Micro Nuclear Reactors to Deliver 5MW Power for 100 Months

Micro nuclear reactors, capable of delivering 5 megawatts (MW) of power for up to 100 months, are emerging as a promising solution for the increasing energy demands of industries like data centers, driven by the growing influence of artificial intelligence. These reactors, expected to produce 1.2 petawatt-hours of energy, offer a clean, safe, and reliable alternative to traditional energy sources.

Nuclear energy is gaining recognition among major tech companies. Oracle and Microsoft are exploring nuclear power options, with Microsoft recently signing a deal to purchase power from the infamous Three Mile Island reactor. Meanwhile, former Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has also invested in nuclear energy ventures.

Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor is at the forefront of this technological shift. The company recently submitted its Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR) to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), marking a major milestone in microreactor development. This submission is the first of its kind for a reactor developer, positioning Westinghouse ahead in the race to bring micro nuclear reactors to market.

“The completion of the PSDR for the eVinci test reactor is an important step toward enabling a microreactor developer to perform a test in our DOME facility,” said Brad Tomer, acting director of NRIC. He emphasized NRIC’s commitment to accelerating the development of advanced nuclear technologies to provide clean energy solutions.

NRIC, a national program under the Department of Energy, plays a crucial role in advancing nuclear innovation. The initiative aims to establish four new experimental facilities and two large-scale reactor test beds by 2028, with plans to complete two advanced technology experiments by 2030.

The eVinci microreactor, described by Westinghouse as having “very few moving parts, working essentially as a battery,” is designed for versatility. It can provide consistent electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, industrial centers, and data centers. The reactor is also being considered for defense facilities and even for potential use on the lunar surface.

Nano Nuclear Energy, another company in the field, is also developing microreactors, with prototypes expected as early as 2027 and commercial models projected for the early 2030s.

As industries continue to search for sustainable and scalable energy sources, micro nuclear reactors are poised to play a critical role in powering the future.