NRG PALLAS and KAIROS POWER accelerate SMR development 

NRG PALLAS and US-based KAIROS POWER have launched a new phase of materials research for advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Since mid-April, the second phase of the graphite research programme has begun. In parallel, both partners are working on additional test campaigns for metallic components and TRISO fuel, one of the most promising and robust nuclear fuel types.

In the High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten, the behaviour of materials under extreme neutron irradiation is being studied, an essential step for ensuring reactor safety and long-term performance. The HFR enables materials to be tested up to ten times faster than under normal conditions. Graphite samples are irradiated in stages and analysed in between, providing a detailed understanding of their performance over a full reactor lifetime. These data are essential for KAIROS POWER to validate its reactor design and support future licensing activities.

KAIROS POWER is developing a modular reactor design cooled by molten salt, capable of delivering carbon-free electricity and industrial heat. The company is working towards 500 MW of capacity for Google and is currently constructing its HERMES demonstration reactor series in the United States.

The research in Petten plays a key role in accelerating innovation in nuclear technology. In the future, this work will continue in the new PALLAS reactor, currently under construction as the successor to the HFR.

Architect’s rendering: The Hermes 2 Demonstation Plant