The revival of the US nuclear energy sector has reached a tipping point. The current administration has developed a new framework to advance the nuclear energy rollout in the US. The US Department of Energy has selected 11 developers of micro and small modular reactors to participate in its Nuclear Reactor program. President Donald Trump has been issuing directives that aim to increase the energy capacity from the nuclear sector, and now, the extensive nuclear energy ambitions of the government are progressing.
The Reactor Pilot Program aims to foster a new era of nuclear energy in the USA
The DOE has established the new Reactor Pilot Program that will select 11 potential reactors that will boost the nation’s nuclear energy output capacity over the coming years. The program that has been developed aims to leverage the DOE’s ability to fast-track the research and deployment of SMRs with a broader goal of reaching criticality for at the very least three reactors by July of next year.
The Department of Energy will begin the process by working with 11 developers to advance their SMR technology to such a point that they can efficiently and safely increase US nuclear energy generation over the coming decades. Crucial to note is the fact that the Department will not be providing funds for any projects, but will support the program through expedited licensing and permitting.
“President Trump’s Reactor Pilot Program is a call to action. These companies aim to all safely achieve criticality by Independence Day, and DOE will do everything we can to support their efforts.” – Deputy Secretary of Energy James P. Danly
The developers each have their own needs and varying levels of criticality
There is a vast difference in each company’s readiness to deploy its SMRs to the American market. Some are entirely still in the planning phase and are nothing more than a drawing on a digital planning board, while others are further along the readiness chain and are close to deployment. Notably, the companies involved include some of the largest energy and nuclear companies anywhere on the global stage, such as:
- Aalo Atomics Inc
- Antares Nuclear Inc
- Atomic Alchemy Inc
- Deep Fission Inc
- Last Energy Inc
- Oklo Inc
- Natura Resources LLC
- Radiant Industries Inc
- Terrestrial Energy Inc
- Valar Atomics Inc
These companies are aiming to become the backbone of the US nuclear energy revival. The DOE announced the new Reactor Pilot Program following the President’s signing of Executive Order 14301, which aims to completely reform the DOE’s nuclear testing capabilities. Narrowing down potential SMR operators can often be a challenge; thankfully, there exists a litany of interested companies in the US.
By seeking the approval of the US federal government under the Atomic Energy Act, the developers can fast-track the deployment of the necessary SMRs over the coming years and leverage the support of the government to ease investors’ concerns over potential loss of profits. With the nuclear revival picking up steam in the United States, the rest of the world will need to provide similar support to nuclear energy.
The global rollout of nuclear energy has attracted the attention of market investors
A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency has painted a pretty and attractive picture for the future of the nuclear energy market. The report notes the significant rollout of nuclear energy reactors across the international market over the coming years, with 10 reactors planned and 300 additional units proposed. While the DOE will not guarantee any funding for the projects, it will support the rollout of nuclear SMRs through any means necessary. The revival of the US nuclear sector will reshape the international energy market.
