To ensure the long-term sustainability of nuclear power, optimizing fuel efficiency and developing safer, more robust fuels are key priorities. A new IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP) will further work on advanced nuclear fuels through testing, analysis and international cooperation. The project builds on an earlier IAEA research effort that supported the development and deployment of safer and more efficient nuclear fuels for both the current reactor fleet and advanced reactors expected to be deployed in the near future.
The project responds to growing international interest in fuels that offer improved performance, better fuel cycle economics and the capability to safely operate under a wider range of reactor conditions.
It will address the call from industry experts for enhanced analytical tools and data harmonization in this area. The new project will address issues related to fuel utilization in small modular reactors, accident-related conditions and the operation of high-burnup fuels.
