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{{Nouvelle Alexandrie Article}}The '''National Nuclear Laboratory''' ([[Martino language|Martino]]: '''Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Nuclear''', LNEN) is a government agency of the [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]] of [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. It provides nuclear science, technology, and innovation expertise covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle.
{{Nouvelle Alexandrie Article}}
 
{{Infobox NAX government agency
Its main mission is to preserve and develop key research and development capabilities for the nuclear energy industry. LNEN publishes a quarterly magazine, "Futuro Nuclear", in which it compiles technical papers, essays, and interviews from the nuclear industry.  
| name              = National Nuclear Laboratory
| formed            = {{AN year|1692}}
| type              = Federal agency
| jurisdiction      = [[Nouvelle Alexandrie|Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
| headquarters      = Central Laboratory, near [[Cárdenas]], Federal Capital District
| minister_title    = Responsible Secretary
| minister_name      = Secretary of Energy and Environment
| deputy_title      = Director
| parent_agency      = [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]]
}}
The '''National Nuclear Laboratory''' ([[Alexandrian language|Alexandrian]]: ''Laboratoire national de l'énergie nucléaire''; [[Martino language|Martino]]: ''Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Nuclear'', LNEN) is a government agency of the [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]] of [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. It provides nuclear science, technology, and engineering expertise covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle, and maintains the federation's research and development capabilities for the nuclear energy industry. LNEN publishes a quarterly magazine, ''Futuro Nuclear'', which carries technical papers, essays, and interviews from the nuclear industry.


== History ==
== History ==
LNEN was founded in {{AN year|1692}} under the [[New Prosperity Plan]] to consolidate and expand capabilities in nuclear science research and innovation. The establishment of LNEN allowed for the advancement and construction of new nuclear energy technology, with nuclear power growing to over 11% of annual power generation for [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]] by {{AN year|1715}}.
LNEN was founded in {{AN year|1692}} to consolidate nuclear science research in a single federal laboratory. Its reactor development work supported the growth of nuclear power to over 11% of annual power generation in [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]] by {{AN year|1715}}.


In {{AN year|1724}}, the [[Department of Research and Development (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Research and Development]] transferred responsibilities of the National Isotopes Facility in [[Punta Santiago]] to LNEN, expanding its mandate to include nuclear medicine and isotope production. LNEN was also involved in the initial discovery of [[Alexandrium]] in {{AN year|1729}}, and collaborated closely with the [[National Energy Commission (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|National Energy Commission]] to develop and construct the first microreactors capable of Alexandrium-derived power generation.  
In {{AN year|1724}}, the [[Department of Research and Development (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Research and Development]] transferred the National Isotopes Facility in [[Punta Santiago]] to LNEN, expanding its mandate to nuclear medicine and isotope production. After the discovery of [[Alexandrium]] in [[Alduria]] in {{AN year|1729}}, LNEN worked with the [[National Energy Commission (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|National Energy Commission]] on the development of the first microreactors capable of Alexandrium-derived power generation.


In {{AN year|1738}}, the [[Frontera Program]] allocated a record €8.4 billion to LNEN to expand and upgrade its facilities, which led to the construction of a major new center near [[Parap]] specialised in fusion power research.
In {{AN year|1738}}, the [[Frontera Program]] allocated NAX€8.4 billion to LNEN to expand and upgrade its facilities. The largest single project was a new center near [[Parap]] for fusion power research.


== Facilities ==
== Facilities ==
Line 14: Line 24:
=== Central Laboratory ===
=== Central Laboratory ===
[[File:LC.png|thumb|228x228px|View of the Central Laboratory Main Building.]]
[[File:LC.png|thumb|228x228px|View of the Central Laboratory Main Building.]]
The official headquarters of LNEN are located near [[Cárdenas]], the capital of [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. The so-called Central Laboratory ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Laboratorio Central, LC) is located on a 20-hectare campus and features four main buildings.
The headquarters of LNEN are located near [[Cárdenas]], the capital of [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. The Central Laboratory ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Laboratorio Central, LC) sits on a 20-hectare campus and has four main buildings.
 
