In an interview with Energy.Media, Elizabeth Muller talks about her passion for climate change and how her Berkeley, CA-based startup safely stores nuclear waste underground.
Energy.Media, April 4, 2024
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Press Release, March 11, 2024
Deep Isolation CEO and Experts Present during Waste Management 2024 in Phoenix, AZ
PHOENIX AZ — Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions, will present its three latest publications and offer insights into site screening criteria at Waste Management Symposia 2024. The conference is taking place at the Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ from March 10 through March 14, 2024.
On March 12 at 8:55 am, Deep Isolation’s Head of Engineering, Jesse Sloane, will discuss our project to develop a Universal Canister System. Working in conjunction with NAC International Inc., the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Deep Isolation is leading the charge to develop an integrated waste management system for the safe transport, storage, and ultimate disposal of waste streams coming from advanced fuel cycles and advanced reactors. Project UPWARDS will deliver a Universal Canister System design, a functional prototype to be used for future testing, and a set of generic waste acceptance criteria, providing for true universality by allowing for the disposal of a variety of waste streams in both conventional mined and novel deep borehole repositories.
“The Project UPWARDS team has made considerable progress through the first half of the project. We expect the Universal Canister System to set a new standard for the advanced reactor industry, enabling companies to plan for use of a fully integrated waste management system prior to their new reactors even coming online,” Sloane said. “Deep Isolation has worked diligently to create solutions for the disposal of legacy nuclear waste, a challenge that has hindered the global nuclear power industry for decades. As we continue advancing these solutions, we are committed to proactively clearing these hurdles for the next generation of nuclear power.”
On March 12 at 1 pm, Dr. Ethan Bates, Director of Systems Engineering, will present a paper outlining Deep Isolation’s newly developed site evaluation framework for deep borehole repositories. “One of the first questions any nation will ask when considering deep borehole disposal is what types of site properties and host rocks are needed. In this paper we developed a systematic and phased approach to answering this question, factoring in how the level of knowledge on potential sites and the repository design will change over time,” Dr. Bates said.
On March 12 at 2:45 pm, Chris Parker, Managing Director of Deep Isolation EMEA Limited, will present “Progress Towards the Demonstration of Deep Borehole Disposal”. At Waste Management Symposia 2023, a group of international stakeholders from government and industry came together to announce the establishment of an independent, multi-national, non-profit organization: the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center. He will describe the progress the Center has made over the last year, and outline the multi-year, phased program of work that the Center is looking to deliver.
CEO Liz Muller will also present the company and its technology to the Arizona section of the American Nuclear Society on Monday, March 11th at 6 pm at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Please feel free to RSVP by emailing Arizona@local.ans.org or texting (623) 377-2827. More information is available in this flyer.
The Waste Management Symposia annual conference is a premier event that gathers 3,000 attendees from more than 30 countries to discuss and share ideas on many crosscutting topics including: robotic handling, remote systems, new technologies, radioactive and hazardous waste characterization, treatment storage, packaging, transportation, and disposal, engineering design and construction, environmental laboratories, decontamination, decommissioning, and environmental remediation – as well as emerging topics such as small modular reactors, clean energy, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Earlier this month, Deep Isolation announced the completion of its first full-size prototype canister in collaboration with its partners, for the safe geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in deep boreholes. The corrosion-resistant canister, measuring over 16 feet in length and weighing close to 4,500 pounds, has been manufactured by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, with support from Lancashire-based Graham Engineering. As part of this work, the canister design, driven by US fuel cycle specialist NAC International Inc., has been verified as meeting current UK regulatory requirements. Read Full Press Release.
Stop by Booth 540 at the Waste Management Symposia to learn more about Deep Isolation.
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About Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options.
Press Contact:
Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
2001 Addison St., Suite 300
Berkeley, CA 94704
www.deepisolation.com
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Event, May 22-24, 2024
ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit 2024
Deep Isolation will attend the IAEA in Vienna on June 10-14, 2024.
Press Release, March 7, 2024
SHINE Technologies selects Deep Isolation as its technology provider for high-level waste storage and disposal
JANESVILLE, WI – SHINE Technologies today announced that it has selected Deep Isolation’s technology as its preferred solution for storage and disposal of the high-level waste that will remain as a residue after deployment of SHINE’s technology for recycling used nuclear fuel (UNF). The two companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly drive forward spent fuel recycling supported by a safe and scalable solution for the resulting waste streams.
Under this agreement, SHINE and Deep Isolation will collaborate and exchange critical information for the use of Deep Isolation’s Universal Canister System (UCS) and patented directional drilling solution for deep borehole disposal for isolation and management of high-level waste.
