Kairos Power has announced its plan to deploy a test reactor at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, pending completion of due diligence and the results of discussions with state and local officials. Kairos made the announcement on Dec 11 at the 2020 East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration.

The Kairos Power fluoride salt-cooled high temperature reactor (KP-FHR) is an advanced reactor technology that aims to be cost competitive with natural gas in the US electricity market and to provide a long-term reduction in cost.

Michael Laufer, Co-Founder and CEO of Kairos Power, said: "The infrastructure available at ETTP, combined with its proximity to key collaborators at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, makes this a great location to demonstrate our technology. The successful commissioning of Hermes builds on our current technology development programs and extensive engagement with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Ultimately, Hermes will prove that Kairos Power can deliver real systems at our cost targets to make advanced nuclear a competitive source of clean energy in the United States."

ORNL Director Thomas Zacharia said the Oak Ridge laboratory has a number of efforts under way to advance nuclear technologies, including world-class capabilities in molten salt reactors. "We have worked with Kairos Power in the past and are pleased that they selected the ETTP site for this project," he added.

Kairos Power has executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Heritage Center, LLC, to acquire the former K-33 gaseous diffusion plant site at ETTP, subject to ongoing due diligence evaluations.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News