Australia’s OPAL is back at work after upgrades

October 1, 2024, 3:00PMANS Nuclear Cafe
A technician works inside OPAL's reactor vessel during the maintenance and upgrade project. (Photo: ANSTO)

The only nuclear reactor in Australia has returned to power after a monthslong shutdown for planned essential maintenance and upgrades. The OPAL (for open-pool Australian light water reactor) research reactor at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) campus in Sydney successfully went through the most significant engineering maintenance and upgrade project in its 17-year history.