- Terrestrial Energy MOU with Viaro for IMSR in UK
- Q&A with Terrestrial Energy
Viaro Energy, the independent British energy company operating in the UK and the Netherlands North Sea, and Terrestrial Energy, a US technology company, announce a strategic partnership to develop an industry-leading IMSR project in the United Kingdom.
Viaro and Terrestrial Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively on the deployment of Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR plant technology for a broad range of potential industrial applications, including powering data centers for AI. These applications currently rely on fossil fuels to drive energy-intensive processes, for which an IMSR plant offers a scalable, carbon-free replacement.
Scope of Collaboration
Viaro and Terrestrial Energy will collaborate to capture commercial opportunities from fast-growing demand for nuclear’s clean, firm electric power and industrial heat. They will initially evaluate siting, regulatory, macroeconomic and policy factors to confirm the viability of the project, before proceeding to identification of target sites, followed by detailed evaluation and site selection.
The two companies intend to form a joint venture for the delivery of the IMSR plant project in the UK, with Viaro providing the infrastructure and investment for the deployment, and Terrestrial Energy leading the nuclear system development and procurement activities.
While the timelines for the project are dependent on various external factors, which will be assessed at agreed-upon milestones, the parties anticipate the project will reach a Final Investment Decision in 2030. An IMSR plant would create over 120 jobs when in operation, with many more during construction and in the plant supply chain.
Springfields Fuel Pilot Plant
Separately, in August 2023, Terrestrial Energy signed a contract with Springfields Fuels Limited, a subsidiary of Westinghouse, for the design and construction of an IMSR fuel pilot plant. The Springfields nuclear fuel manufacturing site in Preston, United Kingdom, has extensive infrastructure available to support the fuel supply for IMSR development, and scalable to support a fleet of IMSR plants operating in the 2030s.
The IMSR plant uses Standard Assay Low-Enriched Uranium enriched below 5% uranium-235, rather than High Assay Low-Enriched Uranium enriched to 5 to 20% uranium-235.
The former is used in conventional nuclear power plant fuel and is the only fuel available and transportable today for civilian reactor use and has international regulatory acceptance. Its use supports an early deployment path for IMSR plants across multiple markets, including providing clean, firm power for industrial and data center use in the US and European markets.
TE has also signed contracts with Orano for packaging and transportation of IMSR fuel as well as with Cameco for the supply of natural uranium. TE also has MOUs in place with Centrus Energy and Urenco as part of its fuel supply chain program.”
TE plans to use low-enriched uranium <5% in molten salt in a once-through fuel cycle. The concept is based on the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, which operated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1965-1969.
About the IMSR
IMSR cogeneration plants generate high-grade, high-value heat (585°C). Conventional nuclear power plants are limited to lower-grade, low-value heat supply (290°C).
This thermal energy can be transported by steam or by molten salt loops many kilometers away from an IMSR cogeneration plant for many industrial uses. These include oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical production (including green hydrogen and green ammonia), and new applications such as clean synthetic transport fuels – all energy-intensive applications not served today by advances in current clean energy technologies.
Conceptual Diagram IMSR. Image: Terrestrial Energy
Q & A with Terrestrial Energy
Q:Â Does Viaro plan to locate the SMRs offshore on currently operating or reconfigured oil platforms in the North Sea?
TE:Â Viaro and Terrestrial Energy are exploring a potential site or industrial application for an IMSR plant in the UK. Although Viaro operates offshore oil platforms, the focus of the MOU with Terrestrial Energy would be on finding a potential onshore site in the UK.
Q:Â Does Viaro plan to locate the SMRs in a submerged configuration offshore or floating tethered at a dock?
No. See previous answer
Q: How will financing work? For instance, is Viaro’s financial commitment limited to power purchase agreements or will the firm be a direct funder or investors in construction of the SMRs. Also, TE is not a participant in the UK GBN SMR competition. Will all financing come from Viaro, or will there be other major investors? Is Viaro an equity investor or just a source of debt financing?
TE:Â Declined to answer questions about finances.
Q: Will the SMRs have customers other than oil & gas facility production facilities and data centers. For instance, TE has promoted the use of their reactor for process heat. Are there customers for it using the SMR and if so can you identify any of them?
TE: Yes, potential customers in the UK could include any industrial application that currently rely on fossil fuels to drive energy-intensive processes, for which an IMSR plant offers a scalable, carbon-free replacement. More information on these potential applications is available on the Terrestrial Energy web page
Q: What is the status of TE engagement with the UK Office of Nuclear Regulation in terms of the licensing process – general design assessment?
TE:Â Terrestrial Energy is engaged in pre-licensing discussions with the UK ONR.
Q:Â What is the status of TE engagement with CNSC and with the NRC?
Terrestrial Energy was the first Generation-IV reactor, and first molten salt reactor, to complete the CNSC Vendor Design Review in 2023.
TE is engaged in pre-licensing discussions with the NRC. In May 2023, TE received a grant from DOE to support the licensing program. In addition, Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR is one of two designs included in a cooperative program between NRC and CNSC to facilitate more efficient regulatory review.
Q: The UK Government has committed GBP 2.9 million (USD $3.8 million) to establish the pilot plant under its Nuclear Fuel Fund program, part of the UK’s energy security strategy. Is this the total cost or if not what is the total cost?
TE:Â The UK Government funding supports part of the development of IMSR fuel supply in the UK and pilot fuel plant design and development.
Q:Â What is the status / schedule for building the fuel plant? Has work begun or when will the project break ground.
TE:Â The program of site selection will be completed first.
About Viaro Energy
Viaro Energy has interests in a broad portfolio of oil & gas assets through its wholly owned operating subsidiary, RockRose Energy. The company has vast operations for oil and gas production in the Central North Sea. Viaro also has non-operated interests in one of the largest undeveloped fields in the North Sea, the Northern North Sea-based Bressay oil field and the EnQuest Producer FPSO. The company also has non-operated interests in the Netherlands.
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