Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with General Atomics (GA), a renowned US provider of advanced technological solutions to work together on using cutting-edge technologies and materials for nuclear energy delivery.
Together, they will collaborate on projects that make use of ENEC’s expertise in creating novel nuclear structures and GA’s investments in cutting-edge non-light water reactors, material production, and 3D printing skills. In Houston, USA, at CERAWeek, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, ENEC and GA Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) will investigate joint venture prospects including many undertakings, such as the potential to employ GA-EMS’ SiGA cladding for nuclear reactor uses and Fast Modular Nuclear Reactor blueprints.
Existing light water reactors will be safer, more affordable, and have shorter outages thanks to silicon carbide cladding.
This novel material will be used for the Fast Modular Reactor (FMR) design, which is financed by the US Department of Energy, as well as other advanced or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that employ high temperatures to achieve high efficiency in the production of power.
The UAE’s designated nuclear energy developer, ENEC, is exploring all avenues of expansion to develop and improve the country’s nuclear energy industry. Large-scale reactors, SMRs, and advanced reactors are among the development, investment, and collaboration projects that ENEC is now reviewing in order to produce clean electrons and molecules, such as steam, hydrogen, and ammonia, and supply process heat for a range of sectors.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of ENEC, observed that, “Having successfully developed the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE, we are now focused on building international partnerships to drive innovation and R&D in new clean energy solutions. The Barakah Plant is a catalyst for a new era of technological advancement and cooperation on a global level to collectively take us closer to our Net Zero targets. We look forward to working with General Atomics to identify areas of potential collaboration to drive progress within the international nuclear energy industry.”