Source: https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Podcast-Newcleo-s-Andrew-Murdoch-on-its-lead-coole
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Newcleo’s UK operations managing director sets out the benefits of its lead-cooled fast reactor technology, its plans for a demonstrator reactor and MOX fuel factory in France, and its future goal of rolling out up to 20 of its reactors in the UK.
Newcleo’s Andrew Murdoch says the company, which was only founded in 2021, is focused on taking its 200 MW commercial reactor design through regulation both in France and the UK with the aim of deploying a first-of-a-kind reactor by 2033.
He also talks about the impact of the recently published UK government roadmap to 24 GW capacity by 2050, which, among other things, said that for the foreseeable future the plutonium at Sellafield is not being considered for use in advanced reactors - “we know there’s a long-term discussion to be had in the UK around the potential to reuse plutonium that is currently stored” there. But, more positively, consultations on opening up new sites and alternative routes to the market was encouraging news as Newcleo works to select potential sites.
Featuring in the news round-up, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi gave an update on the situation in Ukraine to the United Nations Security Council. He warned about the risks of any complacency about the risks and safety situation at the occupied Zaporizhzhia and other nuclear power plants in the country.
January saw EDF revise the schedule and projected budget for its big new nuclear project in the UK. Hear how Hinkley Point C Managing Director Stuart Crooks explained the revision in a message to staff, and also stressed the benefits likely to flow at the replica project at Sizewell C.
There is also a round-up from World Nuclear News’s Claire Maden of the raft of encouraging news from the uranium sector, fuelled by soaring spot prices and a generally positive outlook for nuclear power.
We’ve been hearing this for many years now. I’ve lost count. Reality is that countries where renewables dominate, like Germany, have a significantly higher energy bill for consumers than countries where nuclear is part of the mix.
Serious question: what exactly do you think can ‘go wrong’ with lead-cooled fast reactors?
Burning lead is bad, therefore you can’t use it as a coolant in a closed cycle. Why yes, I have 0.5mg per liter of lead in my blood, how could you tell?