What a difference just a little more than a week can make.
In the span of two weeks there have been announcements for plans to demonstrate several nuclear reactors. With these developments, the nuclear industry is preparing to have more than a handful of advanced commercial designs operational by 2030, which will be critical to solving climate change.
What is driving this progress? It is a combination of government support to overcome unique first-of-a-kind costs, a rapidly maturing technology and increasing customer interest in using advanced reactors to reduce carbon emissions.
Let’s take a look at these exciting developments:
The Federal Government Is Supporting New Reactor Development
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Energy reached an agreement to provide $1.4 billion to deploy NuScale Power LLC’s small modular reactor at Idaho National Laboratory, which is expected to begin operating by 2029.
Earlier in the week, DOE also selected TerraPower LLC and X-energy for cost-share partnerships to build two advanced nuclear reactors that can be operational within seven years. As part of the first step under the new Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), DOE will invest a total of $3.2 billion over seven years (subject to the availability of future appropriations) with industry partners providing matching funds.
And just before that, DOE awarded $26.9 million to three nuclear technology projects including two that use nuclear energy to produce hydrogen fuel.
Coupled with their continued support of the Versatile Test Reactor—which will provide valuable testing capabilities for certain advanced reactors—DOE has committed major funding towards advanced nuclear technology. There are also demonstration projects planned for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force and even NASA is looking into micro-reactor technologies for thermal propulsion and surface power.
It’s a great sign. New technologies have always relied on public-private partnerships to reach market quickly. To reduce carbon emissions as quickly as necessary, we will need more partnerships like this.
Advanced Reactor Technology Is Maturing
Other companies are leading efforts to demonstrate advanced reactor technologies as well. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. announced Oct. 12 it will develop a micro-reactor in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Additionally, Ontario Power Generation announced last week that it is advancing engineering and design work with three grid-scale SMR developers (GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Terrestrial Energy Inc. and X-energy).
We’ve seen more news items recently, because there is simply more news to share. This progress—along with the ARDP demonstrations, NuScale Power’s recent first-of-a-kind design approval and continued work from other advanced reactor developers like Oklo Inc.—showcases how the technology is maturing before our eyes.
New Reactors Are Important for Reducing Carbon Emissions In New Ways
Nuclear energy currently provides nearly 55 percent of our carbon-free electricity. New reactors will also produce clean energy and help decarbonize remote areas, the transportation sector, heavy industry and other applications that today have few or no zero-carbon options.
Many energy companies—including Duke Energy Corp., Ontario Power Generation and others—are planning for a future energy system that limits or eliminates carbon emissions. They see advanced reactors as essential for these efforts because of their carbon-free power generation, their additional applications and their ability to pair well with wind and solar.
Recent News Shows There Is Momentum Behind Advanced Reactors
These recent announcements are incredibly exciting for someone like me who has been working in this field for more than 20 years, but they should be exciting for anyone who cares about our environment and moving towards a carbon-free future. The momentum for new reactors is growing as the technology receives government support and is maturing because of the hard work of developers. I’m glad there is now more widespread recognition for the carbon-free applications new reactors bring to electricity generation and beyond. These new developments will lead to a diverse portfolio of advanced reactors that are positioned to meet needs: for new customers, new markets and the climate.
