Ansaldo Nucleare, Westinghouse Lead Reactor Testing

Ansaldo Nucleare and Westinghouse Electric Company reported a pivotal advancement in their ongoing work on the Generation IV lead-cooled fast reactor. This milestone encompasses the completion of the inaugural testing phase at the Passive Heat Removal Facility, a new establishment at the Ansaldo Nuclear plant located in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

The duo conducted the operation under a contract within the second phase of the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) program. This endeavor is partially financed by the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is being led by Westinghouse with Ansaldo Nucleare as the primary supplier.

In the scope of this contract, Ansaldo Nucleare was entrusted with overseeing the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of two facilities to bolster Westinghouse's lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology. These facilities, the Versatile Loop Facility (VLF) and the Passive Heat Removal Facility (PHRF), are instrumental in gathering experimental data to expedite the development of LFR technology.

Riccardo Casale, Chief Executive Officer of Ansaldo Nucleare, stated, "This milestone enriches the future landscape of Generation IV reactors." He added, "In partnership with our UK subsidiary, Ansaldo Nuclear Ltd, Ansaldo Nucleare continues to lead in the development of Westinghouse's Lead Fast Reactor. This collaboration is a source of pride for us."

Mark Urso, interim Chief Technology Officer of Westinghouse, remarked, "The commencement of the testing phase using these large-scale facilities is a testament to the maturity of the reactor development project that Westinghouse and Ansaldo Nucleare are advancing. Our project extends beyond design and modeling activities, incorporating hands-on tasks that enhance our practical understanding of LFR technology."

This accomplishment forms part of a broader initiative propelled by a cooperation agreement that Westinghouse and Ansaldo Nucleare signed last October. This agreement focuses on the joint development of Generation IV LFR technology globally, with an immediate focus on key European countries, including the UK, Romania, and Belgium.