Articles tagged with "small-modular-reactors"
New York State wants more nuclear power in a big way
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans for the state to develop a large new nuclear power facility designed to generate at least 1 gigawatt of electricity. Emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy in reducing fossil fuel dependence, Hochul directed the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to spearhead the project, though specific site and design choices remain undecided. The state intends to collaborate with private partners for development, finance construction, and purchase the plant’s output. Potential locations include existing nuclear plants in upstate New York. This initiative aligns with a broader trend of tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon investing in nuclear power to secure clean energy for their operations. Despite renewed interest, the nuclear industry faces significant challenges, including the absence of new nuclear plant construction in the U.S. for over 15 years and historical issues with cost overruns and delays. Hochul highlighted the need for federal regulatory and permitting reforms to expedite project timelines, noting that current barriers reside primarily in Washington
energynuclear-powerrenewable-energypower-plantsclean-energyenergy-policysmall-modular-reactorsNvidia wants in on the nuclear renaissance, invests in Bill-Gates backed TerraPower
Nvidia has made its first energy sector investment through its venture arm, NVentures, by participating in a funding round for TerraPower, a nuclear startup backed by Bill Gates and HD Hyundai. TerraPower is developing its Natrium reactor, designed to generate 345 megawatts of electricity, which positions it between large conventional reactors and smaller modular reactors. Unlike traditional water-cooled reactors, Natrium uses molten sodium as a coolant and incorporates a significant amount of sodium to store heat when electricity demand is low. This stored heat can then be used to generate electricity during peak demand, enabling the reactor to operate steadily while helping to balance intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. TerraPower initially pursued a different reactor design but shifted to the Natrium design due to uncertainties. The company claims it can complete a reactor within three years after starting concrete work, although substantial site preparation is still required. While the Natrium reactor is expected to be cheaper than recent U.S. nuclear projects, costs remain high
energynuclear-powerTerraPowerNatrium-reactormolten-sodiumsmall-modular-reactorsenergy-storageEuropean firms partner to build 200 MW modular nuclear power plant
European firms Newcleo and Nextchem have formed a joint venture, NextCleo, to develop nuclear power plants based on Newcleo’s 200 MW lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR-AS-200) modular technology. Newcleo will focus on developing the nuclear reactor itself, while Nextchem will provide expertise in designing and managing the conventional island and balance of plant components necessary to convert nuclear energy into dispatchable electric power. Nextcleo will also offer integration services to other small modular reactor (SMR) and advanced modular reactor (AMR) technology providers. This collaboration aims to support decarbonization efforts, particularly by enabling low-carbon chemical production aligned with Nextchem’s e-Factory model. Nextchem will hold a 60% stake in Nextcleo, retaining operational control, while Newcleo will own 40%. Additionally, Nextchem will acquire an initial minority stake in Newcleo, increasing upon development milestones. The partnership plans to have a non-nuclear precursor prototype ready by 2026
energynuclear-powermodular-reactorssmall-modular-reactorsadvanced-modular-reactorsdecarbonizationenergy-transitionNvidia joins Gates-backed nuclear startup to power AI’s energy needs
Nvidia has invested in TerraPower, a nuclear energy company founded by Bill Gates, through its venture arm NVentures as part of a $650 million funding round. This strategic move aims to address the rapidly growing energy demands of AI-driven data centers, whose electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2030. TerraPower develops advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), including its flagship Natrium project in Wyoming, which features a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor paired with a gigawatt-scale molten salt energy storage system. This design allows for flexible, carbon-free power generation that can complement intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. TerraPower is progressing toward commercial operation of the Natrium plant by 2030, with non-nuclear construction already underway. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Sabey Data Centers to explore supplying nuclear energy directly to the data center industry, marking a significant early collaboration between advanced nuclear developers and major tech infrastructure operators.
