BWXT Advanced Technologies will build the first advanced nuclear micro reactor in the United States: the US Department of Defense has just awarded it a $ 300 million contract.
BWXT, chosen in March 2021, will deliver a final prototype of the micro reactor (now known as Project Pele) in 2024. A robust testing phase will follow through 2027 at Idaho National Laboratory.
An undertaking, literally: over the next two years, BWXT expects to employ at least 120 employees in the project, including technicians, engineers and other professionals hired to support the effort.
A transportable micro reactor
According to the US Department of Defense, the development of this 'tiny' transportable nuclear reactor would allow it to reduce CO2 emissions and provide tools for disaster relief and critical infrastructure support. The agency currently uses about 30 terawatt-hours of electricity per year and nearly 40 million liters (10 million gallons) of fuel per day.
“We design, build and test new nuclear technologies to provide energy while protecting the environment. We are thrilled with this competitive award after years of hard work by our design and engineering team,” he says Joe Miller, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies. “The entire nuclear industry recognizes that advanced reactors are an important step forward to support growing energy needs and significant carbon reduction imperatives.”
Substantial differences
The Pele project is a joint effort of virtually all major agencies of the American administration. Among others, the Army, the Department of Energy, even NASA are in on it.
The reason is simple: a transportable micro nuclear reactor is a game changer, especially in the difficult times ahead. It can provide a resilient power source for a sea of operational (I imagine primarily military) needs that today involve complex and expensive deliveries of fossil fuels and extended supply lines.
The result? Abundant, 'clean' energy (on to the debate) and with zero carbon emissions.
Ubiquitous and instant energy
The prototype micro reactor will be able to provide from one to five megawatts of energy. It will be transportable in containers by road, rail, air or sea, and able to withstand extreme temperatures. The entire system is designed to be assembled on site and be operational within 72 hours.
What do you think? Could it be a solution limited to certain sectors, or would it be useful in general to compensate for energy shortages? Let us know on the social channels of Futuro Prossimo.