Kairos Power and BWXT team up on TRISO fuel for grid-scale Hermes 2

Kairos Power and BWX Technologies, Inc. announced today that they will work together to "collaboratively explore" optimizing commercial production of TRISO fuel forKairos Power's planned advanced reactor fleet-beginning with the 50-MWe Hermes 2slated for operation in 2030-and other potential customers. Theircollaboration could include jointly developing a TRISO fuel fabrication facility.

Here'swhat Nuclear Newswireknows about Kairos Power's plans for fuel and the "reenvisioned" Hermes 2, which acceleratesthe company's iterative approach to getting agrid-scale molten salt-cooled reactor in commercial operation.

Fuel sources and plans:Kairos Powerhas been building its own capabilities to manufactureannular graphite TRISO pebbles at its TRISO Development Labin Albuquerque, N.M., and BWXT hasmore than 20 years of experience in TRISO fuel manufacturing in Lynchburg, Va. Thecompanies aimto use that combined experienceto manufacture "efficient and cost-effective mass-produced TRISO coated particle fuel."

Kairos Powerhas a source of HALEU-it was one of five companiesthat received a conditional commitment from the DOE to receive HALEU in April.

Asked if Kairos Power will seek DOE authorization under the Fuel Line Pilot Program to fast-track fuel fabrication to support Hermes 2, Kairos Power spokesperson Christopher Ortiz told Nuclear News: "We are not currently preparing an application for the fuel line pilot program, but we haven't ruled out the possibility."

Acceleratingto Hermes 2: On August 18, Kairos Powerannounced plans, together with the Tennessee Valley Authorityand Google, to build and operatea 50-MWe fluoride salt-cooled reactor in Oak Ridge, Tenn., on the TVA grid. Thereactor that would provide the poweris Kairos's Hermes 2.

Despite its grid-worthy sizeand function, Kairos Power considersthe "reenvisioned"Hermes 2 to be a demonstration reactorand not a commercialreactor.

"This pivot effectively converts Hermes 2 into the 50 MWedemonstration plant previously known as 'KP-X'in Kairos Power's iterative development pathway,"Ortiz told NN. "By pulling that iteration forward in our timeline, the enlarged Hermes 2 demonstration plant now becomes the immediate predecessor to Kairos Power's full-scale commercial plants."

Licensing Hermes 2:Kairos Power received a test reactor construction permitfor Hermes 2from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2024. As envisioned at the time, Hermes 2 would have been a low-power test facility with two 35-MWt reactors, twins of Hermes, the single-reactor test facility that Kairos Power is now buildingin Oak Ridge.Hermes 2 was expected to provide operational data to support future commercial deployments.

While the reenvisionedHermes 2 would be a 50 MWe power-producingreactor, Kairos Power expects to proceedwiththe existing Hermes 2 test reactor construction permit.

"Kairos Power has carefully reviewed the planned changes for Hermes 2 and concluded that the conditions of the construction permit are not substantively affected, therefore, a new application or amendment is not required," Ortiz told NN. "Kairos has made NRC staff aware of the changes and conclusions and will include the design details within the future operating license application(OLA). Kairoswill also discuss planned changes with NRC staff as part of the pre-application engagement for the OLA."

Quotables:"Commercial TRISO fuel production is the next step in the development of Kairos Power's fuel supply chain," saidEd Blandford, chief technology officer and co-founder. "With BWXT as a trusted strategic partner, we have a clear path to produce the high-quality fuel products that will unlock advanced nuclear energy's potential."

"Kairos Power sees an opportunity with BWXT to accelerate innovation in TRISO fuel manufacturing processes and more quickly realize gains in production, automation, and process efficiency that will reduce future commercial fuel costs," said Micah Hackett, Vice President, Fuels & Materials.

"This collaboration between BWXT and Kairos creates an industry-leading TRISO development and manufacturing team," said Josh Parker, Senior Director, BWXT Advanced Fuels. "Together, we believe we have the opportunity and skills to speed up the development process and provide more economical TRISO fuel that ensures supply for Kairos, BWXT, and the wider advanced reactor community."