Key Issues
New Reactor Designs
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has certified several reactor designs as meeting all safety requirements, and the agency expects to certify two more designs in the near term.
Near-Term Advanced Nuclear Plant Designs
The nuclear industry has developed several advanced reactor designs that can be ready to meet U.S. generating needs by 2015.AREVA U.S. EPR
The U.S. EPR is 1,600-megawatt pressurized water reactor. AREVA submitted this design to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in December 2007 for review and certification.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Advanced Boiling Water Reactor
The ABWR is a 1,350- to 1,600-megawatt boiling water reactor. The NRC has certified the design.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy ESBWR
The ESBWR is a 1,520-megawatt boiling water reactor. The NRC is reviewing this design and expects to issue certification in 2009.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. US-APWR
The US-APWR is a 1,700-megawatt pressurized water reactor. Mitsubishi submitted this design to the NRC for review and certification in December 2007.
Westinghouse AP1000
The AP1000 is a 1,117-1,154 megawatt pressurized water reactor. The NRC has certified the design.
Longer-Term Advanced Nuclear Plant Designs
The industry also is developing highly advanced new reactors based on new technologies. Some could be ready for commercial use in the United States by the end of the next decade, while others are not likely to be available before 2030.AREVA Antares
AREVA based the design for the Antares on the concept of a gas-cooled (helium) reactor. The company is developing the design in the context of the International Generation IV Forum.
General Atomics Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR)
The GT-MHR is a high-temperature reactor with advanced gas turbine technology.
Hyperion Power Generation Hyperion Power Module (HPG)
The HPG is a 25-megawatt reactor about the size of a hot tub. Company officials say the module's initial application is likely to be in oil shale fields.
NuScale Power Inc. NuScale Reactor
The NuScale is a 45-megawatt reactor. The company plans to apply for NRC design certification in 2010.
Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Ltd. PBMR
The PBMR is a high-temperature reactor with a closed-cycle, gas turbine power conversion system.
Toshiba 4S (Super-Safe, Small and Simple)
The 4S is a 10-megawatt reactor. Toshiba plans to apply for NRC design certification in 2009.
Westinghouse-Led Consortium International Partnership International Reactor Innovative and Secure (IRIS)
The IRIS is a modular, light-water reactor design, with each module capable of producing between 100 and 300 megawatts.