Articles tagged with "advanced-nuclear-technology"
US energy company plans 600 MW nuclear expansion with new site permit
Duke Energy, a US nuclear energy company, has submitted an early site permit (ESP) application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in North Carolina. This move follows two years of technical and environmental assessments and aims to address site suitability and environmental safety issues ahead of any construction decisions. The ESP application is technology-neutral, covering six potential reactor technologies—including four small modular reactors (SMRs) and two non-light-water designs—allowing flexibility in future reactor selection. Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, Kendal Bowman, emphasized that securing the permit reduces risks of delays in licensing and construction, with the permit valid for up to 20 years. If SMR technology is deemed the best fit, Duke Energy plans to add 600 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2037, with the first SMR expected online in 2036. Chief Nuclear Officer Kelvin Henderson highlighted that this approach balances risk management with preparing for future energy demand. Separately
energynuclear-energysmall-modular-reactorsDuke-Energynuclear-power-expansionsite-permitadvanced-nuclear-technologyWorld’s first fast molten salt nuclear reactor gets first fuel
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have produced the first full-scale batch of enriched chloride-based molten salt fuel for the world’s first fast-spectrum molten salt reactor, the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). This marks a historic milestone as it is the first time such fuel has been made for a fast reactor. A key breakthrough in 2024 enabled the conversion of 95% of uranium metal into uranium chloride within hours, drastically reducing production time from over a week to about a day. The facility aims to produce up to 75 batches, with the first batch completed in September 2023 and four more planned by March 2026. The MCRE project, supported by the US Department of Energy and private industry, represents a major push toward next-generation nuclear technology, focusing on molten salt reactors that use liquid fuel salts instead of solid fuel rods and water cooling. This technology offers higher operating temperatures, improved fuel efficiency, and inherent safety benefits. Beyond land-based power generation,
energynuclear-energymolten-salt-reactoradvanced-nuclear-technologyuranium-fuelenergy-innovationsustainable-energyUS firm's goal to power Earth, space with nuclear reactor gets funding
Nuclear startup Antares has secured $96 million in a Series B funding round led by Shine Capital to advance its small modular R1 microreactor, designed for use in remote Earth locations and space applications. The funding, comprising $71 million in equity and $25 million in debt, will support equipment acquisition, factory construction, and uranium procurement. Antares’ R1 microreactor uses TRISO fuel—carbon spheres with ceramic-coated uranium—and is capable of generating between 100 kilowatts and 1 megawatt of electricity. The company, founded two years ago, is building a 145,000-square-foot facility in Torrance, California, to produce up to 10 reactors annually and has contracts with the US Air Force, Space Force, Defense Innovation Unit, and NASA. Antares aims to demonstrate its reactor for the Department of Energy (DOE) next year and to operate a full-scale prototype by 2027. This funding milestone comes amid a broader “nuclear renaissance
energynuclear-powermicroreactorsmall-modular-reactorTRISO-fueladvanced-nuclear-technologyclean-energyMultiple small nuclear reactors to power US Army bases within a year
The U.S. Army, in partnership with the Department of Energy, has announced the Janus program to deploy multiple small nuclear reactors at military bases, particularly in the Pacific region, within the next year. These next-generation microreactors aim to provide resilient, secure, and uninterrupted power to national defense installations, reducing reliance on vulnerable fossil fuel supply chains such as diesel generators. The reactors are designed to operate for decades without refueling or servicing, enhancing energy security and operational readiness for forward-deployed forces. Janus builds on earlier efforts like Project Pele, which focuses on mobile, transportable microreactors using advanced fourth-generation nuclear technology, with operational reactors expected by 2026. The program aligns with Executive Order 14299, mandating the deployment of Army-regulated nuclear reactors at domestic military installations by 2028. The Army will lead Janus with support from the Department of Energy, emphasizing safety, oversight, and integration with the full nuclear fuel cycle to strengthen defense and industrial capabilities.
