New DoE ARPA-E program awards $24 million to 10 advanced nuclear reactor projects

Through its new Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program, the U.S. Department of Energy will invest up to $24 million in 10 projects that seek to develop new technologies and designs that make advanced nuclear reactors cheaper and safer to operate.

The goal of the ARPA-E Modeling Enhanced Innovations Trailblazing Nuclear Energy Reinvigoration (MEITNER) program is to make advance nuclear reactors more commercially viable. Announced by the DoE on Monday, the funding will support multiple advanced reactor designs in varying stages of development.

“Nuclear energy is an essential component of the U.S. energy mix, and by teaming up with the private sector to reduce costs and improve safety, we are keeping America ahead of the curve in advanced reactor design and technology,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. “These next-generation ARPA‑E technologies help us maintain our competitive, technological edge globally while improving the resilience of the grid and helping provide reliable, baseload electricity to each and every American.”

Westinghouse Electric Co., LLC of Cranberry Township, Pa., has been awarded $5 million to develop a self-regulating, solid core block to regulate reaction rates, North Carolina State University has been awarded $3.38 million to develop a nearly autonomous management and control system for advanced reactors, and Terrestrial Energy USA, Inc of New York City has been awarded $3.1 million to develop equipment-based seismic protective technologies to reduce capital costs of advanced reactors.

Additionally, Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. of Seattle has been awarded $2.35 million to develop technology to increase the power density and reduce the size of gas-cooled reactors, HaloGen, LLC of Manassas Park, Va., has been awarded $2.28 million to develop a transportable, gas-cooled nuclear reactor with load following capabilities, and Yellowstone Energy of Knoxville, Tenn., has been awarded $2.56 million to develop nuclear reactor control technology that enhances safety and reduces costs of molten salt reactor and other designs.

Currently, nuclear power accounts for approximately 20 percent of U.S. electricity generation. Existing nuclear plants face higher operational and maintenance costs, and MEITNER projects aim to advance new designs, manufacturing processes and technologies to make nuclear energy more competitive.