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Texas A&M University System has launched “The Energy Proving Ground” at its RELLIS campus, selecting four nuclear developers—Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Natura Resources, and Aalo Atomics—to explore the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) with capacities ranging from 10 MW to 1 GW.
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The initiative, backed by the Texas state government, aims to streamline regulatory approval through an Early Site Permit (ESP) and accelerate the commercialization of advanced reactor technologies to support AI-driven data centers, industrial applications, and grid stability.
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Positioning Texas as a leader in nuclear energy, the project aligns with the state’s strategy to leverage its deregulated ERCOT grid, industrial infrastructure, and growing energy demand to foster innovation, economic growth, and energy security in the face of increasing power needs.
The Texas A&M University System has announced plans to collaborate with four nuclear developers in an ambitious effort to construct and operate small modular reactor (SMR) plants at its Texas A&M-RELLIS campus near College Station. Dubbed “The Energy Proving Ground,” the initiative is part of a broader state-supported strategy to deploy operational advanced reactors in Texas within the next five to seven years. This development aligns with the state’s increasing commitment to nuclear energy as a critical component of its long-term power infrastructure.
Following a formal selection process, Texas A&M has chosen Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Natura Resources, and Aalo Atomics to proceed with site assessments and licensing as part of an expedited regulatory framework. The university system, which initiated engagement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in November 2024 for an Early Site Permit (ESP), envisions the RELLIS campus accommodating multiple SMRs with a combined output ranging from 10 megawatts (MW) to 1 gigawatt (GW). These reactors are expected to integrate into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, with the initial phases projected to be operational between the early and mid-2030s.
Chancellor John Sharp emphasized that the project serves as a “test bed” for companies to refine and commercialize new reactor technologies. He noted that, until now, reactor manufacturers and major technology firms have struggled to find suitable locations for clusters of nuclear reactors capable of meeting the energy demands of artificial intelligence, data centers, and other high-energy industries. Sharp underscored that Texas is uniquely positioned to take on this challenge, with strong backing from Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas state government, allowing the Texas A&M System to lead the way in securing the nation’s energy future.
The selection of the four nuclear firms stems from a strategic announcement in May 2024, which set the foundation for Texas A&M’s nuclear initiative. After extensive consultations with nuclear vendors, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents formally notified the NRC in November 2024 of its intent to pursue an ESP application, marking the first step in a licensing process that could culminate in the approval of an operational reactor site by 2029. The RELLIS campus was chosen for its 2,400-acre expanse and its proximity to Texas A&M’s renowned nuclear engineering resources. By taking on much of the licensing burden, Texas A&M aims to provide reactor companies with a streamlined pathway to deployment.
Between August and September 2024, the university system issued a formal request for proposals to identify potential developers capable of managing site assessments, licensing, construction, and ERCOT integration. The process attracted over ten companies, but following rigorous technical and financial evaluations, four developers were ultimately selected. Among them, Kairos Power is advancing a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), a technology derived from the molten salt experiments conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the 1960s. The company has already secured construction permits for its non-power Hermes 1 demonstration reactor, with a second iteration, Hermes 2, in development. Kairos Power’s approach focuses on rapid iterative deployment, and in a landmark agreement, it has committed to deploying a 500-MW fleet of reactors for Google by 2035. The company’s CEO, Mike Laufer, emphasized the importance of building multiple reactors at the Texas A&M site to refine their technology, reduce costs, and accelerate market adoption.
Terrestrial Energy is bringing forward its Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a fourth-generation advanced reactor using low-enriched uranium in sealed cores. With substantial regulatory progress already made in Canada, the company has forged partnerships with Schneider Electric, EnergySolutions, and Viaro Energy to explore applications in industrial heat, brownfield redevelopment, and data center power supply. Terrestrial’s CEO, Simon Irish, underscored the strategic advantages of establishing an IMSR plant at the RELLIS campus, leveraging Texas A&M’s research capabilities and ERCOT’s infrastructure to position Texas as a leader in nuclear technology.
Natura Resources is developing a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor optimized for high-temperature applications and low-waste energy production. Having secured the first-ever NRC construction permit for an MSR research reactor at Abilene Christian University, the company is targeting 2030 for commercial deployment of a 100-MW unit. Natura has recently partnered with the Texas Produced Water Consortium to explore using nuclear technology for water desalination in the Permian Basin, further highlighting its commitment to integrating nuclear power with broader industrial and environmental solutions. CEO Douglass Robison expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Texas A&M to demonstrate how their technology can meet the state’s growing energy needs.
Aalo Atomics, a relatively new entrant in the nuclear industry, is focused on a factory-fabricated, sodium-cooled microreactor inspired by the MARVEL project at Idaho National Laboratory. Despite being founded only two years ago, Aalo has made rapid strides, securing agreements to deploy seven reactors in Idaho Falls and working with the Department of Energy to establish an experimental facility at INL. The company envisions mass-manufacturing nuclear reactors and is planning to establish a production facility in Austin, Texas. Co-founder and CEO Matt Loszak highlighted Aalo’s innovative approach, noting that they are preparing to unveil their first full-scale prototype within the next two months.
The “Energy Proving Ground” initiative aligns with key findings from the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group (TANRWG), established in 2023 by Governor Abbott. The working group’s recommendations emphasize nuclear energy as a crucial component of Texas’ future energy strategy, offering solutions for energy security, grid reliability, and economic growth. The state’s deregulated market, streamlined interconnection model, and growing energy demands make it an attractive hub for advanced nuclear projects. Texas’ robust industrial infrastructure, heavily linked to the oil and gas sector, provides a foundation for developing local supply chains and scaling up nuclear manufacturing.
Texas already hosts two nuclear plants—Comanche Peak and the South Texas Project—with a combined capacity of 5 GW. Central Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are emerging as prime locations for SMRs, given their proximity to expanding data center clusters that require stable, local power. Coastal sites such as Corpus Christi and the Houston Ship Channel present additional opportunities, particularly for energy-intensive industries like liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals, and military operations. The Permian Basin, with its substantial oil and gas activity, is also being considered for nuclear deployment to address power transmission constraints and water treatment needs.
Several advanced nuclear projects are already making headway in Texas. Dow Chemical, in collaboration with X-Energy, is developing an XE-100 high-temperature gas reactor at its Seadrift petrochemical plant, with construction slated for 2026 under the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Natura Resources and Abilene Christian University are advancing their molten salt research reactor, while in the Permian Basin, companies like Shepherd Power and Diamondback Energy are exploring microreactors for oil and gas decarbonization. San Antonio’s Joint Base, CPS Energy, and the Air Force are similarly evaluating nuclear solutions for military energy resilience.
The Texas A&M initiative signals a significant step forward in the state’s ambition to become a national leader in nuclear energy. By fostering innovation, expediting regulatory approvals, and integrating nuclear power with industrial and technological applications, the “Energy Proving Ground” has the potential to reshape the landscape of American energy development for decades to come.
