Recycled Nuclear Fuel: Potential and Supply Chain Concerns

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• 💡 Southern Company is focused on completing Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 but is interested in various nuclear technologies.
• 🔬 They have partnered with Terrapower and the DOE on a molten chloride fast reactor (Gen 4 reactor) and are involved in integrated effects testing at Idaho National Lab.
• 🔑 Lessons learned from the construction of Plant Vogtle are being shared to help other SMR technologies succeed.

Recycled Nuclear Fuel Potential

• ⚡ Spent fuel rods, stored in casks across 39 states, retain approximately 90% of their energy generation capacity.
• 📈 It's estimated that with investment in recycled spent fuel, reactors could operate for up to 100 years, though this depends on recovery capabilities.
• 🇫🇷 France's experience suggests that recycling fuel incurs about a 6% cost increase, which is offset by long-term benefits.

Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain Security

• ⚠️ Concerns exist regarding the ongoing influence of state-owned entities in Russia and China on the US nuclear fuel market.
• 🇺🇸 Southern Company prioritizes a safe, secure, and reliable fuel supply, sourcing from friendly nations.
• 🎯 A top priority is ensuring a secure supply chain for uranium, processed, and refined critical minerals, reducing dependence on adversarial nations like China.

Thorium Reactors and U233

• 🇨🇳 China has successfully converted thorium 232 into uranium 233 in a molten salt reactor.
• 🏛️ Alabama's legislature has recognized the value of uranium 233 and offered the state as a potential new home for this material.
• 🚀 The Redstone Arsenal is part of the Army's next-generation nuclear power program (JASONs), suggesting potential for expanding thorium reactors in the US.