NRC OKs Construction Permit for Kairos Reactor

• NRC Approves Construction Permit for Kairos Reactor
• Centrus to Invest $60 Million to Expand Uranium Enrichment
• Atomic Alchemy to Produce Fuel for Zeno’s Commercial Radioisotope Power Systems
• Poland Nuclear Effort Lined Up for $979 Million Loan from US
• Norway Utility Explores SMR Options with X-Energy
• Tokamak Energy Raises $125 Million to Develop Fusion and Magnet Technologies
• Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing Seen as Accelerating Fusion Energy Projects

NRC Approves Construction Permit for Kairos Reactor

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has voted to issue construction permits to Kairos Power for the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant to be built at the Heritage Center Industrial Park in Oak Ridge, TN. The permits authorize Kairos to build a facility with two 35 MWt thermal test reactors that would use molten salt to cool the reactor cores.

The Hermes 2 facility would include the two reactors and a shared power generation system. The facility is intended to provide operational data to support the development of a larger version for commercial electricity production. The NRC would need to review and approve a future application from Kairos before operating licenses for the Hermes 2 facility could be issued.

Kairos submitted its application to build Hermes 2 in July 2023. The NRC issued its final safety evaluation for the permits on July 19, 2024, and the final environmental assessment for the site on Aug. 30, 2024.

As part of Kairos Power’s iterative development approach, Hermes 2 will build on lessons learned from the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor, which became the first U.S. Gen IV reactor to receive an NRC construction permit in December 2023. Following the Commission’s vote, Hermes 2 is now the first electricity-producing Gen IV plant to be approved for construction in the United States.

The Hermes series represents a major step on Kairos Power’s iterative path to commercializing fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology to support the clean energy transition. Hermes 2 will demonstrate complete plant architecture at a reduced scale and supply clean electricity to the grid, further advancing technology, licensing, supply chain, and construction certainty for Kairos Power’s commercial deployments.

The Commission’s approval of the Hermes 2 construction permits follows the NRC staff’s  review of Kairos Power’s application, which was completed on an accelerated schedule of just over one year. The rapid review and approval timeline was made possible by Kairos Power’s extensive pre-application engagement with the NRC dating back to 2018, along with numerous process improvements piloted by the first Hermes CPA and the NRC’s new simplified mandatory hearing process. Additional efficiencies were created by the similarities and co-location of the two Hermes iterations, which allowed the Hermes 2 application to leverage work already done for Hermes.

“The Commission’s approval of the Hermes 2 construction permits marks an important step toward delivering clean electricity from advanced reactors to support decarbonization,” said Mike Laufer, CEO and co-founder.

The Hermes 2 plant will be built on land that Kairos Power purchased in 2021 adjacent to the Hermes reactor, which is currently under construction. Following the two-step 10 CFR Part 50 licensing process, Kairos Power will apply for an operating license for Hermes 2, which must be approved by the NRC before the plant can start up.

About the Kairos Reactor Program

The Kairos Project is funded by DOE Risk Reduction Award worth $629 million in a cost share agreement. DOE’s cash share to Kairos is $303 million.

TVA and Kairos Power have formed a collaborative development agreement to provide defined engineering, operations, and licensing support for the Hermes low-power demonstration reactor.

Kairos and Materion have partnered in a strategic collaboration to develop a reliable and cost-effective supply of salt coolant for high-temperature molten salt reactors. This coolant is a key comp nent of Kairos Power’s fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactors (KP-FHR). Under the agreement, Materion supplies beryllium fluoride, expert technical consultation, and key interfaces, as well as operational support for the Kairos Power-designed Molten Salt Purification Plant.

Materion is also a partner in the ARDP Risk Reduction award to support construction, operation, and commissioning of Kairos Power’s Hermes demonstration reactor. In July 2022, Kairos Power and Materion commissioned their Molten Salt Purification Plant to produce coolant for high-temperature molten salt reactors.

Idaho National Laboratory partnered with Kairos Power on government contract awards including development of a prototype control room for the Hermes reactors.

Kairos has an agreement with Centrus for development and acquisition of HALEU fuel

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Centrus to Invest $60 Million to Expand Uranium Enrichment

(NucNet) US nuclear fuel supplier Centrus Energy is to invest an additional $60 million (€57 million) over the next 18 months in its manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, TN, to lay the groundwork to support a potential large-scale expansion of uranium enrichment at a separate facility, its American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, OH, which is about 100 miles due east of Cincinnati, OH.

