Latest news with #ExperimentalBreederReactorII
Sustainability Times
06-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Reactor Has a Mind Now': U.S. Nuclear Plants Given Digital Twins That Predict Failures Before They Even Exist
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed advanced digital twins for nuclear reactors, enhancing safety and efficiency. for nuclear reactors, enhancing safety and efficiency. 🔍 Built upon graph neural networks , these digital twins offer rapid and accurate predictions of reactor behavior under various conditions. , these digital twins offer rapid and accurate predictions of reactor behavior under various conditions. 💡 The technology has been successfully applied to both the Experimental Breeder Reactor II and the new generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor. 🔧 Digital twins enable continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance, potentially leading to lower operating costs and paving the way for autonomous operations. In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have introduced advanced digital twins for nuclear reactors—a transformative technology that promises to enhance reactor efficiency, predictive maintenance, and overall safety. Built upon the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, these dynamic virtual replicas simulate physical reactors, enabling unprecedented improvements in operational capabilities. With these digital twins, scientists can now monitor and predict the behavior of reactors under various conditions, paving the way for more efficient and safer nuclear energy production. This article delves into the technology's intricate details and its potential to revolutionize the nuclear energy landscape. Harnessing the Power of Graph Neural Networks The digital twin technology developed at Argonne is underpinned by graph neural networks (GNNs), a state-of-the-art AI framework adept at processing complex, interconnected data. These networks are uniquely suited to replicate the intricate systems within a nuclear reactor. By preserving the layout of reactor systems and embedding fundamental physics laws, GNN-based digital twins offer a robust and accurate replica of real systems. This capability allows for rapid predictions of reactor behavior under various conditions, significantly outperforming traditional simulation methods. Rui Hu, Argonne principal nuclear engineer and a key figure in the project, emphasizes that this technology marks a significant step towards understanding and managing advanced nuclear reactors. 'Our digital twin technology enables us to predict and respond to changes with the required speed and accuracy,' he states. The ability to swiftly simulate different scenarios enhances the reactor's operational readiness, ensuring that safety protocols are always one step ahead of potential issues. 'Ukraine to Restart Nuclear Power in Chernobyl': This Shocking Mini-Reactor Plan Sends Global Shockwaves Through Energy and Safety Circles Proven Success with Experimental and New Reactor Designs The Argonne team has successfully applied their digital twin methodology to both historical and new reactor designs. A notable application was the creation of digital twins for the now-inactive Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II), which served as a crucial test case for validating their simulation models. Furthermore, they have extended this approach to a new design, the generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (gFHR). This successful application highlights the versatility and reliability of their technology. By leveraging vast datasets from Argonne's System Analysis Module (SAM), the AI models are trained to predict reactor behavior swiftly. The trained model can make accurate predictions based on limited real-time sensor data, supporting better planning and decision-making. The speed and accuracy of GNN-based digital twins are remarkable, significantly reducing the time required for simulations and potentially lowering maintenance and operating costs. 'Russia Deploys Floating Nuclear Beast': New 75-Megawatt Reactor Powers World's Largest Icebreaker Through Arctic Fury Ensuring Safety and Operational Efficiency The implications of digital twin technology for nuclear reactor safety and efficiency are profound. These digital replicas can continuously monitor reactors, detecting anomalies and suggesting changes to maintain optimal safety and operation. This proactive capability is expected to lead to significant reductions in maintenance and operating costs, providing more reliable predictions by understanding how all reactor parts work together. Argonne's digital twin technology offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, fostering a deeper understanding of reactor dynamics. By simulating various operational scenarios, the system can recommend adjustments to prevent potential issues before they arise. This level of foresight is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of nuclear reactors, ultimately contributing to a safer and more sustainable energy future. 'China Moves Decades Ahead': World's First Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactor Set to Eclipse U.S. Efforts by 2030 The Future: Autonomous Reactor Operations The potential future applications of digital twin technology are vast and exciting. Beyond immediate safety and efficiency improvements, this technology could enhance emergency planning and enable more informed real-time decision-making by operators. Perhaps most intriguingly, it could pave the way for autonomous reactor operations. The development of such capabilities utilized the processing power of the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility, underscoring the collaborative effort required to advance nuclear technology. As the nuclear energy sector continues to evolve, this innovation represents a significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced reactors. By ensuring they operate safely, reliably, and efficiently, while reducing costs and extending component life, digital twins hold the promise of transforming how we harness nuclear energy. What does the future hold for the integration of AI-driven technologies in other critical sectors? 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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Argonne's Virtual Models Pave the Way for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
