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Firefly Aerospace to Fly Zeno Power Radioisotope Heater to Validate Lunar Night Survival Capability

Firefly Aerospace announced on August 19 that it has reached a commercial payload agreement with Zeno Power Systems to carry Zeno's Lunar Night Survival Package and radioisotope heater unit on a Blue Ghost lunar lander mission. The mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028 and aims to verify whether the relevant nuclear power technologies can help spacecraft, lunar infrastructure, and future lunar base systems continue operating through the long, extremely cold lunar night environment. *Rendering of Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander with Zeno Power's Lunar Night Survival Package on its top deck. Under the plan, Zeno's payload will travel with Blue Ghost to the lunar nearside...

2026-08-20

Trial lifting of damaged fuel assembly completed at Unit 2 of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) announced on August 18 that a trial lifting of a damaged fuel assembly in the spent fuel pool of Unit 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has been completed. The assembly was damaged in a fall 45 years ago and was subsequently repaired with wire. This trial lifting was conducted to confirm whether it can be safely handled during the subsequent removal operation. A total of 615 fuel assemblies are stored in the Unit 2 fuel pool, including 587 spent fuel assemblies and 28 unused fuel assemblies. The removal work began on June 2, and the fuel assemblies will be transferred to the shared fuel pool within the plant site. As of August 17, 35 fuel assemblies had been removed. Despite interruptions during the operation, Tokyo Electric Power Company...

2026-08-20

Full-Scope Simulator for Units 1 & 2 of Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant Officially Put into Operation

On August 19, the commissioning ceremony for the full-scope simulator of Units 1 & 2 of Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant was held in the simulator main control room. Chen Jin, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Liaoning Nuclear Power, and Zhang Xiong, General Manager and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, attended the ceremony. Gao Shunlong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of CNNC Wuhan, was invited to attend. The ceremony was presided over by Li Zhusan, Deputy General Manager of Liaoning Nuclear Power. At the ceremony site, attendees jointly watched a video reviewing the simulator construction process, and leaders from both sides jointly unveiled the plaque for the "CAP Simulator Training Center." Gao Shunlong stated that the commissioning of the simulator is an important milestone in project construction and also a brand-new starting point. CNNC Wuhan will make every effort to ensure simulator operation and maintenance support as well as optimization and upgrades, and will take this opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of cooperation with Liaoning Nuclear Power, jointly promoting high-quality project construction.

2026-08-20

First Concrete Pour Launched for Conventional Island of Jinqimen Nuclear Power Unit 2

At 22:16 on August 18, Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power construction reached another key milestone as the first concrete pour (FCD) for the raft foundation slab of the turbine generator building in the conventional island of Unit 2 was officially launched, marking the full commencement of the main construction of the conventional island of Jinqimen Nuclear Power Unit 2 and the project's official entry into the civil construction phase. The raft foundation slab being poured, as the core load-bearing structure of the conventional island, is a variable-cross-section, super-large-volume, waterproof and impermeable special concrete structure, and is the core section with the largest volume, most critical working conditions, and highest precision requirements among the conventional island raft foundation structures. This construction involves long continuous operation hours, stringent temperature control and crack prevention requirements, and significant construction organization challenges. To ensure the safe and high-quality completion of the project, CNNC Zheneng fully demonstrated the "owner" spirit, played the "backbone" role, and shouldered the "main force" responsibility, jointly establishing a dedicated technical task force with construction and supervision units, building on the mature FCD construction experience of Conventional Island Unit 1 to comprehensively optimize the raft construction process for Conventional Island Unit 2, strictly adhering to the highest quality standards and safety regulations for nuclear power construction.

2026-08-20

General Fusion Announces Business Update: LM26 Plasma Heated to Approximately 0.72 keV

General Fusion released a business update on August 18, disclosing its latest progress in fusion energy technology validation, commercial partnerships, and financing arrangements. The company went public on Nasdaq in July 2026 under the ticker symbol GFUZ. General Fusion stated that it entered the public market with approximately $150 million in cash following the completion of its business combination with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. III. The funds include net transaction proceeds from private placement and trust capital, and are planned to support the Lawson Machine 26 (LM26) project and drive the completion of multiple...

2026-08-19

US Oak Ridge National Laboratory Advances Radioisotope Nuclear Battery Development

On August 17, 2026, the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory stated that its nuclear battery program is advancing the development of radioisotope power systems to meet the demand for stable, long-life power sources in deep space exploration, long-term power supply in remote areas, and national security-related scenarios. NASA's Perseverance Mars rover poses with several of the 10 sample tubes it placed in a sample depot it established in a region of Jezero Crater called "Three Forks." The rover's radioisotope thermoelectric generator is powered by a nuclear battery. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Nuclear batteries generate electricity from the energy released by the decay of radioisotopes, making them suitable for environments such as the seafloor, remote deserts, and extraterrestrial surfaces where maintenance is difficult and continuous power supply is needed for years or even decades.

2026-08-19

Argonne National Laboratory's Nuclear Energy Operations Optimization Software Named Finalist for 2026 R&D 100 Awards

On August 18, 2026, multiple research projects from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory received recognition in the 2026 R&D 100 Awards. Among them, the open-source software FARM, directly related to nuclear energy system operations, was named a finalist, standing out as a noteworthy nuclear energy technology achievement among this year's winners and finalists. FARM stands for Feasible Actuator Range Modifier, jointly developed by Argonne National Laboratory and DOE's Idaho National Laboratory, with NuCube Energy Inc. as a collaborating partner. The software targets complex energy sy...