A joint study by the two companies in 2023 looked at the feasibility and costs of disposing 100% of the high-level waste (HLW) remaining from SHINE’s 200 MTHiM pilot reprocessing facility by encapsulating the waste in the Universal Canister System and emplacing in deep boreholes. The study concluded that SHINE’s recycling process reduced the HLW volume by over 90% from the original UNF volume, and that Deep Isolation’s solution is technically and economically viable for the remaining waste. The study also identified areas where further technical work could optimize Deep Isolation’s technology for the remaining waste, reducing disposal costs even further.
“Our partnership with Deep Isolation marks an important step in achieving our mission. Climate change appears to be happening and accelerating, and nuclear energy is one of the best tools currently available to address carbon emissions. The approximately 90,000 tons of civilian spent nuclear fuel across the United States represent an untapped and arguably renewable resource that if recycled will reduce emissions and accelerate the deployment of carbon free fission energy” said Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of SHINE. “The result of this work will be a reduction in waste volumes and ultimately half-life that allows for simpler, safer disposal. Deep Isolation has proven they have a realistic and reasonable solution for the disposal of these wastes, among others as needed. Our agreement underscores our mutual commitment to improve the world through enabling expansion of clean fission power while responsibly managing its waste stream.”
Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Isolation, says, “This agreement gives the two companies a clear framework to commercialize our respective innovations in an integrated way. Clean nuclear power can only take off if the industry can show society that there are safe, practical, and permanent means of disposing the highly radioactive materials that result. Integrating Deep Isolation’s disposal technology with SHINE’s recycling technology offers a powerful solution.”
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About Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options.
About SHINE Technologies
Headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, SHINE Technologies stands as an industry leader in next-generation fusion, deploying innovative fusion technology that seamlessly combines safety, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility. SHINE is at the forefront of creating non-carrier-added lutetium-177—a vital component in cutting-edge medical treatments.
SHINE’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the realms of industry and healthcare. Drawing on its fusion technology expertise, the company has set its sights on addressing one of energy’s most complex challenges—nuclear waste recycling and fusion energy. With a comprehensive and visionary approach, SHINE is steadfastly driving advancements across multiple sectors, leaving an indelible mark on the domains of technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy solutions. Learn more at shinefusion.com.
Press Contact:
Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
www.deepisolation.com
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Ignition, Mar 4, 2024
Deep Isolation Is Thinking Ahead
Deep Isolation and its partners have built a first prototype of a nuclear waste disposal canister. It’s an important step toward a working system to safely dispose of spent fuel in boreholes deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
Nuclear AMRC, Feb 29, 2024
First prototype delivered for Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation and partners including the Nuclear AMRC have completed the manufacture of a full-size prototype canister for the safe geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in deep boreholes.
Deep Isolation and its partners have completed the manufacture of a full-size prototype canister for the safe geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in deep boreholes. This represented a major milestone today for their Energy Entrepreneurs Fund project, part of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio of the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The corrosion-resistant canister, measuring nearly 5 metres in length and weighing over 2,000 kg, has been manufactured by the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, with support from Lancashire-based Graham Engineering. As part of this work, the canister design, driven by US fuel cycle specialist NAC International Inc., has been verified as meeting current UK regulatory requirements.
“This has been an exciting project for us, and a great example of US-UK partnership on nuclear waste disposal,” said Chris Parker, Managing Director of Deep Isolation EMEA. “We already had a detailed engineering design for our disposal canister that we knew would meet regulatory requirements for safe, permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. With the support of Nuclear AMRC’s world class team, technologies, and UK partners, we now know how to refine the design to enable highly efficient manufacturing at scale.”
This important milestone was marked with a site visit to Nuclear AMRC’s facilities by Deep Isolation and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, who is sponsoring this work as part of their Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The full project team congregated to see the completed prototype before being shipped to the US for field testing.
In the next phase of the project, the canister will be subjected to field testing at the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center’s test facility. Ted Garrish, Executive Director of the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center, said, “It is exciting to have the world’s first fully‑engineered deep borehole disposal canister coming for testing. The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center is a non-profit, multinational initiative to demonstrate all aspects of this important technology for nuclear waste disposal, and I am delighted that Deep Isolation has chosen to test their canister here – and that both the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the US Government’s Department for Energy have committed grant funding to support this vital work.”
In parallel, the University of Sheffield will validate the safety performance of the canister design through performance modelling in generic UK geologic environments.
A second prototype is planned for manufacture by early 2025, which will incorporate any design modifications derived from this testing and modelling programme, and from Nuclear AMRC’s ‘Design for Manufacture’ review to capture any improvements to the design that will make it more cost effective to produce at scale.
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About the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is focused on the energy portfolio from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This department will provide dedicated leadership focused on delivering security of energy supply, ensuring properly functioning markets, greater energy efficiency and seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries.
Leading economy-wide transformation by backing enterprise and long-term growth, generating cheaper, cleaner, homegrown energy and unleashing the UK as a science superpower through innovation. Funded through the Government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, which provides funding for low-carbon technologies and systems. Decreasing the costs of decarbonisation, the Portfolio will help enable the UK to end its contribution to climate change.
About Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
The Nuclear AMRC helps manufacturers win work across the nuclear sector and other safety-critical industries, and drives innovative technologies to support decarbonisation and energy security.
The Nuclear AMRC’s engineers and sector specialists work with companies to develop innovative techniques and optimised processes for large-scale high-precision manufacturing, and help UK manufacturers compete globally by raising quality, capability and productivity.
The Nuclear AMRC is based at the University of Sheffield, and is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, a national alliance of seven leading manufacturing research centres funded by Innovate UK.
Press Contact:
Tim Chapman, communications manager:
t.chapman@namrc.co.uk
tel: (+44) 7872 419671
namrc.co.uk
About Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation specializes in deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste. We work with government waste management organizations to design a directionally-drilled borehole disposal solution that meets strict safety standards alongside local community preferences. We tailor our patented solution to the specific waste form, available geology options and local regulatory requirements of each client, with implementation through our partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options. Projects include advanced reactor and SMR waste disposal, stand-alone borehole disposal of small existing nuclear waste inventories, and working alongside mined repository programs to increase safety and reduce costs by moving certain waste streams into boreholes.
Press Contact:
Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
Deep Isolation EMEA Limited
Golden Cross House
8 Duncannon Street
London, WC2N 4JF
www.deepisolation.com
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Ignition News, February 22, 2024
A Q+A with Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Isolation
In an interview with Ignition, Muller recounted the twists her career has taken as she’s searched for sensible, viable approaches to mitigating climate change.
World Nuclear News, Feb 23, 2024
Collaboration points way to potential reductions in waste volumes
Pairing a used fuel recycling facility with deep borehole disposal technology could reduce the total volume of waste requiring disposal in a deep geologic repository by greater than 90%, a study by Deep Isolation and SHINE Technologies has found.
BERKELEY, CA – Deep Isolation, an innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions, completed its study for SHINE Technologies, a next-generation fusion technology company. SHINE is creating solutions to recycle spent nuclear fuel by designing facilities to reduce the volume of waste requiring deep geologic disposal.
The study was an initial scoping assessment of the costs of disposing the byproducts of a pilot spent fuel recycling facility that would extract and enable reuse of valuable components while separating fission products that require geologic disposal. The goal was to assess the cost, feasibility, and fundamental characteristics of deep borehole disposal repositories for these long-lived waste forms using Deep Isolation’s advanced, flexible, and patented designs.
This is one of the first studies ever completed to specifically assess the cost and volume savings associated with coupling of a spent fuel recycling facility with deep borehole disposal. Collaborative work suggests that the recycling facility would reduce the total volume of waste going to a deep geologic repository by greater than 90% compared to directly disposing spent nuclear fuel assemblies, with room for additional optimization on the design and cost of the facility.
“This study is an important step toward understanding the tremendous potential for optimization in nuclear waste disposal volume and cost reductions, and therefore helps demonstrate important social and economic benefits from the deployment of our recycling technologies says Ross Radel, Chief Technology Officer of SHINE Technologies. “It’s validation that our planned approach to nuclear waste recycling is foundational to our mission of creating a safer, healthier and cleaner world.”
Dr. Ethan Bates, Director of Systems Engineering for Deep Isolation and lead on the study, says, “This study highlights the design flexibility and advantages of deep borehole disposal in terms of modularity and potential to accept a wide range of radioactive wastes. Deep Isolation is excited to have had the opportunity to explore the benefits of deploying deep borehole disposal systems with novel recycling facilities.”
Elizabeth Muller, CEO of Deep Isolation, says “The collaboration between Deep Isolation and SHINE Technologies highlights the massive potential for driving cost out of the nuclear fuel cycle through innovation. SHINE’s pilot recycling facility will unlock new power generation out of spent nuclear fuel from traditional nuclear power plants, significantly reducing the volume of high-level waste that requires geologic disposal. And Deep Isolation’s borehole technology reduces the cost of that disposal itself.”
About Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options
About SHINE Technologies
Based in Janesville, Wisconsin, SHINE deploys its safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly fusion technology in a stepwise approach. Its systems are used to inspect industrial components in aerospace, defense, energy and other sectors. SHINE’s proprietary medical isotope production processes create non-carrier-added lutetium-177 and are expected to create molybdenum-99. In the future, SHINE plans to scale its fusion technology to help solve one of energy’s toughest hurdles by recycling nuclear waste. Through a purpose-driven and phased approach, SHINE aims to generate fusion power to deliver clean, abundant energy that could transform life on Earth. Want to learn more about SHINE? Visit www.shinefusion.com and follow us @shinefusion.
Press Contacts:
Deep Isolation:
media@deepisolation.com
www.deepisolation.com
SHINE Technologies:
shine@n6krma.com
www.shinefusion.com
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