Latest news with #IdahoNationalLaboratory
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft and a Top U.S. Lab Target Nuclear Red Tape With AI
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Idaho National Laboratory have quietly joined forces to tackle one of nuclear power's biggest headaches: the months?long, millions?of?dollars licensing process. They're using Azure's AI tools to draft the dense safety and engineering reports that regulators demand. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with MSFT. Instead of engineers digging through thousands of pages by hand, the AI solution pulls in all the technical documents, weaves together the right language and spits out a first draft of the reports for the NRC and DOE. It's not replacing human expertsit's taking care of the grunt work so people can focus on refining rather than drafting from scratch. This could be a real game changer. Reactor approvals can stall for a year or more, but if report assembly gets cut down by even a few weeks, developers can move faster on bringing carbon?free power online to meet rising demand. And this isn't their first experiment. Back in 2023, Microsoft, INL and Idaho State University built a digital twin of a nuclear reactor using Azure. If this new AI assistant delivers, it might just become the new normal for how the next generation of reactors gets built and licensed. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. 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
Reuters
16-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Microsoft, US national lab tap AI to speed up nuclear power permitting process
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 (Reuters) - Microsoft and a U.S. national laboratory on Wednesday said they are partnering to examine how artificial intelligence could be used to speed up the process of compiling the documents needed to secure permits for new nuclear power plants. Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) said they will tap Microsoft's AI technology for generating engineering and safety analysis reports that are a standard part of the application process for construction permits and operating licenses for nuclear facilities in the United States. The AI systems, which have been trained on a huge trove of successful historical applications, will pull data from studies and compile it into complex applications that span hundreds of pages. "It's created for human refinement, so a human can go through each of the sections and, specifically as needed, edit any of the sections, whether manually, or maybe with the help of AI - it's really up to the human," Nelli Babayan, AI director for federal civilian business at Microsoft, told Reuters in an interview. The move comes after President Donald Trump in May signed executive orders to fast-track the licensing process for new nuclear power plants, aiming to shorten what is often a multiyear process into as little as 18 months as AI data centers create soaring demand for energy. The technology could also help with squeezing more energy out of existing nuclear plants, said Scott Ferrara, deputy division director for nuclear safety and regulatory research at INL. Existing nuclear facilities must submit an evaluation of how they might increase power output and apply for an amendment to their operating license. "A plethora of data already exists from about 82 upgrades that have already taken place, and they can just pull right from that (data) and help generate their license amendment request," Ferrara told Reuters in an interview.
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Oklo Selects Kiewit as the Lead Constructor for First Aurora Powerhouse in Idaho
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), an advanced nuclear technology company, announced today that it has selected Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. as the lead constructor for its first commercial Aurora powerhouse in Idaho, at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Under a newly executed Master Services Agreement, Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. (Kiewit), a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, one of North America's largest construction and engineering organizations, will begin to support the design, procurement, and construction of the Aurora-INL, with pre-construction expected to begin in 2025 and commercial operations targeted for late 2027 to early 2028. The Aurora-INL represents a major milestone in Oklo's near-term commercialization strategy to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy using proven, advanced nuclear technology. Oklo selected Kiewit through a competitive process that evaluated both technical capabilities and construction expertise. Because a significant portion of the Aurora powerhouse's construction scope is non-nuclear, Oklo can leverage Kiewit's extensive experience in delivering large-scale industrial and infrastructure projects. This approach is designed to accelerate delivery timelines, reduce costs, and uphold standards of safety and quality, underscoring Oklo's commitment to the efficient, pragmatic deployment of advanced nuclear technology. 'We've completed key pre-construction milestones, including site characterization work in Idaho, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and Idaho National Laboratory,' said Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo. 'Kiewit brings the execution strength and project delivery experience that are essential as we move into this next phase. This is a critical step in helping us build efficiently and deliver clean energy on a meaningful timeline. Advanced reactors will largely be able to be constructed differently than legacy plants, and a key pathway to realizing the economic benefits associated with that is to modernize how we design, procure, and build these plants.' Oklo is uniquely positioned to deploy advanced nuclear technology in the near term, with a U.S. Department of Energy-approved site, secured fuel, and demonstrated regulatory progress that support its ability to advance toward commercial operation. 'We're excited to support Oklo in delivering one of the nation's first commercial advanced nuclear projects,' said Mike Rinehart, president of Kiewit Nuclear Solutions Co. 'As a leading design engineering, procurement, and construction partner with decades of experience in complex energy infrastructure, Kiewit is well positioned to help bring Oklo's innovative vision to life. