Latest news with #CANDU
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
US Firm Achieves Second Thorium Breakthrough at Idaho National Lab's Reactor
The glowing blue core of the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory. CHICAGO, Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) announces the second major milestone for its patented Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL™) fuel, which has now reached a burnup level of over 45 gigawatt-days per metric ton (GWd/MTU) in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This achievement outpaces the capabilities of conventional nuclear fuels used in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and CANDU reactors. In May 2024, twelve ANEEL™ fuel rodlets were loaded into the ATR for irradiation to achieve three burnup level targets. The first successful irradiation of four rodlets surpassed 20 GWd/MTU last year. CCTE is excited to report that the second set of four rodlets have exceeded 45 GWd/MTU—six to seven times the average discharge burnup for PHWR/CANDU reactors that are designed to use natural uranium fuel. The newly irradiated rodlets are currently cooling in the ATR water pool and will soon be transferred to INL's Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) for detailed post-irradiation examination. The final four rodlets will remain in the ATR for continued irradiation, with expected burnup levels exceeding 60 GWd/MTU. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW These results underscore ANEEL™ fuel's potential to redefine performance and sustainability standards in the nuclear industry. Developed by CCTE, the fuel uniquely combines thorium with High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) to offer a safer, more efficient, and proliferation-resistant alternative for existing and future PHWR and other CANDU reactor fleets worldwide. Mehul Shah, Founder and CEO of CCTE Thorium Energy, said: 'This second burnup milestone is a transformative moment for CCTE and for the future of nuclear energy. ANEEL™ fuel is not just demonstrating superior technical performance—it's proving that thorium-based solutions can meaningfully address global challenges of energy security, nuclear waste, and proliferation. Our successful partnership with INL is helping unlock a new era for advanced nuclear fuels.' Dr. Koroush Shirvan, Head of Fuel Design at CCTE and Professor at MIT, added: 'The collection of this data positions ANEEL™ fuel as a prime candidate for near-term deployment in PHWRs' Dr. Michael Worrall, Technical Lead for the CCTE ATR Irradiation at INL, noted: 'ANEEL's performance in the ATR is a strong indicator of the promise thorium-based fuels hold in supporting future energy goals and diversifying the nuclear fuel landscape.' Dr. Daniel Wachs, National Technical Director for the DOE Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC) and Nuclear Fuels and Materials Directorate Fellow at INL, said: 'The partnership between INL and CCTE is a great example of how the INL and private sector innovators can collaborate to rapidly develop advanced nuclear technologies with the potential to impact the marketplace worldwide.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Gamma scanning of ANEEL irradiated capsules at the INL's hot cell facility. About Clean Core Thorium Energy Clean Core Thorium Energy is a U.S.-based nuclear innovation company developing advanced nuclear fuel solutions using thorium and HALEU. Its patented ANEEL™ fuel is designed to enhance the safety, economics, and nonproliferation profile of PHWRs and CANDU reactors while drastically reducing nuclear waste. Learn more at Follow us on LinkedIn and X. About Idaho National Laboratory Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, INL is the nation's leading center for nuclear energy research and development. INL is celebrating 75 years of scientific leadership in energy, security, and environmental innovation. Learn more at Follow INL on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. Media Contact: Milan Shah Email: info@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Global News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Smith says Alberta to hold nuclear power consultations as reactor companies weigh opportunities
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government plans to hold public consultations this fall about adding nuclear power to the province's energy mix. There have long been discussions about building reactors in Alberta — including ones that could power oilsands operations — but the province is currently reliant on natural gas for electricity. Smith says industrial operations in remote areas like the oilsands could benefit from small modular reactors, which are built elsewhere and shipped to site. There is a larger-scale plant planned for northwestern Alberta that would have two to four CANDU reactors and a capacity of up to 4,800 megawatts. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Smith says she initially thought the project planned for near Peace River would swamp the province's power grid, but now sees it making sense as an electricity-hungry artificial intelligence data centre industry begins to take root. Story continues below advertisement The CEO of X Energy Reactor Co., a U.S. developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors, says his company has its eye on Alberta as a growth market. Clay Sell said in an interview last month that X Energy is pursuing opportunities to add power to the grid in general, as well as to link to steam-assisted gravity drainage oilsands projects that pull bitumen from deep underground through wells rather than mine it. 'Our plant is perfectly suited to perform that same mission on a small footprint,' Sell said.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Alberta to hold nuclear power consultations as reactor companies weigh opportunities
Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith speaks to media prior to the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government plans to hold public consultations this fall about adding nuclear power to the province's energy mix. There have long been discussions about building reactors in Alberta — including ones that could power oilsands operations — but the province is currently reliant on natural gas for electricity. Smith says industrial operations in remote areas like the oilsands could benefit from small modular reactors, which are built elsewhere and shipped to site. There is a larger-scale plant planned for northwestern Alberta that would have two to four CANDU reactors and a capacity of up to 4,800 megawatts. Smith says she initially thought the project planned for near Peace River would swamp the province's power grid, but now sees it making sense as an electricity-hungry artificial intelligence data centre industry begins to take root. The CEO of X Energy Reactor Co., a U.S. developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors, says his company has its eye on Alberta as a growth market. Clay Sell said in an interview last month that X Energy is pursuing opportunities to add power to the grid in general, as well as to link to steam-assisted gravity drainage oilsands projects that pull bitumen from deep underground through wells rather than mine it. 'Our plant is perfectly suited to perform that same mission on a small footprint,' Sell said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025. Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta to hold nuclear power consultations as reactor companies weigh opportunities
CALGARY – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government plans to hold public consultations this fall about adding nuclear power to the province's energy mix. There have long been discussions about building reactors in Alberta — including ones that could power oilsands operations — but the province is currently reliant on natural gas for electricity. Smith says industrial operations in remote areas like the oilsands could benefit from small modular reactors, which are built elsewhere and shipped to site. There is a larger-scale plant planned for northwestern Alberta that would have two to four CANDU reactors and a capacity of up to 4,800 megawatts. Smith says she initially thought the project planned for near Peace River would swamp the province's power grid, but now sees it making sense as an electricity-hungry artificial intelligence data centre industry begins to take root. The CEO of X Energy Reactor Co., a U.S. developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors, says his company has its eye on Alberta as a growth market. Clay Sell said in an interview last month that X Energy is pursuing opportunities to add power to the grid in general, as well as to link to steam-assisted gravity drainage oilsands projects that pull bitumen from deep underground through wells rather than mine it. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'Our plant is perfectly suited to perform that same mission on a small footprint,' Sell said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alberta to hold nuclear power consultations as reactor companies weigh opportunities
CALGARY — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government plans to hold public consultations this fall about adding nuclear power to the province's energy mix. There have long been discussions about building reactors in Alberta — including ones that could power oilsands operations — but the province is currently reliant on natural gas for electricity. Smith says industrial operations in remote areas like the oilsands could benefit from small modular reactors, which are built elsewhere and shipped to site. There is a larger-scale plant planned for northwestern Alberta that would have two to four CANDU reactors and a capacity of up to 4,800 megawatts. Smith says she initially thought the project planned for near Peace River would swamp the province's power grid, but now sees it making sense as an electricity-hungry artificial intelligence data centre industry begins to take root. The CEO of X Energy Reactor Co., a U.S. developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors, says his company has its eye on Alberta as a growth market. Clay Sell said in an interview last month that X Energy is pursuing opportunities to add power to the grid in general, as well as to link to steam-assisted gravity drainage oilsands projects that pull bitumen from deep underground through wells rather than mine it. "Our plant is perfectly suited to perform that same mission on a small footprint," Sell said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025. Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
