The 2008 Nuclear Energy Research Initiative and the International Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Annual Reports Issued

On June 16, 2009, the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) issued annual reports for its Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) and International Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (I-NERI), describing their 2008 accomplishments.  NERI and I-NERI support the DOE-NE goals by conducting research to advance nuclear science and technology in the United States. Both initiatives addressed key technical issues impacting the expanded use of nuclear energy worldwide and directly supported DOE-NE’s principal applied nuclear research programs during 2008: Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems (Gen IV), the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI), and the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative (NHI). NERI projects, led by U.S. university researchers, not only further the goals of DOE's priority nuclear research, but also enhance the Nation's nuclear technology educational infrastructure.  I-NERI leverages the U.S. investment in nuclear technology research with comparable contributions from participating countries, drawing from the best expertise around the world to jointly develop innovative nuclear technologies. The two reports summarize the progress and results of ongoing and recently completed research projects and provide abstracts of new I-NERI projects awarded in FY 2008.