Key Issue: Used Fuel Handling and Storage Strategy
The back end of the fuel cycle for advanced nuclear fuels is not well defined and will likely present significant variability, depending on the advanced reactor design, both in the United States and Canada.
Priority
2
Status
On Track
Develop spent fuel handling and storage strategy: A technology-neutral acceptance criteria for long-term storage repository will be established, spent fuel handling technologies for advanced fuels will be evaluated, and a cost-benefit analysis of fuel storage options will be performed.
Action Owner: NGOs, Industry Groups
Need Dates:
- TRISO, 2025
- Metallic, 2027
- Molten Salt, 2028
Key Issue: Advanced Reactor Fuel Qualification and Testing
Most of the advanced reactor developers are using fuel different than what is used in the current fleet. All these fuel designs will require qualification and testing. Specifically, some advanced nuclear fuel fabricators and advanced reactor developers are planning to rely on existing benchmark data to qualify their HALEU fuels up to 20%. However, these data might be outdated or not applicable. Therefore, it is expected that approval of HALEU fuels used in the core of advanced reactors will require in-pile testing.
Priority
2
Status
On Track
Qualify Advanced Reactor Fuel: The qualification conditions for advanced reactor fuel should be defined, a test plan for each advanced fuel should be developed, and a gap analysis to determine needs and develop new equipment should be performed. Additionally, the use of existing test facilities should be coordinated and the need for new testing capacity determined.
Action Owner: NGOs, Industry Groups, Developers
Need Dates:
- TRISO, 2025
- Metallic, 2026
- Molten Salt, 2028