Aalo Atomics and DOE sign Site-Use MOU

It's a momentous day for Aalo Atomics and the broader clean energy community. We're thrilled to announce that we've received a Site Use Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from 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, our design prioritizes economics, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Location and Collaboration

The Aalo-1 reactor is poised to be situated at the Central Facilities Area (CFA) site within INL, a location chosen to collocate with newly constructed 10-megawatt electrolyzers, and INL’s upcoming hydrogen motorcoach fleet. Aalo-1 will provide electricity and heat behind the meter to these electrolyzers and demonstrate seamless hydrogen production. Aalo will partner with INL to execute this pioneering effort to harness advanced nuclear for clean fuel production at scale and expedite market adoption. This effort will significantly bolster INL’s transition from diesel to clean hydrogen and electricity for their 90 motorcoaches and meet their 2031 net-zero goals.

Next Steps

With the MOU in place, our immediate focus shifts to selecting a specific parcel of land for 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.

A Non-Nuclear Prototype

In parallel with these efforts, Aalo Atomics is excited to announce plans to construct a full-scale, non-nuclear prototype of the Aalo-1 reactor. This endeavor 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. Navigating the regulatory landscape is a complex but essential component of bringing Aalo-1 to fruition. Our team is dedicated to working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and advance the deployment of this groundbreaking technology.

Looking Ahead

The journey of Aalo Atomics is about more than just developing this first reactor; it's about pioneering a future where clean energy is accessible, reliable, and integral to our global energy ecosystem. The support and collaboration of the DOE, INL, and the broader energy community wlll be critical as we all 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!