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Mini nuclear plant could power UK homes
20 July 2015 Global U-BatteryA mini nuclear power generation on a site the size of two squash courts could soon provide power to local communities in the UK.
Developer U-Battery – part of the uranium enrichment giant Urenco – is working through the design phase of a project to build the low cost 4MW generators.
The company said that initially it was designing the units to provide back up power to existing and planned nuclear power plants. But it added that the aim was to build stand alone units.
U-Battery project lead Steve Threlfall told a conference in London last week that the system used a stable Triso coated fuel particle currently manufactured in the United States.
Threlfall said:
“The life expectancy is 60 years and it will be refuelled every five years. We see our market in the UK but also for remote sites across the world.”
The project has been in development since 2008 and has been worked on in collaboration with the University of Manchester, Atkins and Amec Foster Wheeler.
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About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of uranium enrichment services, fuel cycle products and related solutions with sustainability at the core of our business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for over 50 years, Urenco understands the importance of energy security and facilitates the reliable delivery of low carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office in London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Through our technology and the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services, operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is making a positive contribution to global climate change goals through our core business and we are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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