The UK government has announced plans to create AI Growth Zones, starting in Culham, to boost technology growth and the AI ecosystem. The zones will feature improved electricity access and streamlined planning for data centers, with nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, as a potential power source. The project advances the UK's goal to become a clean energy superpower and has received support from major tech companies and the nuclear industry.
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Construction of six new nuclear reactors in France is slated to begin in 2027, but the project faces challenges. The Court of Auditors asserts that the supply chain is unprepared for such a large-scale construction effort due to ongoing uncertainties, particularly around financing. These issues could potentially delay the start of construction.
Texas is advancing its plans alleviate grid stress by integrating small modular reactors. State Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-District 7, emphasizes the need for reliable baseload energy and points to SMRs' smaller size and faster deployment compared to traditional reactors. The state aims to use the next three years for site surveys and production to facilitate the deployment of SMRs across Texas.
Artificial intelligence presents a huge opportunity for grid modernization and clean energy deployment in the US, says national climate adviser Ali Zaidi in this interview. Zaidi envisions federal, state and private stakeholders working together to scale clean power cost-effectively and in a way that supports data center development. "I don't see these objectives at cross purposes with one another. I actually see AI as an accelerant to our ambition on the electricity grid," says Zaidi.
The Treasury Department is racing to finalize guidance for clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Experts warn that the new administration could delay or overturn late-issued guidelines, such as those for tech-neutral production and hydrogen tax credits. The Congressional Review Act may also be used to repeal recent policies, adding uncertainty for developers seeking to finance new projects.
The global push for nuclear energy is gaining momentum, with countries and companies investing in both traditional and small modular reactors. However, managing radioactive waste produced by SMRs poses challenges and the uncertainty surrounding waste management solutions could impact their long-term viability and investor confidence
The Industrial Complex for Solid Radioactive Waste Management at Chernobyl has been approved for operation, marking a significant step in radioactive waste management. Funded mainly by the EU, the complex includes facilities for waste retrieval, processing, and storage. It encompasses four facilities integrated into a single technology cycle, handling various levels of radioactive waste with long-term storage capabilities.
China has identified a large uranium deposit in the Jingchuan area of the Ordos Basin near the Mongolian border. This discovery is expected to substantially increase China's uranium resources as the country continues to expand its nuclear power capabilities, with 56 operational plants and 29 more under construction.
The 2022 experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory marked a pivotal moment in fusion research by demonstrating ignition -- a fusion reaction that produced more energy than it consumed. Efforts are underway on multiple fronts to scale fusion as a clean energy source and private investment in the field has soared to more than $7 billion in recent years, but first some engineering obstacles must be overcome. Challenges include developing materials that can perform well under extreme conditions, producing sufficient tritium fuel and creating efficient laser systems.