The announcement follows Centrus’ recent success in securing over $2 billion in purchase commitments from customers to support future production of low-enriched uranium (LEU) and two awards from the US Department of Energy aimed at enrichment and deconversion of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which will be needed to fuel many next-generation advanced reactors.

HALEU is uranium enriched to levels between 5% and 20% U-235, but Russia is the only major supplier. Western companies including Centrus, Anglo-German-Dutch consortium Urenco and France’s Orano have all announced plans to ramp up production of uranium, in the form of UF6, enriched to various HALEU levels of U235. Once that material is available, it must be “deconverted” to solid form for use by fuel fabrication plants for use as TRISO fuel, uranium metal fuel, and fuel for molten salt reactors.

Centrus president and chief executive officer Amir Vexler said the $60 million investment is intended to jump-start a multi-billion dollar public and private commitment to reestablishing America’s uranium enrichment capacity at scale while reducing its dependence on foreign nations such as Russia.

“We have always said that restoring US enrichment capacity at scale requires a public-private partnership, including a robust federal investment alongside customer offtake commitments and private capital.”

Centrus’ American Centrifuge technology is exclusively manufactured at it technology and manufacturing center in Oak Ridge, TN, and is supported by a nationwide supply chain of 14 major suppliers.

The only other Western centrifuge technology in commercial operation today is the European centrifuge design, which is exclusively manufactured in the Netherlands.

Room For 11,000 More Centrifuges

At the Oak Ridge facility, which was formerly a Boeing plant, around 150 engineers and technicians have developed the company’s key American Centrifuge technology. The Piketon, OH, plant houses a cascade of 16 centrifuges. Centrus has said there is room for 11,000 more of them.

The complex cylindrical machines – 40 feet tall – stand upright in configurations called cascades. Inside, carbon fiber rotors spin uranium gas at very high speeds to separate out the fissile fuel that powers commercial nuclear reactors.

Centrus says it plays a critical role in supplying nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors. That role is likely to grow if the US pushes ahead with plans to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050. Uranium miners in western states are ramping up their operations to supply yellowcake derived from uranium ore to support the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Russia, the world’s largest supplier of LEU, said earlier this month it had imposed temporary restrictions on the export of LEU to the US, a symbolic tit-for-tat move after the US banned Russian uranium imports.

Russia is the world’s sixth largest uranium producer and controls about 44% of global uranium enrichment capacity. In 2023, the US and China topped the list of Russian uranium importers, followed by South Korea and France.

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Atomic Alchemy to Produce Fuel for Zeno’s Commercial Radioisotope Power Systems

Oklo Inc. (NYSE:OKLO) announced that Atomic Alchemy Inc. (Atomic Alchemy), which Oklo has proposed to acquire through an all-stock transaction, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zeno Power Systems, Inc. (Zeno Power), a developer of commercial Radioisotope Power Systems (RPSs).

Zeno Power’s innovative power systems convert heat from radioisotopes into energy producing packages  for commercial and government customers in critical environments across space and terrestrial markets.

Through this collaboration, Atomic Alchemy expects to supply Zeno Power with strontium-90 (Sr-90), americium-241 (Am-241), and other radioisotopes needed to power RPSs like Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, also known as RTGs or nuclear batteries. These systems are designed for remote and off-grid environments, such as space and undersea applications. These radioisotopes can be produced as coproducts from Oklo’s recycling processes.

What makes Zeno Power’s products unique is that they avoid the long, multi-step production cycle of using PU-238 for RTGs. NASA has used PU-238 powered RTGs for multiple deep space missions that travel beyond Mars orbit where solar power is no longer effective.

Zeno Power’s novel design enables broad commercial use of RPSs in space and terrestrially. In late 2023, Zeno Power demonstrated its first Sr-90 heat source at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. To date, Zeno Power has secured over $65 million in contracts with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Space Force, enabling reliable clean power solutions for missions ranging from seabed exploration to lunar operations.

Oklo said in its press statement that the MOU marks a key step in Atomic Alchemy’s strategy to provide to the growing radioisotope market and expand its impact on critical missions, including space exploration and national defense.

The MOU also represents an important milestone in furthering Atomic Alchemy’s efforts to supply radioisotopes for non-medical applications and its goal to expand its presence in key markets such as defense and energy. Atomic Alchemy and Zeno Power expect to explore opportunities that build upon Atomic Alchemy’s expertise in radioisotope production and recovery.

