Industry Insight

California's $4 billion SONGS project set to test decom efficiency gains

Feb 8, 2017

The EnergySolutions-AECOM contractor partnership can use time-saving learnings from earlier projects like Zion in Illinois to help boost confidence in cost forecasts and new build...

Westinghouse 3D printing trials reveal cost savings for all reactor types

Jan 25, 2017

New research has shown that additive manufacturing (AM) can halve manufacturing costs for replacement nuclear parts and complex design prototypes will demonstrate efficiency gains for...

NuScale files US’ first SMR license application as suppliers await tender

Jan 10, 2017

NuScale's Design Certification Application (DCA) marks a major step for the SMR industry and the Oregon-based developer has identified around six more potential plants in Western...

UK uses multiple site data to save over 1 billion pounds on decom

Jan 10, 2017

Decommissioning contractor Magnox is building a body of multiple site learnings which have reduced cost risks associated with waste transfer, experts told Nuclear Energy Insider.

Operators told to plan shutdowns three years ahead, focus on labor

Nov 30, 2016

Nuclear operators must start decommissioning work at least three years before shutdown and prioritize labor placement decisions to minimize the transition period and associated...

3D printers could slash SMR lead times from years to months

Nov 29, 2016

Investment in additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology would cut lead times for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and offer a competitive advantage for low-volume components and...

Canadian plant offtake contract spurs cost-cutting digitization projects

Nov 16, 2016

Bruce Power’s new long-term offtake contract with the Ontario grid has allowed the operator to raise profitability through advanced digitization and robotics initiatives, Sarah...

US operators roll out electronic project apps to speed up maintenance

Nov 16, 2016

U.S. utilities can cut overheads for plant operations and maintenance (O&M) work package lifecycles by up to 75% by switching from paper to digital and mobile platforms, Jeff...

Westinghouse targets first SMR within a decade using '100% modularity'

Nov 2, 2016

The global nuclear company is using its modular build and design approval experience to shorten the development time and raise the competitiveness of its Small Modular Reactor (SMR)...

US operator urges faster changes to I&C rules holding back digitization

Nov 1, 2016

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) must accelerate rule changes on digitizing safety control systems and update software failure assumptions so plant operators can implement lower...

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