Sec. 4. Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals
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Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: In this section: The term advanced nuclear reactor means— a nuclear fission reactor, including a prototype plant (as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), with significant improvements compared to the most recent generation of fission reactors, including improvements such as— additional inherent safety features; lower waste yields; improved fuel performance; increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling; enhanced reliability; increased proliferation resistance; increased thermal efficiency; reduced consumption of cooling water; the ability to integrate into electric applications and nonelectric applications; modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds with the demand for electricity; or operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy; and a fusion reactor.
The term demonstration project means an advanced nuclear reactor operated— as part of the power generation facilities of an electric utility system; or in any other manner for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the advanced nuclear reactor. The purpose of this section is to direct the Secretary, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section, to advance the research and development of domestic advanced, affordable, and clean nuclear energy by— demonstrating different advanced nuclear reactor technologies that could be used by the private sector to produce— emission-free power at a levelized cost of electricity of $60 per megawatt-hour or less; heat for community heating, industrial purposes, or synthetic fuel production; remote or off-grid energy supply; or backup or mission-critical power supplies; developing goals for nuclear energy research programs that would accomplish the goals of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (c); identifying research areas that the private sector is unable or unwilling to undertake due to the cost of, or risks associated with, the research; and facilitating the access of the private sector— to Federal research facilities; and to the results of research funded by the Federal Government.
During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2028, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into 1 or more agreements to carry out not fewer than 4 advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects. In carrying out demonstration projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— seek to include diversity in designs for the advanced nuclear reactors demonstrated under this section, including designs using various primary coolants; seek to ensure that— the long-term cost of electricity or heat for each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is cost-competitive in the applicable market; and the cost-competitiveness of each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is verified by an external review of the proposed design; enter into cost-sharing agreements with partners in accordance with section 988 for the conduct of activities relating to the research, development, and demonstration of private-sector advanced nuclear reactor designs under the program; work with private sector partners to identify potential sites, including Department-owned sites, for demonstrations, as appropriate; and align specific activities carried out under demonstration projects carried out under this subsection with priorities identified through direct consultations between— the Department;
National Laboratories; institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) )); traditional end-users (such as electric utilities); potential end-users of new technologies (such as petrochemical companies); and developers of advanced nuclear reactor technology. The Secretary shall establish goals for research relating to advanced nuclear reactors facilitated by the Department that support the objectives of the program for demonstration projects established under subsection (c).
In developing the goals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate, on an ongoing basis, with members of private industry to advance the demonstration of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors. In developing the goals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that— research activities facilitated by the Department to meet the goals developed under this subsection are focused on key areas of nuclear research and deployment ranging from basic energy to full-design development, safety evaluation, and licensing; research programs designed to meet the goals emphasize— resolving materials challenges relating to radiation damage or corrosive coolants; and qualification of advanced fuels; activities are carried out that address near-term challenges in modeling and simulation to enable accelerated design and licensing; related technologies, such as electrochemical processing or fuel recycling that could reduce nuclear waste volumes or half lives, are developed; infrastructure, such as a versatile fast neutron source or molten salt testing facility, to aid in research are constructed; basic knowledge of non-light water coolant physics and chemistry is improved; and advanced manufacturing and construction techniques and materials are investigated to reduce the commercialization cost of advanced nuclear reactors. .
The table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 ; 119 Stat. 594) is amended— in the item relating to section 917, by striking Efficiency ; and by inserting after the item relating to section 957 the following: Sec. 958. Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals. .
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- Pub. L. 109-58
- 119 Stat. 594
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Sec. 4
Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals
Pub. L.Pub. L. 109-58
Stat.119 Stat. 594
Cites 4Cited by 0 across 0 sources