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions through disciplined execution, safety, and delivery certainty.' The Aurora-INL is a key part of Oklo's broader deployment pipeline, which includes agreements to supply over 14 GW of clean energy to commercial customers and U.S. government partners. About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and National Laboratories. About Kiewit: Kiewit is one of North America's largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations. With its roots dating back to 1884, the employee-owned organization operates through a network of subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Guam. Kiewit offers construction and engineering services in a variety of markets including power;transportation; water; oil, gas and chemical; marine; building; industrial and mining. Kiewit had 2024 revenues of $16.8 billion and employs 31,800 staff and craft employees. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that express Oklo's opinions, expectations, objectives, beliefs, plans, intentions, strategies, assumptions, forecasts or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, 'forward-looking statements.' The words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'would' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the benefits of the DOE's Voucher Program, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo's future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the deployment of Oklo's powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; the potential need for financing to construct plants, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; the risk that the DOE's Voucher Program fails to produce the expected benefits; changes in applicable laws or regulations; and the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lightbridge Expects to Benefit from Advanced Expedited Testing Method in its Planned Irradiation Testing in the Advanced Test Reactor
RESTON, Va., June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (Nasdaq: LTBR), a leader in advanced nuclear fuel technology, today announced it expects to benefit from a groundbreaking testing method developed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), known as the Fission Accelerated Steady-state Test (FAST). This pioneering method utilizes increased enrichment levels to expedite the irradiation testing of fuel samples in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Use of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) in private sector fuel testing is exceedingly rare. HEU, defined as uranium enriched to 20% or more uranium-235, is tightly controlled and legally accessible only through government-operated facilities. The enrichments in the 26-30% range for each set of Lightbridge coupon samples were selected to yield the required linear heat generation rates based on the specific core position within the Advanced Test Reactor where the experiment is planned to be inserted for irradiation testing. 'Lightbridge is thrilled to benefit from the FAST method at INL,' said Dr. Scott Holcombe, Vice President of Engineering at Lightbridge. 'This advanced technique enables achieving burnup targets faster than using conventional testing methods, which means we can acquire necessary performance data in an accelerated time frame.' The planned irradiation testing program, along with post-irradiation examination activities (the scope of which will be detailed in a future Project Task Statement), is aimed at generating critical irradiation performance data for Lightbridge's advanced fuel. This data will play a key role in supporting the company's regulatory licensing through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the company expects this data to contribute to streamlined, expedited licensing under the ADVANCE Act. The company also expects to share this data with utilities to assist in their analyses of Lightbridge Fuel for use in commercial nuclear power plants. Seth Grae, CEO of Lightbridge, added: 'We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for providing the HEU and to INL and DOE for enabling Lightbridge fuel material samples to be tested using this innovative FAST method. It reflects the importance of strong public-private partnerships in advancing clean energy technologies. This is an excellent example of the U.S. government using its advanced technologies and resources, particularly HEU and the Advanced Test Reactor, to support commercialization of advanced nuclear fuel technologies potentially on accelerated timelines.' This work is conducted under an existing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and Idaho National Laboratory. More details on FAST can be found at: • • About Idaho National LaboratoryBattelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation's center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE's strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. About Lightbridge Corporation Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. The Company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. The Company is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid. Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy's operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE's Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge's innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell Microcap® Index. For more information, please visit To receive Lightbridge Corporation updates via e-mail, subscribe at Lightbridge is on YouTube. Subscribe to access past demonstrations, interviews, and other video content at Lightbridge is on X (formerly Twitter). Sign up to follow @LightbridgeCorp at Forward Looking Statements With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to: Lightbridge's ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of Lightbridge's product and service offerings; Lightbridge's ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; Lightbridge's ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in Lightbridge's fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of Lightbridge's nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing Lightbridge's business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, Lightbridge's intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'). Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in its other filings with the SEC, including in the sections thereof captioned 'Risk Factors' and 'Forward-Looking Statements', all of which are available at and Investor Relations Contact: Matthew Abenante, IRC Director of Investor Relations Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093 ir@ 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
