMR in the U.S., which will consist of 12 modules that can produce up to 720 MWe of electricity. Each module is self-contained and can operate independently or in sync with others. The SMR design has passive safety features that can shut down the reactor without any external power or human intervention. The SMR is expected to be operational by 2029 at the Idaho National Laboratory site.

Another example is **Oklo**, a start-up that is developing a microreactor that can produce up to 1.5 MWe of electricity. The microreactor uses metallic fuel and heat pipes to transfer heat from the core to the power conversion system. The microreactor can operate for up to 20 years without refueling and has no moving parts or pumps. The microreactor is designed to provide clean energy to remote communities, industrial sites, and military bases.

2. Nuclear Medicine

Diagnostic and clinical radiopharmaceuticals are essential to diagnose and treat various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and neurological conditions. However, the supply of medical isotopes is limited and dependent on a few aging reactors around the world. To ensure a reliable and secure supply of medical isotopes, innovators are developing new ways to produce them using alternative methods.

For example, **SHINE Medical Technologies** is building a facility in Wisconsin that will use a particle accelerator to produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), the most widely used medical isotope for imaging procedures. The facility will use low-enriched uranium (LEU) as a target material and will not require a nuclear reactor or highly enriched uranium (HEU). The facility is expected to produce enough Mo-99 to meet more than one-third of the global demand by 2024.

Another example is **Phoenix LLC**, a company that is developing a neutron generator that can produce various medical isotopes on demand. The neutron generator uses a fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium to create high-energy neutrons that can be used to irradiate target materials. The neutron generator can produce isotopes such as iodine-131, xenon-133, lutetium-177, and actinium-225.

3. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that can enhance the performance, safety, and efficiency of nuclear power plants. AI can help optimize plant operations, monitor plant conditions, detect anomalies, predict failures, and prevent accidents. AI can also help improve the design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

For example, **GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy** is using AI to optimize the fuel loading pattern of its boiling water reactors (BWRs). The AI system can analyze thousands of possible fuel configurations and select the optimal one that maximizes power output while minimizing fuel consumption and radiation exposure. The AI system can also adjust the fuel loading pattern in real time based on plant feedback.

Another example is **Framatome**, a company that is using AI to monitor the health of nuclear power plants. The AI system can collect and analyze data from various sensors and systems in the plant and provide early warning signs of potential issues or failures. The AI system can also recommend corrective actions or preventive maintenance to avoid unplanned outages or costly repairs