Paris, France workshop explores ATHENA thermal-hydraulics nuclear safety research cooperation framework

On September 10-11, 2026, dozens of researchers, experts and related professionals gathered in Paris, France to participate in the workshop on building the ATHENA framework, discussing collaborative mechanisms for thermal-hydraulics nuclear safety research. ATHENA stands for Advanced Thermal-Hydraulics Experiments for Nuclear Analysis and Safety Applications, and aims to establish a more coordinated and more sustainable thermal-hydraulics research framework. Participants believed that clarifying the framework's flexibility, applicable boundaries and advantages requires strengthened communication among all relevant parties to ensure that different research needs are...

2026-09-13

Canada's CSMC Releases Three Advanced Nuclear Reactor Designs

On September 10, 2026, Canadian aerospace and defense company Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation (CSMC) released three advanced nuclear reactor platforms, namely Polar-1, Jay-1, and Orca-1. The company said these three reactors target different application scenarios including remote communities, military operations, space infrastructure, scientific research, testing, and personnel training. CSMC was founded in 2020. The company stated that the three platforms constitute its advanced nuclear technology portfolio, aiming to provide reliable and deployment-flexible nuclear energy solutions in environments where conventional energy solutions struggle to meet demand, with application areas including Arctic communities...

2026-09-13

Ghana Seeks to Resume Nuclear Energy Cooperation with Russia, Plans to Discuss Floating Nuclear Power Plant Project

On September 8, Ghana's Ambassador to Russia, Koma Steem Jehu-Appiah, stated that Ghana intends to resume cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy, with discussions including offshore floating nuclear power plant projects. Jehu-Appiah said that energy is an important foundation for economic and social operation, and Ghana has been continuously facing energy supply problems in recent years. Relevant Ghanaian ministers had previously visited Russia, and the two sides discussed energy cooperation matters including floating nuclear power plants. Ghana is currently awaiting a response from the Russian side. He also mentioned that Ghana still retains Soviet-era helicopters but faces a shortage of spare parts. Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence will hold separate talks with the Russian side to discuss related maintenance and support matters. In February this year...

2026-09-10

Vietnam to Join International Consortium for Russia's MBIR Fast Neutron Research Reactor

On September 9, the press service of Rosatom announced that Vietnam will join the international consortium for Russia's MBIR multi-purpose fast neutron research reactor. The reactor is currently under construction in Dimitrovgrad, Russia. Under the arrangement, the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Vinatom) has been designated as Vietnam's lead organization for participation in the International Research Centre MBIR (IRC MBIR) project based on the MBIR reactor. Tran Chi Thanh, President of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, stated in a declaration that participation in the project will give Vietnam more direct access to this unique experimental platform, further...

2026-09-10

U.S. Plans to Deploy Navy's First Shore-Based Advanced Microreactor in Indiana by 2028

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced on September 9, 2026, that it plans to install an advanced nuclear Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) at Naval Weapons Station Crane (NWS Crane) in Indiana no later than September 2028. This is Indiana's first nuclear reactor project for power generation and an early project of the U.S. Department of Defense to advance advanced nuclear energy deployment at military installations. According to the announcement, the project is jointly advanced by the U.S. Army's Janus Program, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and Indiana...

2026-09-10

US Island Roadhouse Discloses Design for Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center Campus in Missouri

On September 9, 2026, Island Roadhouse Data Centers disclosed the design for an integrated, low-water-use, nuclear-powered data center campus it plans to build in Missouri. The campus is planned to operate behind the meter, generating power on-site to meet the electricity demand of artificial intelligence computing loads, and to cool high-density data halls through a closed-loop warm-water liquid cooling and dry heat rejection system, while supplying waste heat to third-party industrial users through a campus thermal network. The design primarily targets the power supply and grid interconnection timeline constraints in AI infrastructure construction. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)...

2026-09-10

US Centrus and Radiant Sign Long-Term HALEU Supply Agreement

On September 9, 2026, US nuclear fuel and services supplier Centrus Energy Corp. (Centrus) and mobile nuclear microreactor developer Radiant announced that the two parties have signed a multi-year definitive contract. Under the agreement, Centrus will supply high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel for Radiant's Kaleidos microreactor to support the deployment of multiple reactors. The agreement stipulates that Centrus will begin delivering HALEU by the end of this decade. The arrangement will add a domestic US fuel source for Radiant as it advances the commercial expansion of the Kaleidos reactor, and will also add a new HALEU customer for Centrus. The agreement also includes Ra...

