Next-generation nuclear developers: Fuel infrastructure will be critical to commercialization

June 16, 2020 | Case Study

Despite promises of low capex and improved safety scaled to a size that can provide heat and power for industrial sites, advanced nuclear designs have perpetually been "a decade away." However, the first wave of developers is facing the light at the end of the regulatory process tunnel in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, with demonstration projects scheduled within the next six years. Yet a clear hurdle to true commercialization is securing fuel supply chains, especially as many advanced fast reactors require higher-enriched fuel than the typical 5%-enriched fuel used by conventional light water reactors (LWRs) in the U.S.