No abstract

In February 2006 President Bush announced the Advanced Energy Initiative, which included the Department of Energy's (DOE) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). GNEP has seven broad goals, one of the major elements being to develop and deploy advanced nuclear fuel recycling technology. DOE is contemplating accelerating the deployment of these technologies to achieve the construction of a commercial scale application of these technologies. DOE now defines this approach as "…two simultaneous tracks: (1) deployment of commercial scale facilities for which advanced technologies are available now or in the near future and (2) further research and development of transmutation fuels technologies." GE believes an integrated technical solution is achievable in the near term to accelerate the commercial demonstration of GNEP infrastructure.The concept involves a single, integrated, commercial scale, recycling facility consisting of the Consolidated Fuel Treatment Center (CFTC), capable of processing LWR Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) and fabricating Advanced Burner Reactor (ABR) fuel. The integrated facility would include an ABR, capable of destroying TRU by using actinide-bearing fuel fabricated at the CFTC. For optimal performance, GE believes this integrated facility should be co-located to reduce transportation between the CFTC and ABR and enhance proliferation resistance. The Advanced Recycling Center takes advantage of previous investment in fast reactor technology research and development.This paper outlines a process and a schedule to deploy the necessary domestic infrastructure to achieve the goals of GNEP. It is recognized that there are many types of public private partnerships that could demonstrate the technologies to close the fuel cycle. It is important to acknowledge the realities in the marketplace when constructing an approach to advance nuclear technologies that can attain widespread commercial acceptance. Any advanced nuclear development program is expensive, particularly one not based on the established light water reactor technology.