* The Main Building houses administrative offices that manage the other facilities of LNEN located nationwide; as well as lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialised library. It is also home to the National Nuclear Museum, providing exhibitions on the history of nuclear energy, prototypes, and nuclear science innovations.
* The Reactor Design Building facilitates the testing of new nuclear reactors with the intention of selecting new designs for power generation and other tasks. Over the decades, a number of experimental reactors have been constructed and tested, including:
** The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor Avanzada de Agua Pesada, RAAP), which operated between {{AN year|1694}} and {{AN year|1698}}. It was built as a demonstration reactor to showcase AHWR technology, but was replaced in favour of gas-cooled reactors.
** The Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor Avanzada Refrigerado por Gas, RARG), which operated between {{AN year|1694}} and {{AN year|1710}}. It became the template for a total of eight nuclear power plants throughout [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]].
** The Very-High-Temperature Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Muy Alta Temperatura, RMAT), which operated between {{AN year|1712}} and {{AN year|1724}}, using Pebble-bed technology in conjunction with HTGR. It effectively replaced AGR as the main nuclear power reactor type in [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]] by {{AN year|1730}}.
** The Molten-Salt Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Sales Fundidales, RSF), which began operation in {{AN year|1728}}. It is built to showcase MSR technology, however it has not yet been able to replace HTGR as the main nuclear power reactor type.


* The Nuclear Fuel Building focuses on research on nuclear fuel production, waste management, and radioactivity, in order to improve fuel efficiency and eliminate radiation dangers.
* The Main Building houses administrative offices that manage the other facilities of LNEN nationwide, as well as lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialized library. It is also home to the National Nuclear Museum, with exhibitions on the history of nuclear energy, prototypes, and nuclear science.
* The Reactor Design Building tests new nuclear reactor designs for power generation and other tasks. Experimental reactors built and tested there include:
** The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor Avanzado de Agua Pesada, RAAP), which operated between {{AN year|1694}} and {{AN year|1698}}. It was built to demonstrate AHWR technology, but the design lost out to gas-cooled reactors.
** The Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor Avanzado Refrigerado por Gas, RARG), which operated between {{AN year|1694}} and {{AN year|1710}}. It became the template for eight nuclear power plants throughout [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]].
** The Very-High-Temperature Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Muy Alta Temperatura, RMAT), which operated between {{AN year|1712}} and {{AN year|1724}}, combining pebble-bed technology with HTGR design. It replaced the AGR as the main nuclear power reactor type in [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]] by {{AN year|1730}}.
** The Molten-Salt Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Sales Fundidas, RSF), in operation since {{AN year|1728}}. It demonstrates MSR technology but has not yet displaced HTGR designs in commercial service.
* The Nuclear Fuel Building researches nuclear fuel production, waste management, and radioactivity, with the aim of improving fuel efficiency and reducing radiation hazards.
* The Decommissioning Building provides technical expertise to industry partners and government agencies on decommissioning operations, including radioactive waste, shutdown safety, and environmental restoration.
* The Decommissioning Building provides technical expertise to industry partners and government agencies on decommissioning operations, including radioactive waste, shutdown safety, and environmental restoration.


=== Potosí Nuclear Fuel Factory ===
=== Potosí Nuclear Fuel Factory ===
The [[Potosí]] Nuclear Fuel Factory ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Fábrica de Combustible Nuclear de Potosí, FCNP), also known as PotosíNuclear, is a secondary facility supporting the operations of the Central Laboratory. It provides the bulk of nuclear fuel production for [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]'s nuclear power stations, as well as international customers. It has four main building.
The [[Potosí]] Nuclear Fuel Factory ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Fábrica de Combustible Nuclear de Potosí, FCNP), also known as PotosíNuclear, supports the operations of the Central Laboratory. It produces the bulk of the nuclear fuel for [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]'s nuclear power stations, as well as for international customers. It has four main buildings.


* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialised library.
* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
* The Oxide Fuel Plant produces oxide fuels for advanced gas-cooled and heavy water reactors, as well as intermediate fuel products (including Uranium Dioxide powders, granules, and pellets).
* The Oxide Fuel Plant produces oxide fuels for advanced gas-cooled and heavy water reactors, as well as intermediate fuel products, including uranium dioxide powders, granules, and pellets.
* The Hex Fuel Plants produces Uranium Hexafluoride (or 'hex') for enriching uranium in nuclear reactors.
* The Hex Fuel Plant produces uranium hexafluoride ("hex") for enriching uranium for nuclear reactors.
* The Fuel Cycle Processing Plant processes fuel-cycle residues, in particular those produced by gas-cooled reactors.
* The Fuel Cycle Processing Plant processes fuel-cycle residues, in particular those produced by gas-cooled reactors.


