GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, the global nuclear alliance of General Electric Co. (GE) and Tokyo, Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. (HIT) Monday said that they have notified the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the intention to renew the design certification for the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor technology.
The design certification for GEH's Advanced Boiling Water Reactor technology or ABWR has covered a 15-year period, which would expire on June 11, 2012 unless renewed. Originally, ABWR design was certified in 1997 to U.S. regulations, codes and standards.
Following submission of the application, GEH anticipates that NRC would begin its review in 2010. The intention to file a detailed renewal application in mid-2010 was earlier notified by GEH to NRC. However, the company said, the time frame constraints requires it to submit the application at least 12 to 36 months before expiry of the initial certification.
Concurrently, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy is also pursuing NRC certification for the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) design. The design is currently under NRC review.
ABWR, the first Generation III reactor to begin commercial operation anywhere in the world, reflects 50 years of continued evolution from GE's initial BWR concept. It combines the best features of GE's worldwide BWR fleet with advanced technology enhancements, such as digital controls, that improve performance and longevity. The ABWR design is already licensed in three countries: the United States, Japan and Taiwan.
GEH's predecessor, GE Nuclear Energy, was the original applicant for the U.S. ABWR design certification. In Japan, four ABWR units are in operation, two more are under construction, and additional ABWR units are in the planning stages.
GE is currently trading at $16.86, down $0.25 or 1.46%, on a volume of 23.14 million shares.
HIT is currently trading at $44.21, down $0.67 or 1.49%, on the NYSE.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com