Fast Breeder Reactors for Energy Security

Although the time to develop new energy sources has been extended, the need for economic liquid-metal breeder reactors remains a key element in our economic future. In the United States, the development of liquid-metal reactors (LMRs) is directed toward reduction of fuel cycle and plant capital costs to promote early deployment as an economically competitive alternative to light water reactors. Reactor plant improvements have been made that focus on inherent reactor safety, plant modularity, and prepackaging of plant components. Alternate fuel systems and dramatic extension of fuel lifetimes offer potential for major cost improvements. With an economically competitive design, LMRs can be deployed in the near-term and refined over several design generations to achieve full commercial development by the time breeding and reprocessing are required to increase utilization of world uranium resources.