2026-09-10

Lightbridge Approved to Conduct Advanced Nuclear Fuel Irradiation Testing at Idaho National Laboratory

On September 9, Lightbridge Corporation (Lightbridge, Nasdaq: LTBR), a developer of advanced nuclear fuel technology, announced that it has completed the signing of Project Task Statement No. 2 (PTS No. 2) under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the operating contractor of Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Under this task statement, Lightbridge will gain access to the loop test facility of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory to conduct irradiation testing of Lightbridge Fuel™ cladded fuel rods. The loop...

2026-09-10

Toshiba Energy Systems Selected for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Demonstration Project

On September 9, 2026, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that it has been selected for the second round of public solicitation under the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's FY2025 supplementary budget project "Support Program for Technology Development and Supply Chain Construction for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Development and Construction," undertaking the "Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Manufacturing Demonstration Project (Phase 2)." Figure: Image of iBR internal structure Following this selection, Toshiba Energy Systems will further expand its R&D efforts in reactor internal structures, building on the six projects previously selected in the first round. The company plans to collaborate with suppliers to...

2026-09-09

West Virginia Joins Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Center Program

On September 9, 2026, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to join the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Center (NLIC) program, becoming the sixth participating state. Earlier this year, the DOE had identified Idaho, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma, and Louisiana as potential host states. With West Virginia's addition, the state will work with the DOE to evaluate potential sites and advance possible host agreements. According to reports, the NLIC program aims to support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle...

2026-09-09

U.S. Bluecore Energy Raises $50 Million to Advance Floating Small Modular Reactors

On September 8, 2026, U.S.-based Bluecore Energy announced the completion of a $50 million seed financing round to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of its floating nuclear energy systems. Bluecore Energy is developing small modular water-cooled reactors that can operate on floating barges, with target applications including ports, utilities, data centers, offshore infrastructure, and communities facing energy shortages. The round was led by Silverton Partners, with existing investor Slauson & Co continuing its participation, alongside Harlem Capital, Precursor Ventures, LMNT, Visible Hands VC, Karman Ventures, and others. Bluecore ...

2026-09-09

Austria's Emerald Horizon and Netherlands' VDL Launch Construction of SMRX Small Modular Reactor High-Temperature Loop

On September 8, 2026, Emerald Horizon AG, headquartered in Graz, Austria, announced that it will partner with the Netherlands-based VDL Groep to commence construction of a megawatt-scale power loop for the SMRX small modular reactor in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Florian Wagner, founder and CEO of Emerald Horizon AG, and Markjan Vermeer, General Manager of Technology & Development at VDL ETG, have signed a joint memorandum on contract operations implementation at the Emerald LaboraTHorium laboratory in Graz. This also marks the first joint public appearance of the two parties in Austria. According to Emerald Horizon, SMRX is a modular subcritical thorium-based energy system. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of the technology.

2026-09-09

South Korea and France Agree to Deepen Nuclear Energy R&D and Nuclear Fuel Supply Cooperation

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on September 8. The two sides stated after the meeting that they would further expand cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, with a focus on nuclear energy R&D, nuclear fuel supply, next-generation reactor development, and mid- to long-term supply chain diversification. Lee Jae-myung said at a joint press conference that the two countries had signed supplementary documents on cooperation in nuclear energy R&D and nuclear fuel supply to deepen the nuclear energy cooperation agreement reached between the two nations in April. Both sides confirmed that they would continue to advance cooperation in next-generation reactor development and mid- to long-term supply chain diversification. According to related reports, the two countries also decided to establish a new...

2026-09-09

US Kairos Completes First Phase Testing of ETU 3 Reactor Model

Kairos Power announced on September 7 that its Engineering Test Unit 3 (ETU 3) has completed the first phase of testing. The testing, centered on the Hermes 2 reactor cavity model, validated the precast concrete shielding design as well as remote operation and maintenance capabilities, providing support for the design of the Hermes 2 demonstration plant and subsequent commercial units. Reactor cavity model (Image: Kairos Power) ETU 3, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is part of Kairos Power's iterative development program for its fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology. The unit is a scaled, non-nuclear mockup cavity consisting of a reactor pressure vessel and precast concrete shielding structures.

