Move Signals Commitment in U.S. Market to World's Only Generation III Advanced Nuclear Power Technology with Successful Construction and Operating Experience
WILMINGTON, N.C.---Dec. 15, 2008---GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) it intends to renew its design certification for the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) technology. The ABWR is the world's first and only Generation III advanced reactor design with proven construction and operating experience, and in 1997 was the first Generation III design to be certified by the NRC.
The move signals GEH's ongoing commitment to ABWR technology for customers in the United States and around the globe. Concurrently, GEH also is pursuing NRC certification for the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) design, currently under NRC review. GEH offers both the ABWR and ESBWR designs to customers worldwide to meet the individual needs of energy companies seeking to quench rising energy demand with climate-friendly nuclear power.
"Renewing our ABWR certification demonstrates our dedication to this proven, advanced technology, not only in the United States, but globally," said Steve Hucik, GEH's Vice President, Global Unified ABWR Projects. "With both the ABWR and the ESBWR, our customers are assured of deploying world-class technology to safely and efficiently power the future."
GEH maintains the detailed design, supporting engineering data and analyses, proprietary information, and the procurement, construction and installation specifications associated with the ABWR design that was certified in 1997 to U.S. regulations, codes and standards. The design certification covered a 15-year period that would expire June 11, 2012 unless renewed.
GEH's predecessor, GE Nuclear Energy, was the original applicant for the U.S. ABWR design certification. GEH---the global nuclear alliance of GE and Hitachi, Ltd. formed in 2007---notified the NRC on Dec. 5 of its intention to file a detailed renewal application in mid-2010. That timeframe meets the requirement that the application be filed 12 to 36 months before the initial certification is to expire. Following submittal of the application, GEH anticipates the NRC beginning its review in 2010, as NRC resources are available.
The ABWR, which also is licensed in Japan and Taiwan, has been built successfully using advanced modular construction techniques. In Japan, four ABWR units are in operation, two more are under construction, and additional ABWR units are in the planning stages.
GEH and partner Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy, headquartered in Japan, have launched the Global Unified Project Office at GEH's facility in San Jose, Calif. There, engineering teams are combining GEH's U.S.-certified ABWR nuclear technology and U.S. design with HGNE's proven experience in the construction of ABWRs in Japan to further reduce construction costs and improve schedule certainty. The initiative is developing the project deployment model for U.S. and global customers.
Around the world, an increasing number of energy companies are considering investing in the construction of new fleets of advanced nuclear reactors to meet rising energy demands and mitigate global climate change.
Nuclear energy is one of the few available, baseload power sources that do not emit greenhouse gases while generating electricity. A recent survey conducted by Bisconti Research, Inc. for the Nuclear Energy Institute found that a record high 74% of Americans favor nuclear energy.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GEH is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.
Tom Murnane
Soteryx Corporation
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Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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