Kairos Power begins construction on demonstration reactor

Kairos Power has started construction on a test nuclear reactor in west Oak Ridge.

The Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor is the first of its type to be approved for construction by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the first non-light-water reactor to be permitted in the U.S. in more than 50 years, a press release said.

The NRC approved a construction permi t for the test reactor at Heritage Center industrial park, the former K-25 site, in December.

“Hermes represents a critical milestone on Kairos Power’s iterative path to commercializing advanced reactor technology,” the press release said.

Kairos Power said it has contracted with Barnard Construction Company Inc. to perform sitework and excavation at the Hermes site in Oak Ridge, and that work began earlier this month.

At the same time, the press release said, Barnard and Kairos Power have started collaborating to build the third Engineering Test Unit (ETU 3.0). That will be a non-nuclear demonstration also located in Oak Ridge, and it will generate supply chain, construction, and operational experience to inform the Hermes project, the press release said. “This iterative approach will allow lessons learned from ETU 3.0 civil construction to transfer seamlessly to the Hermes facility.”

The press release said both Hermes and ETU 3.0 will be built using modular construction techniques piloted at Kairos Power’s testing and manufacturing campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Reactor modules will be fabricated in Albuquerque and shipped to Oak Ridge for assembly, demonstrating the potential of a factory-built small modular reactor design to transform conventional nuclear construction,” the press release said.

Targeted to be operational in 2027, Hermes will be Kairos Power’s first nuclear build.

“The fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor will leverage proven technologies that originated in Oak Ridge—a novel combination of TRISO coated particle fuel and Flibe molten fluoride salt coolant, which yields robust inherent safety while simplifying the reactor’s design,” the press release said.

Building on lessons learned from the Engineering Test Unit program, Hermes’ primary objective will be to demonstrate Kairos Power’s ability to produce affordable nuclear heat. Hermes will not produce electricity, the press release said.

Kairos Power has committed to invest at least $100 million and create 55-plus high-paying, full-time jobs in East Tennessee to support Hermes’ construction and operation.

“Rising from the footprint of the historic Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, the project will continue the region’s distinguished nuclear legacy and promote its resurgence as a hub for advanced nuclear innovation,” the press release said.

The U.S. Department of Energy will invest up to $303 million in the project through a performance-based milestone contract funded by the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program to support Hermes’ design, construction, and commissioning.

Hermes is a joint effort by Kairos Power and its partners, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, EPRI, and Materion Corporation. In addition, Kairos Power is partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory to produce TRISO pebble fuel for Hermes in the lab’s Low-Enriched Fuel Fabrication Facility. Kairos Power has also established a cooperative development agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide engineering, operations, and licensing support for Hermes. 

In December 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for Hermes following an accelerated review made possible by Kairos Power’s extensive pre-application engagement dating back to 2018.

“Hermes is named after the mythological messenger of the gods, who was renowned for his speed, reflecting the urgency of Kairos Power’s clean energy mission,” the press release said. “Lessons learned from Hermes will help de-risk technology, licensing, manufacturing, and construction for the company’s future commercial deployments.”

Founded in 2016, Kairos Power is a nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company focused on commercializing a fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), with a goal of producing affordable energy and reducing carbon emissions.

“Hermes is a pivotal step toward deploying advanced reactor technology with the potential to transform our energy landscape,” said Mike Laufer, Kairos Power chief executive officer and co-founder. “The lessons we take away from the construction and operation of this reactor will be invaluable to enable continued innovation in our testing program and accelerate Kairos Power’s progress toward delivering true cost certainty to our customers.”

“Our nation’s need for clean, fast, and efficient energy has never been greater,” said Quincy Anderson, Barnard vice president and operating manager. “We are honored to partner with Kairos Power and others to launch Hermes. This historic initiative presents a critical opportunity to transform the way we generate power in the U.S., as well as an opportunity to expand economic and employment opportunities for the greater Tennessee area.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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