Technology Designed to Meet Rising Demand for Enriched Uranium to Fuel Nuclear Power Plants
WILMINGTON, N.C.--30 July 2009-- Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) today announced the start-up of a "test loop" to evaluate a next-generation uranium enrichment technology that GLE is developing to increase the United States' supply of enriched uranium for nuclear power plants worldwide.
GLE, a business venture of GE, Hitachi Ltd. and Cameco, will use the test loop's results in determining whether to commercialize laser-based enrichment technology in the first such full-scale commercial production facility in the world.
The plant, which would be built in Wilmington, N.C., would create a reliable, long-term domestic supply of enriched fuel for nuclear power plants, as the United States seeks to meet the challenges of energy security, climate change and increased demands for power. Nuclear energy creates virtually no greenhouse gases during the electricity generation process.
Utilities' demand for low-enriched uranium is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, with the anticipated construction of a new generation of nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, a number of current sources of enrichment supply are expected to go off-line over the next five years.
GLE's facility could support U.S. high-tech manufacturing employment by potentially creating hundreds of permanent engineering and support staff positions, as well as providing supply chain growth across the United States. During construction, the project could create more than 500 temporary trade jobs.
"Clearly, this is a major step forward in the commercial deployment of our advanced enrichment process after years of careful research," said Tammy Orr, president and CEO of GLE. "We believe the test loop will confirm that our Global Laser Enrichment process will offer customers a competitive source of diverse and secure enrichment to fuel the operating and expanding fleet of nuclear plants."
The test loop is designed to validate the commercial feasibility of the technology and advance the design of the equipment, facility and processes for the planned commercial production facility. While the results will be proprietary, Orr noted, "We are very encouraged with the results we have obtained to date and with the pace of our progress on Global Laser Enrichment."
GLE anticipates gleaning sufficient data from the test loop by the end of 2009 to decide whether to proceed with plans for a full-scale commercial enrichment facility. At that time, the company also would refine its projected schedule for bringing the plant online.
The start-up of the test-loop comes less than a month after GLE announced it had completed its license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build the full-scale facility. The NRC's estimated 30-month application review process officially begins once the agency formally dockets, or accepts, the GLE application.
The proposed enrichment plant would be co-located with the existing nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities of Global Nuclear Fuel and the new plants and services business of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, headquartered in Wilmington, N.C.
If the decision is made to proceed with construction, the GLE commercial production facility would have a target capacity of 3.5 million to six million separative work units (SWUs). A SWU is a unit measuring the energy used to enrich uranium, which is then fabricated into fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants.
In 2006, GLE acquired the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the third-generation uranium enrichment technology globally through a license from Silex Systems Ltd. of Australia. In 2008, Cameco, one of the world's largest uranium producers, acquired a 24% ownership stake in GLE.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (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.
About Cameco Corporation
Cameco, with its head office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is one of the world's largest uranium producers. The company's uranium products are used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants around the world, providing one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Cameco's shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
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Soteryx Corporation
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Masto Public Relations
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