A nuclear micro -reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that can be easily assembled and transported by road, rail or air. The micro prefix refers to the fact that they are between 100 and 1,000 times smaller than conventional nuclear reactors. Now, the BWX Technologies company has announced that it is working at the core of the pele micro -reactor, Able to produce 1.5 megawatts, enough to feed about 200 homes.
The pele micro -reactor has been built for the Office of Strategic Capabilities of the Department of Defense. According toa press release, It could start producing energy in 2028 and It is designed to feed advanced military bases, although it could also feed remote research bases and bring energy to areas affected by natural disasters.
It is a transportable micro -reactor cooled by gas and compact enough to fit in 6 -meter long transport containers. The system is ideal for military bases and remote locations and can provide electricity up to three years without the need to replace. Pele works with triso fuel, a high enriched uranium fuel of high enrichment (Haleu). It is able to withstand extreme temperatures and has a low risk to the environment.
“We are proud to develop and deliver the pele micro -reactor for the benefit of our armed forces -said Kate Kelly, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies, in the press release -. This is an extraordinary achievement for the BWXT team and for the advancement of the innovative Nuclear energy technology as a reliable and resilient source of electricity and heat for multiple applications ”.
BWX Technologies is working with partners such as Rolls-Royce, which It is developing the energy conversion module for Pele, while Northrop Grumman provides the control module for the reactor.
“With decades of experience in the supply of compact, efficient and critical mission energy systems, Rolls-Royce is in a privileged position to meet the demanding technical and operational requirements of this project-adds John Shade, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Future Programs of Rolls-Rayce-. As part of the BWXT team, we are proud to put our experience to the service of a system of conversion of energy that It will improve the energy domain and operational preparation of the Department of Defense ”.
The pele project began in 2016 after a study by the Department of Defense that identified The growing need for transportable energy sources for the Army. In 2022, BWXT was awarded a contract to build a reactor prototype.
Transportable micro -reactors have great potential, even beyond military applications. They could facilitate disaster response operations and feed research stations in some of the most remote places in the world. This is an excellent example of how technologies originally designed for space trips can benefit the land population.