FCNP also has a large area for the containment of radioactive waste through the use of both dry cask storage and a deep geological repository for the storage of transuranic radioactive waste.
FCNP also has a large area for the containment of radioactive waste, using both dry cask storage and a deep geological repository for transuranic radioactive waste.


=== Nuclear Isotope Facility ===
=== Nuclear Isotope Facility ===
[[File:IIN.jpg|thumb|200x200px|A view of the Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant of the IIN.]]
[[File:IIN.jpg|thumb|200x200px|A view of the Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant of the IIN.]]
The Nuclear Isotope Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación de Isótopos Nucleares, IIN) in [[Punta Santiago]], the capital of [[Alduria]], is the nation's largest supplier of both medical and research isotopes. It is located on a 20-hectare campus and features six main buildings.
The Nuclear Isotope Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación de Isótopos Nucleares, IIN) in [[Punta Santiago]], the capital of [[Alduria]], is the nation's largest supplier of medical and research isotopes. It sits on a 20-hectare campus with six main buildings.


* The Main Building houses administrative offices, lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialised library. It also houses the National Isotopes Museum, showcasing exhibitions on the history of medical and research isotopes, reactor designs, and nuclear science innovation.
* The Main Building houses administrative offices, lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialized library. It also houses the National Isotopes Museum, with exhibitions on the history of medical and research isotopes, reactor designs, and nuclear science.
* The Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant produces isotopes for both medical and research purposes through the application of linear acceleration of protons. It consists of a 30 m beam line with 200 MeV capacity. It also provides non-isotope irradiations for materials research to improve isotope production and nuclear science.
* The Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant produces isotopes for medical and research purposes by linear acceleration of protons, using a 30 m beam line with 200 MeV capacity. It also provides non-isotope irradiations for materials research.
* The Low-Energy Accelerator Plant combines linear acceleration with a VDG electron accelerator to study radiation effects in radioisotope separation, purification, and targetry methods.
* The Low-Energy Accelerator Plant combines linear acceleration with a VDG electron accelerator to study radiation effects in radioisotope separation, purification, and targetry methods.
* The High Flux Isotope Reactor is a light-water cooled and moderated reactor that produces radioisotopes for nuclear research, using Uranium-235 as fuel.
* The High Flux Isotope Reactor is a light-water cooled and moderated reactor fueled by uranium-235 that produces radioisotopes for nuclear research.
* The Medical Cyclotron Facility produces medical radioisotopes through cyclotron acceleration of either proton, deuteron, helium-3, or alpha particle beams. It is the nation's largest producer of medical radioisotopes for cancer treatments.
* The Medical Cyclotron Facility produces medical radioisotopes by cyclotron acceleration of proton, deuteron, helium-3, or alpha particle beams. It is the nation's largest producer of medical radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
* The Radiochemical Processing Laboratory prepare radioisotopes for use in medical, research, and non-lethal military applications, using products provided by the other facilities.
* The Radiochemical Processing Laboratory prepares radioisotopes for medical, research, and non-lethal military applications, using products from the other facilities.


=== Rimarima Nuclear Facility ===
=== Rimarima Nuclear Facility ===
The [[Rimarima]] Nuclear Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación Nuclear de Rimarima, INR) is a uranium enrichment facility providing the bulk of uranium enrichment services for [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. It processes both natural uranium for civil use, manages and stores depleted uranium, and aids in decommissioning of enriched uranium reactors. Since {{AN year|1724}}, it has ceased military production of enriched uranium, only producing low enriched uranium for civil use. It has four main buildings.
The [[Rimarima]] Nuclear Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación Nuclear de Rimarima, INR) provides the bulk of uranium enrichment services for [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]]. It processes natural uranium for civil use, manages and stores depleted uranium, and supports the decommissioning of enriched uranium reactors. Since {{AN year|1724}}, it has produced only low-enriched uranium for civil use, having ceased military production. It has four main buildings.


* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialised library.
* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
* The Gas Centrifuge Plant produces low-enriched uranium through the use of gas centrifuging. It produces the bulk of enriched uranium fuel for nuclear power plants in [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]].  
* The Gas Centrifuge Plant produces low-enriched uranium by gas centrifuging, providing the bulk of enriched uranium fuel for nuclear power plants in [[Nouvelle Alexandrie]].
* The Advanced Fuels Plant produces high-assay low-enriched uranium for use in small and advanced modular reactors, and was constructed in {{AN year|1738}} to aid research and development of SMEs.
* The Advanced Fuels Plant, built in {{AN year|1738}}, produces high-assay low-enriched uranium for small and advanced modular reactors.
* The Hex Processing Plant de-converts depleted uranium tails of uranium hexafluoride to a more stable uranium oxide compound to ensure long-term storage and disposal.
* The Hex Processing Plant de-converts depleted uranium hexafluoride tails to a more stable uranium oxide compound for long-term storage and disposal.


INR, like FCNP, has a large radioactive waste containment facility with dry cask storage.
Like FCNP, INR has a large radioactive waste containment facility with dry cask storage.


=== Nuclear Reprocessing Facility ===
=== Nuclear Reprocessing Facility ===
The Nuclear Reprocessing Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación de Reprocesamiento Nuclear) near [[Ravaillac]], the capital of [[New Caputia]], was constructed in {{AN year|1743}} to create a new nuclear fuel reprocessing plant to process depleted nuclear fuel rods, as well as store spent nuclear fuel. Its core process is in separating Uranium for the use new nuclear fuel, and Plutonium for mixed oxide fuel, in order to reduce spent nuclear fuel production. This has managed to extend life cycles of nuclear power plants significantly. It has two main buildings.
The Nuclear Reprocessing Facility ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Instalación de Reprocesamiento Nuclear) near [[Ravaillac]], the capital of [[New Caputia]], was built in {{AN year|1743}} to reprocess depleted nuclear fuel rods and store spent nuclear fuel. Its core process separates uranium for use in new nuclear fuel and plutonium for mixed oxide fuel, reducing the volume of spent fuel. This has significantly extended the fuel cycles of the nation's nuclear power plants. It has two main buildings.


* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialised library.
* The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
* The Fuel Reprocessing Plant reprocesses nuclear fuel to produce enriched uranium and plutonium for mixed oxide fuel.
* The Fuel Reprocessing Plant reprocesses nuclear fuel to recover enriched uranium and plutonium for mixed oxide fuel.


=== National Nuclear Fusion Reactor ===
=== National Nuclear Fusion Reactor ===
[[File:RFNN cb.jpg|thumb|200x200px|View of the RFNN Control Building]]
[[File:RFNN cb.jpg|thumb|200x200px|View of the RFNN Control Building]]
The National Nuclear Fusion Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Fusión Nuclear Nacionál, RFNN) near [[Parap]], the capital of [[Wechua Nation|Wechua]], is a prototype fusion power plant based on a spherical tokamak configuration. Construction began in {{AN year|1740}}, and the first Phase was completed in {{AN year|1749}}. When completed, it will feature six main buildings.
The National Nuclear Fusion Reactor ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Reactor de Fusión Nuclear Nacional, RFNN) near [[Parap]], the capital of [[Wechua Nation|Wechua]], is a prototype fusion power plant based on a spherical tokamak. Construction began in {{AN year|1740}}, and the first phase was completed in {{AN year|1749}}. When finished, the site will have seven main buildings.


