SHINE Joins EPRI Consortium to Develop U.S. Nuclear Fuel Recycling Tool

Event summary

  • SHINE Technologies has joined an EPRI-led consortium to develop MARIE, a tool for evaluating commercial nuclear fuel recycling facilities, under ARPA-E's CURIE program.
  • The company will address safeguards, licensing, and isotope market potential for U.S. recycling facilities.
  • SHINE aims to build a pilot facility capable of processing 100 metric tons of used nuclear fuel annually by the early 2030s.
  • Two reports resulting from the consortium's work will be publicly published by EPRI.

The big picture

SHINE's involvement in the MARIE project underscores the growing interest in nuclear fuel recycling as a means to extend the lifecycle of nuclear fuel and reduce waste. The U.S. has approximately 90,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel in storage, presenting a significant opportunity for companies that can navigate the regulatory and commercial challenges of recycling. The development of MARIE could accelerate the underwriting and deployment of commercial recycling facilities, reshaping the nuclear energy landscape.

What we're watching

Regulatory Pathways
How SHINE's experience with medical isotope licensing will translate to nuclear fuel recycling facilities.
Market Dynamics
Whether the isotope market can sustain the economic viability of recycling facilities.
Execution Risk
The pace at which SHINE can develop and deploy its pilot recycling facility by the early 2030s.