2026-08-19

Shimane Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 Resumes Power Generation

Chugoku Electric Power Co. reported on August 19 that Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Station resumed power generation at 2:00 p.m. that day through generator synchronization and began supplying electricity to the grid. Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Station uses a boiling water reactor with a rated generating capacity of 820,000 kilowatts. Chugoku Electric Power Co. stated that it will prioritize safety, conduct comprehensive inspections of equipment operating conditions, and prepare for the unit to resume commercial operation as scheduled on September 16. ...

2026-08-19

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 2 Achieves First Full Year of Continuous Operation

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit 2 (RAPS-2) achieved one full year of continuous operation on August 15, 2026. This marks the first time the unit has completed a full year of uninterrupted operation since it was commissioned, coinciding with India's 80th Independence Day. RAPS-2 is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and is one of the oldest pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) units still in operation by the company. This milestone of one full year of continuous operation is regarded as a significant reflection of the unit's operational management and equipment maintenance standards. Relevant information indicates that this operational record reflects the sustained commitment of Units 1 and 2 at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in safety culture, aging management, technical support, and operational organization, and also demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the on-site operations, maintenance, engineering, and support teams in ensuring stable unit operation.

2026-08-19

Urenco USA Breaks Ground on National Enrichment Facility Expansion, Plans to Add 2.1 Million SWU Capacity

On August 18, local time, Urenco USA held a groundbreaking ceremony in Eunice, New Mexico, United States, to launch the future expansion of its commercial uranium enrichment facility. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Urenco Group Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht, and company management attended the ceremony. Urenco USA is the only commercial-scale uranium enrichment producer in the United States, operating the National Enrichment Facility (NEF). The company announced in June this year that it would increase the facility's capacity by nearly 50%. This expansion is part of a multi-billion-dollar investment, with plans to build a new...

2026-08-19

Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 Completes Installation of Four Main Pump Sets

The four main pump sets of the technical water supply system at the onshore pumping station of Unit 2 at Turkey's Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant have been installed. Specialists from TITAN-2 Holding completed the installation, marking new progress in the construction of the turbine island cooling system for this unit. These large centrifugal pumps will be used to deliver seawater to the condenser cooling system of the turbine units. Once the unit is in operation, the continuous and stable operation of the pump sets will directly affect the cooling efficiency of the turbine hall equipment and influence the operational stability of the turbine units. According to reports, these pump sets are among the larger pump equipment at the nuclear power plant, with each pump standing as tall as a five-story building. The equipment is arranged in a tiered layout, with the pump bodies...

2026-08-19

South Korea Has Not Yet Decided Whether to Include New Nuclear Power in the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand

South Korea's Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, Kim Sung-hwan, said during a meeting with reporters at the Sejong Government Complex on August 18 that the government has not yet reached a conclusion on whether to include new nuclear power plants in the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand. Kim said that government policy cannot be determined solely by the personal will of the minister in charge, and it is not appropriate to make premature statements at this stage. He emphasized that related matters will be decided after going through the necessary deliberation process. Regarding whether nuclear power will be included in the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, the government plans to clarify the direction of discussion as soon as possible, including how public opinions will be reflected, how the review procedures involving experts and public participation will be structured, and what methods will be used to conduct debates or public discussions before the plan is released...

2026-08-19

Kansai Electric says Rokkasho reprocessing plant delay does not change target of starting operation in fiscal 2027

On August 18, officials from Japan's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) and Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) visited the Aomori Prefectural Government to explain the construction and operation schedule of the spent fuel reprocessing plant under construction in Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture. The facility is a key project in Japan's nuclear fuel cycle system and is also listed as one of the receiving sites for spent fuel transported from nuclear power plants in Fukui Prefecture. Kansai Electric reiterated that even if the completion of the Rokkasho reprocessing plant is delayed from its original schedule within the current fiscal year, the target of starting operation within fiscal 2027 remains unchanged. The company stated that under the current spent fuel transport roadmap, the transport volume from fiscal 2028 onward is not expected to be significantly affected; if construction...

2026-08-19

Ikata Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 Decommissioning Phase 2 Plan Approved by Experts

An expert organization in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, regarding safety management at the Ikata Nuclear Power Station recently held a meeting to discuss the decommissioning plan for Unit 1 of the station. The report formed at the meeting deemed it appropriate for the unit to enter the second phase of decommissioning in fiscal year 2027. The meeting was convened by the Nuclear Safety Expert Subcommittee under the Ikata Nuclear Power Station Environmental Safety Management Committee. This committee is responsible for providing advice to the Governor of Ehime Prefecture on safety management at the Ikata Nuclear Power Station. At the meeting, eight academic experts reviewed the decommissioning plan for Unit 1. The decommissioning of Unit 1 at the Ikata Nuclear Power Station began in 2017 and is divided into four phases overall, planned to last approximately 40 years. Currently, the decommissioning work...

2026-08-19

Restart of Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 Delayed to August 19

Chugoku Electric Power announced that the restart of power generation at Shimane Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 has been postponed from the originally scheduled August 18 to August 19. Unit 2 of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant has been shut down since February this year for routine inspections. After approximately six months of inspections, the reactor was started on August 13, and power generation was originally planned to resume on August 18 after reaching criticality, the state of a sustainable nuclear fission chain reaction. On August 18, at a special committee meeting on Shimane Nuclear Power Plant measures held in Matsue City, Chugoku Electric Power explained that the restart of power generation was delayed by one day, mainly because the restart process requires careful progression and additional time is needed to confirm the status of related equipment...

2026-08-19