2026-09-08

Japanese regulator plans budget for research on next-generation reactor reviews

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan has included research costs required for reviewing next-generation nuclear reactors in its budget request for the next fiscal year. The funds will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of new safety measures, providing a review basis for potential future construction or replacement applications. The Japanese government is promoting the development of next-generation nuclear reactors, including innovative light-water reactors that further enhance safety performance based on existing light-water reactor technology. Since November 2025, Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) has been conducting geological surveys at the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture, in preparation for possible future plans to replace existing units with next-generation reactors. At a meeting held on September 2...

2026-09-03

US Antares to Apply Racing Power Electronics to Microreactors

Antares, a US nuclear fission energy company, recently announced a partnership with UK technology supplier Motion Applied to deploy the latter's race-proven power electronics in its microreactor power conversion system. According to Antares, Motion Applied has long served motorsport and other demanding applications, accumulating expertise in high-performance electronics and electrification technologies. This collaboration will enable Antares to use more mature, production-grade hardware in its microreactor program, reducing the time and cost associated with developing dedicated power conversion equipment from scratch. Antares Chief Nuclear Officer Ri...

2026-09-02

US OSC Global and InfraShield Launch Advanced Reactor Cybersecurity Program

OSC Global and InfraShield recently announced the joint launch of the Janus Cyber program to provide cybersecurity support for developers planning to deploy advanced reactors at US military installations. The program will deliver integrated services covering nuclear regulation, US Department of War (DoW) authorization, and operational technology/industrial control system (OT/ICS) cybersecurity requirements. The two companies stated that advanced reactors operating in US military environments must simultaneously meet multiple requirements, including nuclear-sector cybersecurity regulation, military authorization, and industrial control system protection. Janus Cyber will coordinate...

2026-09-02

US TerraPower Awards Additional Natrium Reactor Supplier Contracts

US nuclear innovation company TerraPower announced on August 31 that it has selected 12 suppliers to continue advancing the supply chain for its first Natrium nuclear power plant—Kemmerer Unit 1 in Wyoming, USA. The project is currently under construction, and TerraPower describes it as the first utility-scale advanced reactor project under construction in the Western Hemisphere. Pat Young, Senior Vice President of TerraPower and Director of the Natrium Project, stated that securing supplier contracts is a critical step in building the resilient supply chain needed for advanced nuclear power plant construction. With the signing of these contracts, the company is expanding its network of qualified partners and advancing the key milestones required for Natrium reactor commercialization.

2026-09-01

U.S. Deployable Energy Microreactor Selected for Two Nuclear Energy Demonstration Projects

Deployable Energy announced on August 28 that its advanced deployable energy system has been selected for two upcoming demonstration projects under the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC): a full-power demonstration of the nuclear energy startup platform at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and an offshore demonstration of the U.S. nuclear energy startup platform in collaboration with Hornbeck Offshore. Established in 2019, the National Reactor Innovation Center works primarily with industry and the U.S. national laboratory system to advance nuclear technologies from conceptual design through demonstration, validation, and commercial deployment. The two selected projects will continue Deployable Energy's prior collaboration with INL under the nuclear energy startup platform program, accumulating technical and operational data to support subsequent testing, validation, and regulatory engagement for advanced nuclear technologies.

2026-08-29

U.S. Army Plans to Deploy Over 20 Micro Nuclear Reactors at Military Bases

The U.S. Army has signed contracts with five companies to develop, build, and operate micro nuclear power plants at military bases, with a total contract value of up to $2.2 billion. According to relevant information, the U.S. Department of Defense requires the companies to construct, own, and operate more than 20 micro nuclear reactors at military installations by 2028. The plan is intended to enhance energy security for critical defense facilities and reduce dependence on the external power grid. The deployment is incorporated into the framework of the Janus Project, which the U.S. Army launched in 2025. The project aims to establish a power supply network composed of compact micro nuclear reactors at military bases, providing continuous and stable electricity to vital defense facilities....

2026-08-27

NRC Initiates Pre-Application Review of Terra Innovatum's SOLO Construction Permit Application

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has initiated the first phase of its readiness review of selected materials from the proposed construction permit application (CPA) for the SOLO micro modular reactor submitted by Terra Innovatum Global NV. This review is a limited-scope pre-application assessment designed to help the applicant identify potential information gaps, technical issues, or policy concerns early in the process. According to the schedule published by the NRC, Terra Innovatum requested a two-phase readiness review of its proposed construction permit application on July 20, 2026. The NRC subsequently developed a review plan, and the first phase began on August 10, 2026, through a kickoff meeting...

2026-08-20