Energy Department to start performing Microreactor Experiments

Westinghouse’s Vinci Microreactor. © Westinghouse

Energy Department announces first experiments of the compact, energy-efficient, Westinghouse and Radiant Microreactor.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has chosen Westinghouse and Radiant Nuclear to carry out the first microreactor experiments at a new test site in Idaho called DOME (Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments).

DOME is located at the Idaho National Laboratory and will reuse an existing structure from an old experimental reactor. This approach is expected to cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and lower project risks.

Westinghouse will test its eVinci microreactor, a compact unit that passively cools itself using advanced heat pipe technology. The version being tested is a smaller, 3 MW thermal version that will help develop the company’s full-scale 5 MW electric model. The reactor is designed to fit in small spaces and could supply power to remote areas, mining sites, or data centers.

Radiant will test its Kaleidos Development Unit—a 1.2 MW electric microreactor packaged in a single shipping container. It uses high-temperature gas cooling and could be a cleaner alternative to diesel generators.

Both companies are currently going through the DOE’s multi-step approval process for the design, building, and testing of these new nuclear systems.

source Energy Department