energynuclear-powersmall-modular-reactorsmilitary-energy-solutionsmicroreactorsUS-Army-energyadvanced-nuclear-technologyBill Gates-backed TerraPower eyes Utah for 345 MW nuclear reactor
Bill Gates-backed TerraPower has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Utah Office of Energy Development and land developer Flagship Companies to identify potential sites in Utah for building a 345 MW Natrium nuclear reactor and energy storage plant. The collaboration aims to support Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox’s Operation Gigawatt initiative, which seeks to develop a diverse and reliable energy ecosystem for Utah and the western United States. The site selection process, expected to yield a preliminary list by the end of 2025, will consider factors such as community support, site characteristics, licensing feasibility, and infrastructure access. TerraPower’s Natrium reactor is a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system, capable of boosting its output from 345 MW to 500 MW depending on demand. This advanced design uses significantly less water than traditional light water reactors and small modular reactors, making it suitable for water-constrained regions like the Mountain West. TerraPower is currently building the first Nat
energynuclear-reactorTerraPowerNatrium-reactorenergy-storageclean-energyadvanced-nuclear-technologyUS backs X-energy's nuclear microreactor to boost military power
The US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of the Air Force have partnered with X-energy Reactor Company to advance the development of X-energy’s XENITH microreactor under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program. This initiative, aligned with a 2025 executive order, aims to deploy advanced nuclear microreactors at military installations to enhance national security by providing reliable, long-duration power. The XENITH microreactor is a high-temperature gas-cooled unit roughly the size of a shipping container, capable of generating 3-10 MW of electricity continuously for 20 years without refueling. Its compact footprint (under 2 acres), scalability, and advanced safety features—including helium coolant and multiple safety layers—make it suitable for integration with existing infrastructure, supporting military resilience and reducing dependence on vulnerable fuel supply chains. Beyond the XENITH, X-energy is also developing the Xe-100, a fourth-generation, high-temperature gas-cooled reactor designed for
energynuclear-microreactorX-energymilitary-poweradvanced-nuclear-technologymicroreactor-deploymentDepartment-of-DefenseGoogle signs first US Gen IV nuclear deal to power its data centers
Google has signed a landmark power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to buy electricity from Kairos Power’s Hermes 2 Generation IV nuclear reactor, marking the first such deal between a U.S. utility and an advanced nuclear developer. The 50-megawatt reactor, expected to begin operations by 2030 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will supply carbon-free power to TVA’s grid, supporting Google’s data centers in Tennessee and Alabama. This agreement initiates a broader collaboration aimed at unlocking up to 500 megawatts of advanced nuclear capacity over the next decade, reflecting Google’s commitment to securing reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy amid rising electricity demand driven by AI and cloud services. The deal also symbolizes a revival of Oak Ridge’s historic role in nuclear innovation and aligns with recent federal efforts to accelerate advanced nuclear development. The Trump administration’s executive orders have streamlined licensing for small modular and micro-reactors, aiming to significantly increase U.S.
energynuclear-energyGeneration-IV-reactorsclean-energypower-purchase-agreementdata-centersadvanced-nuclear-technologyUS nuclear tech could cut radioactive waste, power deep space trips
The Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), in partnership with SHINE Technologies, has developed an advanced chemical recycling process for spent nuclear fuel that could significantly reduce radioactive waste and support deep space missions. Utilizing equipment such as centrifugal contactors—which spin liquids to separate materials by density—and 3D-printed parts for rapid prototyping, the team aims to create a cost-effective, scalable solution for industrial nuclear fuel recycling. This approach focuses on extracting valuable resources from used fuel, over 95% of which still contains untapped energy, thereby enhancing fuel recovery, reducing long-term waste, and promoting a sustainable nuclear energy cycle. Key challenges addressed include the intense radioactivity and heat of spent fuel, requiring stringent safety measures and “safeguards by design” to prevent illicit access and ensure regulatory compliance. The process also prioritizes economic feasibility by targeting commercial demand for recovered materials, such as recycled fuel and radioisotopes that can power advanced reactors, medical diagnostics, and deep-space missions. Researchers simulate
energynuclear-energyradioactive-waste-recyclingdeep-space-powersustainable-energynuclear-fuel-recoveryadvanced-nuclear-technologyFirst US nuclear reactor in 50 years to supply power where grids can’t
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing the development of advanced microreactor technology through the MARVEL project, the first U.S. nuclear reactor in 50 years designed to supply power and heat in remote locations where traditional grids are unavailable. Managed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), MARVEL is an 85-kW thermal, 20-kW electric test reactor cooled by a sodium-potassium (NaK) alloy. It uses uranium hydride fuel rods moderated by hydrogen and surrounded by a beryllium reflector, employing existing technologies and off-the-shelf components for faster construction. The reactor is located at INL’s Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) and aims to serve as a physical test bed for integrated testing of reactor components, autonomous controls, microgrid interfaces, and process heat applications in a real nuclear environment. MARVEL’s development is divided into three phases over approximately five years. The first phase, currently underway, focuses on finalizing design,
energynuclear-reactormicroreactoradvanced-nuclear-technologyDepartment-of-Energymicrogridsodium-potassium-coolantWorld’s first mass-produced nuclear reactor to enter testing in US
nuclear-energymicroreactorsenergy-innovationmodular-reactorsportable-energy-solutionsadvanced-nuclear-technologyrenewable-energy