After two decades of hiatus, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the premier nuclear energy research facility in the U.S., has received a shipment of used fuel from a next-generation light water reactor, marking a significant moment for research and testing endeavors.
In December, INL took delivery of 25 experimental fuel rods that had undergone irradiation within the core of a commercial reactor. Westinghouse Electric Company crafted and produced these advanced fuel rods with critical input from various national laboratories, including INL.
Designed with a focus on extended usage and fortified safety measures, these experimental fuels promise substantial cost reductions for consumers, all while enhancing the resilience of nuclear power plants in the face of potential accident scenarios, according to researchers at INL.
