The $800,000 research project will see ABS develop models of different advanced reactor technologies for maritime applications and develop an industry advisory on the commercial use of modern nuclear power.
“Modern nuclear technologies are increasingly suggested as a potential solution to shipping’s decarbonization challenge. The technology certainly has potential both in terms of its contribution to emissions reduction and for US shipyards and their supply chains to leverage national investment in terrestrial nuclear energy development,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology.
However, many questions need to be answered with a key focus on safety.
Support for the project provided by the Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), based at Idaho National Laboratory including helping to propose how a maritime nuclear demonstration could take place.
NRIC director Ashley Finan, “There’s a tremendous opportunity to reduce emissions in shipping, as well as growing interest from both the maritime and advanced nuclear sectors, and we’re pleased to be a part of this important work.”
In addition ABS has been contracted by the DOE to support research into molten salt reactors (MSR) being carried out by the University of Texas.