“This collaboration highlights the powerful synergies between Oklo, Atomic Alchemy, and Zeno Power in advancing nuclear technologies for the world’s most demanding missions,” said Thomas Eiden, Founder and CEO of Atomic Alchemy.

“We are thrilled to be working with Atomic Alchemy and Oklo to advance our fuel supply chain efforts and recover radioisotopes that otherwise would be waste,” said Harsh S. Desai, Chief Commercialization Officer at Zeno Power.

About Atomic Alchemy Inc.

Atomic Alchemy Inc. is U.S.-based radioisotope supply chain to meet essential demands across healthcare, industry, research, and defense. With its proprietary Versatile Isotope Production Reactor (VIPR) technology, Atomic Alchemy is building the first scalable production facility to provide a reliable, sustainable source of high-value radioisotopes. Using a vertically integrated model and fuel recycling, in partnership with Oklo, Atomic Alchemy is transforming isotope production to address global shortages, support critical applications, and strengthen national security.

About Zeno Power Systems, Inc.

Zeno Power is a developer of commercial radioisotope power systems (RPSs). The company, founded in 2018, has offices in Washington, D.C., and Seattle, WA. Zeno is currently executing on contracts with NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense, and is on track to deliver its initial power packages to customers by 2026. Zeno Power is backed by a portfolio of investors including Tribe Capital, 1517 Fund, AIN Ventures, Balerion Space Ventures, and DCVC.

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Poland Nuclear Effort Lined Up for $979 Million Loan from US

• The agreement follows similar LOI last April from US Exim Bank for about $4 billion to support the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Poland that are being jointly developed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Orlen Synthos Green Energy.

(NucNet) The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is considering support for Poland’s project to build its first commercial nuclear power station with a loan of about $979 million. The DFC is limited by law to loans of up to $1 billion per project. The DFC letter of intent was issued on 11/12/24.

The DFC letter of interest is another key document related to the financing of the Polish project to build three Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plants at a site near the villages of Lubiatowo and Kopalino in Choczewo commune, Pomerania, a province in the north of Poland. It is a coastal site on the southern side of the Baltic Sea.

The total cost of the three reactors is expected in current dollars to be $17 billion. While there is no firm commitment by the Exim Bank for this amount, last March Robert Rudich, energy attaché at the US embassy in Warsaw, said Exim Bank had sent a letter of interest for “a very large number of billions of dollars.”

He said: “That is probably the lowest-cost debt financing available and it is an immensely powerful tool that we are bringing to this strategic project.”

“The involvement of the DFC has more than just a financial dimension for us,” said Wojciech Rosinski, finance division director at Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), the state company set up to implement as a special purpose organization to carry out the nuclear project, including securing financing.

“It confirms the US administration’s interest in our project.”

Rosinski added that the letter of interest was the outcome of months of talks held between PEJ and the DFC.

Agnes Dasewicz, head of investments at DFC, said DFC is committed to enhancing regional energy security throughout Central and Eastern Europe

“This LOI is a step toward reducing regional reliance on Russian energy exports while also seeking to bolster economic growth and create jobs.”

DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world. It invests across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure and technology.

In November 2022, Warsaw chose US-based Westinghouse to supply its AP1000 pressurized water reactor technology for the construction of three units in Pomerania. Bechtel and Westinghouse are partners to build the three reactors, but they will not be taking equity stakes in the project.

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Norway Utility Explores SMR Options with X-Energy

(WNN) Norsk Kjernekraft has signed a memorandum of understanding with high-temperature gas-cooled pebble-bed type nuclear reactor developer X-energy to explore the deployment of small modular reactors in Norway. This is the latest development in the project which was announced last May.

The memorandum of understanding also encompasses DL Energy and DL E&C, from South Korea’s DL Group, who signed a collaboration agreement with Norsk Kjernekraft in August. The Norwegian company said the aim was to combine the Korean firm’s expertise and experience in building nuclear power facilities with the US-based X-energy’s reactor technology.

The August agreement included a feasibility study of constructing a nuclear power plant at the Mongstad oil refinery in the Austrheim and Alver municipality, with the Norwegian firm aiming for such a plant to be built by the mid-30s if there is “political will.”

In August Norsk Kjernekraft also submitted a proposal to Norway’s Ministry of Energy for an assessment of the potential construction of a power plant based on multiple SMRs in the municipality of Øygarden, west of Bergen. That proposal followed proposals submitted for SMR power plants in Aure and Heim municipalities, as well as Vardø municipality.

