DoD expands contract for mobile microreactor prototype

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced it was expanding the contract for X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC’s participation in Project Pele initiative to develop a mobile microreactor.

X-Energy Reactor is a leading developer of small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation. Its work in Project Pele will help the DoD develop a transportable, cost-effective advanced nuclear microreactor prototype for the military to use in remote locations. The company was awarded $17.49 million to develop the technology.

“We learned a tremendous amount while working through the first phase of Project Pele with subject matter experts at the Department of Defense,” Harlan Bowers, X-energy president, said. “We intend to build on the knowledge and experience from the first phase of work to create a clean, practical, and cost-effective microreactor to be competitive with fossil fuel-based power generation used today. We expect this next phase of work to include the refining of our design, prototype testing, and initiation of reviews with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure our microreactor meets safety standards and can be licensed for civilian use in the U.S.”

The DoD estimates it uses approximately 30 Terawatt-hours of electricity per year and more than 10 million gallons of fuel per day. Those levels are anticipated to increase as its fleet is electrified and future energy-intensive capabilities mature. Having safe, small, transportable nuclear reactors would help address the military’s growing demand, and supply it with resilient, carbon-free energy sources that don’t add to the DoD’s liquid fuel needs.

Project Pele was launched in 2019 as a way to develop a fourth-generation nuclear microreactor to deliver those energy needs in a reliable, carbon-free way, that supports remote and austere environments, officials at the DoD said. X-Energy was selected as one of the two teams to deliver a final design to the department. The company’s contract is intended to provide the DoD with two microreactor designs while providing a commercial pathway for the adoption of the technology in other applications.

“Due to their extraordinary energy density, nuclear reactors have the potential to serve multiple critical functions for meeting resiliency needs in contested logistical environments,” said Dr. Jeff Waksman, Project Pele program manager. “By developing two unique designs, we will provide the Services with a broad range of options as they consider potential uses of nuclear power for both Installation and Operational energy applications in the near future.”