Climate Insider Brief:
- The two companies have partnered to develop floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) using Westinghouse’s eVinci™ microreactor, which is compact, factory-built, and equipped with heat pipe technology, making it ideal for maritime and coastal applications.
- FNPPs provide clean and reliable energy for remote coastal areas, islands, and offshore industries.
- This partnership advances the adoption of innovative nuclear technologies, complementing renewable energy systems and addressing energy needs in remote locations while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Westinghouse Electric Company and CORE POWER have formalized a cooperative agreement to design and develop floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs), leveraging the innovative eVinci™ microreactor and its heat pipe technology. This partnership aims to create scalable and flexible energy solutions for maritime and coastal applications where traditional energy infrastructure is limited.
Advancing Nuclear Innovation for Maritime Applications
The FNPPs will integrate Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor, a compact, factory-built reactor that delivers carbon-free energy with minimal maintenance. The design is tailored for deployment in remote coastal areas, islands, and offshore locations, providing a reliable alternative to fossil fuels.
Jon Ball, President of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration:
“With this groundbreaking agreement, we will demonstrate the viability of the eVinci technology for innovative use cases where power is needed in remote locations or areas with land limitations. Our partnership with CORE POWER brings the unique advantages of eVinci microreactors to maritime and coastal applications, potentially paving the way for future disaster relief efforts.”
CORE POWER CEO Mikal Bøe emphasized the broader implications of this partnership:
“There’s no net-zero without nuclear. A long series of identical turnkey power plants using Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor delivered by sea creates a real opportunity to scale nuclear as the perfect solution to meet the rapidly growing demand for clean, flexible, and reliable electricity delivered on time and on budget.”
The Role of Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs)
FNPPs offer a mobile and adaptable solution to deliver electricity and heat to locations with constrained land resources or remote access. Applications include:
- Electricity supply for islands, coastal regions, and offshore industries.
- Decarbonization of heavy industries, such as oil, gas, and mining.
- Supporting green initiatives, including hydrogen production, desalination, and district heating.
The concept is gaining traction globally, with nations like the U.S., Canada, Russia, and South Korea advancing marine-based small modular reactor (SMR) designs. Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s first operational FNPP, has been supplying energy since 2020, demonstrating the feasibility of this technology.
Westinghouse’s eVinci™ Microreactor: A Game Changer
The eVinci microreactor stands out for its advanced features, including:
- Heat Pipe Technology: This ensures passive heat transfer without complex coolant systems, enhancing safety and reducing maintenance.
- Compact Design: The reactor is fully factory-built and shipped in a container, enabling rapid deployment to remote or constrained sites.
- Versatile Applications: From powering coastal communities to enabling hydrogen production, the eVinci reactor supports diverse clean energy needs.
Each reactor prevents up to 55,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, significantly aiding net-zero goals. The eVinci microreactor also integrates seamlessly with renewable energy systems, stabilizing power grids and enhancing reliability.
CORE POWER: Driving Maritime Nuclear Energy
CORE POWER specializes in delivering advanced nuclear solutions for maritime and industrial sectors. Their FNPP designs leverage molten salt reactors (MSRs) and other advanced technologies to provide dependable, sustainable energy. Key applications include:
- Green hydrogen production: Supporting decarbonized transport and industrial processes.
- Desalination: Providing sustainable fresh water supplies for coastal and arid regions.
- Energy security: Enhancing resilience in remote and maritime settings.
A Vision for a Cleaner Energy Future
This collaboration between Westinghouse and CORE POWER represents a pivotal step toward scaling nuclear energy as a clean, flexible, and reliable power source. By focusing on maritime and coastal use cases, the partnership expands nuclear’s role in achieving global net-zero targets while addressing energy and water challenges in remote regions.
With floating nuclear power plants poised to transform the energy landscape, the potential applications—from disaster relief to industrial decarbonization—illustrate the innovation’s far-reaching impact.
For further details, visit Westinghouse Electric Company and CORE POWER.
Source: Carbon Credits
Featured Image: Credit: Carbon Credits
