Inox Wind Secures ₹755 Crore Order from Indian Oil Corporation for 100 MW Wind Project

Inox Wind Ltd announced on Thursday that it has secured a repeat order from state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) for a 100 MW turnkey wind project. The contract is valued at approximately ₹755 crore.

The agreement stipulates that Inox Wind will manage the entire project lifecycle. This includes the supply of wind turbine generators, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, project commissioning, and a 10-year contract for operations and maintenance (O&M) services.

This new mandate expands Inox Wind's portfolio among institutional buyers and strengthens its order book, which includes public sector undertakings (PSUs), independent power producers (IPPs), and commercial and industrial (C&I) clients. The company highlighted that this repeat order demonstrates customer confidence in its integrated capabilities and execution history, positioning it to support clients in their transition to cleaner energy sources.

Hybrid Manufacturing Method Developed for Reactor Components

New Approach for HIP Can Production

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have partnered with A.J. Tuck Company to create an innovative manufacturing method for hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cans. These specialized cans are integral to forming metal parts from powder materials, a process crucial for various industrial applications, including the production of nuclear reactor components.

The newly developed technique integrates two advanced manufacturing processes: 3D printing and electroforming. This hybrid approach aims to streamline the fabrication of HIP cans, which are essential for the hot isostatic pressing technique. By combining these methods, the collaboration seeks to enhance the efficiency and precision involved in creating these critical components.

Simplifying Critical Reactor Component Manufacturing

The primary objective of this research and development effort is to simplify the overall production process for critical reactor components. The use of HIP cans is a key step in manufacturing high-performance metal parts, and any advancements in their production can have a significant impact on the nuclear supply chain. This hybrid manufacturing method represents a step towards more efficient and potentially more cost-effective ways to produce these specialized containers.

The collaboration between a national laboratory and a private company highlights ongoing efforts within the nuclear industry to leverage advanced manufacturing technologies. Such partnerships are vital for developing and implementing innovations that can improve the quality, speed, and reliability of component manufacturing for nuclear applications.

TerraPower Expands Natrium Supply Chain with New Supplier Contracts

Supply Chain Expansion for Natrium Project

TerraPower has awarded contracts to multiple suppliers for components of its Natrium reactor technology. These agreements are part of TerraPower's strategy to build a resilient supply chain for the deployment of Natrium reactors. The selected suppliers include Merrick & Company (two contracts), Mirion Technologies Inc, BWXT Canada Ltd, Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc, Marmen Inc, Thermal Engineering International (USA) Inc, Jensen Hughes, Boston Government Services LLC, James Fisher Technologies LLC, KROHNE Nuclear, and Valserve.

These contracts are intended to support the construction of the first Natrium plant and the sodium test and fill facility, both located in Kemmerer, Wyoming. TerraPower initiated non-nuclear construction for the first Natrium plant in June 2024, with completion anticipated by 2030. This project is being developed under the US Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. The Natrium reactor is a collaborative technology from TerraPower and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy.

Natrium Technology and Future Deployment

The Natrium technology incorporates a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a molten salt-based energy storage system. This storage capability allows the plant to temporarily increase its output to 500 MWe, facilitating load following and integration with intermittent renewable energy sources. TerraPower has already secured all long-lead items and the entire reactor enclosure system for the initial project.

Beyond the first plant, TerraPower has an agreement with Meta for the potential deployment of up to eight Natrium plants by 2035. The company emphasizes that securing supplier contracts is crucial for meeting project milestones and preparing the US manufacturing sector for the projected growth in advanced nuclear deployment. Pat Young, senior vice president and Natrium project director at TerraPower, stated that these contracts strengthen their network of qualified partners.

Last month, TerraPower also signed agreements with Hyundai Engineering & Construction (HDEC) and SK Innovation from South Korea. These agreements aim to develop and commercialize Natrium reactor technology across the USA, Korea, and other international markets. These collaborations followed a trilateral memorandum of understanding signed in May between HD Hyundai, TerraPower, and HDEC to cooperate on next-generation sodium reactor projects.