Framatome and TerraPower announced today an agreement to design and develop a high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) metallization pilot line at Framatome’s nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Richland, Washington. The pilot line will further verify Framatome's ability to convert uranium oxide (UO2) into HALEU metal, initiating a long-term collaboration to supply metal feedstock and help TerraPower build a domestic HALEU supply chain.
“A strong domestic fuel supply chain is crucial for the wide-scale deployment of advanced nuclear energy solutions; an energy source we know is needed to meet clean energy targets and provide reliable, baseload energy. This investment by TerraPower into Framatome’s pilot line is a critical step in bringing advanced reactors like the NatriumTM technology to market. It is also one more way that TerraPower is delivering on its promise to do our part to support the fuel manufacturing sector,” said Chris Levesque, TerraPower President and CEO.
"This agreement advances fuel technologies for the nuclear energy industry and working pragmatically with TerraPower builds the trust and confidence our customers count on,” said Ala Alzaben, senior vice president for North America Fuel at Framatome. “TerraPower is at the forefront of the next generation of advanced reactors and by utilizing our expertise and flexible manufacturing infrastructure, we can ensure new clean nuclear projects are not waiting on the supply chain of nuclear fuels.”
Metallization of HALEU is a crucial part of the deconversion process which allows uranium to transform into a metal that is then used to fabricate fuel for advanced reactors.
The HALEU pilot line, which is currently under construction, will prove the viability of Framatome’s technology for metallization to support the development of the advanced reactor market. TerraPower already supports operational centers in Washington state at its Bellevue-based headquarters and laboratory, and at its Everett laboratory location.
Successful completion and operation of the HALEU pilot plant will support Framatome’s efforts to expand the U.S. fuel supply chain capabilities. Framatome submitted an application for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding that will be awarded in response to a DOE HALEU Availability Program (HAP) Solicitation (the HAP Deconversion and Metallization Request for Proposals).
TerraPower is currently developing the NatriumTM advanced nuclear power plant that will provide both 24/7 carbon-free energy, along with gigawatt-scale energy storage. The company’s technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage technology can boost the system’s output to 500 MWe for more than five and a half hours when needed. This innovative addition allows a Natrium plant to integrate seamlessly with renewable resources and leads to faster, more cost-effective decarbonization of the electric grid while producing dispatchable carbon-free energy. The Natrium demonstration plant is being constructed near a retiring coal facility in Wyoming.