GE-Hitachi Reactor Certified as "Ecomagination" Product

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Limited (GEH) (Wilmington, North Carolina), the global nuclear alliance formed by General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) (GE) (Fairfield, Connecticut) and Hitachi Limited (NYSE:HIT) (Tokyo, Japan), recently announced that its Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) technology has been certified by GE as an "ecomagination" product. The recognition of the ABWR technology highlights the company's capacity to offer new energy solutions with low greenhouse gas emissions. Ecomagination is a GE initiative that attempts to put brand new technologies to commercial use, helping clients meet environmental and operational challenges.

GE has more than 80 ecomagination-certified technologies. The products are reviewed rigorously by GE as well as a third party before being recognized as ecomagination products. In addition to the Generation III ABWR technology, which was certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Washington, D.C.) in 1997, the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) technology has also earned recognition as an ecomagination product. The ESBWR Generation III+ design was certified in 2007. Both products can help customers meet their energy demands with power solutions that are low greenhouse gas emitters.

GEH claims that the 1,350-megawatt (MW) ABWR is the only Generation III reactor design in the U.S. that is ready to be used immediately and has a proven success record. Four units are currently in operation, while another four are being constructed. The 1,520-MW ESBWR offers several advantages that include passive safety features, higher safety margins and an even more simplified design. The ESBWR is currently undergoing NRC's design certification process. Both the ABWR and the ESBWR technologies are estimated to have maintenance and operating costs that are 34-40% lower per kilowatt-hour in comparison to the Generation I and II nuclear reactors currently in operation in the U.S.

Compared to other electricity-producing techniques, the two technologies would not emit the standard 6.7 million tons per year of carbon dioxide. Higher power generating capacity, simplified systems and increased capacity of the two reactors enable them to provide these benefits.

India's engineering and construction company Larson & Toubro Limited (BSE:500510) (L&T) (Mumbai) and GEH have signed a nuclear power plant development agreement under which the two companies will set up an ABWR and a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant. Both companies hope to use indigenous capabilities to set up an ABWR-based nuclear power plant in India. The facilities to manufacture electrical and instrumentation products as well as reactor equipment and systems required in an ABWR-based plant are likely to be set up in India.

GEH will provide the joint venture project with the latest ABWR modular construction methods, technical and advisory services, and the technology of certain ABWR nuclear island components and equipment.

In January 2009, L&T signed a memorandum of understanding with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (Mississauga, Ontario) under which the two companies will cooperate in the development of the Advanced CANDU Reactor ACR1000. The two companies plan to develop a reasonably priced model for the ACR1000, following which they will discuss the possibility of developing nuclear power plants in India. A major advantage of the ACR design is that its uranium fuel does not require as much enrichment as light water models, and the reactor can be refueled while in operation.

L&T has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Atomstroyexport (Moscow, Russia) for cooperation in reactors designed by Russia. The two companies will jointly address issues related to equipment and all other services for the four additional KK3-6 reactors at the site of the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

In January 2009, L&T signed a memorandum of understanding with the world's largest nuclear power equipment producer, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Monroeville, Pennsylvania) to set up 1,000-MW pressurized nuclear power plants in India.

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