The Urgency of NRC Reform
This brief authored by NIA Executive Director Judi Greenwald connects the role of advanced nuclear energy in meeting climate and energy security goals with the urgent need for NRC reform to enable advanced nuclear energy. It outlines the short-, medium- and long-term NRC reforms that are necessary to achieve that goal. It provides recommendations for action by Congress and the NRC and highlights several of NIA's recommendations for improving licensing efficiency. NIA developed this brief to serve as a guide for policymakers, the NRC itself, and key stakeholders in considering and then taking action to ensure the NRC can "become an agile, modern, risk-informed, and performance-based regulator to successfully meet this moment."
Summary for Policymakers | From Reactors to Repositories: Disposal Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Waste
This summary for policymakers provides the high-level takeaways and insights from the NIA report "From Reactors to Repositories: Disposal Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Waste" which characterizes the various waste streams that are generated by advanced nuclear reactors and examines both interim storage and permanent disposal pathways.
To view the full report, click here. To view the webinar that was hosted for the release of this event, click here.
From Reactors to Repositories: Disposal Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Waste
As the global demand for clean firm energy grows, advanced nuclear energy technologies are gaining significant attention and efforts to deploy them are underway. These advanced reactors offer numerous improvements in safety, efficiency, and operational flexibility largely due to the innovative fuel forms and coolants utilized in their design. These advanced reactors will also introduce new nuclear waste streams that can differ significantly from those generated by conventional reactors, depending on the specific reactor design. With new reactors come new waste forms.
This report characterizes the various waste streams that are generated by advanced nuclear reactors and examines both interim storage and permanent disposal pathways. Chapter 1 presents an introduction on the importance of understanding nuclear waste management to ensure successful deployment. Chapter 2 provides background information on nuclear waste, how nuclear waste is classified, and the potential disposal pathways for nuclear waste. Chapter 3 characterizes the various waste streams produced by advanced reactors. Chapter 4 discusses interim storage strategies being considered for advanced reactor wastes. Chapter 5 addresses permanent disposal pathways for advanced reactor wastes.
To view this report's Summary for Policymakers, click here. To view the webinar that was hosted for the release of this event, click here.
NIA held a webinar to announce the release of a new report, “From Reactors to Repositories: Disposal Pathways for Advanced Nuclear Waste.” With speakers Erik Cothron of NIA, Judi Greenwald of NIA, Everett Redmond of Oklo Inc., Paul Murray of the U.S. Department of Energy and Matt Bowen of Center on Global Energy Policy. Thank you to our speakers and to everyone who attended.
This report characterizes the various waste streams that are generated by advanced nuclear reactors and examines both interim storage and permanent disposal pathways and provides clear insights into these topics to enable more informed decision-making and ultimately help create the conditions for success for advanced nuclear energy so that it can be part of the climate and energy security solution.
To view the full report, click here. To view this report's Summary for Policymakers, click here.
On December 4, Executive Director of NIA Judi Greenwald participated in U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur and Climate Governance Malaysia's webinar "Where Does Nuclear Energy Fit in the Energy Transition?" where she engaged in a lively virtual discussion with Malaysian industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts. In the first of a two-part series, Greenwald discussed the role of nuclear power in the energy transition and how it can help reduce carbon emissions. The series will continue in January 2025 with a discussion of practical applications for nuclear energy.
This primer provides basic information on advanced reactors to help the public and stakeholders understand the promise of innovative nuclear technologies. Dozens are under development around the world; this primer focuses on those in the United States and Canada.
This document was last updated in November 2024.
The Company Compendium serves as an introduction to the advanced reactor business ecosystem for potential investors and other key stakeholders.
This document was last updated in November 2024.
The Nuclear Innovation Alliance hosted a publication webinar for our updated Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology Primer and Company Compendium, with speakers Zach Koshgarian of NIA, Judi Greenwald of NIA, Peter Hastings of Kairos Power, Lou Martinez of Westinghouse and Benjamin Reinke of X-Energy and moderator Ben Finzel.
These updated reports provide information, resources and insights into advanced nuclear technology innovation and commercialization. They should serve as resources for investors, reporters, policymakers, regulators and others who want to learn more about advanced nuclear technologies and the key players building this industry. With increasing attention being paid to supporting the technologies required to meet mid-century climate goals, these resources should serve as helpful guides to understanding the basics of advanced nuclear energy technology and the companies involved in the design, licensing, construction, and operation of advanced nuclear reactors.
To download our Company Compendium click here
To download our Primer click here
This memo accompanies the 2024 Global Advanced Nuclear Energy Demonstrations Map, and provides added context to the current state of advanced nuclear reactor deployment across the globe. It highlights and discusses major advancements in advanced reactor deployment across the United States and several other countries, and provides three key takeaways:
- There has been significant progress in North America on advanced nuclear projects
- China and Russia are leading in constructing and operating advanced reactors
- It is increasingly urgent that the US maintain robust federal support to build advanced nuclear projects to completion
To view the interactive 2024 Global Advanced Nuclear Demonstrations Map, click the following link: https://nuclearinnovationalliance.org/2024-global-advanced-nuclear-energy-demonstrations-map