popular articles

NRG-Pallas Selected to Test Fuel for Kairos Power’s Modular Reactor

NRG-Pallas will conduct irradiation tests necessary for qualifying materials and fuel of Kairos Power's modular reactor, a critical prerequisite for regulatory approval in the United States.

Please share:

The Dutch company NRG-Pallas has been contracted by the American company Kairos Power to carry out irradiation tests aimed at qualifying the fuels and materials for its future modular reactor. The results will enable Kairos Power to meet the requirements set by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a crucial step prior to the operational launch of its technology.

Rigorous Testing of Fuel and Materials

NRG-Pallas will utilize its High Flux Reactor (HFR), located in Petten, Netherlands, to assess fuel performance under actual irradiation conditions. These tests will provide Kairos Power with the necessary data to demonstrate the compliance of its fuel with the nuclear safety regulatory standards mandated by the NRC. Structural materials, particularly stainless steel intended for the reactor vessel, will also undergo specific irradiation tests to verify their strength and regulatory compliance.

The company will additionally carry out extensive testing of graphite properties used in internal reactor structures. The behavior of graphite under high neutron exposure is a critical parameter to ensure system safety. Post-irradiation results from these tests will serve as a significant reference within the NRC certification process.

Gradual Deployment of KP-FHR Technology

Kairos Power is developing a Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR) utilizing ceramic TRISO (Tri-structural Isotropic) fuel in pebble form. The company has already begun construction of an experimental reactor named Hermes at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, authorized by the NRC in 2023. This experimental unit, with a thermal capacity of 35 MW, is scheduled to begin operation in 2027.

In parallel, Kairos Power is preparing the next stage with the Hermes 2 project, comprising two modular reactors generating a total of approximately 20 MW electric via a shared turbine. This second project recently received its final environmental assessment from the NRC and will also be built at the Oak Ridge site.

Strategic Partnership with Google

Kairos Power envisages a commercial offering based on plants equipped with two modular units of 75 MW electric each, thus reaching a cumulative capacity of 150 MW. Within this context, an agreement signed last year with Google anticipates the commercial deployment of the first KP-FHR reactors by 2030. These units will directly supply Google’s data centers through long-term power purchase agreements.

This project aligns with a broader trend of growing demand for stable energy, driven notably by the expansion of global digital infrastructure. According to Micah Hackett, Vice President of Fuels and Materials at Kairos Power, obtaining reliable irradiation data is essential to ensuring the company’s compliance with industrial and commercial timelines and cost commitments.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The suspension of the nuclear contract between KHNP and the Czech Republic has triggered intense reactions in South Korea, where the company and authorities express dissatisfaction with European legal and regulatory obstacles.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
Facing growing energy demands, Indonesia has announced an ambitious nuclear program targeting 10 GW capacity by 2040, attracting interest from global industry giants to support this strategic shift towards a low-carbon economy.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the Velvet-Wood site, the first mining project to benefit from an expedited environmental procedure aimed at strengthening national mineral security.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
Blue Sky Uranium’s Ivana mining project in Argentina could begin production within three years, backed by an initial $35mn investment and an annual output capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium.
The German government expresses openness toward French nuclear energy, promising a technologically neutral approach despite internal divisions over recognizing nuclear as a sustainable energy within the European Union.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Donald Trump announces four executive orders to quadruple U.S. nuclear energy production within 25 years, radically accelerate regulatory approvals, secure enriched uranium supplies, and address the surging energy demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
Tennessee Valley Authority becomes the first US public utility to apply for a permit to build a BWRX-300 small modular reactor, with site works anticipated as early as 2026 at Clinch River.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
India’s nuclear regulator has approved the siting of the Mahi Banswara project, which includes four 700 MWe PHWR reactors, reinforcing the country’s strategy of fleet-based deployment.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting Vietnam as the country expands its nuclear partnerships, signing today an agreement with the American company Westinghouse, following recent cooperation with Russia, intensifying competition in this strategic market.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Westinghouse has signed seven new agreements with Bulgarian suppliers to support the construction of two AP1000 reactors at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, further expanding its local industrial footprint.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
The Maanshan 2 reactor has been permanently disconnected from the grid, marking the end of nuclear operations in Taiwan in line with the national phase-out legislation.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Several parties are positioning to acquire French company Orano’s mining sites in Niger, while the firm pursues international arbitration to protect its assets and nearly €250mn in blocked uranium concentrate.
Energy group Enel partners with Ansaldo and Leonardo to form Nuclitalia, a joint venture focused on developing small modular reactor technologies as Italy considers a return to civilian nuclear power.
US-based Space Nuclear Power Corporation has been selected to design a fission reactor for nuclear electric propulsion in future military and civilian spacecraft.
US-based Space Nuclear Power Corporation has been selected to design a fission reactor for nuclear electric propulsion in future military and civilian spacecraft.
The small modular reactor (SMR) pipeline increased by 42% in Q1 2025, reaching 47 GW, driven by the growing demand from data centres, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie.
The small modular reactor (SMR) pipeline increased by 42% in Q1 2025, reaching 47 GW, driven by the growing demand from data centres, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie.
EDF and Siparex are mobilising a new €300 million investment fund to strengthen strategic companies in the nuclear supply chain amid industrial revival driven by the EPR2 reactor programme.
EDF and Siparex are mobilising a new €300 million investment fund to strengthen strategic companies in the nuclear supply chain amid industrial revival driven by the EPR2 reactor programme.
Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners will lead construction of North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor, with commercial operation expected in 2030.
Russia and Vietnam have signed a nuclear roadmap aimed at strengthening technological cooperation, including a commercial nuclear plant and a scientific centre by 2030.
Russia and Vietnam have signed a nuclear roadmap aimed at strengthening technological cooperation, including a commercial nuclear plant and a scientific centre by 2030.
The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.
The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.
The European Commission has requested Prague to suspend the award of a CZK200bn contract to KHNP, citing suspicions of state aid that may breach European law.
The European Commission has requested Prague to suspend the award of a CZK200bn contract to KHNP, citing suspicions of state aid that may breach European law.
Thanks to recent strategic agreements, Utah is establishing itself as a key regional hub for the development and production of Small Modular Reactors, boosting a rapidly growing industry at the heart of the United States.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
U.S.-based Energy Fuels extracted 151,400 pounds of uranium in April, reaching an unprecedented level since the opening of its Pinyon Plain mine, while underground drilling reveals exceptionally high grades.
U.S.-based Energy Fuels extracted 151,400 pounds of uranium in April, reaching an unprecedented level since the opening of its Pinyon Plain mine, while underground drilling reveals exceptionally high grades.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.

Advertising