* The Main Building ({{AN year|1743}}) houses administrative offices, meeting rooms, an auditorium, a library, a canteen, lecture halls, and a visitor center. It also houses the National Fusion Museum, showcasing exhibitions on the history of nuclear fusion and development of the RFNN site.
* The Main Building ({{AN year|1743}}) houses administrative offices, meeting rooms, an auditorium, a library, a canteen, lecture halls, and a visitor center. It also houses the National Fusion Museum, with exhibitions on the history of nuclear fusion and the development of the RFNN site.
* The Control Building ({{AN year|1744}}) houses the main control room, a server room, offices and meeting rooms, a leisure area, open spaces, and a public gallery.
* The Control Building ({{AN year|1744}}) houses the main control room, a server room, offices and meeting rooms, a leisure area, open spaces, and a public gallery.
* The Neutral Beam Test Facility ({{AN year|1746}}) provides testing for one of the main operations of the tokamak fusion power generation - neutral beam injection. For this, they utilise negative ion technology.
* The Neutral Beam Test Facility ({{AN year|1746}}) tests neutral beam injection, one of the main heating systems of tokamak fusion, using negative ion technology.
* The Cryoplant ({{AN year|1749}}) provides extensive cooling power for the immense needs of the magnets of the tokamak complex once operational. It includes three liquid helium refrigerators and a 1,400 m<sup>3</sup> vacuum vessel.
* The Cryoplant ({{AN year|1749}}) provides cooling for the magnets of the tokamak complex. It includes three liquid helium refrigerators and a 1,400 m<sup>3</sup> vacuum vessel.
* The Cooling Tower Area (Scheduled {{AN year|1752}}) provides cooling water and heat exchange for the main reactor area and power systems of the tokamak complex.
* The Cooling Tower Area (scheduled {{AN year|1759}}) will provide cooling water and heat exchange for the main reactor area and power systems.
* The Power Conversion Building (Scheduled {{AN year|1755}}) provides the main switchyard capabilities required to power the 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets inside the tokamak design.
* The Power Conversion Building (scheduled {{AN year|1762}}) will house the main switchyard needed to power the 10,000 tons of superconducting magnets of the tokamak.
* The Tokamak Complex (Scheduled {{AN year|1755}}) is the main facility of the RFNN, consisting of the main 7-stories tall tokamak (120 m long and 80 m wide); as well as auxiliary systems such as heating, ventilation, power, network, and sensors.
* The Tokamak Complex (scheduled {{AN year|1762}}) is the main facility of the RFNN: a tokamak hall seven stories tall, 120 m long, and 80 m wide, with auxiliary systems for heating, ventilation, power, networking, and sensors.


== Organisation ==
== Organization ==
The LNEN is overseen directly by the [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]]. It is led by an Executive Team, which is in charge of daily operations of the organisation, overseen by a Director, who is assisted by:
LNEN answers directly to the [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]]. Daily operations are run by an Executive Team under a Director, assisted by:


* Chief Science Officer, in charge of scientific programming and nuclear research.
* a Chief Science Officer, in charge of scientific programming and nuclear research;
* Chief Nuclear Officer, in charge of nuclear operations, including safeguarding, engineering, and waste management.
* a Chief Nuclear Officer, in charge of nuclear operations, including safeguarding, engineering, and waste management;
* Chief Operations Officer, in charge of facilities administration, logistics, and procurement.
* a Chief Operations Officer, in charge of facilities administration, logistics, and procurement;
* Chief Finance Officer, in charge of budgeting, finances, and auditing.
* a Chief Finance Officer, in charge of budgeting, finances, and auditing; and
* Chief Customer Officer, in charge of public relations, training, and industrial collaboration.
* a Chief Customer Officer, in charge of public relations, training, and industrial collaboration.


The Executive Team is assisted by a Board, which oversees the activities of LNEN. Its members include both academic and industrial experts, and is led by a Chair.
A Board of academic and industrial experts, led by a Chair, oversees the activities of the Executive Team.


=== Divisions ===
=== Divisions ===
LNEN is divided into multiple divisions, including four research divisions, seven service departments, and one executive office:
LNEN is organized as follows:


* Director
* Director
** Chief Operations Officer
** Chief Operations Officer
*** Department of Administration & Planning
*** Department of Administration and Planning
*** Department of Facilities
*** Department of Facilities
** Chief Science Officer
** Chief Science Officer
Line 108: Line 117:
** Chief Nuclear Officer
** Chief Nuclear Officer
*** Department of Nuclear Safety
*** Department of Nuclear Safety
*** Department of Containment & Waste Management
*** Department of Containment and Waste Management


Support departments oversee finance, HR, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. CIFA also operates three advisory boards:  
Support departments handle finance, human resources, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. LNEN also operates three advisory boards:


# Nuclear Research and Innovation Council
# Nuclear Research and Innovation Council
Line 117: Line 126:


== Research ==
== Research ==
Aside from receiving funding through the [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]] to perform fundamental and applied research into nuclear science, LNEN established the Associates Grants Program ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Programa de Subvenciones para Asociados, PSA), also known as Invención Nuclear (InNuc) in {{AN year|1738}} to provide match-funding grants to public and private research. As of {{AN year|1746}}, the program has funded over €600 million in research for nuclear energy, medicine, and fusion research. InNuc is divided into three separate programs:
Besides its departmental funding for fundamental and applied nuclear science, LNEN established the Associates Grants Program ([[Martino language|Martino]]: Programa de Subvenciones para Asociados, PSA), also known as Invención Nuclear (InNuc), in {{AN year|1738}} to provide match-funding grants to public and private research. As of {{AN year|1746}}, the program had funded over NAX€600 million in research on nuclear energy, medicine, and fusion. InNuc runs three programs:


