Mini reactor on container truck with capacity of nearly 20 MW

US Nano Nuclear Energy's small modular nuclear reactor prototype can be transported on a shipping container to bring clean energy to remote areas.

Nano Nuclear Energy's reactor can fit on a shipping container. Photo: Nano Nuclear Energy — Nano Nuclear Energy's reactor can fit on a shipping container. Photo: *Nano Nuclear Energy*

Nano Nuclear Energy, a startup, is aiming to design a small modular reactor (SMR) that could address rising manufacturing costs and supply chain shortages in the United States, Interesting Engineering reported on March 6. Their reactor uses low-enriched uranium (Haleu) fuel that contains 20 percent uranium. This is a higher concentration than conventional reactor fuel, but allows SMRs to operate efficiently with less fuel, while also increasing the life of the equipment.

Nano Nuclear Energy is now manufacturing Haleu at its facility in the United States. While the company has not disclosed its location, the facility is federally licensed. It has also developed the reactor design and introduced a second version, called Zeus. Nano Nuclear is focused on operating the reactor with minimal intervention and has an escape system to ensure smooth and safe operation.

The entire system’s components fit into a standard shipping container, and the SMR can be easily transported to remote locations where conventional power generation infrastructure is unavailable and large renewable energy projects are difficult to install. In addition to generating electricity, the reactor is also designed to harness the heat generated during the fission reaction for a variety of direct applications. This excess heat can be converted into electricity to increase production.

Small modular reactors with a capacity of less than 20 megawatts (MW) can provide clean electricity to remote areas. Similar technology is being used on naval ships. According to Nano Energy, this system can contribute to reducing carbon emissions from many industries such as mining and transportation.

According to the US Department of Energy, the US needs 200 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity to reach its zero-emissions goal by 2050. Current estimates suggest that the current 95 GW capacity meets 18% of US energy needs, but most of it comes from a few large nuclear reactors built decades ago. The US nuclear power industry has recently been plagued by project delays and soaring costs.

Typically, nuclear power plants are built on a large scale to reduce the cost of generating energy. However, this also increases the cost and installation time before the facility begins operating. SMRs are scaled-down versions of fission reactors. They also reduce construction costs.

An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering )

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