In latest Indiana power plant proposal, parties to explore CANDU reactors

Indiana, the Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, and Montreal-based nuclear engineering company AtkinsRéalis have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner up and explore the feasibility of an Indiana nuclear power plant with up to eight CANDU reactors. If deployed, the nuclear facility could provide up to 6 GW of new nuclear capacity.

This announcement is just the latest in a flurry of nuclear power-related developments involving Indiana, a state that seems intent on adding nuclear to its energy portfolio. The news was announced on the same day Amazon, X-energy, and American Electric Power made headlines for exploring the feasibility of a power plant in the western part of the state featuring 12 Xe-100 reactors. While some Indiana customers do receive power from the Cook power plant in Michigan, the state does not have any power-producing nuclear reactors within its boundaries.

About this project: According to AtkinsRéalis, the MOU commences and facilitates discussions on how to deploy CANDU reactors in Indiana. CANDU (Canada deuterium uranium) reactors are unlike the light-water reactors found in the U.S. fleet. These pressurized heavy-water reactors use deuterium as a moderator. They can be fueled while on line, thus avoiding lengthy refueling outages. They also eliminate enrichment costs as they can be fueled with natural uranium, but require heavy water, which is not produced in the United States. There are 34 CANDU reactors in four continents, AtkinsRéalis said.

High-ranking officials of the three parties welcomed the opportunity to explore CANDU reactor technology in Indiana.

"Ensuring affordable electricity and high-wage opportunities for Indiana's skilled workforce are top priorities," Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement. "By exploring this technology, we're evaluating a path to deliver more affordable power while creating the kind of long-term, skilled jobs that strengthen Hoosier communities."

"Hoosier Energy supports an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy and regularly evaluates technologies and generation resources that may help provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in the future," added Hoosier Energy President/CEO Donna Walker. Hoosier Energy supports more than 700,000 member-customers in central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois. "Through this MOU, Hoosier Energy is pleased to offer our expertise as part of early discussions to evaluate whether advanced nuclear energy could be an option worth considering."

According to the announcement, a multi-unit option would "provide opportunities to benefit from standardized design and repeatable construction, while supporting a sustained skilled workforce and long-term domestic supply chain. The evaluation also considers the construction of several smaller scale gas turbine simple cycle or combine[d] cycle plants in advance of the nuclear plants to accelerate the power deployment. It would also leverage the opportunities of gas-to-nuclear conversion at retired or retiring generation sites. The technology assessment will evaluate how these benefits could be delivered across multiple sites and communities while supporting reliable service and competitive electricity costs."

When such a project could come to fruition is unknown, as the announcement provided few details. Any project timeline ultimately will depend on site selection; financing; regulatory, licensing, and environmental reviews; and other components. Furthermore, the three parties said they will have to conduct "meaningful engagement" with community members, elected officials, property owners, businesses, and others.

AtkinsRéalis already has made inroads to deploy nuclear reactors in the state, having entered into a strategic alliance with Indianapolis-based start-up First American Nuclear (FANCO) this spring to develop, test, and license FANCO's EAGL-1, a liquid metal fast-spectrum reactor design using lead-bismuth coolant. And not too long after, AtkinsRéalis submitted a letter of intent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it would begin the licensing process of its CANDU reactor technology. The company also has an office in Indianapolis.

Other Indiana news: Monday's announcements regarding potential nuclear power plants in Indiana dwarfed other nuclear-related developments coming out of the Midwestern state. For instance, the Indiana Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program-introduced last summer-has begun taking applications from interested communities that have demonstrated initiative to advance new nuclear development. Indiana officials have touted this program as being the first of its kind as communities receive one of three designations: Nuclear Aware/Tier 1, Nuclear Prepared/Tier 2, and Nuclear Ready/Tier 3. Each tier carries with it greater responsibility and greater opportunity for state and federal resources, according to the program website. Tier advancement is allowed as long as the applicant submits the required documentation.

And also on Monday, Purdue University announced that Seungjin Kim will be the university's first chief nuclear officer. In this role, he will be expected to "lead the university's research and workforce development efforts in support of state and national needs," Purdue said. Kim currently is the Capt. James F. McCarthy, Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy Head of Purdue's School of Nuclear Engineering. He also is the director of Purdue's PUR-1 research reactor, the first U.S. nuclear reactor fully controlled and operated digitally.