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Unfinished nuclear reactor core in a modern nuclear power plant under construction.<\/span><\/p>\n getty<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The Trump administration has taken another step to convince businesses to invest in nuclear power by starting a rulemaking process to fast-track approving new microreactors. <\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are both taking significant steps to promote the development of microreactors. These nuclear power generators are compact nuclear reactors designed to produce 20 megawatts of thermal energy.<\/p>\n The DOE launched the \u201cfirst-of-its-kind\u201d test bed facility for private investors to rapidly develop, test and pilot microreactors. The test bed at Idaho National Laboratory is called Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME).<\/p>\n This April 8 notice that DOME is open for business was followed up by another key government action to attract private industry.<\/p>\n Ho K. Nieh, NRC chairman, announced<\/a> April 24 that next month a Federal Register notice will contain a \u201cgroundbreaking\u201d proposed regulatory framework to cut red tape and prove flexible, risk-informed licensing options for new microreactors. <\/p>\n The new rule\u2014called \u201cLicensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors with Comparable Risk Profile\u201d\u2014is also described as retaining public health and security safeguards.<\/p>\n \u201cThis regulatory framework for microreactors marks a major step toward modernizing the licensing process for advanced nuclear reactors,\u201d Nieh said, adding that proposed changes will be \u201cdesigned to deploy microreactors with safety, scale, and speed.\u201d<\/p>\n The forthcoming rule with its proposed guidance is expected to entice microreactor development by shaving the costs of new projects.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NRC and industry expect to save $3.76\u2013$11.84 billion (depending on discount rate), mainly by reducing exemption requests and streamlining reviews. The NRC projects accelerated licensing and deployment timelines of potentially 6\u201312 months for construction permits,\u201d the commission noted<\/a>.<\/p>\n The proposed new rule<\/a> would enable microreactor developers to<\/p>\n Both DOE and the NRC expect to see greater interest in developing microreactors to meet the growing power needs of data centers and provide more resilient energy supplies. <\/p>\n \u201cDue to their expected small sizes, low power levels, potential mobility, and simplicity of operation compared to the current fleet of operating power reactors, microreactors and other reactors with comparable risk profiles may be useful, for example, for remote communities, non-electric industrial processes, military bases, maritime applications, disaster relief, and other applications where a grid connection is unreliable or nonexistent,\u201d the proposed rule states.<\/p>\n NRC predicted future microreactors will have standard design features that enable mass production and be able to be transported in containers needing minimal site preparation or construction.<\/p>\n Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) test bed at Idaho National Laboratory.<\/span><\/p>\n Idaho National Laboratory<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The high-tech test bed at INL is actually a large dome-shaped facility that is 100 feet tall and 80 feet in diameter. It was created by INL\u2019s National Reactor Innovation Center.<\/p>\n \u201cDOME represents the kind of bold and creative infrastructure investment that America’s nuclear resurgence demands,\u201d INL Director John Wagner described<\/a> in a DOE announcement. \u201cWe are accelerating the next generation of nuclear innovators from concept to demonstration at a pace the industry has not seen in decades.\u201d <\/p>\n According to DOE, DOME is the world\u2019s only facility specifically designed to handled fueled microreactor experiments producing up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy for use as heat or electric power.<\/p>\n “NRIC built this test bed to answer the need of industry to have a facility that would enable them to swiftly convert their innovative concepts into practical demonstrations,” said NRIC Director Brad Tomer. “With the information gathered from their testing at DOME, reactor developers will turn pioneering ideas into validated technologies to advance nuclear energy. We are extremely proud to offer this capability and cannot wait to see the impact it has on the nuclear industry.\u201d <\/p>\n Microreactor benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n U.S. Department of Energy<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n The current administration continues to take successive strides to develop nuclear power, which has played a lesser role in the U.S. energy mix. <\/p>\n A look at the U.S. electricity generation figures for 2023 by the Energy Information Administration showed nuclear energy generated 775 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity (18.6%) compared to fossil fuel\u2019s 60% share.<\/p>\n An increase in the use of microreactors is expected to offer great promise to meet the growing electricity demands of data centers. These advanced reactors are also being targeted as power sources for future military and space needs.<\/p>\n Recently, the U.S. Air Force joined with the Defense Innovation Unit to choose three companies to potentially develop and operate a microreactor at an installation<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThe future of air and space dominance is powered by resilient energy,\u201d Michael Borders, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations and Environment, noted<\/a> April 26 in a statement. \u201cBy integrating advanced nuclear technology, we are not just keeping the lights on; we are guaranteeing that our most critical national security missions will never be held at risk by a power outage. This is a pivotal moment for the Department of the Air Force.\u201d <\/p>\n These recent federal government steps to rapidly promote the deployment of microreactors will likely spur widespread national development as more tests are enabled and the need expands for advanced power generators. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Anticipating Growth in Microreactor Development<\/h2>\n
A New Type of Nuclear Test Facility<\/h2>\n
An Increasing Demand for Microreactors<\/h2>\n
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