Natrium FAQ

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-TNS7HNP');</script>   <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Natrium FAQ</title> <meta name="description" content="Learn more about TerraPower's Natrium projects that are creating technologies to provide safe, affordable and abundant carbon-free energy.">  <meta name="keywords" content="TerraPower, nuclear energy, what is nuclear energy, nuclear energy and nuclear power, advantages of nuclear energy, advanced nuclear technologies, energy innovation, global energy solutions, nuclear projects, Bill Gates, nuclear reactor, nuclear reactors, clean energy, sustainable energy, energy research, pros of nuclear energy, benefits of nuclear energy, merits of nuclear energy, isotopes in cancer treatment, cancer isotopes, cancer treatment isotopes"> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow"> <meta name="author" content="TerraPower">  <meta property="og:title" content="Natrium FAQ"> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn more about TerraPower's Natrium projects that are creating technologies to provide safe, affordable and abundant carbon-free energy."> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.terrapower.com/images/social-share.jpg"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.terrapower.com/faq/"> <meta property="og:type" content="website">  <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Natrium FAQ"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Learn more about TerraPower's Natrium projects that are creating technologies to provide safe, affordable and abundant carbon-free energy."> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.terrapower.com/images/social-share.jpg">  <link rel="icon" href="https://www.terrapower.com/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon">  <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.terrapower.com/faq/"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/global.css?v0.0.4" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/cookie-banner.css?v0.0.0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/about-page.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/suppliers-page.css" /> </head> <body>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TNS7HNP" height="0" width="0" style=' display:none;'></iframe></noscript>  <header> <div class="navbar"> <ul class="main-nav" aria-label="Main navigation menu"> <nav> <li class="logo"> <a href="/" aria-label="Homepage"><img src="/sub-images/logos/nav_logo.png" alt="TerraPower logo"></a> </li> <li> <a href="/natrium/">Natrium<span></span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/isotopes/">Isotopes<span></span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/future/">Future<span></span></a> </li> </nav> </ul> <div class="menu-btn-box js-menu-btn-box"> <a href="" role="button" class="js-menu-button" aria-label="Additional navigation menu">Menu</a> </div> <div class="js-slide-menu slide-menu"> <ul class="top-menu"> <li> <a href="/natrium/">Natrium<sup>®</sup></a> </li> <li> <a href="/isotopes/">Isotopes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/future/">Future</a> </li> </ul> <div class="bottom-menu"> <p>Explore</p> <ul> <li> <a href="/wyoming/">Wyoming</a> </li> <li> <a href="/faq/">Natrium FAQ</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/careers/">Careers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> <li> <a href="/suppliers/">Suppliers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact/">Contact</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </header><section class="hero faq" aria-label="Image of TerraPower leadership team at a press conference"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="hero-content"> <div class="text-box"> <h1>Frequently Asked Questions</h1> <p>Below is a selection of common questions about the Natrium project. If you need additional information please reach out to <a href="mailto:press@terrapower.com">press@terrapower.com</a>. </p> <div class="scroll-icon" role="none"><span></span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="module slide-toggle-module" aria-description="Expandable question and answer section"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">Why is the Natrium reactor needed when we could just invest in more renewables and storage?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module "> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>America's energy grid will increasingly rely more heavily on wind and solar. The Natrium plant is specifically designed to integrate into a grid with high levels of variable-output renewables.</p> <p>The Natrium technology will use the high-temperature heat from the reactor to power a molten salt storage system that can retain tremendous amounts of energy, much greater than the energy stored in typical battery facilities. That energy can be used to power the grid at peak demand when weather and darkness hamper renewable output.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">Which licensing framework will TerraPower pursue with the NRC to license the Natrium reactor?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses and regulates the operation of all commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. TerraPower will pursue the 10 CFR Part 50 licensing pathway for the Natrium reactor. TerraPower, through its subsidiary, US SFR Owner, submitted the demonstration plant's construction permit application in 2024 and anticipates submitting the operating license application in 2027.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">When is construction slated to begin?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>TerraPower (through its subsidiary, US SFR Owner) submitted the demonstration plant's construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in March 2024 and anticipates submitting the operating license application in 2027. This will allow us to begin construction on the nuclear island in 2026 with completion of the plant this decade. Construction on the non-nuclear portion of the plant began in June 2024.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">How will subcontractors be selected, and can local business get involved?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>The Natrium plant is being built through a public-private partnership including a large U.S. government grant, and we will follow all federal contracting and tendering rules. We are planning for Bechtel Corporation to build the reactor with the help of many direct employees and subcontractors. There is strong capability in Wyoming, and the project will be looking for local partners. The improved logistics of partnering with nearby vendors will be a success factor for the project. Bechtel is leading most of the vendor selection for construction materials and services - more information can be found at <a href="http://www.bechtel.com/supplier/">www.bechtel.com/supplier/</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">How much will the Natrium reactor demonstration project cost?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>TerraPower is building its first plant through a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). This program authorizes a 50/50 cost share and authorizes up to $2 billion for the Natrium project. TerraPower and partners will match this investment dollar for dollar. The first-of-a-kind cost for the Natrium demonstration plant will include the reactor design and licensing, codes and methods development, construction of the sodium test facility, development of a fuel fabrication facility and fuel development and qualification.