The technology development project, backed by a $40m award from the DOE, was instrumental in paving a path toward the company’s multi-billion-dollar demonstration project and the nation’s first commercial facility to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (Haleu)-based fuel for next-generation reactors.
The Maryland-based company expects the Xe-100 to be operational by 2028 thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the newly established office of clean energy demonstrations.
X-energy received its $40m award, known as an advanced reactor concepts award, in 2015 to develop the Xe-100 design and Triso-X particle fuel. The pilot-scale fuel facility at Oak Ridge was commissioned as part of the project.
Next Step Is Reactor Licensing With NRC
The DOE said X-energy is now focusing its efforts on engagements with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to licence the Xe-100 reactor design. It is also seeking to licence and operate the nation’s first commercial facility dedicated to fuelling Haleu-based reactors in Tennessee.
Earlier this month X-energy and US-based chemicals company Dow said they will collaborate to deploy Xe-100 reactor technology at one of Dow’s US Gulf Coast sites.
Dow, based in Midland, Michigan, said the reactor is expected to be operational by 2030. It said the Xe-100 would provide cost-competitive, carbon free process heat and power to the Dow facility.
In July, X-energy and Ontario Power Generation signed an agreement to look for opportunities to deploy the Xe-100 reactor at industrial sites in Ontario and identify further potential end users and sites throughout Canada.
The Xe-100 is an 80 MW reactor that can be scaled into a “four-pack” 320 MW power plant and even larger as needed. According to X-energy it can be manufactured and shipped to site using existing road and rail, bringing nuclear power within reach for countries, utilities and communities.
