The US Department of Energy should launch a research programme that sets aggressive goals for improving fuels and materials performance as America seeks to overcome barriers to the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.

According to a National Academies report on laying the foundation advanced reactors, achieving climate goals and increasing energy security will require a transformation of the energy system and substantial private sector and government investment in a broad portfolio of low-carbon energy technologies, including advanced nuclear power plants, over the next several decades.

The report warns that advanced reactors must succeed in many areas, including completing demonstrations of new reactor technologies, verifying new business cases and showing improved cost metrics that are competitive with other low-carbon power generation technologies.