LEMONT, Ill., May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digital twins are virtual replicas of real-world systems, offering transformative potential across various fields. At the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, researchers have developed digital twin technology to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and safety of nuclear reactors. This technology leverages advanced computer models and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict reactor behavior, aiding operators in making real-time decisions. According to Rui Hu, an Argonne principal nuclear engineer, this digital twin technology marks a significant advancement in understanding and managing advanced nuclear reactors. It enables rapid and accurate predictions and responses to changes in reactor conditions. Digital twins allow scientists to monitor and predict the behavior of small modular reactors and microreactors under different conditions. The Argonne team applied their methodology to create digital twins for two types of nuclear reactors: the now-inactive Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and a new type, the generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (gFHR). The EBR-II digital twin served as a test case to validate the simulation models. The core of this digital twin technology is graph neural networks (GNNs), a type of AI that processes data structured as graphs, representing interconnected components. GNNs excel at recognizing complex patterns and connections, offering powerful insights into systems where relationships are crucial. By preserving the layout of reactor systems and embedding fundamental physics laws, GNN-based digital twins provide a robust and accurate replica of real systems. The researchers utilized the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility, to train the GNN and perform uncertainty quantification, which involves identifying and reducing uncertainty in models. GNN-based digital twins are significantly faster than traditional simulations, quickly predicting reactor behavior during various scenarios, such as changes in power output or cooling system performance. They achieve this by training on simulation data from Argonne's System Analysis Module (SAM), a tool for analyzing advanced nuclear reactors. The trained model can make accurate predictions based on limited real-time sensor data, supporting better planning and decision-making, and potentially reducing maintenance and operating costs. Additionally, digital twins can continuously monitor reactors to detect anomalies. If unusual behavior is detected, the system can suggest changes to maintain safety and smooth operation. Argonne's digital twin technology offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, providing more reliable predictions by understanding how all reactor parts work together. It can be used for emergency planning, informed decision-making, and potentially autonomous reactor operation in the future. This innovation represents a significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, ensuring they operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while reducing costs and extending component life. View source version on Contacts Christopher J. KramerHead of Media RelationsArgonne National LaboratoryOffice: 630.252.5580Email: media@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
Argonne's Virtual Models Pave the Way for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
LEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Digital twins are virtual replicas of real-world systems, offering transformative potential across various fields. At the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, researchers have developed digital twin technology to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and safety of nuclear reactors. This technology leverages advanced computer models and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict reactor behavior, aiding operators in making real-time decisions. 'Our digital twin technology introduces a significant step toward understanding and managing advanced nuclear reactors, enabling us to predict and respond to changes with the required speed and accuracy.' — Rui Hu, Argonne principal nuclear engineer Share According to Rui Hu, an Argonne principal nuclear engineer, this digital twin technology marks a significant advancement in understanding and managing advanced nuclear reactors. It enables rapid and accurate predictions and responses to changes in reactor conditions. Digital twins allow scientists to monitor and predict the behavior of small modular reactors and microreactors under different conditions. The Argonne team applied their methodology to create digital twins for two types of nuclear reactors: the now-inactive Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and a new type, the generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (gFHR). The EBR-II digital twin served as a test case to validate the simulation models. The core of this digital twin technology is graph neural networks (GNNs), a type of AI that processes data structured as graphs, representing interconnected components. GNNs excel at recognizing complex patterns and connections, offering powerful insights into systems where relationships are crucial. By preserving the layout of reactor systems and embedding fundamental physics laws, GNN-based digital twins provide a robust and accurate replica of real systems. The researchers utilized the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), a DOE Office of Science user facility, to train the GNN and perform uncertainty quantification, which involves identifying and reducing uncertainty in models. GNN-based digital twins are significantly faster than traditional simulations, quickly predicting reactor behavior during various scenarios, such as changes in power output or cooling system performance. They achieve this by training on simulation data from Argonne's System Analysis Module (SAM), a tool for analyzing advanced nuclear reactors. The trained model can make accurate predictions based on limited real-time sensor data, supporting better planning and decision-making, and potentially reducing maintenance and operating costs. Additionally, digital twins can continuously monitor reactors to detect anomalies. If unusual behavior is detected, the system can suggest changes to maintain safety and smooth operation. Argonne's digital twin technology offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, providing more reliable predictions by understanding how all reactor parts work together. It can be used for emergency planning, informed decision-making, and potentially autonomous reactor operation in the future. This innovation represents a significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, ensuring they operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while reducing costs and extending component life.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklo Supports Executive Orders to Advance U.S. Nuclear Energy Leadership and Fuel Security
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), an advanced nuclear technology company, issued a statement of support in response to the White House's release of a series of executive orders focused on speeding up approval and adoption of advanced nuclear, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), restoring the domestic nuclear supply chain, and overhauling testing and licensing processes for advanced nuclear. As part of the announcement, Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte joined President Trump at the White House alongside other industry leaders. The event marked a historic moment in the administration's effort to secure America's energy future and unleash American energy dominance. "These executive orders are about enabling deployment. They show clear alignment around the need to modernize how we license, fuel, and build advanced nuclear power to meet rising demand," said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. The executive orders direct agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to operate more effectively as both customers and