§16023 Project Organization

Summary

Start a research program to develop and test high-temperature hydrogen production and related nuclear technologies. The program covers five main areas: high-temperature hydrogen production, energy conversion, nuclear fuel work, materials development and testing, and reactor and plant design and safety. Work must happen in two phases. Phase one must pick and validate the hydrogen technology, do enabling R&D on the energy conversion, fuel, and materials, decide if a single prototype plant should make both electricity and hydrogen, and begin initial prototype design and safety methods. Phase two must continue those activities, select a final prototype design by competition, apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for construction and operating licenses, and build and start the prototype and its hydrogen or electricity facilities. The Secretary must structure the project to bring in ideas and technology from the nuclear industry, the chemical processing industry, and international efforts. The Secretary must seek international cooperation, participation, and funding. The Idaho National Laboratory may hire foreign experts or use foreign test facilities from Generation IV members, the Russian Federation, or other partners when useful. Parts of the project may be demonstrated in a partner country, and activities must be coordinated with the Generation IV International Forum. The Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee (NERAC) must review plans and progress on an ongoing basis, add experts or subpanels as needed, and within 180 days after August 8, 2005 review plans against the June 30, 2004 report and address missing recommendations. When phase one is nearly done, the Secretary will ask NERAC for a full review and recommendation on moving to phase two. Within 60 days after getting any NERAC report, the Secretary must send the report and any Secretary views to the relevant congressional committees.