EPRI, INL Release R&D Plan for Near-Term Increase in Nuclear Energy Production

February 20, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

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The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) released a joint INL/nuclear power industry strategic plan for light water reactor (LWR) R&D.

The plan sets forth two strategies that must be employed for nuclear energy to play a role in meeting future U.S. energy needs, said the INL.

The first strategy is to construct and operate dozens of new nuclear power plants starting in the next several years.

The second is to maximize the contribution from existing nuclear power fleet in the U.S. by extending the operating licenses.

Implementing both strategies will require "significant" investment in R&D, according to the INL.

"Recent analysis by EPRI shows that all low-emission electricity technologies will be required to satisfy anticipated goals for reduced CO2 emissions - energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy and clean coal with CO2 capture and sequestration" said Chris Larsen, vice president and chief nuclear officer for the EPRI.

"Industry recognizes that LWR technology is mature and that industry should carry a large portion of the responsibility in maintaining this technology.

"However, this plan demonstrates that the magnitude of the challenges facing this nation require the active engagement and leadership of the federal government in achieving the stretch goals identified in the report."

The proposed industry/government cost-shared R&D effort set forth in the plan is focused on 10 objectives, six of which are considered to be high priority, said the INL.

These objectives include:

• Sustaining the high performance of nuclear plant materials.
• Transitioning to digital instrumentation and controls.
• Making further advances in nuclear fuel reliability and lifetime.
• Implementing broad-spectrum workforce development.
• Implementing broad-spectrum infrastructure improvements and design for sustainability.
• Addressing electricity infrastructure-wide problems.

Because the public and private sectors will benefit from these strategies, the plan recommends that the R&D program necessary to implement them be pursued through a public-private partnership, said the INL.

The research effort would be managed by a team comprised of the DOE, the EPRI and Nuclear Energy Institute representatives, said the INL.

Source: Idaho National Laboratory (INL).