# Core Science (€50 million): provides match-funding and technical expertise for researchers and industrial partners to advance fundamental and applied nuclear science, including safeguarding and waste management.
# Core Science (NAX€50 million): match-funding and technical expertise for researchers and industrial partners in fundamental and applied nuclear science, including safeguarding and waste management.
# Innovation (€250 million): provides match-funding and technical expertise for engineers and industrial partners to test and develop new technologies, methods, and concepts. LNEN operates an open-source platform, NuFronta, to collaborate and exchange innovation and ideas.
# Innovation (NAX€250 million): match-funding and technical expertise for engineers and industrial partners to test and develop new technologies, methods, and concepts. LNEN operates an open platform, NuFronta, for exchanging innovations and ideas.
# Strategic Research (€300 million): provides match-funding and technical expertise to industrial partners on maintaining, upgrading, and expanding domestic and international civil nuclear industry, including nuclear power, medicine, and fusion technology.
# Strategic Research (NAX€300 million): match-funding and technical expertise for industrial partners maintaining, upgrading, and expanding the domestic and international civil nuclear industry, including nuclear power, medicine, and fusion technology.


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Energy and Environment]]
* [[Department of Energy and Environment (Nouvelle Alexandrie)]]
* [[Department of Research and Development (Nouvelle Alexandrie)|Department of Research and Development]]
* [[Department of Research and Development (Nouvelle Alexandrie)]]
* [[National Energy Commission (Nouvelle Alexandrie)]]
* [[Federal Science & Research Council]]
* [[Federal Science & Research Council]]


[[Category:Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
[[Category:Government agencies of Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
[[Category:Energy in Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Nouvelle Alexandrie]]
[[Category:Engineering]]

Revision as of 15:21, 13 July 2026

National Nuclear Laboratory
Formed 1692 AN
Type Federal agency
Jurisdiction Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie
Headquarters Central Laboratory, near Cárdenas, Federal Capital District
Responsible Secretary Secretary of Energy and Environment
Parent agency Department of Energy and Environment

The National Nuclear Laboratory (Alexandrian: Laboratoire national de l'énergie nucléaire; Martino: Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Nuclear, LNEN) is a government agency of the Department of Energy and Environment of Nouvelle Alexandrie. It provides nuclear science, technology, and engineering expertise covering the whole of the nuclear fuel cycle, and maintains the federation's research and development capabilities for the nuclear energy industry. LNEN publishes a quarterly magazine, Futuro Nuclear, which carries technical papers, essays, and interviews from the nuclear industry.

History

LNEN was founded in 1692 AN to consolidate nuclear science research in a single federal laboratory. Its reactor development work supported the growth of nuclear power to over 11% of annual power generation in Nouvelle Alexandrie by 1715 AN.

In 1724 AN, the Department of Research and Development transferred the National Isotopes Facility in Punta Santiago to LNEN, expanding its mandate to nuclear medicine and isotope production. After the discovery of Alexandrium in Alduria in 1729 AN, LNEN worked with the National Energy Commission on the development of the first microreactors capable of Alexandrium-derived power generation.

In 1738 AN, the Frontera Program allocated NAX€8.4 billion to LNEN to expand and upgrade its facilities. The largest single project was a new center near Parap for fusion power research.

Facilities

Central Laboratory

View of the Central Laboratory Main Building.

The headquarters of LNEN are located near Cárdenas, the capital of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The Central Laboratory (Martino: Laboratorio Central, LC) sits on a 20-hectare campus and has four main buildings.

  • The Main Building houses administrative offices that manage the other facilities of LNEN nationwide, as well as lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialized library. It is also home to the National Nuclear Museum, with exhibitions on the history of nuclear energy, prototypes, and nuclear science.
  • The Reactor Design Building tests new nuclear reactor designs for power generation and other tasks. Experimental reactors built and tested there include:
    • The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (Martino: Reactor Avanzado de Agua Pesada, RAAP), which operated between 1694 AN and 1698 AN. It was built to demonstrate AHWR technology, but the design lost out to gas-cooled reactors.
    • The Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (Martino: Reactor Avanzado Refrigerado por Gas, RARG), which operated between 1694 AN and 1710 AN. It became the template for eight nuclear power plants throughout Nouvelle Alexandrie.
    • The Very-High-Temperature Reactor (Martino: Reactor de Muy Alta Temperatura, RMAT), which operated between 1712 AN and 1724 AN, combining pebble-bed technology with HTGR design. It replaced the AGR as the main nuclear power reactor type in Nouvelle Alexandrie by 1730 AN.
    • The Molten-Salt Reactor (Martino: Reactor de Sales Fundidas, RSF), in operation since 1728 AN. It demonstrates MSR technology but has not yet displaced HTGR designs in commercial service.
  • The Nuclear Fuel Building researches nuclear fuel production, waste management, and radioactivity, with the aim of improving fuel efficiency and reducing radiation hazards.
  • The Decommissioning Building provides technical expertise to industry partners and government agencies on decommissioning operations, including radioactive waste, shutdown safety, and environmental restoration.

