TerraPower, the US-based innovation company founded by Bill Gates, and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) have launched reactor and energy system architecture that features a cost-competitive sodium fast reactor combined with a molten salt energy storage system

The companies said in a joint statement that the Natrium advanced nuclear technology builds on the technology used in solar thermal generation. It will offer “abundant clean energy in time to help meet climate goals”, they said.

The Natrium technology’s novel architecture simplifies previous reactor types. Non-nuclear mechanical, electrical and other equipment will be housed in separate structures, reducing complexity and cost.