It is interesting that none of the four companies are the leaders in SMR energy programs.

I like it that A&M is offering the location,but hopefully A&M doesn't commit significant resources and moneies to the effort.

A few of the existing SMR companies are within two or three years in building and operating sites.

Fission is so 20th century.

Would have liked to see a fusion company. Someone to really hit a home run.

Used to be two reactors on campus. One at NSC and one in Zachry.

AggiePhil said:

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Used to be two reactors on campus. One at NSC and one in Zachry.

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Since they tore down and rebuilt Zachry, both are now located at the Nuclear Science Center.

Will these reactors be used to power the semiconductor factories?
What about Elon's rockets over the Brazos?

TyHolden said:

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Will these reactors be used to power the semiconductor factories?
What about Elon's rockets over the Brazos?

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The reactors at Rellis will be for research and development only.
I would rather see more drone research over the Brazos.

doubledog said:

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TyHolden said:

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Will these reactors be used to power the semiconductor factories?
What about Elon's rockets over the Brazos?

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The reactors at Rellis will be for research and development only.
I would rather see more drone research over the Brazos.

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Not to be negative, but I am not sure if we will see anying at all out of this in the long run except for some research which is still great. I think these newer companies see the availability of the land and the infrastructure and monetary support of A&M.

There are already a dozen or more companies already way down the road of not only developing SMRs but also installing them and many have way more money that these companies may have.

The economies of scale cost issue is something that still needs to be addressed.

woodiewood said:

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doubledog said:

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TyHolden said:

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Will these reactors be used to power the semiconductor factories?
What about Elon's rockets over the Brazos?

---

The reactors at Rellis will be for research and development only.
I would rather see more drone research over the Brazos.

---

Not to be negative, but I am not sure if we will see anying at all out of this in the long run except for some research which is still great. I think these newer companies see the availability of the land and the infrastructure and monetary support of A&M.

There are already a dozen or more companies already way down the road of not only developing SMRs but also installing them and many have way more money that these companies may have.

The economies of scale cost issue is something that still needs to be addressed.

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There are, but at Rellis you have a DoD connection.

doubledog said:

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woodiewood said:

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doubledog said:

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TyHolden said:

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Will these reactors be used to power the semiconductor factories?
What about Elon's rockets over the Brazos?

---

The reactors at Rellis will be for research and development only.
I would rather see more drone research over the Brazos.

---

Not to be negative, but I am not sure if we will see anying at all out of this in the long run except for some research which is still great. I think these newer companies see the availability of the land and the infrastructure and monetary support of A&M.

There are already a dozen or more companies already way down the road of not only developing SMRs but also installing them and many have way more money that these companies may have.

The economies of scale cost issue is something that still needs to be addressed.

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There are, but at Rellis you have a DoD connection.

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Maybe, but:

[url=https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2024/Oklo-Finalizes-Agreement-with-the-Department-of-Energy-to-Advance-to-the-Next-Phase-of-Siting/default.aspx][/url]
Oklo Finalizes Agreement with the Department of Energy. - Sep 25, 2024 Oklo received a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory. ((Sam Altman's billions $$)

NNE works with the Idaho National Laboratory, a government-affiliated nuclear research lab, to develop reactors and a fuel fabrication facility. U.S. Department of Commerce - NNE participates in quarterly meetings with the U.S. Department of Commerce to discuss the export and deployment of advanced nuclear energy technology to Southeast Asia. Civil NuclearSMR Industry Working Group - NNE is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Civil NuclearSMR Industry Working Group for Southeast Asia.

NuScale Power is working with the U.S. government to develop and deploy small modular reactors (SMRs). The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have both provided support to NuScale.

TerraPower is working with the U.S. government on the development of the Natrium reactor. The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are both involved in the project. (((Bill Gates' 10 Billion $$$$)

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation works with the U.S. government through contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. USNC is a U.S. company that specializes in nuclear energy innovation.


And about a dozen others.

I just am cautions of these small startups having to come to A&M for millions of dollars for facilities and infrastructure in order to continue their efforts.

Otherwise, I am all for as many entities researching alternative power sources as can do it

.

Rapier108 said:

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Brad Jerry Mitch said:

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Gap said:

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I knew we have had a nuclear reactor on campus for decades for research but I guess I didn't know it was testing reactor prototypes and building them there like in the announcement for RELLIS.

I'm pro-nuclear energy. Just convince me that a "proving ground" for new reactors is something I want in my backyard.

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I think I'd rather be right next to it than outside of the immediate blast radius.

Either everything works fine and we get cheaper energy, or it fails explosively and it's not my problem.

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Modern Gen III/III+ and Gen IV nuclear reactors (SMRs are Gen III types with Gen IVs being studied) are not going to blow up.

They are designed in such a way that they cannot blow up nor melt down like old reactor designs could. We are not going to have a Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, or ***ishima happen here.

As much as I loathe Wikipedia, they have a decent article on what is called Passive Nuclear Safety, which all modern reactor designs incorporate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_nuclear_safety

Until the day we have nuclear fusion as a viable power source (we've been "20 years" away from it for 50+ years now), then the best solution are Gen III/III+ nuclear reactors, especially if one believes we need to use less fossil fuels.

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There's also a lot of little nuclear engines on ships and submarines. The safety for small nuclear is pretty well established.

techno-ag said:

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Rapier108 said:

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Brad Jerry Mitch said:

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Gap said:

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I knew we have had a nuclear reactor on campus for decades for research but I guess I didn't know it was testing reactor prototypes and building them there like in the announcement for RELLIS.

I'm pro-nuclear energy. Just convince me that a "proving ground" for new reactors is something I want in my backyard.

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I think I'd rather be right next to it than outside of the immediate blast radius.

Either everything works fine and we get cheaper energy, or it fails explosively and it's not my problem.

---

Modern Gen III/III+ and Gen IV nuclear reactors (SMRs are Gen III types with Gen IVs being studied) are not going to blow up.

They are designed in such a way that they cannot blow up nor melt down like old reactor designs could. We are not going to have a Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, or ***ishima happen here.

As much as I loathe Wikipedia, they have a decent article on what is called Passive Nuclear Safety, which all modern reactor designs incorporate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_nuclear_safety

Until the day we have nuclear fusion as a viable power source (we've been "20 years" away from it for 50+ years now), then the best solution are Gen III/III+ nuclear reactors, especially if one believes we need to use less fossil fuels.

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There's also a lot of little nuclear engines on ships and submarines. The safety for small nuclear is pretty well established.

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Yep. There around 440 operating nuclear power plants in the world generating about 10% of the electricity. Also, there are 220 nuclear reactors at reseach locations and as you stated, there are about 150 generating steam to power subs and ships.