Westinghouse Electric Company and Ansaldo Nucleare signed a new cooperation agreement to develop the next-generation nuclear power plant based on Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) technology.
Under this new agreement, the two companies will advance a common design to maximize synergies, combine experience in design, testing and licensing, and align respective partner and supply chain organizations. The agreement builds upon development activities already underway in the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, and Romania, where more than ten state-of-the-art, lead-based test facilities are being installed.
The LFR technology combines the use of liquid lead as a coolant, high-temperature operation, and fast neutron spectrum with engineering solutions promoting design simplicity and robustness. The objective is step change performance improvement relative to traditional nuclear technology, including enhanced economics, market versatility beyond electricity and improved sustainability.
For more than 40 years, Westinghouse and Ansaldo Nucleare have worked together to develop advanced Light Water Reactor technology through the AP600 and AP1000® plant projects.
Ansaldo Nucleare, based in Gerona, Italy, is the premier Italian company in the civil nuclear sector, with over fifty years international experience in delivering technological and innovation excellence. The company together with Ansaldo Nuclear in UK represent the nuclear arm of Ansaldo Energia Group, a leading player in the power generation sector with a total awarded projects of more than 200 GW completed in 90 countries worldwide.
(Source and image: Westinghouse – Image: Westinghouse LFR project)