A big step forward for modern nuclear power with the start of construction of the first Natrium reactor in the United States, a promising innovation for the industry.
Washington-based TerraPower has reached a crucial milestone in the development of its sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor (FNR-Na), the Natrium, by awarding key contracts to build the first such unit in America. This advancement marks a significant moment in the deployment and commercialization of the United States' first advanced reactor.
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Who is TerraPower?
TerraPower, founded in 2006 by Bill Gates, is an American company specializing in the development of innovative nuclear reactors. It focuses on two main technologies: the traveling wave reactor and the Natrium reactor which we discuss in this article. The company receives significant financial support from the U.S. government and aims to reduce the costs of nuclear power generation while improving safety and sustainability. TerraPower also collaborates with international partners to develop and export its technology.
Unique capabilities of the Natrium reactor
The project, currently under construction in Kemmerer, stands out with its capacity of 345 megawatts (MW) and integrates a molten salt energy storage system, allowing the system power to be quickly increased to 500 MW for more than five hours and a half. This feature ensures seamless integration with renewable energy and improves the resilience of the power grid.
Future development and operations
The Natrium demonstration project will include not only the design and operation of the reactor, but also the development of codes and methods, the development and qualification of fuel, and the design, construction and operation of two support facilities : the Natrium fuel manufacturing facility and the sodium testing and filling facility.
Other sodium-cooled fast reactor projects
Several sodium-cooled fast reactor (FNR-Na) projects are currently in development around the world. In France, although the ASTRID project was stopped in 2019, a new cooperation agreement was signed in December 2024 between Framatome and Japanese partners (JAEA, MHI, MFBR) to develop a demonstrator of around 600 MWe at horizon 2040. In Russia, the MBIR experimental reactor (40 MWe) is under construction to replace the BOR-60, while the BN-1200 project (1200 MWe) is under study. China is developing the 600 MWe CDFR in collaboration with Russia, and South Korea is working on the 350 MWe PGSFR with the United States. Other notable projects include GE-Hitachi's Prism (311 MWe) and the ARC-100 (100 MWe). These developments highlight the continued interest in this mature, fourth-generation technology, capable of providing carbon-free and sustainable energy.
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This article explores the development of the Natrium reactor, a major advance in the nuclear industry with a capacity of 345 MW, boostable to 500 MWe using a molten salt energy storage system. This innovation, integrated into a project under construction in Kemmerer, could revolutionize energy supply by offering a viable and flexible solution for networks with high renewable penetration.
Source : https://www.terrapower.com/terraPower-announces-awards-for-Natrium
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