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Westinghouse sees a tech disrupter in its eVinci microreactor
Summary
The article discusses the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor, a heat pipe reactor that the company says is more of a nuclear battery. The microreactor can generate 5 MW of electricity or 13 MW of heat from a 15 MW thermal core, and Westinghouse is targeting remote communities and mine sites as the entry market for eVinci. The company is also working with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to start a technical design assessment for eVinci.
Q&As
What is the eVinci microreactor?
The eVinci microreactor is a heat pipe reactor that Westinghouse describes as more of a nuclear battery.
What are the benefits of the microreactor?
The benefits of the microreactor include its solid core and advanced heat pipes, which enable passive cooling and also allow for autonomous operation and load following.
How does the microreactor work?
The microreactor works by using heat pipes to transfer heat from the core to a heat exchanger.
Who is the target market for the microreactor?
The target market for the microreactor is remote communities and mine sites.
What is the timeline for the microreactor?
The timeline for the microreactor is for it to undergo additional testing in the 2023-2025 timeframe using nuclear fuel at one of the national labs, most likely Idaho National Laboratory. From there, the plan is to finalize the reactor design and build a prototype for integrated testing at one of the national labs in 2026. Commercial deployment is targeted for 2027.
AI Comments
👍 This article does a great job of explaining the potential benefits of Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor. I'm excited to see this technology develop and hope it can help to decarbonize the electric power sector.
👎 I'm not convinced that this microreactor is going to be a game changer. I think the nuclear industry has been overhyping small modular reactors for years and they have yet to really take off.
AI Discussion
Me: Westinghouse is developing a microreactor that they say is a tech disrupter. It's a nuclear battery that is autonomous and can be used for a variety of applications.
Friend: That's really interesting. I had no idea that this technology was being developed.
Me: Yeah, it's really exciting. I think it has a lot of potential to change the way we generate energy.
Action items
- Learn more about Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor.
- Explore the potential applications of the microreactor.
- Stay up to date on the latest developments in nuclear technology.
Technical terms
- eVinci microreactor
- a heat pipe reactor that Westinghouse is developing; the company describes it as more of a nuclear battery
- Waltz Mill
- a Westinghouse facility in Pennsylvania that provides maintenance services, testing and calibration for nuclear reactor servicing equipment, and is also home to Westinghouse's robotics development efforts
- R&D
- research and development
- Cameco
- a Canadian company that is one of the world's largest suppliers of uranium fuel
- Brookfield Renewable
- an American company that is one of the world's largest clean energy investors
- HALEU
- high-assay low-enriched uranium
- IRA
- Inflation Reduction Act