Nuclear Tomorrow - July, 2025
Nuclear Tomorrow - July 2025
Nuclear Tomorrow is a newsletter that is issued monthly to identify press reports on developments in the field of nuclear energy. Topics are selected for their relevance to
the impact of nuclear energy on global warming. The newsletter is written for members of the general public who are concerned with policy related to these issues. Postings are categorized as dealing with Technology (T), Policy (P), and/or Construction (C). In some cases registration or a fee is required to access an article. Hyperlinks are provided to connect newsletter posts to the referenced publication. (See hot buttons associated with each posting) The newsletter is intended to expand on topics included in the book, “Nuclear Energy: Boom, Bust, and Emerging Renaissance,” to be published in 2025 by Oxford University Press. The author of the book and of this newsletter is Edward A. Friedman, Emeritus Professor of Technology Management at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. The book is available for pre publication purchase via the Oxford University Website. The following link provides access to the book:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/nuclear-energy-9780198925781?lang=en&cc=gb#
The e-book edition was released on July 21 with the print editions scheduled for mid-August
1.
Extreme Heat Shuts Down Some Nuclear Reactors in Europe (T)
The Beznau Nuclear Power Plant in Switzerland, one of two nuclear stations shut down in the past week.
Record breaking heat in Europe has warmed reactor cooling water to temperatures of around 82 degrees Fahrenheit leading to the shut down of two reactors in southern France and one reactor in Switzerland. Warmer water holds less oxygen and becomes more susceptible to algal blooms. Power plant changes can cause fish to be killed from the sudden changes in temperature. Extreme heating can lead to deleterious environmental consequences. Global warming is expected to cause increased numbers of nuclear plant shutdowns in the coming years.
2. From Waste to Watts: Unlocking the Power in Used Nuclear Fuel (T)
Used nuclear fuel in current reactors contains high amounts of energy rich isotopes. Roughly 95% of the used fuel has the potential of generating power. At Argonne National Laboratory exploratory processes are being explored to separate this useful material from the so-called waste. The objective of this research is to recycle the material as useful fuel.
3.
Floating nuclear power plants to be evaluated for Mediterranean (T)
The American Bureau of Shipping, Core Power and Athlos Energy are to collaborate on the evaluation of the potential of deploying floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy demands of islands, ports and coastal communities in the Mediterranean Sea. Mikal Boe, founder and CEO of UK-based technology company Core Power stated that, “By constructing and mass assembling a fleet of Floating Nuclear Power Plants in shipyards, we can deliver clean nuclear energy on time and budget…”
4.
Air Force base in Alaska is top choice for military’s first nuclear microreactor ( C )
A remote Air Force base in Alaska has been selected to be the first U.S. military installation with a nuclear microreactor. The site, Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks was named. It has few power options. The base operates in extreme Arctic conditions.
The reactor could keep the lights on and heat running as well as
De-ice runways. Oklo, Inc. is being contracted to design, build and operate the system. This initiative is part of a plan to build two microreactors generating between 3 and 10 megawatts by 2030. The reactors are designed to operate for several years without refueling.
5.
The enduring dilemma of managing American high-level nuclear waste (P)
On June 18, the Supreme Court dismissed state efforts to block NRC approval of above ground nuclear waste storage in Andrews County Texas by a private firm, Interim Storage Partners. The decision did not definitively address whether the NRC retains legal authority to license a privately-operated facility for waste generated a long distance away, However, Justice Kavanaugh noted that “history and precedent offer significant support for the commission’s longstanding interpretation” that it can do so. The facility in question, if ultimately built, could hold potentially two-fifths of the high level waste produced nationally to date.
However, officials in the state of Texas are strongly opposed to siting of such an above ground storage facility in the state, making construction unlikely in the near future. The United States has yet to develop a comprehensive plan for nuclear waste storage since plans for a geological repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada were blocked in the 1990’s.
6.
Nuclear Industry Pushes New Plan for Waste Disposal (P)
The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council has proposed a modification in the 1987 Nuclear Waste Policy Act that ties the Department of Energy to a single federal repository for nuclear waste.
7.
Westinghouse to Accelerate US Nuclear Reactor Construction and Enhance Operations with Google Cloud AI ( C )
Westinghouse Electric Company and Google Cloud announced a collaboration on July 18, 2025 to use artificial intelligence tools to transform construction of nuclear reactors into an efficient repeatable process and to enhance operations of existing nuclear reactors through the use of data-driven insights.
The two companies plan to jointly apply their AI techniques to enhance the manufacture and operations of Westinghouse AP1000 modular reactors.
8.
Westinghouse plans ten AP1000 reactors in the USA (T)
Also on July 18, 2025 Westinghouse announced that they would start construction of ten AP1000 reactors by 2030 in the USA. These reactors would support energy production as well as AI processing.
9.
In India - Coal to clean power: 10 retired thermal plants to go nuclear; 100 GW goal set for 2047 (P)
The government of India has tentatively selected 10 old or decommissioned thermal power plants for potential conversion to nuclear facilities. This is part of a plan to scale up existing 8.8 GW of nuclear power to 100 GW by 2047. An advantage to converting existing power plant sites is the opportunity to use existing infrastructure including land, water access and existing transmission lines. The ministry intends to use a variety of nuclear technologies and to achieve 22 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032.
