Why Advanced Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Should Be Key Component Of Energy Grid Of Near Future – How One Company Is Playing A Key Role

The safety case for X-energy starts with the fuel: the TRISO-X pebble is the containment vessel designed not to melt. The uranium oxycarbide kernels are encased in carbon and ceramic layers and set within a graphite matrix, which the company claims will not melt under any foreseeable adverse conditions within the reactor. For this reason, the Department of Energy describes TRISO fuel as “the most robust nuclear fuel on earth.”

Global energy demand is projected to grow by close to 50% from 2018 to 2050. At the same time nations, corporations and manufacturers around the globe are trying desperately to slash their greenhouse gas emissions. 

With a goal for the world to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, there’s a lot of pressure to lower emissions while meeting this growing demand. Solar and wind energy have their roles within the ecosystem, but to power buildings and manufacturing plants without damaging the planet further may require something more. 

The Road To Decarbonization

That’s where X-Energy Reactor Company LLC AAC and its technology come in. X-energy is a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors, such as its Xe-100, and the Triso-X fuel to power them.  

Advanced small modular nuclear reactors are uniquely suited to scale and provide the reliability needed to meet global decarbonization goals. X-energy’s Xe-100, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) can serve as “always-on” baseload power, which means fewer worries about intermittent supply from other zero carbon emission sources. Unlike other “advanced” reactors, X-energy’s reactors utilize helium gas coolant rather than liquid metal or liquid salt, either of which require more complicated operations and disposal activities.

Thanks to TRISO-X fuel and an innovative use of helium for heat transfer, X-energy expects that, over time, the Xe-100 will make harnessing the power of nuclear fission safer, more efficient and more affordable. According to X-energy, the most important element in designing advanced nuclear reactors is the fuel since it needs to withstand very high temperatures without melting. X-energy’s fuel is unique in that it is designed not to melt.

Watch this video to learn more about X-energy’s story!

U.S Government Support And Project With Dow

The Department of Energy’s (the “DOE”) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) received $2.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the demonstration of two advanced reactor technologies, one of which is X-energy’s Xe-100. “These innovative nuclear technologies are ideally-sized and designed to provide flexible electricity output and as process heat for a wide range of industrial heat applications,” wrote the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations when announcing the additional funding.  

DOE has named Dow DOW, the world’s leading materials science company, a sub-awardee under X-energy’s ARDP Cooperative Agreement with the DOE. Earlier this year, X-energy and Dow announced plans to deploy the first advanced small modular nuclear reactor project at an industrial site, Dow’s Seadrift, Texas manufacturing site.  

Dow’s Seadrift site covers 4,700 acres and manufactures more than 4 million pounds of materials per year used across a wide variety of applications, including food packaging and preservation, footwear, wire and cable insulation, solar cell membranes, and packaging for medical and pharmaceutical products. The project is expected to reduce the Seadrift site's emissions by approximately 440,000 MT CO2e/year. 

X-energy is also working with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a transportable, cost-effective advanced nuclear microreactor prototype for use in remote military locations. This microreactor could ultimately be used for commercial or industrial purposes in civilian applications. The DOE has also provided funding for microreactor development for non-military applications.

Funding Continues For X-Energy

Last week, Ares Acquisition Corporation AAC (“AAC”) announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, AAC had filed in connection with the previously announced proposed business combination with X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC. 

As previously announced, commitments include $80 million from Ares Management Corporation ARES (“Ares”) and $30 million from X-energy Founder and Executive Chairman, Kam Ghaffarian, Ph.D., who agreed to contribute $30 million to repay certain of X-energy’s outstanding debt.

Energy demand continues to grow even as the planet continues to heat up at an alarming rate. To make a dent in the goal of a carbon-free world, companies, governments and investors seem to be turning to advanced small modular nuclear reactors. X-energy intends to play a leading role in delivering safe, reliable, zero-carbon-emissions power and steam production to advance efforts to reduce global carbon emissions.

Featured photo and video provided by X-energy.

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