LYNCHBURG, Va. – BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) has announced the commencement of reactor core fabrication for the Project Pele microreactor at its Innovation Campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. This significant step marks a crucial milestone for the transportable nuclear reactor, which is expected to begin producing electricity in 2028 and serve military applications.
Project Pele: A Strategic Initiative for Energy Resilience
Project Pele, launched by the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) in 2016, aims to address the military’s increasing demand for resilient and reliable power, particularly for remote operating bases. The initiative seeks to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype mobile nuclear reactor capable of delivering 1-5 megawatts of electrical power. This innovative microreactor could also play a vital role in advancing nuclear power technology for civilian applications, including disaster response and power generation in remote locations.
Key Development Milestones and Partnerships
The development of the Pele microreactor has involved a collaborative effort across government agencies and private industry. The DoD partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Initial design contracts were awarded in March 2020 to BWX Technologies, Westinghouse Government Services, and X-energy. In 2021, BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-energy LLC were selected to develop the final design for a prototype mobile high-temperature gas reactor. Subsequently, in June 2022, BWXT was awarded the contract to build the prototype microreactor.
Other key industry partners contributing to Project Pele include Northrop Grumman, responsible for the control module, and Rolls-Royce Liberty Works, which is developing the power conversion module.
Reactor Design and Fuel
The Pele microreactor is designed to be gas-cooled and highly transportable, fitting within four 20-foot shipping containers. This compact and modular design makes it ideal for rapid deployment to forward military bases and other installations, providing electricity for up to three years without refueling.
The reactor will be powered by TRISO (Tristructural Isotropic) fuel, a type of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. The DOE describes TRISO fuel as “the most robust nuclear fuel on Earth,” known for its ability to withstand extreme heat and its very low environmental risks. BWXT has already completed the fabrication of the TRISO nuclear fuel and plans to ship it to Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in the coming months.
Testing and Future Operations
The Department of Defense broke ground at Idaho National Laboratory for the Project Pele prototype mobile microreactor in August 2024. This site will host the testing of the reactor, which is slated to become the USA’s first electricity-generating Generation IV reactor as early as 2026.
Assembly of the final reactor is scheduled to begin in February 2025, with transport of the fully-assembled reactor to INL planned for 2026. Upon arrival at INL, the reactor will be transported by truck to a test site and positioned within a concrete shield structure. It will then be connected to INL’s specialized electric microgrid. Following a final safety review, the Pele project team will commence initial testing and evaluation. The reactor is expected to operate for a minimum of three years at INL.
