Advanced nuclear technology company Oklo has announced the start of construction of a fuel recycling plant in Tennessee, marking the first progress toward an advanced fuel center project valued at up to $1.68 billion.
A nuclear fuel recycling project
Strategically located in the Oak Ridge area, the new facility will be the first of its kind in the country. In addition, it is intended to process used nuclear fuel into a reusable to upgrade it into a reusable resource to fuel fast reactors such as those developed by Oklo under its Aurora design.
Oklo has initiated discussions with the Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA) to evaluate possible collaborations in spent fuel recycling and energy supply. This would be the first time a U.S. public entity has considered revaluing its own spent fuel using modern electrochemical techniques. At the same time, the company has made progress with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with a view to producing metallic fuel early in the next decade.
This project is expected to create more than 800 highly skilled jobs, cementing Tennessee as a hub in the new era of nuclear energy. nuclear energy energy era. With more than 94,000 metric tons of used fuel stored in the country, Oklo’s initiative could turn an environmental liability into a strategic energy source.
Support for nuclear innovation has been a constant in recent U.S. energy policy. In this context, the Oklo recycling plant aligns with the goals of strengthening the domestic nuclear industry, modernizing regulations and ensuring access to cutting-edge advanced fission technologies.
Source and photo: Oklo