Potosí Nuclear Fuel Factory

The Potosí Nuclear Fuel Factory (Martino: Fábrica de Combustible Nuclear de Potosí, FCNP), also known as PotosíNuclear, supports the operations of the Central Laboratory. It produces the bulk of the nuclear fuel for Nouvelle Alexandrie's nuclear power stations, as well as for international customers. It has four main buildings.

  • The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
  • The Oxide Fuel Plant produces oxide fuels for advanced gas-cooled and heavy water reactors, as well as intermediate fuel products, including uranium dioxide powders, granules, and pellets.
  • The Hex Fuel Plant produces uranium hexafluoride ("hex") for enriching uranium for nuclear reactors.
  • The Fuel Cycle Processing Plant processes fuel-cycle residues, in particular those produced by gas-cooled reactors.

FCNP also has a large area for the containment of radioactive waste, using both dry cask storage and a deep geological repository for transuranic radioactive waste.

Nuclear Isotope Facility

A view of the Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant of the IIN.

The Nuclear Isotope Facility (Martino: Instalación de Isótopos Nucleares, IIN) in Punta Santiago, the capital of Alduria, is the nation's largest supplier of medical and research isotopes. It sits on a 20-hectare campus with six main buildings.

  • The Main Building houses administrative offices, lecture halls, a conference center, and a specialized library. It also houses the National Isotopes Museum, with exhibitions on the history of medical and research isotopes, reactor designs, and nuclear science.
  • The Linear Accelerator Isotope Plant produces isotopes for medical and research purposes by linear acceleration of protons, using a 30 m beam line with 200 MeV capacity. It also provides non-isotope irradiations for materials research.
  • The Low-Energy Accelerator Plant combines linear acceleration with a VDG electron accelerator to study radiation effects in radioisotope separation, purification, and targetry methods.
  • The High Flux Isotope Reactor is a light-water cooled and moderated reactor fueled by uranium-235 that produces radioisotopes for nuclear research.
  • The Medical Cyclotron Facility produces medical radioisotopes by cyclotron acceleration of proton, deuteron, helium-3, or alpha particle beams. It is the nation's largest producer of medical radioisotopes for cancer treatment.
  • The Radiochemical Processing Laboratory prepares radioisotopes for medical, research, and non-lethal military applications, using products from the other facilities.

Rimarima Nuclear Facility

The Rimarima Nuclear Facility (Martino: Instalación Nuclear de Rimarima, INR) provides the bulk of uranium enrichment services for Nouvelle Alexandrie. It processes natural uranium for civil use, manages and stores depleted uranium, and supports the decommissioning of enriched uranium reactors. Since 1724 AN, it has produced only low-enriched uranium for civil use, having ceased military production. It has four main buildings.

  • The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
  • The Gas Centrifuge Plant produces low-enriched uranium by gas centrifuging, providing the bulk of enriched uranium fuel for nuclear power plants in Nouvelle Alexandrie.
  • The Advanced Fuels Plant, built in 1738 AN, produces high-assay low-enriched uranium for small and advanced modular reactors.
  • The Hex Processing Plant de-converts depleted uranium hexafluoride tails to a more stable uranium oxide compound for long-term storage and disposal.

Like FCNP, INR has a large radioactive waste containment facility with dry cask storage.

Nuclear Reprocessing Facility

The Nuclear Reprocessing Facility (Martino: Instalación de Reprocesamiento Nuclear) near Ravaillac, the capital of New Caputia, was built in 1743 AN to reprocess depleted nuclear fuel rods and store spent nuclear fuel. Its core process separates uranium for use in new nuclear fuel and plutonium for mixed oxide fuel, reducing the volume of spent fuel. This has significantly extended the fuel cycles of the nation's nuclear power plants. It has two main buildings.

