Kairos Power has begun construction of the Hermes demonstration reactor at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This low-power reactor is the first Generation IV reactor to receive authorization from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in more than 50 years, marking an accomplishment in the nuclear industry to be the first light-water reactor approved in the country in decades.
Modular construction led by Barnard and Kairos Power
Hermes is being built by Barnard Construction Company, Inc. a company with extensive experience in large-scale civil works. In conjunction with Kairos, the third Engineering Test Unit (ETU 3.0) is also being developed at the same location. This non-nuclear facility will allow valuable experience to be gained in the supply chain, construction and operation, transferring knowledge directly to the Hermes project.
Both projects are being built using proven modular construction techniques at Kairos Power’s Albuquerque, New Mexico facility. The reactor modules, manufactured in Albuquerque, will be assembled at Oak Ridge, demonstrating the potential of modular design to transform traditional nuclear construction.
Hermes reactor system
Hermes, scheduled for operation in 2027, will be Kairos Power’s first nuclear reactor, cooled with fluoride salts and using TRISO-coated particle fuel. This design promises inherent safety and a simpler, more efficient construction process. Although Hermes will not generate electricityAlthough Hermes will not generate electricity, its main objective is to demonstrate the ability to produce nuclear heat at low cost.
Hermes helps facilitate the world’s transition to clean energy. Source: Kairos Power.
The project also brings significant economic benefits to the region. Kairos Power plans to invest more than $100 million in the construction and operation of Hermes, creating more than 55 high-paying jobs in East Tennessee. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy has committed up to $303 million to support the design and construction of Hermes, strengthening the nuclear innovation infrastructure at Oak Ridge.
Kairos Power and partners move towards a clean energy future
Hermes is a collaborative effort between Kairos Power and several key partners, including national laboratories such as Oak Ridge and Los Alamos and companies such as Materion Corporation and EPRI. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted the construction permit in December 2023, following a comprehensive review that began in 2018, highlighting Kairos Power’s commitment to safety and innovation.
Ultimately, Hermes represents a technological breakthrough, and reinforces Oak Ridge’s nuclear legacy, projecting a future where clean, affordable energy becomes a global reality.
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Source and photo: kairospower
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