GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Bechtel National Inc. have been selected to develop the conceptual design and cost, schedule and safety estimates for a fast-spectrum test reactor that would be used to develop fuels, structural materials, instruments and sensors for advanced nuclear reactors.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy started the Versatile Test Reactor program this year in part due to responses from U.S. companies developing advanced reactors, many of which need different testing facilities than the commercial nuclear power technology in use today. “Advanced reactors hold great promise, but their fuels and materials need proper testing before they can be licensed and used in energy producing reactors,” says Peggy McCullough, senior vice president of Bechtel’s nuclear, security and operations unit. The firm is a GE Hitachi subcontractor.