Thorizon and Urenco Partner on Molten Salt Reactor Fuel Cycle Development

Thorizon, a developer of small modular molten salt reactors, and Urenco, an enrichment services provider, are collaborating on the fuel cycle for MSRs. Thorizon is developing the Thorizon One 100 MWe MSR, with plans for its first deployment in Borssele, Netherlands, by 2034. This reactor will require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) in molten salt form.

Urenco is expanding its enrichment capacity and developing advanced fuels, including HALEU, for next-generation reactors. The company's Advanced Fuels Facility in Capenhurst, UK, is projected to produce HALEU starting in 2031. This collaboration aims to integrate Urenco's enrichment capabilities with Thorizon's molten salt technology to establish a European fuel cycle for advanced nuclear applications.

The cooperation will investigate potential enrichment services from Urenco and its involvement in the molten salt fuel supply chain. A key objective is to improve uranium utilization across the fuel cycle. Thorizon's molten salt technology may also enable the use of depleted uranium, a byproduct of enrichment, as fuel for future reactors. Utilizing depleted uranium could enhance the efficiency of the nuclear fuel cycle and extract more value from existing uranium resources.

Industry Perspectives

Laurent Odeh, Urenco's Chief Commercial Officer, stated that Thorizon's technology offers an opportunity to use HALEU in a different form, and Urenco is a leader in advanced fuels production in the Western world. He noted that combining innovations in fuels and reactor technology could support the commercial deployment of Thorizon's reactors and other molten salt solutions.

Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers emphasized the importance of developing the fuel supply chain alongside the reactor technology. Lauwers highlighted Urenco's expertise in uranium enrichment and its investment in advanced fuels for Europe's next generation of reactors. This collaboration is intended to help build a robust European fuel cycle for advanced nuclear energy.

Thorizon's Collaborations

Thorizon, with offices in France and the Netherlands, collaborates with industry partners such as Orano, Tractebel, and EDF. Its project has received support from the European Commission and the French government under the France 2030 investment plan. Earlier this year, Thorizon signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction to advance the development and commercialization of molten salt reactor technology.

Utilities Collaborate on Capital Projects and Operational Performance

The nuclear industry is currently undergoing one of its most substantial investment phases. Utilities are managing large capital portfolios and preparing for long-term operations, plant modernization, extended power uprates, digital transformation, workforce development, and new nuclear projects. These challenges are complex and require collaborative solutions.

For three decades, the Utilities Service Alliance (USA) has facilitated collaboration among utilities, demonstrating its value. Initially focused on operational excellence, the alliance has expanded its scope to support various aspects of nuclear performance. This includes safety culture, operational excellence, maintenance, engineering, equipment reliability, and supply chain management. The alliance now also supports large-scale capital project execution.

American Nuclear Society to Host AI-Driven Diagnostics Webinar

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) is scheduled to host a Supplier Showcase webinar titled "From Alarm to Answer: How AI Can Reduce Equipment Load and Enhance Performance." The event will take place on October 13, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT).

The webinar is being conducted in partnership with Nuclearn, a company that specializes in providing AI tools developed for the nuclear industry. The session will focus on the application of artificial intelligence in diagnostics to optimize equipment performance and reduce operational burdens within nuclear facilities.