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislators tour Idaho National Laboratory nuclear research facilities as lab plans new reactors
Idaho state Rep. Steven Miller, R-Fairfield, looks through protective glass into a hot room while touring facilities at Idaho National Laboratory in southern Idaho. (Photo courtesy of the Idaho National Laboratory) IDAHO FALLS – Members of the Idaho Legislature's budget committee toured Idaho National Laboratory research facilities Wednesday as the lab is in the process of building its first new nuclear reactors in 50 years. Some of INL's top officials told the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee they expected the next four years to usher in a new nuclear renaissance that INL will be at the center of. 'It's really intended to get INL back into the role of building and operating new reactors on site and supply chains that need to be exercised, getting us back into design and then ultimately building them and operating them,' INL Deputy Director Todd Combs said. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC for short, is a powerful legislative committee that sets all of the budgets for every state agency and department. JFAC's tour included stops at Idaho National Laboratory's Research and Education Campus located in Idaho Falls as well as the Hot Fuel Examination Facility and the Sample Preparation Laboratory located at the Materials and Fuels Complex. The Materials and Fuels Complex is part of a vast 890 square-mile research complex located in the desert west of Idaho Falls that is often referred to simply as 'the site.' INL currently operates four nuclear reactors and is considered the country's leading nuclear energy research and development national laboratory. But Combs told JFAC members INL does a lot more than nuclear energy and fuels research. INL researchers and staff also focus on cyber security, electric vehicle infrastructure, artificial intelligence, or AI, homeland security and defense. INL has built armor for the Abrams tanks and conducted research into vulnerabilities in the electric grid and how to combat those vulnerabilities. INL teams have conducted research on electric vehicle infrastructure like charging stations and built the system that powered the Mars Perseverance rover. 'One might ask, how does this align currently with what the Trump administration is trying to accomplish?' Combs said. 'And if you look at executive orders like Unleashing American Energy, and if you look at Secretary of Energy (Chris Wright), his initial memo, and everything he's been talking about since he took over as secretary of energy, we fall right in line with what they're trying to accomplish.' INL celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, and Combs told legislators the lab is growing and ramping up research and operations. Since 2017, INL has grown from about 3,750 employees to 6,500 employees today. Since what is now known as INL was founded in 1949, 52 reactors have been built and demonstrated on the site, Combs said. INL currently operates four nuclear reactors, but the lab is in the process of building its first new reactors in 50 years. 'We've got a number of projects right now over the next decade that are coming online as well that are going to be reactors, 53 and 54 and beyond,' Combs said. INL made headlines last month when state officials and Department of Energy officials announced a waiver to a 1995 nuclear waste settlement agreement that allows for the shipment of spent nuclear fuel into Idaho for research at INL. A waiver was necessary because the 1995 settlement agreement called for limiting new shipments of spent nuclear fuel into Idaho and removing certain types of spent nuclear fuel in order to prevent the state from becoming a dumping ground for the nation's spent nuclear fuel. Although the Idaho Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session on April 4 and is not in session now, JFAC regularly conducts interim meetings to keep an eye on the state budget and learn about how different agencies and organizations spend the money that JFAC approves in the budget every year. 'I've never been out there (to INL's site),' Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, said. 'Born and raised in Idaho. You would think I would have (visited before), but no. I loved it, and it was fascinating. The thing that really grabbed me was they did so much more than just the nuclear energy. I had no idea about the tanks and all that kind of stuff they're doing, and the AI. It's just cutting-edge scientific stuff going on out there.' CONTACT US 'It's good, I think, for the whole JFAC bench to get a chance to see that and to see we've been involved in buying buildings (that INL uses),' Grow added. 'The state is involved in this, even though we tend to think that it's a federal (facility).' A clear highlight for several JFAC members was entering a hot room at the Sample Preparation Laboratory that is under construction at the site. There isn't yet any nuclear material in the hot room because it is under construction. But once nuclear materials enter the facility, the public won't be able to enter the hot room that JFAC members entered Wednesday. Legislators did not vote on any bills or budgets during the three-day interim meeting tour. The tour kicked off Monday at College of Eastern Idaho, where two health care officials told legislators that Idaho's near total abortion ban has caused OB-GYNs and other medical professionals to leave the state. JFAC members may conduct a fall interim tour this year as well, although a legislative staffer told the Idaho Capital Sun on Wednesday that plans are not finalized. The next regular session of the Idaho Legislature is scheduled to begin in January. Rep. Wendy Horman, an Idaho Falls Republican who serves as a JFAC co-chair with Grow, said the entire three-day spring tour was valuable. Horman said the tour gave legislators who normally work out of the Idaho State Capitol in Boise a rare opportunity to get a closer look at important facilities and programs located in eastern Idaho that they might not have otherwise seen. 'I was so proud to see the way our community here welcomes legislators from across the state, and wanted to share with us the great things they're doing to help the citizens of Idaho,' Horman said. An Idaho Capita Sun reporter participated in the entirety of Wednesday's tour of INL facilities, and the reporter agreed not to take any photos, in accordance with INL's photo policy. Instead, an INL photographer documented the JFAC tour. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
