Aalo Atomics and DOE sign Siting MOU

We're thrilled to announce that we've signed a Siting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Energy (DOE). This marks the first step towards deploying our first Aalo-1 reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site in Idaho. The Aalo-1 reactor, a 10 MWe sodium-cooled, UZrH-fueled reactor, represents a significant leap forward in sodium-cooled advanced nuclear technology in the US. Leveraging low-enriched uranium (LEU) at just under 10% enrichment and operating in the thermal neutron spectrum, our design prioritizes economics, inherent safety, and mass manufacturability.

Next Steps

With the MOU in place, our immediate focus shifts to entering into a real property agreement with DOE, selecting a specific parcel of land to site the Aalo-1 reactor. This step will involve extensive collaboration with INL and local stakeholders to ensure the chosen site meets all technical and environmental requirements. Following land selection, we will conduct thorough assessments to demonstrate negligible impact on the environment and infrastructure. These assessments are essential to our commitment to sustainability and will guide the responsible development of our facility. This effort will set the precedent for efficient siting of future Aalo-1 reactors throughout the nation.

The Vision

While not yet confirmed, Aalo intends to leverage this Siting MOU towards locating the first Aalo-1 reactor at the Central Facilities Area (CFA) site within INL, a location chosen to collocate with newly constructed megawatt-scale electrolyzers, and INL’s upcoming hydrogen motorcoach fleet. Aalo-1 can provide electricity and heat behind the meter to these electrolyzers and demonstrate efficient hydrogen production. Aalo has recently signed an Umbrella Strategic Partnership Project (SPP) to leverage INL's expertise to support the exploration of this deployment.

A Non-Nuclear Prototype

In parallel with these efforts, Aalo is excited to announce plans to construct a full-scale, non-nuclear prototype of the Aalo-1 reactor. This effort follows the recent successful completion of the Aalo-1 conceptual design. The prototype will serve as an important step in testing and refining our technology, ensuring that Aalo-1 meets its technical, regulatory, and economic targets.

Design and Regulatory Preparation

Building upon the solid foundation laid during the conceptual design phase, our team is now fully engaged in the preliminary design. This phase is critical for verifying our reactor design through rigorous analysis, simulation, and testing. In parallel, we are preparing for our regulatory submittal. Our team is dedicated to working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and advance the deployment of this groundbreaking technology.

Looking Ahead

Aalo Atomics is on a mission to pioneer a future with the lowest cost possible for nuclear energy. The support and collaboration of the DOE, INL, and the broader energy community will be critical as we progress towards this vision. Together, we can bring clean, reliable, 24/7 energy to the people with advanced fission, and usher in the second atomic age.

⚛

Stay tuned for more updates.