Feb 21, 2025
Collaborative efforts in Europe for the advancement of fast reactor technology
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France's Hexana has established a strategic alliance with the Belgian engineering company Tractebel to assist in developing its sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor energy platform. At the same time, Swedish and French developers of lead-cooled fast reactors, Blykalla and Newcleo, are collaborating to research and develop materials for these reactors.
Hexana's goal is to create a small modular reactor (SMR) that features a sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor integrated with a high-temperature storage system. The facility will consist of two reactors (400 MWt each) that provide heat to a storage device. An additional conversion system will enable on-demand electricity production in a flexible manner to compete with gas-fired plants, as well as directly supply heat to local energy-intensive industries.
Tractebel will define the conceptual design for the civil engineering and utilities of the nuclear island structures and the specialized nuclear handling systems for the maintenance of large components. These studies will be included in the Safety Option File that Hexana plans to submit to France's Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority for licensing.
'This initial contract marks a crucial step, laying the groundwork for an expanded scope during the conceptual design phase,' Hexana stated.
Tractebel expressed enthusiasm, stating: 'We are eager to assist Hexana in developing this pioneering technology that will help shape a sustainable economy.'
In terms of materials R&D collaboration, Blykalla, previously known as LeadCold, originated from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where lead-cooled reactor systems have been developed since 1996. Founded in 2013, the company is working on the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) lead-cooled SMR.
Newcleo, based in Paris, is developing its Small Modular Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (SM-LFR) technology. According to their delivery roadmap, the initial non-nuclear prototype of their reactor is anticipated to be ready by 2026 in Italy, with the first reactor operational in France by the end of 2031, and a final investment decision for the first commercial power plant expected around 2029.
Blykalla and Newcleo have signed an agreement for the joint research and development of materials for lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs). This partnership includes the exchange of materials, results, and relevant data to support each party's R&D programs.
'Through cooperation, Blykalla and Newcleo will gain access to each other's research facilities and expert staff, facilitating the exchange of materials, testing results, and data,' the partners remarked. 'This collaboration will allow both companies to improve material solutions, ensuring the reliability and durability of next-generation nuclear reactors.'
They highlighted that this agreement also helps optimize supply chains in alignment with the objectives of the EU SMR Alliance, promoting cross-border knowledge exchange in the licensing process for each party's reactor technologies. Both companies are already working together in various groups on topics of shared interest.
'All SMR and AMR developers are pursuing ambitious timelines to bring our respective projects online and begin generating the low-carbon electricity vital for energy transition,' stated Newcleo founder and CEO Stefano Buono. 'This kind of collaboration aims to share knowledge that will help each party expedite their development programs, benefiting not only our individual projects but also the entire new nuclear sector. In urgent and time-sensitive situations, collaboration is essential, and I'm pleased that Newcleo and Blykalla can support one another in achieving our common objectives.'
Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman added: 'Both our companies understand the urgency of developing sustainable energy to achieve decarbonization, and lead-cooled fast reactor technology provides a viable pathway. By merging our deep expertise in corrosion-resistant materials with Newcleo's industrial capabilities, we are well-positioned to advance the commercialization of lead-cooled reactor technology.'
Hexana's goal is to create a small modular reactor (SMR) that features a sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor integrated with a high-temperature storage system. The facility will consist of two reactors (400 MWt each) that provide heat to a storage device. An additional conversion system will enable on-demand electricity production in a flexible manner to compete with gas-fired plants, as well as directly supply heat to local energy-intensive industries.
Tractebel will define the conceptual design for the civil engineering and utilities of the nuclear island structures and the specialized nuclear handling systems for the maintenance of large components. These studies will be included in the Safety Option File that Hexana plans to submit to France's Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority for licensing.
'This initial contract marks a crucial step, laying the groundwork for an expanded scope during the conceptual design phase,' Hexana stated.
Tractebel expressed enthusiasm, stating: 'We are eager to assist Hexana in developing this pioneering technology that will help shape a sustainable economy.'
In terms of materials R&D collaboration, Blykalla, previously known as LeadCold, originated from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where lead-cooled reactor systems have been developed since 1996. Founded in 2013, the company is working on the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) lead-cooled SMR.
Newcleo, based in Paris, is developing its Small Modular Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (SM-LFR) technology. According to their delivery roadmap, the initial non-nuclear prototype of their reactor is anticipated to be ready by 2026 in Italy, with the first reactor operational in France by the end of 2031, and a final investment decision for the first commercial power plant expected around 2029.
Blykalla and Newcleo have signed an agreement for the joint research and development of materials for lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs). This partnership includes the exchange of materials, results, and relevant data to support each party's R&D programs.
'Through cooperation, Blykalla and Newcleo will gain access to each other's research facilities and expert staff, facilitating the exchange of materials, testing results, and data,' the partners remarked. 'This collaboration will allow both companies to improve material solutions, ensuring the reliability and durability of next-generation nuclear reactors.'
They highlighted that this agreement also helps optimize supply chains in alignment with the objectives of the EU SMR Alliance, promoting cross-border knowledge exchange in the licensing process for each party's reactor technologies. Both companies are already working together in various groups on topics of shared interest.
'All SMR and AMR developers are pursuing ambitious timelines to bring our respective projects online and begin generating the low-carbon electricity vital for energy transition,' stated Newcleo founder and CEO Stefano Buono. 'This kind of collaboration aims to share knowledge that will help each party expedite their development programs, benefiting not only our individual projects but also the entire new nuclear sector. In urgent and time-sensitive situations, collaboration is essential, and I'm pleased that Newcleo and Blykalla can support one another in achieving our common objectives.'
Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman added: 'Both our companies understand the urgency of developing sustainable energy to achieve decarbonization, and lead-cooled fast reactor technology provides a viable pathway. By merging our deep expertise in corrosion-resistant materials with Newcleo's industrial capabilities, we are well-positioned to advance the commercialization of lead-cooled reactor technology.'