enablers of new energy technologies. Oklo supports efforts to empower the DOE, DoD, and NRC to use existing authorities more efficiently and to prioritize performance-based, mission-aligned reviews. Oklo is developing U.S. invented fast fission power plants capable of recycling used nuclear material and converting it into clean, firm power. The company is the only advanced nuclear developer with an active site use permit from the DOE, a fuel award through a competitive DOE and Idaho National Laboratory program, and active regulatory traction with the NRC for its first commercial power plant. The executive orders also emphasize the importance of using existing feedstock of domestic nuclear fuel feedstock to jump-start early projects and strengthen national energy resilience. Oklo's fuel award for its first core load is sourced from used nuclear fuel material from the successful Experimental Breeder Reactor II program. This DOE fast reactor demonstration operated for decades and proved the viability of both fast reactor technology and recycling used fuel. The company's power plants are designed to use either fresh High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium or recycled used nuclear material. The executive orders reaffirm the United States' strategic commitment to leading the world in advanced nuclear energy, a vision Oklo is advancing through its demonstrated technology and efforts to enable commercial deployment at scale. About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that express Oklo's opinions, expectations, objectives, beliefs, plans, intentions, strategies, assumptions, forecasts or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the benefits of the proposed acquisition, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo's future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the development and deployment of Oklo's powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; risks related to acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures we may engage in; the potential need for financing to construct plants; market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; risks related to accessing HALEU and recycled fuels; risks related to our supply chain; risks related to power purchase agreements; risks related to human capital; risks related to our intellectual property; risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries; the risk that the acquisition of Atomic Alchemy fails to produce the expected benefits; and those factors in the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Source: Oklo Inc. View source version on Contacts Media and Investor Contact for Oklo: Bonita Chester, Head of Communications and Media at media@ Investor Contact: Sam Doane, Director of Investor Relations at investors@
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklo Supports Executive Orders to Advance U.S. Nuclear Energy Leadership and Fuel Security
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), an advanced nuclear technology company, issued a statement of support in response to the White House's release of a series of executive orders focused on speeding up approval and adoption of advanced nuclear, reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), restoring the domestic nuclear supply chain, and overhauling testing and licensing processes for advanced nuclear. As part of the announcement, Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte joined President Trump at the White House alongside other industry leaders. The event marked a historic moment in the administration's effort to secure America's energy future and unleash American energy dominance. "These executive orders are about enabling deployment. They show clear alignment around the need to modernize how we license, fuel, and build advanced nuclear power to meet rising demand," said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. The executive orders direct agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to operate more effectively as both customers and enablers of new energy technologies. Oklo supports efforts to empower the DOE, DoD, and NRC to use existing authorities more efficiently and to prioritize performance-based, mission-aligned reviews. Oklo is developing U.S. invented fast fission power plants capable of recycling used nuclear material and converting it into clean, firm power. The company is the only advanced nuclear developer with an active site use permit from the DOE, a fuel award through a competitive DOE and Idaho National Laboratory program, and active regulatory traction with the NRC for its first commercial power plant. The executive orders also emphasize the importance of using existing feedstock of domestic nuclear fuel feedstock to jump-start early projects and strengthen national energy resilience. Oklo's fuel award for its first core load is sourced from used nuclear fuel material from the successful Experimental Breeder Reactor II program. This DOE fast reactor demonstration operated for decades and proved the viability of both fast reactor technology and recycling used fuel. The company's power plants are designed to use either fresh High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium or recycled used nuclear material. The executive orders reaffirm the United States' strategic commitment to leading the world in advanced nuclear energy, a vision Oklo is advancing through its demonstrated technology and efforts to enable commercial deployment at scale. About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale; establishing a domestic supply chain for critical radioisotopes; and advancing nuclear fuel recycling to convert nuclear waste into clean energy. Oklo was the first to receive a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy for a commercial advanced fission plant, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, and submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Oklo is also developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that express Oklo's opinions, expectations, objectives, beliefs, plans, intentions, strategies, assumptions, forecasts or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the benefits of the proposed acquisition, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo's future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the development and deployment of Oklo's powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; risks related to acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures we may engage in; the potential need for financing to construct plants; market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; risks related to accessing HALEU and recycled fuels; risks related to our supply chain; risks related to power purchase agreements; risks related to human capital; risks related to our intellectual property; risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries; the risk that the acquisition of Atomic Alchemy fails to produce the expected benefits; and those factors in the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Source: Oklo Inc. View source version on Contacts Media and Investor Contact for Oklo: Bonita Chester, Head of Communications and Media at media@ Investor Contact: Sam Doane, Director of Investor Relations at investors@ Sign in to access your portfolio
