21 Mar (NucNet): Industry groups from Europe and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a business plan and roadmap for the development of a Generation IV high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology that can be used for cogeneration of process heat and electricity, displacing fossil fuels.
Representatives of the US-based NGNP Industry Alliance Limited and the European Nuclear Cogeneration Industrial Initiative (NC2I) signed the MoU at a meeting in Washington.
The MoU paves the way for collaboration on establishing an international licensing framework for the HTGR, and the demonstration and deployment of HTGR systems.
The two groups said they will support joint research on commercialisation and outline concepts for “sister” HTGR projects in the US and the EU.
Member companies of the NGNP Industry Alliance (www.ngnpalliance.org) include Areva, Entergy and Westinghouse. NC2I (www.nc2i.eu) members include research and technology organisations, scientific institutions and companies including Teollisuuden Voima Oyj of Finland and Iberdrola of Spain.
