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October 2, 2007
International Nuclear Recycling Alliance awarded GNEP contract
Bethesda, Md., October 1, 2007 -- The International Nuclear Recycling Alliance (INRA) - led by AREVA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and including Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited; Washington Group International; BWX Technologies, Inc.; and Battelle -- has just signed a contract with the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate closing the nuclear fuel cycle in the U.S., through the development of a nuclear fuel recycling center and an advanced recycling reactor. The contract was awarded within the framework of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).
GNEP seeks to close the nuclear fuel cycle by recycling used fuel in ways that both minimize proliferation risks and reduce the volume and toxicity of final waste residues. Closing the fuel cycle would conserve uranium resources and enhance energy security.
Under the terms of the contract, INRA will provide three major studies:
· Technology development roadmaps analyzing the technology needed to achieve GNEP goals;
· Business plans showing methods for the development and commercialization of advanced GNEP technologies and facilities;
· Conceptual design studies for the nuclear fuel recycling center and the advanced recycling reactor.
INRA companies will be responsible for the following activities in realizing the contract for the DOE:
AREVA, supported by Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, will perform conceptual design studies and develop a technology roadmap for the nuclear fuel recycling center.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. will perform conceptual design studies and develop a technology roadmap for the advanced recycling reactor, based on a loop-type reactor;
Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, in addition to supporting AREVA's work on the nuclear fuel recycling center, will perform specific studies of safety design principles and safeguards.
Battelle will be the lead for both the analysis for and preparation of the technology roadmap and DOE reporting.
BWX Technologies, Inc. will be the lead for safeguards and security, as well as licensing support.
Washington Group International will provide architect and engineering services.
AREVA, Inc. President Michael McMurphy said, “Our approach applies innovative technologies and truly unmatched operating experience from INRA best-in-class companies. Combined, we will offer DOE comprehensive, credible industry information on cost, schedule, and business planning for developing and deploying a closed fuel cycle in the United States.”
The nuclear fuel recycling center would have two functions: the treatment of used fuel to separate it into recyclable, energy-producing components and final waste materials, and the manufacture of nuclear fuel from the recyclable components of the used fuel. The advanced recycling reactor will be fueled with materials recovered from used reactor fuel. The reactor will transform some of these radioactive materials into a more easily manageable waste form while producing energy.
About
AREVA, Inc. the leading nuclear energy products and services supplier in the United States, generated nearly $2 billion in revenue in 2006. The company has more than 5,000 employees, working at 40 locations in 20 states across the U.S., all committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future of the electricity market. AREVA Inc. combines homegrown leadership and access to world-class nuclear fuel cycle technology to provide customers a proven track record of performance. The world's leading nuclear fuel cycle company, AREVA is at the industry forefront in developing, deploying, and operating both treatment / recycling facilities and sodium-cooled reactors. In the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century's greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet and acting responsibly toward future generations. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers with consolidated sales of 3,068 billion yen in fiscal 2006 (year ended March 31, 2007). MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft space rocketry and air-conditioning systems. Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) is Japan's pioneer company in the field of commercial used nuclear fuel reprocessing, uranium enrichment, nuclear waste storage and disposal, and Mixed-Oxide fuel fabrication. In Rokkasho-mura, Aomori Prefecture, the test operation of the world's newest commercial reprocessing plant, for which JNFL applied state-of-the-art reprocessing technology and implemented IAEA's full scope safeguards capability, is successfully in progress. The mission of JNFL is to establish nuclear fuel cycle technologies for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Battelle is the world's largest non-profit independent research and development organization, with 20,000 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including five national laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle conducts $3.8 billion in R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management, and technology commercialization. As a non-profit charitable trust with an eye toward the future, Battelle actively supports and promotes science and math education. BWX Technologies, Inc. has five decades of experience owning and operating nuclear and national security production facilities both commercially and for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to fabricate, process, use and store highly enriched uranium. As the prime contractor or a member of a partnership team, BWXT currently manages and operates 10 National Nuclear Security Administration and DOE sites. Over the course of its activities, BWXT has acquired an extensive portfolio of providing both proprietary and contracted safeguards and security programs in manufacturing, production, research, and deactivation and decommissioning. The transfer and repackaging of spent fuel BWXT performs at its Lynchburg Technology Center is a routine function performed at commercial nuclear facilities and helps to demonstrate that this material can be safely and securely prepared and staged for recycling at a treatment center. BWXT, a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., is headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., and employs more than 11,000 people. A primary contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies since 1942, Washington Group International is a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction, pre-operational testing, start-up and safe and efficient operation of complex nuclear and non-nuclear facilities. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with more than $3 billion in annual revenue, the company has approximately 25,000 people at work around the world providing solutions in power, environmental management, defense, oil and gas processing, mining, industrial facilities, transportation, and water resources. Contacts
AREVA :Julien Duperray
Tel : 01 34 96 12 15 - Fax : 01 34 96 16 54
E-mail : press@areva.com
AREVA Inc. : Laurence Pernot
Nancy Lang
Tel.: 301- 841-1600
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Hideo Ikuno
Tel.: +81-3-6716-5277
Japan Nuclear Fuel LimitedSuzuki Kazufumi
Tel.: +81-175-71-2130
BattelleKaty Delaney
Tel.: 410-306-8638
BWX Technologies, Inc.Regina Carter
Tel. : 434-522-5158
Washington Group InternationalJerry Holloway
Tel.: 208-386-5255
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