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">What type of fuel does the Natrium reactor use?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>The Natrium reactor uses high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) metallic fuel. HALEU is a new class of nuclear fuel where the uranium-235 isotope content is above 5% but less than 20%. Many advanced reactors, including the Natrium technology, use HALEU because it improves reactor performance. HALEU allows the Natrium reactor to more efficiently produce energy and reduces the volume of waste produced from the reactor, when compared to today's operating nuclear fleet.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">Is the Natrium plant safe?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>Yes. The Natrium technology enhances safety, relying on natural forces and advanced design for passive heat removal. In addition, the Natrium reactor operates at atmospheric pressure and uses sodium, instead of water, as its coolant. The reactor operates at a temperature more than 350 degrees Celsius (the equivalent of 662 degrees Fahrenheit) far below the boiling point of sodium.</p> <p>Further, the Natrium reactor is a pool-type reactor, so there are no penetrations in the reactor vessel below the lid, which eliminates the possibility of a leak or loss of coolant accident. The design also relies on natural forces, like gravity and hot air rising, to cool the reactor if an unexpected shutdown occurs. This means the plant does not rely on power to cool itself.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slide-box"> <div class="slide-trigger" role="button"> <span> <span class="trigger-title">How big is a Natrium plant?</span> <span class="icon" role="none"></span> </span> </div> <div class="slide-toggle"> <div class="module text-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="module-text"> <p>The entire size of the nuclear island is approximately 16 acres. The overall site area is approximately 44 acres. When normalized to power rating, the Natrium system has a smaller footprint compared to other Generation IV reactors.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <script type="text/javascript"> _linkedin_partner_id = "7048548"; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids = window._linkedin_data_partner_ids || []; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids.push(_linkedin_partner_id); </script><script type="text/javascript"> (function(l) { if (!l){window.lintrk = function(a,b){window.lintrk.q.push([a,b])}; window.lintrk.q=[]} var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; var b = document.createElement("script"); b.type = "text/javascript";b.async = true; b.src = "https://snap.licdn.com/li.lms-analytics/insight.min.js"; s.parentNode.insertBefore(b, s);})(window.lintrk); </script> <noscript> <img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=7048548&fmt=gif" /> </noscript> <div class="signup-module background-module"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <div class="img-text"> <div class="text-box"> <h4>Subscribe</h4> <p>Be the first to hear about TerraPower's latest innovations, partnerships and breakthroughs.</p> </div> <div class="text-box"> <div id="mc_embed_shell"> <div id="mc_embed_signup"> <form action="https://terrapower.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=d1108a6b72921bc6f21638f17&id=78de5e5b85&v_id=4608&f_id=00cf9be4f0" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" aria-label="Newsletter subscription form (opens a new page upon submission)"> <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll"> <div style="padding: 1rem 0 2rem 0"><label for="mce-EMAIL">Email Address* </label><input type="email" name="EMAIL" class="required email" id="mce-EMAIL" required="" aria-required="true" value="" aria-label="Email"></div> <div aria-hidden="true" id="mce-responses" class="clear"> <div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display: none;"></div> <div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display: none;"></div> </div><div aria-hidden="true" style="position: absolute; left: -5000px;"><input type="text" name="b_d1108a6b72921bc6f21638f17_78de5e5b85" tabindex="-1" value=""></div><div class="clear"><input type="submit" name="subscribe" id="mc-embedded-subscribe" class="button reverse" value="Subscribe" aria-label="Form submission button"></div> </div> </form> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">(function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';fnames[5]='MMERGE5';ftypes[5]='text';fnames[6]='MMERGE6';ftypes[6]='text';fnames[7]='MMERGE7';ftypes[7]='text';fnames[8]='MMERGE8';ftypes[8]='text';fnames[9]='MMERGE9';ftypes[9]='text';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);</script></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <ul class="footer-content"> <li class="primary-nav" aria-label="Main navigation menu"> <ul> <li class="logo"> <a href="/" aria-label="Homepage"><img src="/sub-images/logos/nav_logo.png" alt="TerraPower logo"></a> </li> <nav> <li> <a href="/natrium/">Natrium<sup>®</sup></a> </li> <li> <a href="/isotopes/">Isotopes</a> </li> <li> <a href="/future/">Future</a> </li> </nav> </ul> </li> <li class="secondary-nav" aria-label="Additional navigation menu"> <nav> <ul> <li> <a href="/wyoming/">Wyoming</a> </li> <li> <a href="/faq/">Natrium FAQ</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/careers/">Careers</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </li> <li class="secondary-nav" aria-label="Additional navigation menu"> <nav> <ul> <li> <a href="/news">News</a> </li> <li> <a href="/suppliers/">Suppliers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact/">Contact</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </li> </ul> <ul class="bottom-bar" aria-label="Legal notice links"> <li>©<span id="year"></span> TERRAPOWER, LLC</li> <li> <a href="https://terrapower.com/terms/">Terms & Conditions</a> <a href="https://terrapower.com/privacy/">Privacy Policy</a> <a href="https://terrapower.com/cookie/">Cookie Notice</a> </li> <li class="socials" aria-label="Social media links"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/terrapower" target="_blank"><img src="/sub-images/logos/linkedin.svg" alt="LinkedIn" aria-label="opens in a new tab"></a> <a href="https://x.com/terrapower" target="_blank"><img src="/sub-images/logos/x.svg" alt="X" aria-label="opens in a new tab"></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <div id="cookie-banner" class="cookie-banner hidden"> <div class="grid"> <div class="module-content"> <h2>This site uses cookies</h2> <div class="banner-content"> <div class="banner-text"> <p>To optimize your user experience, we serve cookies on this site. <strong>By clicking or navigating you agree to allow our usage of cookies.</strong> </p> <p>For more information on the types of information we collect, visit our <a href="/cookie/">Cookie Notice.</a></p> </div> <a role="button" aria-label="Accept cookies" id="accept-cookies" href="#" class="button cb-button">Accept</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script src="/js/global.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/plugins/slick/slick.min.js"></script> <script src="/js/cookie.js"></script> <script> var currentYear = new Date().getFullYear(); document.getElementById('year').textContent = currentYear; </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Natrium FAQ