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Tests now under way using an electric-powered prototype of the US Department of Energy's MARVEL microreactor will demonstrate the natural circulation that will be a critical part of the reactor's heat removal system.

A new joint report from ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Canadian Nuclear Association proposes regulatory steps which can be taken to minimise the time and cost for large-scale deployment of a fleet of standardised reactor designs that are acceptable in multiple countries around the world.

Nuclear will be needed to help decarbonise the shipping industry - whether by having nuclear-powered ships or using nuclear to produce alternative fuels - a conference organised by Core Power has heard. However, speakers noted that regulatory issues must be resolved before this can happen.

Rosatom's mining division Atomredmetzoloto JSC and RAOS JSC have signed an agreement to cooperate on plans for a Shelf-M small nuclear power plant project at the Sovinoye gold deposit in Chukotka in Russia's far east.

The US Department of Defense has awarded a contract option to X-energy, LLC to develop an enhanced engineering design for a transportable microreactor suitable for both commercial and defence use under the Project Pele initiative. This second design would be complementary to the prototype microreactor which is being built by BWX Technologies.

The Rwanda Atomic Energy Board has signed an agreement with Dual Fluid to collaborate on the development of a demonstration Dual Fluid nuclear reactor in Rwanda. The demonstration reactor is expected to be operational by 2026.

BWX Technologies Inc has been contracted by the Wyoming Energy Authority to assess the viability of deploying microreactors in the state. The value of the contract was not disclosed.

Indonesian power company Pertamina NRE has signed a memorandum of understanding with Denmark's Seaborg to investigate the deployment of Seaborg's compact molten salt reactor Power Barge in Indonesia.

Ukraine's Energoatom and the US firm Westinghouse have signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the development and deployment of AP300 small modular reactors in Ukraine.

A memorandum of understanding between Polish company Orlen Synthos Green Energy and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation will see the parties work together to support decarbonisation efforts in Poland and Europe through investments in in small modular reactors.
 

MoltexFLEX says a reevaluation of certain aspects of its FLEX molten salt reactor design has "yielded a more robust scientific and engineering foundation" for the reactor. A refinement of the reactor design has delivered a 50% boost in power output, while maintaining previous targets for overnight capital cost and cost per MWh.

Proposals from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia have been selected to receive US support for coal-to-small modular reactor feasibility studies under Project Phoenix. The USA is also to set up a 'one-stop shop' to support countries in Europe and Eurasia that are approaching SMR deployment decisions.