- TerraPower began constructing its natrium reactor project in Lincoln County, Wyoming, employing 1,600 local workers.
- The natrium reactor, using liquid-sodium coolant, aims to revitalize U.S. renewable energy with higher thermal efficiency and safety.
- Despite only having approval for non-nuclear construction, TerraPower is optimistic about meeting future energy demands and has strong support from federal, state, and local communities.
On June 10th, TerraPower officially began construction on its natrium reactor project in Lincoln County, Wyoming. The project plans on implementing the first advanced non-light water reactor in the Western Hemisphere and will employ a total of 1,600 local workers to help construct the facility.
Founded in 2006 by Bill Gates, TerraPower is a nuclear reactor development company that specializes in micro-reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). While the company is known for developing these types of reactors, its anticipated developments for their natrium reactor will revitalize the renewable energy industry in the U.S. through the use of liquid-sodium solutions. Specifically, TerraPower’s natrium reactor plant will operate by generating heat through nuclear fission while using liquid-sodium as a coolant instead of water.
The benefits of using liquid-sodium as a coolant instead of water provide advantageous benefits for nuclear energy. Since liquid sodium can efficiently absorb and transfer heat, it offers higher thermal conductivity that can transfer heat away from the reactor core. Additionally, sodium has a higher boiling point than water, offering a lower risk of the coolant boiling away.
Although the project shows promise for the future of nuclear energy, the process leading up to the events have posed some challenges for TerraPower. While the company’s request to begin construction on the plant in Wyoming was approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), they have only been approved for non-nuclear construction. If TerraPower wishes to construct nuclear facilities, they wouldn’t be able to begin until later in 2025 after they receive approval from the NRC and complete their non-nuclear construction.
Despite regulatory challenges, the company is still optimistic that the natrium reactor project will be a success. In the opening ceremony of the TerraPower construction project, CEO Chris Levesque stated that the project will allow the company to “seize the opportunity not to just deploy advanced nuclear technology, but to also meet growing energy demands and solve serious concerns with American Energy.” Specifically, TerraPower has received legislative support from both the federal government and the state governments in Wyoming, allowing them to break ground on these projects. In addition to the government, TerraPower has also received widespread support from members within the Lincoln County community as the natrium reactor project will improve the economy by offering new job opportunities.
