Fuel Inserted at the Vogtle Unit 2 Supports Improved Fuel Cycle Safety and Reactor Operational Costs
In an industry first, Westinghouse Electric Company announced the insertion of Lead Test Assemblies with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU+) fuel at Unit 2 of Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Waynesboro, Georgia. This milestone represents the first commercialization of LEU+ fuel in the U.S. and was accomplished with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Program and Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear, the operator of Plant Vogtle.
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A view inside the nuclear reactor vessel of Plant Vogtle Unit 2. Courtesy of Southern Nuclear.
LEU+ fuel, enriched above 5%, supports extended fuel cycles, power uprates, and lowers the costs of nuclear power plant operations by reducing the number of outages needed for refueling. This advanced fuel will be instrumental in ensuring the industry meets its goals to supply safe, efficient, reliable and affordable clean energy for its customers.
Westinghouse provided its EnCore® ATF Lead Test Assemblies with greater than 5 wt.% LEU+ ADOPT® fuel, chromium coated cladding and AXIOM® cladding. These fuel assemblies were manufactured for Vogtle Unit 2 at Westinghouse’s Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins, South Carolina.
“We are proud to have achieved this milestone alongside the U.S Department of Energy and Southern Nuclear,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President. “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."
Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, providing a uniquely diversified portfolio in the industry across nuclear reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR and VVER. Through our world-class manufacturing facilities in the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, we focus on delivering innovative fuel technologies to meet our customer needs for lower fuel cycle costs, increased operational flexibility and efficiency, diversity of supply and accident-tolerant products.
Learn more about our advanced fuel capabilities and how they relate to different reactors around the world: Westinghouse Nuclear > Nuclear Fuel
Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company’s technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation make Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
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