The US Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is issuing a request for expressions of interest from prospective industry teams capable of providing engineering design services for the conceptual design phase of the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP).

The high-temperature reactor is based on research and development activities supported by the Generation IV nuclear energy systems initiative at INL.

“Proceeding with conceptual design for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant brings the Department of Energy another step closer to developing this advanced new technology,” DOE assistant secretary for nuclear energy Dennis Spurgeon said.

Expressions of interest are due by 20 August and will be used to identify a qualified pool of candidates to provide future engineering and design services. A request for proposals will be issued to develop the conceptual design, expected to begin in FY2008.

The NGNP proposes to build a high temperature reactor capable of producing hydrogen, electricity and/or process heat. A complete design and construction of a prototype NGNP at DoE’s Idaho National Laboratory is planned by 2021.


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