U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cycle Technologies R&D Outlook

Transcription

1 U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Cycle Technologies R&D Outlook John Herczeg Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel Cycle Technologies Office of Nuclear Energy Global 2015 French Section American Nuclear Society

2 Focus Areas of DOE Fuel Cycle Technologies Uranium Supply Enrichment & Fuel Fabrication Reactors Recycle Interim Storage Final Disposal Conventional Mining Conventional LWR Fuel Fabrication Seawater Extraction Other Advanced Techniques LWR Fuel with Improved Accident Tolerance Light Water Reactors Product LWR Recycle Waste Forms Interim Storage Geologic Repository Advanced Reactor Fuel Advanced Reactors Advanced Reactor Recycle LLW Disposal Safeguards and Security by Design 2

3 Fuel Cycle Research & Development Program Conduct R&D on advanced sustainable fuel cycle technologies that have the potential to improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk; Conduct generic research and development and generic non-r&d activities related to used nuclear fuel, nuclear waste management and disposal issues; Lay the ground work and planning for the implementation of the Administration s NE strategy on the management of used nuclear fuel and high-level waste. FCR&D The program employs a long-term, science-based approach to foster innovative, transformational technology solutions to achieve this mission. Advancements in fuel cycle technologies and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-generated electricity in the U.S. 3

4 Fuel Cycle Research & Development FY 2016 Budget Request (dollars in thousands) Subprogram FY 2015 Enacted FY 2016 Request House Mark Senate Mark Material Recovery & Waste Form Development 35,300 35,300 35,300 34,800 Advanced Fuels 60,100 48,700 60,100 60,100 Systems Analysis and Integration 16,900 11,200 11,200 11,100 MPACT 7,600 8,600 8,600 8,500 Fuel Resources 5,600 5,600 5,600 5,500 Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Research & Development 49,000 75,360 55,000 64,000 Integrated Waste Mgmt. System 22,500 30, ,000 DOE-Managed HLW & SNF -- 3, ,000 Total 197, , , ,000 4

5 Partnerships Play and Important Role in Fuel Cycle R&D National Laboratories INL fuels*, material recovery and waste form development*, program assessment and coordination*, fuel cycle options* ORNL fuel resources*, fuels, material recovery and waste form development, fuel cycle options SNL used nuclear fuel R&D* LANL MPACT*, fuels PNNL material recovery and waste form development, fuels ANL material recovery and waste form development, fuel cycle options Others SRNL, BNL, LLNL, LBNL Industry Advisory and Assistance Services, Task Order Contracts Accident Tolerant Fuel Development High Burnup Dry Storage Demonstration Universities NEUP Numerous International Partnerships China, France, Japan, Russia (suspended), ROK, UK, Euratom, OECD/NEA, IAEA NEA Nuclear Science Committee: Expert Group on Multi-scale Benchmark, Evaluation &Validation and Related Nuclear Energy Knowledge and Validation Center" at INL Regulator Inter-Agency Agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission * Lead laboratories noted with asterisks. 5

6 FY 2015 Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) 20 percent of R&D funding is invested in NEUP: Infrastructure, R&D, Integrated Research Projects (IRPs). In FY 2015, FCR&D funded 18 R&D awards and 4 IRPs. ~$700,000 each for 18 program-supporting awards. 8 MRWFD, 4 Advanced Fuels, 2 MPACT, 4 Fuel Resources. ~$11,000,000 for 4 IRPs supporting the Advanced Fuels (2) and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition R&D (2). Computational and experimental benchmarking for transient fuel testing (Adv Fuels) Development of ATF Options for near term applications (Adv Fuels) Innovative approach to SCC inspection and evaluation of canister in dry storage (UNFD R&D) Multimodal nondestructive dry cask basket structure and spent fuel evaluation (UNFD R&D) Members actively engaged in training/mentoring of undergraduate students from different U.S. DOE programs. 6

