Tuesday, 15 April 2025
Commercial reactors currently operate on fuel that typically contains 3-5% by weight of uranium-235 – the main fissile isotope that produces energy during a chain reaction, known as low-enriched uranium (LEU). LEU+ fuel is enriched to 5-10% uranium-235. The higher enrichment could help extend the length of fuel cycles, lead to power uprates, and lower costs by reducing the number of outages needed for refuelling.
The advanced fuel is enriched to 6% uranium-235 and was developed through the US Department of Energy (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuel Program to help improve fuel cycle safety and lower operational costs. The DOE said: “The pellets, which also include additives expected to enhance safety performance, were derived from higher enriched uranium oxide powder that was first prepared by Idaho National Laboratory. The powder was further processed into fuel pellets and fabricated into pins before they were shipped to Vogtle Unit 2 for commercial testing.”
The EnCore ATF Lead Test Assemblies with greater-than-5% LEU+ ADOPT fuel, chromium coated cladding and AXIOM cladding, were manufactured at Westinghouse’s Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins, South Carolina.
The LEU+ fuel loaded into Vogtle Unit 2 (Image: Southern Nuclear)
Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President, said: “We are proud to have achieved this milestone alongside the US Department of Energy and Southern Nuclear. Our priority is to provide safe, reliable and high-performing fuel to support our customers in their long-term operational needs. LEU+ fuel is a perfect example of how we can help reduce the number of outages in nuclear power plants.”
Pete Sena, Southern Nuclear Chairman, President and CEO said: “This achievement is a significant step forward for not only the resiliency of the entire US operating fleet, but future nuclear technologies. Our goal is to operate our units for longer periods with higher output, and with higher enriched fuel, we’re even better positioned to meet the growing energy demands of the state of Georgia.”
The lead test assemblies will undergo testing for four and a half years at Plant Vogtle. The fuel will be examined after each fuel cycle.
