The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), located at Idaho National Laboratory, has selected 13 new projects to participate in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative.
DOE and NRIC selected 12 developers and 13 projects based on a wide range of criteria published in the initiative’s Request for Applications. Projects selected include reactor development and nuclear fuel cycle advancements, including fabrication, enrichment and conversion technologies.
The selected companies can begin working with NRIC to execute the enhanced technical, regulatory and deployment support available through the Launch Pad initiative.
“These selections show a strong and growing interest from developers ready to move their technologies forward,” said NRIC Director Brad Tomer. “Nuclear Energy Launch Pad gives these developers a prioritised pathway to the DOE authorisation process, and access to subject matter experts, facilities, and regulatory support tailored to their needs. We’re helping bridge the gap between concept and commercialisation — and these selections show that pipeline is only getting stronger.”
The nuclear selections include:
- Antares Nuclear
- Atlas Atomics
- Deployable Energy (2 projects)
- Forge Atomics
- Hexium Inc.
- Lightbridge Corporation
- Nusano, Inc.
- Oklo
- Raven-Flint Nuclear
- Scaled Atomics
- Sublime Nuclear
- Valar Atomics
NRIC will continue accepting Launch Pad applications, with additional selections made on a rolling basis as resources allow. Projects not chosen in this review cycle are welcome to revise their submissions and reapply in future rounds.
The start of a “lasting pipeline of advanced nuclear projects”
“A resilient nuclear fuel supply chain is essential to America’s energy future, and the projects selected today reflect real progress on fabrication, enrichment and conversion technologies,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Josh Jarrell. “DOE is committed to working alongside these companies to strengthen domestic fuel availability and reduce our reliance on foreign sources.”
“Building on the early momentum of DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program, this round of selections proves those efforts weren’t a one-time success,” said Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors Chimi Zacot. “The progress we’re seeing is the start of a lasting pipeline of advanced nuclear projects moving toward deployment.”
“One of Idaho National Laboratory’s greatest strengths is the combination of world-class infrastructure, technical expertise and decades of operational experience we’ve built to support the nation’s nuclear mission,” said Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner. “The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad initiative makes those capabilities available to developers, helping them move technologies from design to deployment safely and efficiently.”
