Department of Energy Supports Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant Restart

The Department of Energy has closed a loan to NextEra Energy, facilitating the restart of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant. This initiative represents a significant nuclear restart effort in the United States. The Duane Arnold plant, a single-unit boiling water reactor located in Linn County, Iowa, was previously shut down in 2020. NextEra Energy announced plans in October to bring the plant back online by early 2029, contingent on regulatory approvals. This restart is supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google.

The re-commissioning of the 615 MWe plant is expected to provide baseload power sufficient for nearly 500,000 homes. The Department of Energy projects that the restart will create approximately 1,500 jobs during the construction phase and sustain over 450 jobs during its operational period. John Ketchum, Chairman, President, and CEO of NextEra Energy, stated that the restart will deliver new power to meet demand and generate economic value for Iowans, while also supporting economic growth and electricity demand without increasing costs for existing customers.

NextEra Energy is proceeding with the restart through a comprehensive process that includes regulatory, operational readiness, and licensing activities. This involves extensive inspections, engineering evaluations, and readiness preparations, all under the oversight of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal, state, and local agencies. The Iowa Utilities Commission issued a certificate in June, authorizing the plant's construction and operation. The plant was originally licensed to operate until 2034 before its 2020 closure.

Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly noted that the restart of the Iowa plant contributes to the United States' nuclear renaissance. He emphasized that returning 615 megawatts of reliable baseload generation will reduce electricity costs and support American jobs. The current administration's nuclear strategy includes restarting existing reactors, increasing the output of the nuclear fleet, and accelerating new construction to build a robust power system for American prosperity and reindustrialization.

ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR Partner on Small Modular Reactor Technology

ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The agreement focuses on delivering low-carbon electricity to global markets while mitigating project risks and improving delivery certainty.

The collaboration will explore opportunities for Rolls-Royce SMR's plans to develop a fleet of SMR units, each designed to generate 470 MW of low-carbon electricity. These units are projected to power one million homes for 60 years. ABB will investigate how its automation, electrification, instrumentation, and communication solutions can support the scaling of these SMR projects.

Stacy O'Brien, Head of Procurement Enterprise at Rolls-Royce SMR, noted that the company is transforming nuclear project delivery through a standardized, factory-built approach to enhance cost and schedule certainty. The MoU with ABB is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the delivery team, leveraging ABB's experience in energy infrastructure projects. The collaboration will be developed through ABB's UK operations, headquartered in Warrington.

Changjiang Unit 4 Completes Cold Functional Tests, Advancing Towards Commissioning

Cold Functional Tests Conclude for Changjiang Unit 4

Changjiang Unit 4, a Hualong One reactor, has successfully completed its cold functional tests. This milestone signifies the unit's official entry into the commissioning phase, paving the way for subsequent hot testing, fuel loading, and eventual grid connection. Cold functional tests are designed to confirm the proper installation and operational readiness of safety-critical components and systems under cold conditions. These tests involve operating reactor systems in conjunction with auxiliary systems for the first time.

The primary objective of these tests is to verify the leak-tightness of the primary circuit and its components, including pressure vessels, pipelines, and valves within both the nuclear and conventional islands. The process also includes cleaning the main circulation pipes. During the tests, the primary loop system's pressure was progressively increased through several stages, reaching a maximum of 22.3 MPa, with systematic assessments conducted at each pressure level.

Project Overview and Site Development

Two Hualong One reactors, Changjiang units 3 and 4, are under construction as part of the second phase of the Changjiang plant. First concrete for Unit 3's nuclear island base slab was poured in March 2021, followed by Unit 4 in December of the same year. The total estimated investment for Changjiang Phase II is CNY40 billion (USD5.9 billion).

Changjiang Unit 3 achieved first criticality on July 10 and was connected to the grid on August 1. Both units are projected to be fully operational by early 2027. The Changjiang nuclear site currently operates two CNP-600 pressurized water reactors, Changjiang 1 and 2, which began commercial operation in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

In addition to the Hualong One units, construction began in 2021 on a demonstration ACP100 small modular reactor at the Changjiang site. This multi-purpose 125 MWe pressurized water reactor, also known as the Linglong One, is designed for various applications including electricity generation, heating, steam production, and seawater desalination. It is currently undergoing pre-commissioning tests. Hainan Province's energy policies, published in 2019, designate nuclear power as the primary electricity source for the island.