atw Vol. 63 (2018) | Issue 3 ı March
198
NEWS
Framatome and the AREVA Group,
MHI will promote the development of
global markets for a broad range of
nuclear power generation-related
technologies. In this way, MHI will
contribute to the formation of a
worldwide structure enabling stable
acquisition and supply of energy with
low emission.
MHI is also scheduled to acquire a
5 percent equity stake in New AREVA
Holding (formerly referred to as
“NewCo”), a company primarily
focused on the fuel cycle field business.
The investment is due to be completed
by the end of January 2018.
| | (18501525), www.framatome.com
USA: Framatome to acquire
Instrumentation and Control
nuclear business of Schneider
Electric
(framatome) Framatome announced
an agreement with Schneider Electric
to acquire its nuclear automation
business. The two companies recently
signed an asset purchase agreement
that outlines the terms of the sale,
which is expected to close before the
end of the first quarter of 2018.
The acquisition expands Framatome’s
instrumentation and control
(I&C) offerings. These systems are the
central nervous system of a nuclear
power plant allowing operators to
control reactor operations. Modernizations,
upgrades and ongoing
support, are vital to manage economic
long-term operation of nuclear power.
More than 80 safety I&C systems have
been installed by Framatome on 44
reactors in 17 countries across the
world, and approximately 250 automation
systems have been installed
or are being installed by Schneider
Electric.
The agreement between Framatome
and Schneider Electric also
creates a long-term manufacturing
partnership, which gives customers
I&C options based on a comprehensive
global technical expertise and
market knowledge.
“This is an exciting time of growth
for our company, and the acquisition
and partnership with Schneider
Electric build on our long history of
providing nuclear operators with both
digital and analog I&C solutions,” said
Gary Mignogna, president and CEO of
Framatome Inc. “With this acqui sition,
we will provide long-term support for
our customers’ systems and serve as
the original equipment manufacturer
for their I&C upgrades and modernizations.”
| | (18501526), www.framatome.com
Lightbridge and Framatome
launch Enfission to
commercialize innovative
nuclear fuel
(framatome) Lightbridge Corporation
(NASDAQ: LTBR) and Framatome
finalized and launched Enfission, a
50-50 joint venture company to
develop, license and sell nuclear fuel
assemblies based on Lightbridgedesigned
metallic fuel technology and
other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual
property. Lightbridge is a U.S.
nuclear fuel development company
and Framatome is a leader in designing,
building, servicing, and fueling
today’s reactor fleet and advancing
nuclear energy.
The two companies already began
joint fuel development and regulatory
licensing work under previously
signed agreements initiated in March
2016. The joint venture is a Delawarebased
limited liability company.
Bernard Fontana, Chairman of the
Managing Board and CEO of Framatome,
said: “This is an exciting time
of growth for Framatome and we are
proud to work with Lightbridge on
Enfission. Together, we are developing
an innovative fuel technology
that will provide significant benefits
for our customers, helping them to
generate more electricity from their
nuclear power plants and better compete
in the marketplace. Framatome
provides its next generation of fuel
assembly designs to more than 100 of
the approximately 260 light water
reactors worldwide. Through this
work, we help our customers to
meet their operational goals with
a high level of safety. We are confident
that our strategic partnership
with Lightbridge on Enfission will
strengthen our position as a key
international reference in the global
fuel market.”
Seth Grae, Lightbridge president
and CEO, said: “With the world calling
for more reliable, economic and
carbon- free baseload power, Lightbridge’s
innovative metallic fuel
technology will help both existing and
new nuclear plants fill that need.
Framatome is the ideal partner with
established
manufacturing
| | Joint Venture Negotiation Team Lightbridge
and Framatome
capabilities, an impeccable reputation
as a nuclear fuel supplier and a large
global footprint. We appreciate the
strong support we have already
received from the leading nuclear
operators, both in the U.S. and around
the world. The world’s energy and
climate needs can only be met if
nuclear power grows as a part of
the energy-generating mix. We are
honored to work with Framatome on
this important project and believe
the economic and safety benefits of
our fuel will encourage greater use of
nuclear power.”
| | (18501527), www.framatome.com
Lightbridge awarded key
patents in Europe and China
for innovative metallic
fuel design
(lightbridge) Lightbridge Corporation
(NASDAQ:LTBR), a nuclear fuel technology
company, today announced it
has been awarded key patents in
both Europe and China related to
Lightbridge’s innovative metallic fuel
design that each extend through
2034. These patents follow Notices of
Allowances that were issued by the
European Patent Office and the State
Intellectual Property Office of the
People’s Republic of China, as
reported in October 2017.
The newly issued patents cover an
alternative embodiment of a multilobe
fuel rod design; an all-metal
pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel
assembly design incorporating multilobe
fuel rods based on the alternative
embodiment; and an all-metal PWR
fuel assembly design incorporating
multi-lobe fuel rods arranged into a
mixed grid pattern, thereby covering
the all-metal fuel assembly design
after the most recent optimization.
Seth Grae, President and CEO of
Lightbridge, said: “These latest
patents are a critical step in solidifying
our intellectual protection around
the world as we gear up for commercialization
through Enfission, our
newly formed joint venture with
Framatome. Our fuel is ideally suited
for the European and Chinese
markets, as it is designed to significantly
enhance both the economics
and safety of existing and planned
nuclear reactors. With 181 operating
nuclear power plants across Europe,
and China poised to become the
largest market for nuclear, these
patents provide us a crucial and
defensible foothold in each of these
markets for years to come.”
Lightbridge has patents pending in
various countries around the world,
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