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Predictions: powering nuclear energy with spent fuel

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Financial Times or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The recycling industry, traditionally focused on conventional materials, is now entering the realm of nuclear energy 
Companies like Newcleo in the UK and Copenhagen Atomics in Denmark are at the forefront, developing innovative reactor designs that can effectively utilize recycled nuclear fuel, tapping into a significant unused energy potential

🔭 The context: Nuclear fuel retains over 90% of its energy even after five years of usage in reactors, according to the US Office of Nuclear Energy 
This underutilized resource, if recycled, could significantly mitigate the challenges of nuclear waste disposal 
Additionally, it reduces reliance on uranium imports, particularly from politically sensitive sources like Kazakhstan, enhancing energy security

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The adoption of recycled nuclear fuel presents a major step towards sustainable energy practices 

⏭️ What's next: The economic feasibility of recycled nuclear fuel is a crucial factor for its widespread adoption 
Companies are striving to make this technology cost-competitive, aiming to achieve a levelized cost of energy that is lower than that of new nuclear projects, such as the UK's Hinkley Point C 
This involves overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles to make recycled fuel a viable alternative in the energy market

💬 One quote: "Nuclear power fans need patience" (Roula Khalaf, author)

📈 One stat: France's utilization of recycled fuel, which constitutes about 10% of its nuclear electricity production, serves as a significant example of how recycled nuclear material can be effectively used in energy generation

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