Westinghouse Reaches New Milestone in Advanced Nuclear Fuel Development

Westinghouse Electric Company received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its PARAGON2TM fuel energy transport code. PARAGON2 is a key component in the company’s High Energy Fuel initiative, which provides the technologies and hardware utility customers need to optimize their fuel capabilities.

Regulatory approval allows Westinghouse to model and simulate core conditions, increasing the capability to double the currently licensed enrichment limit. Westinghouse is now the only nuclear vendor with an NRC-licensed topical report for commercial nuclear fuel modeling purposes of U-235 enrichments up to 10 weight percent.

“Nuclear power will play a major role in reducing carbon emissions for generations to come. Our customers look to Westinghouse for innovative fuel solutions that enhance reliability and performance,” said Pam Cowan, Westinghouse president of Americas Operating Plant Services. “This milestone is the latest achievement for our new fuel product features, materials and analysis methods that are designed to help support our customers advance their fuel performance.”

Westinghouse strengthens its High Energy Fuel initiative with the PARAGON2 regulatory approval and the recently approved Updated NEXUS Cross-Section Methodology. These advancements will be in a future release of the Westinghouse’s ANC 9 code suite allowing customers to model either traditional or higher enriched fuel products so that they can reduce fuel impacts and maximize core power.