Westinghouse Electric Company and Core Power have formalised a cooperative agreement for the design and development of a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP). The FNPP will make use of the eVinci microreactor.

FNPPs are a game-changing approach to deploying nuclear energy to islands, ports, coastal communities and industry. These innovative power plants can be centrally manufactured and easily transported to operation sites, combining advanced nuclear technology with shipyard efficiency.

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Operating for eight years before refuelling

As a highly transportable source of cost-competitive, reliable nuclear power, the eVinci microreactor is perfectly suited to FNPPs. The eVinci microreactor requires minimal maintenance and can operate for eight years at full power before refuelling, allowing for reliable long-term power generation at almost any location.

‘There’s no net-zero without nuclear,’ says Mikal Bøe, CEO of Core Power. ‘A long series of identical turnkey power plants using multiple installations of the Westinghouse 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. Our unique partnership with Westinghouse is a game changer for how customers buy nuclear energy.’

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Heat pipe technology

Under the agreement, Westinghouse and Core Power will advance the design of a FNPP using the eVinci microreactor and its heat pipe technology. Based on more than sixty years of proven use, heat pipe technology improves reliability while providing a simple, non-pressurised method of passively transferring heat.

Heat pipes in the eVinci microreactor transfer heat from the nuclear core to a power conversion system, eliminating the need for water cooling and the associated recirculation systems. In addition, the companies will collaborate to develop a regulatory approach to licensing FNPP systems.

Jon Ball, President of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse: ‘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 in areas with land limitations. We look forward to our partnership with Core Power, bringing the unique advantages of eVinci microreactors to maritime and coastal applications, potentially even paving the way for future disaster relief efforts.’

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Working as a battery, shipped in a container

The eVinci microreactor builds on decades of industry-leading Westinghouse innovation to bring carbon-free, safe and scalable energy wherever it is needed for a variety of applications, including providing reliable electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial clusters, data centres, and defence facilities, and soon the lunar surface and beyond.

The resilient eVinci microreactor has very few moving parts, working essentially as a battery, providing the versatility for power systems ranging from several kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity, delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week for eight-plus years without refuelling.

It can also produce high-temperature heat suitable for industrial applications, including alternative fuel production such as hydrogen, and has the flexibility to balance renewable output. The technology is factory-built and assembled before it is shipped in a container.

Picture: Westinghouse and Core Power are partnering for the design and development of a floating nuclear power plant using the industry-leading eVinci microreactor (floating nuclear power plant image by Core Power; eVinci Microreactor image by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC).

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