Advanced Nuclear Energy

Scope of Work

Thought Leadership

CATF speaks to dozens of government, media, civil society, and private sector audiences around the world each year on the potentially large role of nuclear energy in future clean energy systems, the private sector and policy changes needed to make that potential a reality, and the current status of research, development, and deployment in the nuclear space. CATF also conducts analysis of energy systems to explore the value of nuclear energy in supporting local, national, and international clean energy commitments.

Policy Development & Advocacy

CATF actively advances a suite of U.S. federal initiatives focused on innovation in delivery models, addressing and researching long-standing issues associated with nuclear energy, technological innovation, and demonstration of advanced fission and fusion energy systems. CATF also advocates internationally for increased cooperation on licensing of advanced reactor designs, multinational demonstration, and measures to enhance security of global nuclear technology.

Commercial Assessment & Support

CATF continually reviews and assesses nuclear technology developments, working with companies to fine-tune their technical and commercial strategies, and identifying relevant markets, requirements, and desirable performance characteristics. CATF facilitates collaborations between technology developers, investors, and governments to improve delivery and cost of current nuclear technology, and to accelerate commercialization. CATF also assesses the role for nuclear energy in traditionally non-nuclear markets in future clean energy systems, such as zero carbon fuel production.

Delivery Model Innovation

CATF has helped develop and launch multiple studies outlining the potential for significant cost reductions and swifter delivery of nuclear energy through business and delivery model changes – project management, project structure, product-based manufacturing, offshore siting, for example – as well as advanced reactor technology. CATF is actively working with commercial parties, governments, and manufacturing and construction experts to explore ways to implement these innovations.

Achievements

CATF played significant roles in the following developments in recent years:

• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is modernizing its licensing regulations to work better for advanced fission, along the lines suggested by CATF and our partner the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, which was conceived of and founded by CATF.
• Congress has authorized and appropriated billions of dollars for expanded research, development and early commercial demonstration support for nuclear energy technology, including activities related to production of advanced nuclear fuel materials.
• Co-led by CATF, a consortium of six environmental and climate organizations and more than a dozen U.S. electric utilities and the Edison Electric Institute developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for an accelerated U.S. innovation program for advanced nuclear technologies.
• Collaboration among nations on international licensing of reactors has accelerated, including agreements between the U.S., U.K., and Canada to tackle this issue.
• Several advanced reactor demonstrations have been announced in the U.S. and around the world.
• The restart of the U.S.’s low dose radiation health impacts research program.
• An emerging coalition of hydrogen developers, large potential industrial hydrogen consumers, and nuclear energy developers view advanced nuclear as an option for large scale hydrogen energy production.
• Opinion among thought leaders on nuclear energy as a climate mitigation tool has moved significantly to a more receptive posture.
• CATF, with our partners at MIT, has offered deep factual background on nuclear energy through a regular course, which has educated more than 100 government decisionmakers, civil society advocates, journalists, and philanthropists
• The issuance of numerous studies, some supported by CATF, addressing existing and advanced fission technologies which posit the potential for dramatic cost reductions and have influenced the debate around nuclear energy.