From TerraPower Understanding Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration
August 24, 2021
While global energy demand declined slightly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Energy Agency expects demand to grow in 2021 due to the recovery of the global economy. Looking ahead, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates world energy consumption will increase nearly 50% by 2050.
This points to the need for continued innovation and growth in clean energy sources to both meet this demand and combat and mitigate climate change. Advanced nuclear energy technologies will help achieve these goals by fulfilling the world’s increasing energy needs with clean, reliable energy that can power homes and businesses 24/7.
Since its founding, TerraPower has been focused on developing advanced nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs, mitigate climate change and lift billions out of poverty. Today, the company is working with its partners to build the first Natrium™ plant at a retiring coal facility in Wyoming. Efforts to demonstrate the Natrium reactor, a TerraPower and GE-Hitachi technology, are underway as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). What is a nuclear reactor demonstration?
A nuclear reactor demonstration project is intended to prove out the new technology’s design, licensing, construction and operational features. The ARDP is a precedent-setting, public-private partnership to support such demonstration efforts. Notably, sodium-cooled fast reactors, like the Natrium reactor, have the highest technology readiness levels of any advanced non-light water reactor. The goal of demonstrating the Natrium technology is to enable the commercialization of this new source of abundant and affordable clean energy in time to help meet climate goals.
The demonstration project will feature a 345 MWe reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The storage system provides flexible generation capability and can boost the system’s output up to 500 MWe of power for long durations when needed. At the end of the project, the Natrium demonstration will be a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-licensed, grid-scale reactor entering commercial service. Why are public-private partnerships important to demonstration efforts?
Over the past century, technology innovation and U.S. economic prosperity have been mutually dependent. Research and development are necessary to create technologies that have market potential and can improve public welfare.
In the advanced nuclear sector, the successful development and commercialization of a reactor rely heavily on government policy and regulation. As a result, government involvement helps to stimulate innovation and supports continued private investment.
Advanced reactor demonstrations build on a long history of public- and private-sector cooperation in the United States. Such efforts resulted in the development of railroads, the internet, the space program and even the light water reactor technology used at today’s nuclear energy plants. What is involved in demonstrating an advanced reactor?
The Natrium demonstration project will follow a seven-year schedule as mandated by Congress. The project includes elements related to plant design, methods development, NRC licensing, equipment testing and qualification, procurement, construction, operating program development, fuel development and supply, and program management.
Early in the process, the Natrium team will select the site for the demonstration project, advance the plant design and submit a construction permit application to the NRC. In parallel, the team will test fuel and equipment, and work with industry to secure the high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), metal fuel and equipment supplies needed for the demonstration project.
Once the construction permit is obtained, the team will proceed with the construction phase of the project. They will also fabricate the fuel and train operating staff while the NRC reviews the operating license application. Following issuance of the operating license, the team will proceed with fuel load and begin operations.
The Natrium demonstration plant will be a fully functioning commercial power plant and, upon the demonstration project completion, the Natrium team will have established the infrastructure needed for a future fleet of plants across the United States and even around the world.
Importantly, the Natrium demonstration project will benefit from a skilled and motivated workforce in Wyoming, a state that has been an energy leader for a century. Thousands of skilled workers will be needed to help build the plant and hundreds more workers will operate it for decades to come. What role do advanced reactors have in the clean energy future?
As energy demand continues to grow and leaders at all levels of government continue to set ambitious emissions-reduction goals, it is abundantly clear that the world needs more reliable, carbon-free energy. Advanced reactors, like the Natrium technology, are uniquely positioned to meet this need.
Demonstrating the Natrium reactor is a crucial part of commercializing this technology and realizing its full potential to meet growing energy demand while combating climate change.
SLX Price at posting:
$1.80 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
(20min delay)
