GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
|
This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch. |
Contents
Background
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) describes itself as 'a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services'.
Set up in June 2007, GEH is 'a global nuclear alliance' created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. It is based in the US. In Japan, the alliance is Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd.
Activities
Selling PRISM technology to the UK
In April 2012 the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) signed a contract with GE Hitachi to “enable a more detailed assessment” of GEH’s proposal to “burn” the UK’s stockpile of plutonium in GEH’s Prism fast reactors. Under the agreement, the NDA will pay GEH for additional studies and analyses until August 2012 to demonstrate that its proposal is a credible alternative to using the plutonium in mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel.
GEH also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) for expert technical input to the potential UK deployment of the PRISM reactor, which would be specifically designed to disposition the UK's plutonium while generating 600 megawatts of low-carbon electricity. [1]
GEH believes that, 'PRISM offers the most efficient, clean, cost-effective option for turning nuclear waste into low carbon energy; while also managing used nuclear fuel and surplus plutonium by converting it into electricity.
In August 2013 the NDA said it had shared with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) its conclusions of its recent assessment on the management of the UK’s separated plutonium stocks, including an updated review of the Government's preferred Mox fuel proposal, and alternatives such as PRiSM. DECC is apparently considering the NDA's work - an update is expected in autumn 2013. </ref>
USA
In June 2013, GE Hitachi was awarded funding from the US Department of Energy for research on on high-temperature insulation materials and analysis tools to design and make electromagnetic pumps for liquid-metal-cooled reactors. [2]
Events
In April 2012 GEH hosted a nuclear industry suppliers conference in West Cumbria, England to meet with potential UK business partners in support of GEH’s proposal to offer its PRISM technology to help address the country’s plutonium waste management challenges.
External lobbyists
- Edelman - Chris Rumfitt, Joint Managing Director, Public Affairs [3] [4] [5]
Contact
Website: www.ge-energy.com
Resources
- Fiona Harvey, GE and Hitachi plan new reactor to burn UK plutonium stockpile, guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 30 November 2011
- Facebook page GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Notes
- ↑ GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Signs MOU Agreement with National Nuclear Laboratory to Work on Tackling UK Plutonium Stockpile, Business Wire, April 04, 2012
- ↑ Maila Spencer, Westinghouse lands DOE funding for advanced reactor research, Pittsburgh Business Times, Jun 28, 2013, 12:08pm EDT
- ↑ [APPC Register Entry 1st June 2013 - 31st August 2013, acc 10 Sept 2013
- ↑ APPC Register Entry for 1 December 2011 to 29 February 2012], accessed 19 May 2012
- ↑ APPC Register Entry for 1 Sep 2011 to 30 Nov 2011
