United States Trials Portable Nuclear Reactors, Deployable in Various Locations
In a significant stride towards sustainable energy solutions, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Demonstration on Microreactor Experiment (DOME) project is set to transform the landscape of energy supply in remote and critical locations. The project showcases the potential uses and benefits of next-generation microreactors, particularly in areas where traditional power sources are unreliable or inaccessible.
Microreactors, defined as small reactors generating between 1 and 50 megawatts of power, are poised to offer resilient, demand-driven power supplies. These compact energy sources are ideal for remote locations, military bases, and critical infrastructure where stable electricity is crucial. Their factory-assembled modular units can be rapidly deployed and installed on site, significantly reducing construction time compared to conventional reactors. Multiple units can be co-located to meet varying power demands, making them versatile for scaling power for diverse needs in isolated or off-grid areas.
One such microreactor, the Westinghouse eVinci design, generates 5 megawatts of power, while the Kaleidos reactor by Radiant produces 1.2 megawatts. The compact efficiency of microreactors could greatly benefit small, remote sites that currently run on less efficient sources. For instance, Kaleidos, with its 1.2 megawatts of power, could theoretically supply many homes in a distant rural area, given the average U.S. household consumes about 0.03 megawatts worth of electricity daily.
The DOME test bed at Idaho National Laboratory provides a dedicated environment to test and advance microreactor designs, thereby speeding up their deployment and enabling practical uses in real-world situations. The first fueled experiments at DOME are scheduled to begin as early as spring 2026, operating for up to six months to test technological ability and efficiency. These microreactor tests will be the first of their kind in the world.
The DOE sees microreactors like Kaleidos as an alternative to diesel generators, offering a cleaner, more sustainable energy source. Their ability to function independently from the grid and supply power in unexpected situations—such as natural disasters or military contingencies—makes microreactors a strategic asset for energy security. According to Mike Goff, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, microreactors will play a big role in expanding the use of nuclear power in the United States.
The DOE has announced a conditional agreement with private firms Westinghouse and Radiant to conduct the first reactor tests at its DOME facility. These experiments will test new reactor designs that will be counted on in the future to reliably power homes, military bases, and mission-critical infrastructure. The compact, scalable, fast-to-deploy, long-lasting, and clean power solutions offered by next-generation microreactors promise to transform energy access in remote and critical settings.
- The compact, scalable, and clean power solutions offered by next-generation microreactors, such as the Westinghouse eVinci and the Kaleidos by Radiant, could revolutionize science and technology, potentially supplanting traditional diesel generators for more sustainable energy sources in remote locations and critical infrastructure.
- The future of science and technology in the energy sector may be significantly influenced by the DOE's DOME project, as the tests conducted at Idaho National Laboratory could expedite the deployment of advanced microreactors like the Kaleidos, providing resilient, demand-driven power supplies in areas where conventional power sources are unreliable or inaccessible.
- Gizmodo reports that the use of microreactors, which generate between 1 and 50 megawatts of power, is poised to reshape the landscape of science and technology, as their compact efficiency and rapid deployment could offer a viable alternative for remote or off-grid areas currently reliant on less efficient energy sources.