10.
ARC-100 SMR Clears Key Regulatory Hurdle in Canada ( C )
The ARC Clean Technology 100 reactor has completed Phase 2 of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s Vendor Design Review. This clears the path toward licensing and places this reactor as a frontrunner among Canada’s small nuclear reactor designs. The ARC-100 is a 100 Megawatt Electric sodium cooled fast reactor that is designed for both on-grid electricity and industrial heat production. The goal for this design is to become operational this decade.
11.
Energy Department Announces First Microreactor Experiments in DOME Test Bed ( C )
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced implementation plans for the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) site in Idaho for tests that will start in the spring of 2026. DOME will be the first microreactor test bed in the world. These reactors are designed to be portable - possibly being hauled by a semitractor-trailer and operating at a power level below 20 megawatts thermal. They are expected to operate for several years without refueling and to supply energy in remote locations. They could also be used for desalination, hydrogen production and industrial heat. Westinghouse and Radiant are the initial companies selected for these tests. Radiant, a California start-up plans to test a 1 megawatt microreactor in 2026. They envision an output of 50 units per year after production facilities become operational. This reactor, known as Kaleidos, uses High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) which will be made available by the U.S. Department of Energy. HLEU has enrichment levels of U 235 between 5% and 20% which exceeds the less than 5% level of currently deployed reactors. Kaleidos is designed for rapid deployment and diesel-generator replacement. The reactor is designed to be cooled by helium gas and employs passive safety elements. It will be transportable via air, road or sea. While not scheduled for DOME experiments, Tam Fortis Solutions plans to develop the world’s smallest portable reactors supplying clean energy from 15 W to 40 KW to support disaster relief, rare earth mining, and autonomous robotics among other applications.
12.
UK and Czech Republic to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation (P)
The UK and the Czech Republic have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the development of Small Modular Nuclear reactor technology. In 2024, the Czech Republic’s CEZ took a 20% stake in the UK based Rolls-Royce SMR, whose technology was selected as the most suitable for a future 3 GigaWatt fleet of SMRs for the Czech Republic.
13.
The first US atomic rush was a bust. Will Trump’s big nuclear-for-AI plans fare any better? (P)
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The Trump administration is declaring AI technologies driven by advanced nuclear power generators a key national security interest.
To put the burgeoning need for electrical energy to supply the demands of AI we note that the current demand by global data centers for electrical energy is about 40 gigawatts, while the anticipated need by 2035 is estimated to reach 176 gigawatts. This is according to an analysis by the global consulting firm Deloitte.
Given that the total amount of electrical energy produced in the world today is about 400 gigawatts, with about one-quarter of that originating in the United States, it is clear that additional nuclear reactor needs for AI will be formidable.
The executive orders issued on May 23 call for building a nuclear reactor on a military site within three years and developing plans to deploy private sector reactors within 30 months. Also called for is a streamlining of the NRC permit process. In addition directives seek to expand uranium mining and fuel production.
These AI related needs for energy are in addition to growth in demand due to expansion of the economy and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
It is not likely that these goals will be met in a timely fashion without additional “crash program” initiatives.
14.
NRC lawsuit could hand states power over advanced reactors (P)
A high-stakes lawsuit against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) could force the agency to relinquish some of its authority over licensing smaller nuclear reactors to individual states. The suit was brought initially by nuclear developer Last Energy and the states of Texas and Utah. The suit asserts that the NRC’s regulations have stifled innovation and development.
It is likely that this suit will be settled through negotiation outside of court.
15.
New NEA Small Modular Reactor Dashboard edition reveals global expansion of SMR deployment ( C )
The 3rd Edition of the Small Modular Reactor Dashboard released by the Nuclear Energy Agency reveals significant expansion of SMR development worldwide. 51 SMR designs were reported to be in pre-licensing or licensing status across 15 countries. Since the 2nd Edition of the Dashboard was issued in 2024 there has been an 81% increase in the number of SMR designs that have secured at least one source of funding or made announcements of funding commitments. The Dashboard includes information about each SMR design including the technology concept, configuration, outlet temperature, size and fuel type. The information published is current as of 14 February 2025. The Dashboard is available as a digital interactive platform.
16.
NRC Eyes New Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuels For Commercial Use (T)
The NRC has completed a study of advanced, better performing accident tolerant fuels being developed by three U.S. companies:
CEA-Framatome, Global Nuclear Fuels and Westinghouse. This is part of a larger DOE Advanced Nuclear Fuels Campaign. A 91 page highly technical report has been issued.
17.
Work starts on Pele microreactor core ( C )
The Defense Department Office of Strategic Capabilities began a project in 2019 to construct a microreactor that could be used for remote sites, thus minimizing exposure of front line posts to attacks during refueling of less robust energy sources. Work is progressing with BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-energy LLC developing a mobile 1.5 Megawatt electric high temperature gas reactor using HALEU TRISO fuel. On July 25, 2025 BWXT announced the start of construction of the core. The facility which will be transported within four 20-foot shipping containers is scheduled to begin producing electricity in 2028.