Framatome partners with USNC to produce fuel for Micro-Modular Reactors

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Framatome partners with USNC to produce fuel for Micro-Modular Reactors
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Nov 29, 2023

In a significant development for the nuclear energy sector, Framatome Inc. (Framatome) and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) have announced the establishment of a joint venture (JV) focused on manufacturing nuclear fuel for the fourth generation Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) and other advanced reactor designs. This agreement was signed at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, France, marking a milestone in the advancement of nuclear technology.

The JV will supply commercial quantities of Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) particles and USNC's proprietary Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel. These advanced fuels are crucial for the operation of fourth-generation nuclear reactors, including USNC's MMR, which represent the next wave in nuclear energy technology.

Management of the JV will be shared between senior leadership from both Framatome and USNC. Framatome brings to the table its extensive expertise, infrastructure, and mature programs to ensure the efficient deployment and operation of USNC's processes. Conversely, USNC contributes its technical manufacturing capabilities and fuel technology expertise. Together, the JV aims to deliver finished TRISO-based fuel products, catering to the needs of USNC's reactor fleet and other advanced reactors in the market.

Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome, emphasized the venture's significance, stating, "Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation is at the forefront of the next generation of nuclear energy, and together, we are committed to developing new opportunities in the nuclear energy industry through this joint venture." He highlighted the synergy between Framatome's manufacturing expertise, regulatory experience, and USNC's advanced reactor designs as pivotal in supporting the expansion of fourth-generation nuclear power.

Framatome is preparing to amend its manufacturing and regulatory licensing to incorporate USNC's processes, drawing on the experience of USNC's Pilot Fuel Manufacturing Facility (PFM) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This facility is currently the only private sector capability in the Western Hemisphere manufacturing TRISO-based nuclear fuels. The company has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of its intent to submit the amendment in summer 2024, with preliminary discussions already held with NRC personnel.

Francesco Venneri, CEO of Ultra Safe Nuclear, praised the joint venture, noting, "This joint venture brings Framatome's high-quality capabilities and high-confidence capacity together with Ultra Safe Nuclear's breakthrough fuel technologies and intrinsically safe design to fuel the MMR."

The MMR Energy System, a fourth-generation nuclear energy system, is designed to operate at various power levels from 10 to 45 MWt. It provides a safe, clean, and cost-effective solution for electricity and process heat. The MMR is currently being licensed in Canada and the U.S. and is set to become the first commercially available "nuclear battery." Notable MMR projects include those at Chalk River, targeting first power in 2028, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, also aiming for first power in the same year.

This collaboration between Framatome and USNC is a strategic effort to bring competitive TRISO coated particle fuels to the market and secure a reliable fuel supply for USNC's commercial MMR pipeline. Additionally, it aims to provide a cost-effective fuel supply for future operators of other advanced reactors. The joint venture plans to commence the manufacturing of TRISO particles and FCM fuel starting in 2026, subject to regulatory approval in the U.S.