BETHESDA, Md. and CHICAGO, Dec. 14,
2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Centrus Energy Corp (NYSE-American:
LEU) President and CEO Daniel B.
Poneman today congratulated Clean Core Thorium Energy and
Texas A&M on successfully
fabricating the first sample pellets of a next-generation nuclear
fuel called ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life).
Centrus and Clean Core have been working together under a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier this year to
promote Clean Core's advanced nuclear fuel, which will combine
thorium with High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) produced by
Centrus.
Based on more than 15 years of research and design, the new
HALEU-Thorium ANEEL fuel is suitable for new and existing CANDU and
other Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). ANEEL can reduce
the amount of waste produced in CANDUs/PHWRs by more than 80
percent, minimizing waste management costs and safety concerns,
while offering nonproliferation benefits.
According to the World Nuclear Association, there are 48
CANDUs/PHWRs in operation worldwide, with a combined electric
generating capacity of 24 million kilowatts. The largest fleet of
such reactors is in Canada, where
19 CANDU PHWRs with a capacity of nearly 14 million kilowatts
supply 15 percent of the country's electricity. Since these
reactors currently operate on unenriched natural uranium, they
would potentially represent a new market for Centrus as well as
Clean Core Thorium Energy.
"Producing the first ANEEL test pellets is an important step
forward in the development of this new, advanced nuclear fuel,"
said Daniel B. Poneman, President
and CEO of Centrus Energy. "With a large fleet of PHWR reactors
already operating in Canada and
elsewhere, ANEEL could both accelerate and expand early demand for
HALEU in the next few years. We value our partnership with Clean
Core to support the commercialization of ANEEL and look forward to
the opportunity to become their long-term HALEU supplier."
"Working with Centrus Energy to promote our ANEEL advanced
nuclear fuel will help bring clean, reliable power within reach for
emerging countries that need it. Our innovative technology using
thorium and HALEU offers tremendous cost savings, safety, and
nonproliferation benefits for CANDU/PHWR-type nuclear power
plants," said Mehul Shah, CEO of
Clean Core Thorium Energy.
Clean Core plans to test and qualify ANEEL fuel at the Idaho
National Laboratory (INL) next year and expects to commercialize
the fuel by late 2024. Texas A&M
University's Nuclear Engineering and Science Center
successfully fabricated the ANEEL fuel samples under quality
requirements and supervision of INL.
Under the MOU signed earlier this year, Clean Core and Centrus
are collaborating to promote the use of ANEEL advanced nuclear fuel
in CANDU reactors around the world, together with other PHWRs.
While the initial test pellets being fabricated by Texas A&M are using a small quantity of HALEU
supplied by INL, Clean Core Thorium Energy plans to use HALEU from
Centrus for commercial-scale production of ANEEL fuel.
Under a three-year contract signed with the U.S. Department of
Energy in 2019, Centrus is constructing the first NRC-licensed
HALEU production line in Piketon, Ohio. Centrus has met every
contract milestone to date and is continuing its work under the
contract.
About Centrus Energy
Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and
services for the nuclear power industry. Centrus provides value to
its utility customers through the reliability and diversity of its
supply sources – helping them meet the growing need for clean,
affordable, carbon-free electricity. Since 1998, the Company has
provided its utility customers with more than 1,750 reactor years
of fuel, which is equivalent to 7 billion tons of coal. With
world-class technical and engineering capabilities, Centrus is also
advancing the next generation of centrifuge technologies so that
America can restore its domestic uranium enrichment capability in
the future. Find out more at www.centrusenergy.com.
About Clean Core Thorium Energy
Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) is a nuclear fuel innovation
company promoting thorium driven power. CCTE's patent-pending,
advanced nuclear fuel technology, ANEEL, comprised of thorium and
high assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), is capable of safely and
cost-effectively powering existing PHWR/CANDU reactors for the
nuclear power sector globally. ANEEL fuel is a revolutionary
solution to nuclear energy's safety, waste, and proliferation
concerns. CCTE entered the nuclear sector to provide clean, safe,
and abundant power where and when it's needed the most, offering a
ready solution for our world's growing power demand. Learn more at
https://cleancore.energy/.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release may contain statements that constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements by
their nature address matters that are, to different degrees,
uncertain. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be
relied upon as a predictor of actual results. Readers are urged to
carefully review and consider this press release and Centrus Energy
Corp.'s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2020. We do not
undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press
release, except as required by law.
Centrus Contacts:
Investors: Dan Leistikow (301)
564-3399 or LeistikowD@centrusenergy.com
Media: Lindsey Geisler (301)
564-3392 or GeislerLR@centrusenergy.com
Clean Core Media Contact:
Media: Stephen Dyke (678)
365-1756 or sdyke@fulloncom.com
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SOURCE Centrus Energy Corp.