Former Space-X engineers develop miniature nuclear power plants

Radians
Space-X engineers develop miniature nuclear power plants

by Gernot Kramper
10/27/2021, 10:27 a.m.

It should actually bring energy for Mars colonies: A group of former Space-X engineers is developing the “world’s first mobile, emission-free energy source”. A nuclear reactor that can bring electricity to remote areas and can be installed quickly. Mobile reactors have been in discussion for a number of years. Seaborg Technologies from Denmark (Danish mini-reactor wants to make nuclear accidents manageable) wants to develop something like this, the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom even has a floating power plant in operation and wants to build more. To do this, Rosatom uses reactor technology, which is also used in nuclear-powered ships and submarines. This reactor is built on a floating platform and can moor anywhere on larger rivers or on the coast and provide electricity. The Rosatom reactor, the Akademik Lomonossow, is relatively large; it not only accommodates two reactors, but also the associated power plant, which turns the energy of nuclear fission into electricity.

Smallest nuclear power plant in the world

The start-up Radiant is aiming for a much smaller solution. The microreactor has an output of more than one megawatt, which should be enough to supply around 1,000 households with electricity. The Akademik Lomonossow, however, has reactors with 70 megawatts each.

Doug Bernauer, founder and CEO of Radiant, previously worked on developing such a reactor on behalf of Space-X for a Martian colony. But with the colonization of Mars it will still take a while, a mobile energy source will also be needed on earth. The microreactor, including that of the power generation plant, is so small that it can be moved by truck, airplane or helicopter. This means that it can also be used in remote locations and should then provide virtually maintenance-free electricity for four years.

“Many of the microreactors that are being developed are location-specific. Nobody has such a system yet, so there is a kind of race to see who is the first,” says Bernauer.

Replacement for diesel generators

In fact, this reactor is designed to be very small. Other models such as the Chinese molten salt reactor (China is building the first thorium reactor) provide for a mobile reactor, which, however, supplies more energy, but is to be connected to a power plant on site to generate electricity. Radiant, on the other hand, develops an out-of-the-box system that only needs to be set up. And then the power line can be plugged in, so to speak.

“In some areas of the world, the dependence on diesel fuel is unsustainable, and solar and wind power are either unavailable or impractical,” said Jess Gehin, senior scientist with the Nuclear Science & Technology Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory, of the development. “Clean, safe nuclear microreactors are the best alternative for these environments.” The prototypes of the microreactor technology are tested in this laboratory.

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Just a niche market

Radiant’s microreactor is initially targeting a niche market, namely remote settlements, research stations and military camps that currently cover their electricity needs with diesel generators. In addition, other applications are conceivable, such as shipping and construction sites. The military is not mentioned, but it is likely to be the largest interested party. The US Army has a great need for mobile power generation anyway. A need that will continue to grow with the introduction of laser weapons.

Opponents of nuclear power will, however, be concerned about the flood of developments in small and micro reactors. The number of nuclear power plants worldwide will multiply when these developments are built. In addition to a safe technology, the great advantage of the small reactors compared to today’s models is their ability to be transported. The actual reactor is not built on a construction site, but in series in a factory under clean room conditions. The module is then brought back there for major overhauls and dismantling. In this way, all work on the reactor can take place under optimal conditions.

Also read:

Safe, small and cheap – China is building the first thorium reactor

Danish mini-reactor does not want to avoid nuclear accidents, but makes them controllable

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