The United States is taking significant steps to bolster its nuclear power capabilities, with the company X-energy leading the charge at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Workers are currently producing a new type of nuclear fuel, called TRISO fuel, which is designed to enhance reactor efficiency and safety. This initiative comes as part of a broader goal set by former President Donald Trump to quadruple domestic nuclear power production over the next 25 years.
X-energy is constructing a nearly $2 billion fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, marking the first such facility built in the U.S. in over 50 years. This new campus is expected to significantly increase the production of high-assay low-enriched uranium, a critical component for the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors. With the potential for these reactors to become operational by around 2030, the need for a reliable fuel source is paramount.
Innovative Fuel Production Techniques
During a recent tour of the lab, it was revealed that X-energy is creating small black spheres, or “pebbles,” each containing uranium enriched beyond the levels currently used in existing power plants. The process begins with a mixture resembling dark yellow lemonade, combining uranium powder with nitric acid, carbon, and organic solutions. This mixture solidifies into small balls that undergo high-temperature treatments to enhance their stability.
According to Dan Brown, Vice President of Fuel Development for TRISO-X, the resulting fuel is considered “the most robust nuclear fuel on Earth,” able to withstand extreme conditions without melting in a reactor. Each reactor will use approximately 220,000 of these pebbles, which can be cycled multiple times to maximize energy output.
Other companies are also entering the fray. Standard Nuclear aims to produce metric tons of fuel for advanced reactors, while Orano plans to establish a multibillion-dollar uranium enrichment facility nearby. The collaborative efforts at Oak Ridge are indicative of a significant shift in the nuclear energy landscape, with various stakeholders working towards a common goal.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the ambitious plans, the U.S. has faced hurdles in advancing its nuclear infrastructure. Only two new large reactors have been built in the last 50 years, both experiencing substantial delays and cost overruns, with expenses exceeding $17 billion. Critics argue that without a dramatic reduction in construction costs, the expansion of nuclear energy may not be economically viable compared to other renewable sources.
The Department of Energy emphasizes the importance of increasing domestic fuel production to reduce reliance on foreign sources and support the long-term growth of the nuclear sector. Recently, Centrus Energy successfully produced the first 20 kilograms of high-assay low-enriched uranium in over 70 years, demonstrating the potential for domestic capabilities.
As the energy sector evolves, the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Benjamin Holtzman believes that if the right measures are taken, the fuel will be ready for a new generation of reactors, helping meet the rising demand for electricity.
X-energy continues to push forward, aiming to resolve the fuel supply challenges that could hinder reactor development. With backing from the Energy Department and investments from major players like Amazon, the company is poised to bring over 5 gigawatts of new power projects online by 2039.
The path ahead is filled with potential as X-energy prepares to launch its first factory by late 2027, which will be capable of producing enough fuel orbs for eleven new-age reactors, with a second factory expected by late 2029 to significantly increase capacity. As Joel Duling, President of TRISO-X, stated, “This isn’t a renaissance. This is a game-changer.”
