Radiant Advances to Second Phase of DOE Microreactor Experiment

Radiant Secures U.S. Department of Energy backing for Detailed Engineering and Experiment Design (DEEP), which will support the work needed to safely test Radiant’s Kaleidos Microreactor at DOME in 2026.

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024 — Radiant, a pioneer in advanced nuclear energy technology, has been selected to proceed to the next phase of experiment design for the test of their microreactor at the DOME facility. This milestone follows Radiant's completion of the Front End Engineering and Experiment Design (FEEED) phase, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC). The award takes Radiant into the Detailed Engineering and Experiment Planning (DEEP) phase for its 1 MW Kaleidos microreactor, marking another significant step toward commercialization.

The award follows the submission of Radiant’s Conceptual Safety Design Report (CSDR) to the DOE in early August and addition to INL's Qualified Suppliers List. These achievements set the stage for the DEEP Phase, which focuses on developing the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA) for the Kaleidos microreactor.

In this second phase, Radiant will finalize the Kaleidos reactor's design and secure critical components. This new award encompasses Radiant’s ongoing work to complete the final design of the Kaleidos microreactor, submit required environmental and safety documentation, and initiate long lead procurement of key reactor systems. These crucial steps will prepare the reactor for future testing at the DOME facility, generating essential performance and safety data for the commercial licensing process.

Tori Shivanandan, COO of Radiant, commented, "This award represents a major milestone in our collaboration with INL. The United States urgently needs to build and deploy new reactors, and the DOME demonstrations show the American people that this future is not just possible – it’s within our grasp. The support from the DOE and INL is instrumental in our journey to bring this game-changing clean energy solution to market and unleashing the full potential of Kaleidos, proving that together, we can make it happen."

A critical part of Radiant’s phase two work will include developing documentation for the PDSA and implementing critical design refinements. The PDSA, representing 90% design completion, builds upon the CSDR and provides a comprehensive safety analysis of the reactor. These efforts position Radiant for success as it moves toward reactor testing and eventual commercial deployment.

Brad Tomer, acting director and chief operating officer of NRIC stated, "This partnership underscores the vital role of public-private collaboration in advancing next-generation nuclear technologies. Radiant's progress exemplifies how advanced reactors can be pivotal in achieving a clean energy future."

This award reinforces Radiant's ongoing commitment to delivering reliable, portable, and environmentally friendly power solutions, further cementing its position at the forefront of nuclear innovation.

About Idaho National Laboratory

Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation's center for nuclear energy research and development, celebrating 75 years of scientific innovations in 2024. The laboratory performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov.