Sweden supports research into Generation IV nuclear power

Gen IV nuclear technology promises to revolutionize the energy sector by reducing radioactive waste and minimizing uranium mining, while reusing spent nuclear fuel.

Share:

La Suède appuie dans la recherche sur le nucléaire de IV générations.

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The MUST (Multidisciplinary Commitments for Sweden’s Gen IV Technology and Expertise) project brings together researchers from the universities of Chalmers, KTH, Uppsala and Lund. This project aims to strengthen existing research centers in Sweden, notably ANItA and SUNRISE, with a focus on sustainable power generation and resource utilization in the Gen IV system. Christian Ekberg, project coordinator and Professor of Nuclear Chemistry at Chalmers, enthuses: “The fact that Sweden dares to invest in the nuclear technology of the future is very gratifying.” Once fully developed, this system could produce as much energy as the 12 Swedish reactors in operation in the past, without requiring new uranium mines.

Investment and Partnerships

The results will provide valuable information for a case study on Gen IV implementation by Kärnfull Next AB, the project’s commercial partner. John Ahlberg, Chief Strategy Officer at Kärnfull Next, says: “Our participation aligns perfectly with our mission to promote technological advances and ensure the long-term viability of nuclear power. We believe in the transformative potential of Gen IV technology to deliver clean, safe and reliable energy.”

Skills Development and Education

In addition to developing Gen IV technology, the MUST project addresses the need to develop skills in nuclear and radiological sciences. It hires young researchers and allocates significant resources to training and mentoring PhD students, helping to revitalize nuclear expertise in Sweden. Ekberg points out: “Education in radiological sciences is rare in Sweden. KTH and Uppsala University have programs focusing mainly on nuclear reactors.

Future prospects

Kärnfull Next plans to have the first commercial SMR (Small Modular Reactor) operational in Sweden by the early 2030s. Ahlberg adds, “Our involvement in this Gen IV initiative testifies to our long-term vision and complements our day-to-day activities of prospecting for new SMR sites in Sweden.” This technology, which minimizes radioactive waste and enables spent nuclear fuel to be reused, could revolutionize the energy sector, while fostering the development and training of new skills in the nuclear sciences.

US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.