The U.S. Army is progressing with Project Janus to deploy a transportable microreactor by 2028, with Radiant already participating through the ANPI program; the effort supports defense energy needs while commercial use will still depend on NRC licensing...
Radiant signed the first-ever agreement with the Defense Innovation Unit and U.S. Air Force to deliver a Kaleidos nuclear microreactor...
Published by Nucleation Capital in Advanced Nuclear, Future of Energy, Government, National Defense, NEWS, Nuclear competitiveness, Nuclear innovation, Portfolio Venture, Private companies, Solving climate, US competitiveness, US technological leadership, Venture capital support for nuclear
Atlantic Council: Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies: Implications for US National Defense
As the next generation of nuclear reactors is being developed, the US Department of Defense (DOD) has the potential to play a significant role in providing the funding required to bring these new reactors to demonstration and, ultimately, commercialization. Possible US military applications of advanced reactors—especially micro nuclear reactors (MNRs)—include deployment to remote bases that are challenging to supply with fuel; power systems for directed-energy weapons; and nuclear energy systems for space flight and off-world bases.
The next generation of civilian nuclear technologies—especially small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro nuclear reactors (MNRs)—can advance the US national security mission by providing reliable, resilient power of certain military installations; powering advanced weapons systems; reinvigorating the nuclear supply chain; and supporting US nonproliferation goals, not to mention help decarbonize the energy grid and industrial energy usage. US government support for advanced nuclear technologies will further US national security goals in a new era of great power politics by enhancing US warfighting capabilities. DOD procurement of SMRs and MNRs could help bring the new reactor types to demonstration and commercialization, which would bolster US efforts to compete against Russian and Chinese international civil nuclear exports.
Read the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center Issue Brief for September 2020 entitled "Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technologies:Implications for US National Defense," by DR. ROBERT F. ICHORD, JR. AND DR. JENNIFER T. GORDON.
Published by Nucleation Capital in Advanced Nuclear, Advanced Nuclear Customers, Climate change, Climate policy, Energy abundance, Energy transition, Government support, National Defense, Nuclear financing, Nuclear innovation, Nuclear R&D, Politicians supporting nuclear, REPORTS, Solving climate, US competitiveness, US technological leadership
The Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA, S.903) which had 22 bipartisan co-sponsors, was introduced as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA, S.4049) by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Cory Booker during a floor debate on July 23rd. The NDAA was passed the same day, with 86 senators voting in favor and 14 against.
NELA aims to re-establish US leadership in nuclear energy, with a focus on the demonstration of advanced reactors. "For too long, the United States has lagged woefully behind on innovative nuclear energy technologies, which comes at great cost to our economy, our global leadership and the environment," Murkowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said after the vote.
Last month a bipartisan group of 10 Republican and 10 Democratic US senators, led by Murkowski and Booker, wrote a letter to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Armed Services to urge the inclusion of NELA in NDAA, based in part on nuclear energy's contribution to national security.
NELA was not included in the House version of the NDAA, which was passed on two days earlier. A final version of the NDAA legislation, reconciling differences between House and Senate versions, must be drawn up before the bill can become law.
Read the World Nuclear New's summary "US Senate passes Nuclear Energy Leadership Act" published 7/27/20.
Published by Nucleation Capital in Future of Energy, Government support, History Timeline, LINKS, Nuclear competitiveness, Nuclear innovation, Nuclear R&D, Politicians supporting nuclear, US competitiveness, US technological leadership, Zero emission energy
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