SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Aalo Atomics: Aalo-1 microreactor license application in the United States

Aalo Atomics has submitted its Preliminary Regulatory Undertaking to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its Aalo-1 micro-reactor, marking a key step towards licensing this innovative project.

Share:

Aalo Atomics: Demande de licence du micro-réacteur Aalo-1 aux États-Unis.

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90£/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90£/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90£/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 £/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99£/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99£/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 £/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

Aalo Atomics, based in Austin, Texas, recently submitted a Preliminary Regulatory Undertaking (PER) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This document details the interactions planned prior to the license application for its Aalo-1 micro-reactor. The REP aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty and add predictability to the licensing process for advanced technologies. Although not mandatory, this plan can facilitate initial discussions with the NRC and set clear expectations. Nuclear power has recently been endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which highlights its crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality.

Aalo’s objectives and strategy

Aalo Atomics aims to build seven Aalo-1 reactors initially for the Idaho Nuclear Project, with a potential extension of seven more units. The company expects the facility to be operational by 2029, providing a reliable and affordable source of electricity for current and future energy needs. In May, the company completed the conceptual design of the Aalo-1, a factory-built, sodium-cooled micro-reactor using uranium zirconium hydride (UZrH) fuel elements.

Collaboration with the Department of Energy

In May, Aalo signed a memorandum of understanding for the installation of its first Aalo-1 reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The site was chosen for its proximity to new megawatt-scale electrolysers and INL’s future fleet of hydrogen-powered coaches. The company plans to submit an application for a combined construction and operation license (COLA) in 2026.

Benefits and support of the GAIN program

Last December, Aalo Atomics was one of the first recipients of GAIN vouchers for the 2024 financial year. These federally-funded vouchers are designed to accelerate innovation in advanced nuclear technologies. Thanks to these vouchers, Aalo will collaborate with INL to evaluate modeling and simulation capabilities for the fuel system and core of the Aalo-1 micro-reactor.

Innovation perspectives

The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program, launched in 2016 by the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, helps companies overcome technological and business challenges by providing access to DOE research and development infrastructure. This support aims to facilitate the development of innovative nuclear technologies in a cost-effective way. For its part, Aalo contributes a minimum of 20% of costs, often in the form of in-kind contributions. Aalo Atomics’ progress in the field of micro-reactors marks a significant turning point for the US nuclear industry, with important implications for sustainable energy production and technological innovation.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Iberdrola adds 708 MW of solar capacity to joint venture with Norges Bank
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
TotalEnergies sells Norwegian oil assets to Vår Energi to reduce debt
Clariant targeted by BP and ExxonMobil in ethylene case
Exxon to cut up to 500 jobs in Singapore as part of global restructuring
United Kingdom opens public consultation on Rolls-Royce modular reactor
The British government has launched a consultation on the regulatory justification request for Rolls-Royce’s modular reactor, a decisive step towards its approval in the country’s nuclear market.
GVH and Samsung C&T seal global alliance for BWRX-300 reactors
GVH and Samsung C&T join forces to accelerate international deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors, with a strong focus on Sweden and the consolidation of the nuclear supply chain.
Sweden prepares compensation framework to secure nuclear investments
The Swedish government aims to establish a right to compensation for operators if a political reversal leads to the early shutdown of nuclear plants, in a move to reduce investment risks.
Duke Energy plans new 1,117 MW nuclear reactor by 2037
Duke Energy adds a large nuclear reactor project to its 2025 plan for the Carolinas, anticipating electricity demand more than twice previous forecasts.
Arabelle Solutions secures contract for Sizewell C turbines
EDF has selected Arabelle Solutions to supply two complete turbine islands for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, strengthening their industrial cooperation initiated at Hinkley Point C.
Rome launches legislative process to reintegrate nuclear energy into its mix
The Italian government has approved a bill granting the executive authority to regulate the return of nuclear energy, in line with European carbon neutrality and energy security targets for 2050.
Framatome launches dedicated line for military nuclear propulsion in Jeumont
Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.
Terra Innovatum signs two strategic agreements to accelerate deployment of its modular reactor
Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.
Orano, Navoiyuran and ITOCHU launch uranium mining at South Djengeldi site
The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.
Russian strike cuts power to Chernobyl site, reigniting nuclear safety concerns
The containment structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor lost power after a Russian strike, as Zaporizhzhia remains cut off from external electricity for over a week.
U.S. uranium purchases reach 55.9 million pounds in 2024
Uranium deliveries to U.S. civilian operators rose 8% in 2024, while the average price climbed to its highest level since 2012, according to the latest available data.
Medvedev announces the rise of public investment in nuclear and AI
The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
Orano wins legal case in uranium dispute over Somaïr site
An international tribunal ruled in favour of French company Orano against the State of Niger, which had blocked the sale of uranium extracted from the Arlit mine since taking control of the site in 2023.
Oklo and Blykalla form transatlantic alliance on modular reactor development
US-based Oklo and Sweden’s Blykalla join forces to coordinate supply chains and regulatory data sharing to accelerate the commercial deployment of their metal-cooled small modular reactors.
EDF to invest €25bn to strengthen nuclear capacity by 2030
EDF plans a massive €25bn ($26.5bn) investment to modernise its nuclear fleet, focusing on reactor lifetime extension and preparing for new nuclear projects in France.
EDF nuclear costs kept under control until 2028 according to CRE
The French Energy Regulatory Commission set the full nuclear cost at €60.3/MWh by 2026, outlining the taxation thresholds applicable under the market reform scheduled for 2026.
Bulgaria begins talks for the deployment of small modular reactors
The Ministry of Energy will initiate talks with developers of small nuclear reactors after signing a cooperation agreement with the United States to conduct preliminary studies on their deployment.
EDF pushes back Flamanville EPR restart to 17 October
The restart of the Flamanville EPR reactor, initially scheduled for 1 October, has been delayed by more than two weeks due to a maintenance operation on the primary circuit.
Natural uranium will be sufficient to fuel nuclear reactors until 2100
The International Atomic Energy Agency says known natural uranium reserves will meet global nuclear power plant demand for the rest of the century, despite price pressures.
Rosatom will finalise field studies for Kazakhstan’s nuclear power plant in 2025
Site selection for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant enters an advanced technical phase, with more than 100 experts mobilised by Rosatom to conduct complex geological and seismic analyses.