Latest news with #HTGR
Asahi Shimbun
03-06-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Ibaraki seeks to host demo reactor for next-gen nuclear power
A test reactor for next-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology is currently operating in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture, as a precursor to a planned demonstration reactor. (Keitaro Fukuchi) Ibaraki Prefecture is seeking to host the country's first demonstration reactor for next-generation nuclear technology known as the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). Local officials announced on June 2 that they have formally submitted a request to the government to have the first municipality in the nation to host the advanced nuclear facility. HTGRs are considered to offer higher efficiency and improved safety technology compared to conventional light-water reactors. They can also be used to produce hydrogen, a key fuel in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The government has prioritized the development of HTGR technology, aiming to begin operations of the demonstration reactor in the latter half of the 2030s. The reactor would serve as an intermediary step before full commercial deployment. It will be built at a scale closer to that of grid-connected reactors to assess its economic viability. Unlike conventional reactors that use water for cooling, HTGRs utilize helium gas, enabling them to reach much higher temperatures. These temperatures could be harnessed not only for power generation but also for the production of hydrogen, which is in high demand in the prefecture's coastal industrial areas. The prefecture currently hosts a test reactor for HTGR technology in the coastal town of Oarai. Officials emphasize the advantage of the proximity, arguing that expanding upon this foundation would maximize the efficiency of research and development efforts. The government has been pushing the HTGR project since fiscal 2023, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries selected as the primary contractor responsible for the reactor's design and eventual construction. Further details, including the criteria for site selection, have yet to be determined. (This article was written by Satoshi Shinden and Morio Choh.)
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ZettaJoule Appoints NRC Veteran Andrea Veil to Lead Regulatory Strategy
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZettaJoule, Inc., a next-generation nuclear technology company developing High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) for commercial applications, announced the appointment of Andrea Veil as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, to assist the company with deploying a fleet of HTGR-based advanced reactors. Ms. Veil, Former NRC Office Director, will accelerate ZettaJoule's regulatory efforts as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, to deploy a fleet of HTGR-based advanced reactors. Share Ms. Veil previously served as Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Over a distinguished 32-year career at the NRC, she held numerous leadership roles across licensing, oversight, and research programs. As head of NRR, she oversaw an office of over 500 engineers, scientists, and program management staff in NRR. In that capacity, she championed the transition from traditional deterministic regulation to a risk-informed, performance-based framework—laying critical groundwork for the safe introduction of advanced, smaller reactor designs. Veil also led agency-wide initiatives to resolve complex safety issues, delivering technical insights, tools, and data for risk-informed regulatory decisions and the development of new regulations and guidance. Her unparalleled insight into U.S. licensing pathways and commitment to safety will help ZettaJoule accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, setting a new global standard for clean, reliable nuclear energy. Veil's deep regulatory expertise and proven leadership at the NRC will be instrumental in moving from concept to commercial deployment. 'I am honored to continue my work in facilitating the deployment of safe and reliable nuclear energy solutions, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the development and deployment of ZettaJoule HTGR advanced nuclear plants in this new role,' Veil said. About ZettaJoule ZettaJoule, Inc.(President and CEO: Mitsuo Shimofuji) is a U.S.-based clean energy startup focused on leveraging Japan's proven HTGR technology to build decentralized, carbon-free energy infrastructure. The company is backed by Globis Capital Partners, Coral Capital, Archetype Ventures, SOSV, HAX, and others. Since its launch in 2024, the company has assembled a world-class team, including experts from: Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Mitsubishi, X-energy, Westinghouse, Centrus, Idaho National Laboratory, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and Areva U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Amazon Web Services, Sumitomo Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Deutsche Bank, Deloitte, and KPMG ZettaJoule is pursuing the deployment of the world's first commercial global fleet of HTGRs to drive decarbonization and strengthen energy security. About HTGRs High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) are advanced reactors offering exceptional inherent safety and high-temperature outputs (up to 950°C). Beyond power generation, HTGRs can be used for applications such as: Industrial process heat Hydrogen, ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production District heating and seawater desalination HTGRs are increasingly seen as a critical technology for deep decarbonization across industrial sectors and among advanced technology and major oil/gas companies.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ZettaJoule Appoints NRC Veteran Andrea Veil to Lead Regulatory Strategy
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2025-- ZettaJoule, Inc., a next-generation nuclear technology company developing High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) for commercial applications, announced the appointment of Andrea Veil as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, to assist the company with deploying a fleet of HTGR-based advanced reactors. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Ms. Andrea Veil, SVP, Regulatory Strategy at ZettaJoule, Inc. (Former NRC Office Director) Ms. Veil previously served as Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Over a distinguished 32-year career at the NRC, she held numerous leadership roles across licensing, oversight, and research programs. As head of NRR, she oversaw an office of over 500 engineers, scientists, and program management staff in NRR. In that capacity, she championed the transition from traditional deterministic regulation to a risk-informed, performance-based framework—laying critical groundwork for the safe introduction of advanced, smaller reactor designs. Veil also led agency-wide initiatives to resolve complex safety issues, delivering technical insights, tools, and data for risk-informed regulatory decisions and the development of new regulations and guidance. Her unparalleled insight into U.S. licensing pathways and commitment to safety will help ZettaJoule accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, setting a new global standard for clean, reliable nuclear energy. Veil's deep regulatory expertise and proven leadership at the NRC will be instrumental in moving from concept to commercial deployment. 'I am honored to continue my work in facilitating the deployment of safe and reliable nuclear energy solutions, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the development and deployment of ZettaJoule HTGR advanced nuclear plants in this new role,' Veil said. About ZettaJoule ZettaJoule, Inc.(President and CEO: Mitsuo Shimofuji) is a U.S.-based clean energy startup focused on leveraging Japan's proven HTGR technology to build decentralized, carbon-free energy infrastructure. The company is backed by Globis Capital Partners, Coral Capital, Archetype Ventures, SOSV, HAX, and others. Since its launch in 2024, the company has assembled a world-class team, including experts from: ZettaJoule is pursuing the deployment of the world's first commercial global fleet of HTGRs to drive decarbonization and strengthen energy security. About HTGRs High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) are advanced reactors offering exceptional inherent safety and high-temperature outputs (up to 950°C). Beyond power generation, HTGRs can be used for applications such as: HTGRs are increasingly seen as a critical technology for deep decarbonization across industrial sectors and among advanced technology and major oil/gas companies. Learn more about ZettaJoule: View source version on [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA MARYLAND INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NUCLEAR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY SOURCE: ZettaJoule, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/20/2025 07:49 AM/DISC: 05/20/2025 07:48 AM