  • The Main Building houses administrative offices, a lecture hall, a conference hall, and a specialized library.
  • The Fuel Reprocessing Plant reprocesses nuclear fuel to recover enriched uranium and plutonium for mixed oxide fuel.

National Nuclear Fusion Reactor

View of the RFNN Control Building

The National Nuclear Fusion Reactor (Martino: Reactor de Fusión Nuclear Nacional, RFNN) near Parap, the capital of Wechua, is a prototype fusion power plant based on a spherical tokamak. Construction began in 1740 AN, and the first phase was completed in 1749 AN. When finished, the site will have seven main buildings.

  • The Main Building (1743 AN) houses administrative offices, meeting rooms, an auditorium, a library, a canteen, lecture halls, and a visitor center. It also houses the National Fusion Museum, with exhibitions on the history of nuclear fusion and the development of the RFNN site.
  • The Control Building (1744 AN) houses the main control room, a server room, offices and meeting rooms, a leisure area, open spaces, and a public gallery.
  • The Neutral Beam Test Facility (1746 AN) tests neutral beam injection, one of the main heating systems of tokamak fusion, using negative ion technology.
  • The Cryoplant (1749 AN) provides cooling for the magnets of the tokamak complex. It includes three liquid helium refrigerators and a 1,400 m3 vacuum vessel.
  • The Cooling Tower Area (scheduled 1759 AN) will provide cooling water and heat exchange for the main reactor area and power systems.
  • The Power Conversion Building (scheduled 1762 AN) will house the main switchyard needed to power the 10,000 tons of superconducting magnets of the tokamak.
  • The Tokamak Complex (scheduled 1762 AN) is the main facility of the RFNN: a tokamak hall seven stories tall, 120 m long, and 80 m wide, with auxiliary systems for heating, ventilation, power, networking, and sensors.

Organization

LNEN answers directly to the Department of Energy and Environment. Daily operations are run by an Executive Team under a Director, assisted by:

  • a Chief Science Officer, in charge of scientific programming and nuclear research;
  • a Chief Nuclear Officer, in charge of nuclear operations, including safeguarding, engineering, and waste management;
  • a Chief Operations Officer, in charge of facilities administration, logistics, and procurement;
  • a Chief Finance Officer, in charge of budgeting, finances, and auditing; and
  • a Chief Customer Officer, in charge of public relations, training, and industrial collaboration.

A Board of academic and industrial experts, led by a Chair, oversees the activities of the Executive Team.

Divisions

LNEN is organized as follows:

  • Director
    • Chief Operations Officer
      • Department of Administration and Planning
      • Department of Facilities
    • Chief Science Officer
      • Nuclear Energy Division
        • Office of Fuel
        • Office of Enrichment and Processing
      • Isotopes Division
        • Office of Nuclear Medicine
        • Office of Research Isotopes
      • Decommissioning Division
      • Fusion Division
    • Chief Customer Officer
      • Industry Collaboration Office
      • Office of Public Engagement
      • Office of Nuclear Education
    • Chief Nuclear Officer
      • Department of Nuclear Safety
      • Department of Containment and Waste Management

Support departments handle finance, human resources, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. LNEN also operates three advisory boards:

  1. Nuclear Research and Innovation Council
  2. Security and Ethics Council
  3. Non-Proliferation Council

Research

Besides its departmental funding for fundamental and applied nuclear science, LNEN established the Associates Grants Program (Martino: Programa de Subvenciones para Asociados, PSA), also known as Invención Nuclear (InNuc), in 1738 AN to provide match-funding grants to public and private research. As of 1746 AN, the program had funded over NAX€600 million in research on nuclear energy, medicine, and fusion. InNuc runs three programs:

  1. Core Science (NAX€50 million): match-funding and technical expertise for researchers and industrial partners in fundamental and applied nuclear science, including safeguarding and waste management.
  2. Innovation (NAX€250 million): match-funding and technical expertise for engineers and industrial partners to test and develop new technologies, methods, and concepts. LNEN operates an open platform, NuFronta, for exchanging innovations and ideas.
  3. Strategic Research (NAX€300 million): match-funding and technical expertise for industrial partners maintaining, upgrading, and expanding the domestic and international civil nuclear industry, including nuclear power, medicine, and fusion technology.

See also

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