United States Nuclear Power Reactor Used Nuclear Fuel Database and Applications

The U.S. Department of Energy develops and maintains the Unified Database (UDB) within STANDARDS. The UDB serves as the foundational data infrastructure for managing the United States’ used nuclear fuel inventory of 329 237 discharged assemblies totaling 95 190 metric tons of heavy metal. The database organizes this inventory through approximately 200 interconnected tables. The schema is structured into eight primary attribute categories, supporting integrated analyses across storage, transportation, and disposal domains. Data enters the UDB through the GC-859 Nuclear Fuel Data Survey. The survey transitioned to web-based collection in 2023, improving data quality through real-time validation. The UDB enables automated generation of input files for nuclear analyses, reducing preparation time while maintaining traceability. Applications include national inventory reporting, Certificate of Compliance assessments, and facility optimization. The database distribution model balances accessibility with security requirements for federal agencies, national laboratories, and research organizations. The UDB provides essential data infrastructure as used fuel management transitions from site-specific to integrated national campaigns.