The utility said that a key focus will be to supply power for data centers. The company said in a statement to World Nuclear News last May, “there will be no will to build many data centers if the power is to be supplied from land-intensive renewables. “With nuclear power, this problem is avoided.”

Norsk Kjernekraft also said it could build three or four SMRs of 300 MWe capacity each in connection with the data center to deliver 900-1200 MWe of electricity (7.5-10 TWh annually). This, it says, is sufficient to meet the needs of the data centre as well as, for example, a green electrolysis factory for hydrogen as well as providing heat to industry in the area. Four of X-Energy’s 80 MWe advanced reactors supplies 320 MWe of power.

“Off-grid SMR will be used where it makes sense from a holistic point of view,” the company said. “Regular connection to the network will still be considered where it makes sense, for example where extensive network infrastructure already exists or is planned. Hybrid solutions are also relevant.”

X-energy’s Xe-100 is a Generation IV advanced reactor design which X-energy says is based on decades of high temperature gas-cooled reactor operation, research, and development, and is designed to operate as a standard 320 MWe four-pack power plant or scaled in units of 80 MWe.

At 200 MWt of 565°C steam, the Xe-100 is suitable for a range of uses of heat and power applications including mining and heavy industry. The Xe-100 uses tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel, which has additional safety benefits because it can withstand very high temperatures without melting.

X-energy says its design makes it road-shippable with accelerated construction timelines and more predictable and manageable construction costs, and is well suited to meet the requirements of energy-intensive data centers.

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Tokamak Energy Raises $125 Million to Develop Fusion and Magnet Technologies

Tokamak Energy has raised $125 million to accelerate ambitious plans to commercialize fusion energy and grow its transformative high temperature superconducting (HTS) technology solution, TE Magnetics.

The round was co-led by East X Ventures and Lingotto Investment Management with participation from new investors including Furukawa Electric Company, British Patient Capital, global maritime company BW Group and U.S.-based Sabanci Climate Ventures.

It brings the total raised since forming as a spin-out from UK Atomic Energy Authority in 2009 to $335 million, comprising $275 million from private investors and $60 million funded from the UK and U.S. governments.

The investment round will support the rapid growth of TE Magnetics to address demand from the fusion energy market and open new fields of performance in other industries including science, mobility, renewable energy and security.

TE Magnetics is a dedicated HTS magnet business division. In collaboration with key manufacturing partners, it is focused on becoming a supplier of HTS technology for fusion and other applications, including science, renewable energy and propulsion in water, air and space.

It will also advance the company’s leading fusion pilot plant design program, as well as develop, test and validate new fusion technologies using its high field spherical tokamak ST40 for experiments near at Oxford, UK.

The company recently presented the first details of its fusion energy pilot plant being designed as part of the U.S. Department of Energy Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program, established for private companies to bring fusion towards technical and commercial viability.

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Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing Seen as Accelerating Fusion Energy Projects

(CATF) As the world grapples with the growing climate challenge, the need for clean, firm power has become apparent. Between the rising demand for data centers and the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing need for energy sources capable of providing abundant and consistent zero-carbon electricity.

Fusion energy, once a distant dream, is on the precipice of breaking through to transform our energy system and meet this demand. With over $7 billion invested in private fusion companies—more than $6 billion raised since 2020—the sector has seen significant growth, expanding from 10 companies in 2017 to over 40 today.

A new report from Clean Air Task Force (CATF) explores how AI and HPC are accelerating fusion energy development in key areas, including materials selection, high-temperature superconductors, inertial fusion energy, tritium breeding, and advanced diagnostics.

With real-world examples featuring 16 case studies, the report showcases how AI and HPC are already driving progress in the fusion sector.

In the executive summary the report noted that AI and HPC can speed up progress by doing much of the empirical scaling ‘in silico.’ HPC-enabled “parameter sweeping,” or determining which design configurations are potentially viable, helps narrow down the nearly infinite range of possible machine parameters.

AI-driven multi-objective optimization tools provide fusion developers with a clearer understanding of which designs constructively balance factors such as projected energy yield and cost-effectiveness. Challenges come in addressing the engineering of key enabling technologies to support fusion power.

The speed at which these tools work can drastically reduce the time it takes for developers to move from initial exploration to a basic conceptual design suitable for further development.

Furthermore, advancements in cloud-based HPC have democratized access to computational tools that were previously limited to dedicated supercomputers. This has broadened access to high-performance computing across the fusion ecosystem, enabling a diverse range of concepts, including less common fusion concepts, to take advantage of modern simulation tools to accelerate the investigation and optimization of their designs.

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