SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

United States selects Westinghouse and Radiant to test their nuclear microreactors

The US Department of Energy has selected Westinghouse and Radiant Nuclear to conduct the first nuclear microreactor tests at the DOME experimental centre located in Idaho, with operational start expected in spring 2026.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

SUBSCRIBE — 99 $ for the 1st year

Create a free account to read this article

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the names of the two companies selected to carry out the first nuclear microreactor tests in the United States. Westinghouse Electric Company and Radiant Nuclear will be the first companies to use the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) test facility, located at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

First tests set for 2026

Westinghouse will test its experimental eVinci nuclear reactor, designed as a scaled-down 3-megawatt thermal (MWt) version of a future commercial transportable microreactor. The latter targets an electrical output of 5 megawatts electric (MWe) and employs advanced heat pipe technology to achieve passive cooling. Its potential applications cover various areas such as power supply for remote communities, mining operations, or data centres.

Radiant Nuclear, for its part, will test its Kaleidos Development Unit microreactor model. This high-temperature reactor is designed to generate 1.2 MWe and primarily aims to replace diesel-powered electrical generators. The entire unit—incorporating an electrical generator, cooling system, reactor and shielding—is packaged in a single shipping container, facilitating rapid deployment.

Innovative experimental framework

The DOME testing structure is installed in the former containment building of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II). According to DOE, this decision enables reduction of environmental impacts, decreases testing costs, and mitigates the overall risks associated with microreactor projects.

In October 2023, Westinghouse, Radiant, and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation had received preliminary funding of USD3.9mn ($3.9mn) from the DOE for the front-end engineering design of their respective reactors.

Schedule and funding

The DOE anticipates launching the initial real-condition tests starting in spring 2026. Each experimental campaign is expected to last up to six months. The experiments will be entirely self-funded by participating companies, who must adhere to specific regulatory milestones set by the department to retain access to the DOME facility.

The DOE has already closed a first round of applications for scheduling tests within the DOME programme. A second round is anticipated to open in summer 2026, according to the department’s official announcement.

Mike Goff, Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the DOE, stated in an official release: “Microreactors will play a major role in expanding the use of nuclear energy in the United States. The experiments carried out at the DOME facility will allow us to test these new reactor concepts that we will be able to count on in the future to reliably power our homes, military bases, and critical infrastructure.”

  • Popular on energynews.pro
India diversifies coking coal purchases, Australia retreats
Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies launch the first subsea CO2 injection in Norway
Quebec allocates $1.5M to meet the demand for wind turbine technicians
Guidehouse forecasts $8.1 billion revenues for modular reactors by 2034
AMIGO LNG signs 15-year deal with Macquarie for 0.6 MTPA of LNG
Seoul and Washington open talks on nuclear fuel reprocessing
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
AP1000 reactor certification extended in the US until 2046
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear partners with Dioxitek to strengthen Argentina’s nuclear supply chain
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Sweden lifts uranium mining ban to revive nuclear industry
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
CEA considers deploying a small Calogena nuclear reactor in Cadarache
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
Several South Korean groups back $50bn nuclear projects in the United States
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
Washington activates Defense Production Act to secure enriched uranium
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.
One of the drones from last weekend’s Ukrainian attack struck the Kursk nuclear power plant
The kamikaze drone damaged an auxiliary transformer at the Kursk plant, halving the output of its only reactor in operation, according to Rosatom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EDF restarts Gravelines reactors after shutdown caused by jellyfish
The four production units at the Gravelines nuclear power plant, shut down in mid-August by a massive jellyfish incursion, are back online, restoring the site’s full capacity.
enCore Energy completes $115M convertible notes offering
enCore Energy Corp. has completed a $115 million fundraising through convertible notes maturing in 2030, strengthening its financial capacity for upcoming operations.
Vattenfall selects GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce for future nuclear reactors
Vattenfall advances its nuclear project in Sweden by selecting two modular reactor suppliers, GE Vernova and Rolls-Royce SMR, for a potential installation on the Värö Peninsula.
NANO Nuclear Advances to Final Round of US Army’s xTechSearch 9 Competition
NANO Nuclear Energy has been selected to compete in the final round of xTechSearch 9, a US Army initiative aimed at identifying high-potential dual-use technology solutions.
Aalo Atomics raises USD 100 million to launch its first nuclear power plant
Aalo Atomics completes Series B funding, bringing its total to USD 136 million, to build its first modular nuclear power plant dedicated to data centers.
Malaysia Launches Strategic Study on Civil Nuclear Potential
The Malaysian government initiates a national assessment on nuclear energy feasibility, targeting regions facing energy supply constraints and integrating international regulatory requirements.
Premier American Uranium finalizes the acquisition of Nuclear Fuels with Court approval
The merger between Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels reaches a key milestone following final approval of the arrangement plan by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Google and Kairos Power to Build a 50 MW Nuclear Reactor in Tennessee
TVA, Google, and Kairos Power formalize an agreement to connect an advanced reactor to the grid, supporting data center energy growth and reinforcing the U.S. nuclear industry.
X-energy and the Pentagon Accelerate Nuclear Microreactor for National Security
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed an agreement with X-energy to develop a commercial nuclear microreactor intended to power sensitive military infrastructure.
NANO Nuclear Raises $209 Million and Accelerates Microreactor Deployment
With cash reserves multiplied sevenfold in nine months, NANO Nuclear intensifies development of its KRONOS MMR and positions itself in the Canadian and U.S. modular nuclear markets.
Equinix secures 20 Radiant microreactors and a nuclear deal in the Netherlands
Equinix signed a preorder for 20 Kaleidos nuclear microreactors and a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement with ULC-Energy, reinforcing its energy supply strategy for its data centers.
Oklo selected for three pilot projects by U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy selects Oklo and its subsidiary Atomic Alchemy for three pilot reactor projects aiming for criticality before July 2026.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99