energynuclear-energyAI-energy-needsTerraPowersmall-modular-reactorsdata-centerscarbon-free-energySweden team tests 100 rare nuclei to unlock nuclear fission secrets
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden conducted an experimental study using a large superconducting magnet to investigate nuclear fission in 100 exotic nuclei, including elements like platinum, mercury, and lead. Their goal was to better understand the fission process, which is fundamental both for improving cleaner nuclear energy generation and for insights into element formation in the universe. Nuclear fission typically produces asymmetric fragments—unequal in size and mass—due to the nuclear shell structure, where certain numbers of protons and neutrons confer greater stability. However, prior research focused mainly on a limited set of long-lived isotopes, leaving the fission behavior of many exotic, short-lived nuclei poorly understood. The team specifically studied nuclei with more protons than neutrons to identify which shell effects cause the nucleus to split asymmetrically into a lighter and a heavier fragment. Their surprising finding was that the enhanced stability of the smaller fission fragment is linked to a specific proton number—36—indicating a previously un
energynuclear-fissionnuclear-energyclean-energyradioactive-wastesmall-modular-reactorsmicroreactorsAmazon joins the big nuclear party, buying 1.92 GW for AWS
Amazon has joined a growing trend among major tech companies by securing 1.92 gigawatts of electricity from Talen Energy’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania to power its AWS cloud and AI servers. Unlike an earlier plan where Amazon intended to build a data center adjacent to the plant and draw power directly—bypassing the grid and transmission fees—regulatory concerns led to a revised agreement. The current deal positions Amazon as a grid-connected customer, paying transmission fees like other users, with the arrangement set to last through 2042. Transmission infrastructure upgrades are planned for spring 2026 to support this setup. Beyond the power purchase, Amazon and Talen Energy plan to explore building small modular reactors (SMRs) within Talen’s Pennsylvania footprint and expanding output at existing nuclear plants. Such expansions typically involve optimizing fuel enrichment, turbine upgrades, or other modifications to increase power generation. This move aligns Amazon with peers like Microsoft and Meta, who have also made significant investments in nuclear
energynuclear-powerAWScloud-computingsmall-modular-reactorsclean-energypower-purchase-agreementRolls-Royce to power 3 million UK homes with 1.5 GW nuclear reactors
Rolls-Royce has been selected by the UK government and the state-owned Great British Energy – Nuclear as the preferred bidder to develop the country’s first fleet of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The project aims to generate 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, enough to power approximately 3 million homes. Unlike traditional nuclear plants built entirely on-site, these SMRs will be factory-manufactured in modules and then assembled at the final location, a method intended to reduce construction costs, complexity, and delays. Each Rolls-Royce SMR will produce 470 megawatts, with the technology expected to begin generating power by 2032 at the earliest. This initiative is part of a broader UK nuclear strategy that includes a £14.2 billion investment in the large Sizewell C power station and a £2.5 billion commitment to the SMR program during the current Spending Review period. The government highlights that SMRs are smaller, quicker to build,
energynuclear-powersmall-modular-reactorsRolls-Royceclean-energyUK-energy-strategypower-generationUS firm plans 10 GW power from small reactors at retired nuclear site
Florida-based Holtec International, in partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, plans to deploy advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) at the retired Palisades nuclear plant site in Michigan by 2030. The project, part of Holtec’s “Mission 2030” program, aims to build America’s first SMR-300 units—each a 300 MW advanced, passively safe, pressurized light water reactor—co-located with the existing 800 MW Palisades plant, which is currently being restarted after its 2022 shutdown. Holtec intends to build a 10-gigawatt fleet of SMR-300s across North America during the 2030s, leveraging the cost advantages of deploying SMRs at existing nuclear sites. Holtec is also exploring additional SMR deployments, including up to four units at the Oyster Creek site in New Jersey, where a 625 MW boiling water reactor is slated for decommissioning by 2029. The company sees significant growth potential for SMRs in the Mountain West region, particularly in Utah and Wyoming, supported by ongoing testing at Idaho National Laboratory and recent pro-nuclear legislation in Utah. Holtec’s SMR-300 design emphasizes passive safety features, such as gravity-driven safety systems, earning it a “walk-away safe” designation, and positions the company to compete globally against state-backed reactor vendors by offering comprehensive lifecycle services from construction to decommissioning. The Palisades SMR-300 project is intended to serve as a global benchmark for next-generation nuclear technology deployment, advancing U.S. leadership in clean energy innovation and unlocking worldwide opportunities for SMR adoption. Holtec highlights the project’s role in providing clean, reliable energy capable of powering hundreds of thousands of homes while maintaining high safety and operational standards.
energysmall-modular-reactorsnuclear-powerSMR-300clean-energypower-plantHoltec-InternationalDutch firm eyes nuclear power propulsion for greener cargo fleet
energynuclear-propulsioncarbon-emissionssmall-modular-reactorsoffshore-vesselssustainable-shippingdecarbonizationUS' largest SMR simulator to advance nuclear science for clean energy
clean-energynuclear-powersmall-modular-reactorsenergy-innovationVirginia-energyrenewable-energynuclear-engineeringLet’s Talk About Small Modular Reactors - CleanTechnica
nuclear-energysmall-modular-reactorsclean-technologyrenewable-energyenergy-productionclimate-changeelectricity-generationUkraine plans a small nuclear reactor in Chernobyl exclusion zone
nuclear-energysmall-modular-reactorsChernobylenergy-needsUkrainepower-generationradiation-managementGoogle inks deal to develop 1.8 GW of advanced nuclear power
energynuclear-poweradvanced-reactorsdata-centersrenewable-energysmall-modular-reactorspower-generation