7 Material Recovery and Waste Form Development (MRWFD) Environmental Open/Closed Fuel Cycles STAAR Sigma Team for Advanced Actinides Recycling Fundamental Understanding Off-gas Management Material Recovery National Security Waste Forms & Processes Cost Effective and Appropriate for Industry Deployment MRWFD s mission is to develop advanced material recovery as well as advanced waste form development technologies that improve current fuel cycle performance and enable a sustainable fuel cycle, with minimal processing, waste generation, and potential for material diversion. Off-Gas Capture and Immobilization Management of process off-gasses (I- 129, H-3, Kr-85, and C-14) to meet U.S. regulatory constraints Waste Management Waste forms and processes need to be developed as an integral part of material recovery technology development. As advanced recycling processes are developed, unique waste streams arise that must be managed in a safe, environmentally responsible and cost effective way. Present FR Fuel Separations Future 7

8 Release of Evaluation and Screening Final Report The Evaluation and Screening (E&S) study report was released by the DOE-NE Fuel Cycle Options Campaign in October 2014 E&S report provides information about the potential benefits and challenges of nuclear fuel cycle options Provides useful information to strengthen the basis of DOE-NE R&D programs Report is comprised of the Main Report and Appendices A-H that provide more details on approach, results, and participants 8

9 Advanced Fuels 9

10 RD&D Strategy For Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuels 10 Year Goal Phase 1 Feasibility Workshops Phase 2 Development/Qualification Fuel Selection/Prioritization Phase 3 Commercialization Feasibility studies on advanced fuel and clad concepts -- bench-scale fabrication -- irradiation tests -- steam reactions -- mechanical properties -- furnace tests -- modeling Steady State Tests LOCA/Furnace Tests Transient Irradiation Tests LTA/LTR Ready Assessment of new concepts -- impact on economics -- impact on fuel cycle -- impact on operations -- impact on safety envelope -- environmental impact Fuel Performance Code Fuel Safety Basis Industry led projects (Phase 1a) Industry led projects (Phase 1b) Industry led project(s) (Phase 2)

11 Increased Interest Globally in Accident Tolerant Fuels France Currently defining bilateral activities with specific agreement to support international activities related to ATF, with joint development of attributes and metrics and coordination of facilities. CEA pursues ATF R&D through a tri-party agreement with AREVA and EDF. Japan Definition of attributes and metrics Coordination of technology research and development Coordination of facilities used for R&D China Attributes and metrics Information exchange on R&D facilities European Union 2 New INERI projects Horizon 2020 UK Bilateral activities currently under discussion (active partners in ATF FOAs and IRPs) Russian Federation (currently on hold) Advanced LWR fuels and ATF Exchange of attributes and metrics Others OECD/NEA Expert Group IAEA Expert Group 8

12 DOE s Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Management 2012 Blue Ribbon Commission on America s Nuclear Future Chartered to recommend a new strategy for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle 2013 Administration s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste Endorsed key principles underpinning the Blue Ribbon Commission s recommendations 2015 Presidential Memorandum Related to Disposal of Defense High- Level Radioactive Waste DOE announced a path forward for defense waste, and a parallel path for storage and disposal of commercial spent fuel 12

13 Key Elements of Administration Strategy January

14 Announcement of Parallel Path Forward in Waste Management On March 24, President Obama authorized the Energy Department to move forward with planning for a separate repository for high-level radioactive waste resulting from atomic energy defense activities. In remarks before the Bipartisan Policy Center, Secretary Moniz discussed this path forward for defense waste as well as a parallel path for storage and disposal of commercial spent fuel, consistent with the Administration s January 2013 Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, which built upon the work of the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on America s Nuclear Future completed in January Secretary Moniz announced three specific actions that the Department will undertake Planning for a defense-only repository Moving forward with planning for interim storage of commercial spent fuel Moving forward with a consent-based siting process for both types of facilities 14

15 Areas of Focus Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Programs Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition R&D Campaign Identify alternatives and conduct scientific research and technology development to enable storage, transportation and disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by existing and future nuclear fuel cycles. Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project Lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, and develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization. 15

16 Deep Borehole Field Test Demonstrate the scientific feasibility of deep boreholes Demonstrate safe processes and operations for safe waste emplacement downhole Confirm the safety, capacity, and feasibility of the deep borehole disposal concept for the longterm isolation of nuclear waste 16

17 Conclusions The Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies is developing technology options that support a sustainable nuclear future. Balanced portfolio of near-term and long-term applications of technology Seeking innovation from laboratories and universities and technology applications in partnership with industry Leveraging limited resources through international collaboration The Department of Energy is also committed to moving forward with development of management strategies and technologies for the storage and disposal of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. 17