Kairos Power Begins Construction on Hermes Low Power Demonstration Reactor: First U.S. Non-Light-Water Reactor

In a major breakthrough for the further development of advanced nuclear, Kairos Power has broken ground on the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor at the Heritage Center Industrial Park in Oak Ridge Tennessee. This project marks a pivotal development in the U.S. nuclear industry, being the first non-light-water reactor to receive a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in over 50 years.

Technology innovation

The Hermes reactor derives from fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-HFR) instead of light-water reactors that dominate the United States’ reactor fleet. This new breed technology is expected to produce cheap nuclear heat in preparation for new breeds that will generate power. The Hermes reactor is not for power generation but is being used to communicate Kairos Power advanced reactor designs. NRC approval in December 2023 was vital for the further development of Kairos Power’s technology, as well as the various reviews and cooperation between the organization and the regulators. Pre-application interactions started in 2018 and comprised comprehensive assessments of the reactor’s safety and technical features to bolster the review process.

This successful regulatory approval occurs due to the safety design of the project while emphasizing its ability to progress the capability of nuclear energy in the U. S. Hermes is not just the project of a lifetime; it epitomizes the future of nuclear power in America. Through the proposed Hermes reactor, Kairos Power plans to make improvements in subsequent reactors in a bid to make the Hermes 2 plant and generate electricity. This stepwise approach is a part of the company’s approach to managing the technology, licensing, supply chain and construction risks in advanced reactor designs with the goal of achieving cost assurance as implemented in Kairos Power.

Completion date

Projected to be completed in 2027 l, The Hermes reactor construction will be a symbol of cooperation that involved the most important research facilities such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and the Electric Power Research Institute partners. These arrangements are crucial in assembling various forms of experience and support, which will only serve to strengthen the project and increase its possibilities for changing the face of nuclear power in the future. Thus far, the Hermes project by Kairos Power is not only about inventiveness in technology but also about people and the community’s responsibility to the planet.

The company has made a pledge to being a responsible corporate citizen in Oak Ridge and engaging with communities and other stakeholders making sure that the project has positive implications on different aspects of the society and not only in the technology realm. In a world transitioning towards seeking clean energy sources the HERMES reactor is a significant development within the nuclear field. It demonstrates that further development of the high technologies connected with nuclear energy is possible to ensure safe, affordable and reliable energy supplying which will contribute to the global efforts towards changeless future more effectively.