Kairos Power Advances in Reactor Development with Manufacture and Installation of Its First Internal Vessel

The nuclear technology company Kairos Power has completed the fabrication and installation of its first internally produced reactor vessel, a crucial step in the development of its Engineering Test Unit 2.0 (ETU 2.0). This advancement marks a milestone in the company’s strategy to refine its manufacturing model and reduce reliance on external suppliers for key components of its next-generation reactors.

The reactor vessel, assembled at the company’s Manufacturing Development Center in Albuquerque, is a fundamental piece of the KP-FHR (High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor) system, with which Kairos Power aims to demonstrate the viability of an optimized modular design. This new prototype is an evolution of the ETU 1.0 and will be used to test system integration before moving forward with the development of the demonstration reactor Hermes and future commercial applications.

Manufacturing Advancements and Supply Chain Risk Reduction

One of the main objectives of the ETU 2.0 is to consolidate Kairos Power’s internal manufacturing capabilities, reducing supply chain risks for its future projects. With this development, the company has increased its production capacity for ASME U-stamped certified pressure vessels, while advancing the modular construction of specialized components for reactors.

For the fabrication of the reactor vessel, Kairos Power established a dedicated production area within its facilities in Albuquerque, equipped with large-scale plate laminating, automated cutting, welding, and machining equipment. This approach has allowed the company to improve control over costs, quality, and production timelines for its commercial reactors.

According to the company, 80% of the ETU 2.0 costs come from raw materials or standard commercial components, aligning with its vertical integration strategy. By minimizing the external manufacturing of specialized parts, Kairos Power aims to ensure greater stability in production and avoid delays resulting from external factors.

A Key Step in the Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy

The development of the ETU 2.0 vessel also represents a milestone within the Technology Investment Agreement between Kairos Power and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which funds risk reduction through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP).

This agreement stipulates that the company receives fixed payments based on performance, meaning that funding is released only when specific project milestones are met. In total, the DOE has committed to invest up to $303 million in the Hermes project, which will serve as a foundation for the commercial development of Kairos Power’s reactors.

Statements from Kairos Power

Kairos Power’s co-founder and CEO, Mike Laufer, emphasized the importance of this achievement:

“Completing the ETU 2.0 is a significant advancement that reflects the synergy between our iterative development approach and our vertical integration strategy. We are building the capabilities to internally manufacture key components of the reactors, which will reduce costs in our future commercial fleet.”

Meanwhile, Craig Gerardi, the company’s Vice President of Manufacturing, highlighted the team’s effort in making this milestone a reality:

“Three years ago, we identified the opportunity to integrate reactor vessel manufacturing to meet our quality, cost, and schedule goals. Seeing how our teams have collaborated to design, fabricate, and deliver this component is truly rewarding.”

Kairos Power’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Edward Blandford, also praised the team’s efforts:

“Manufacturing our first reactor vessel in-house has been a cross-functional effort that demonstrates what can be achieved when a talented team works toward a common purpose. Now we are ready to continue building the future.”

Kairos Power and Its Commitment to Clean Energy

Founded in 2016, Kairos Power has positioned itself as one of the most innovative companies in the development of advanced molten salt-cooled reactors, a technology that promises to provide clean, safe, and low-cost energy to contribute to global decarbonization.

In 2023, the company received the first construction permit in over 50 years for a non-water-cooled reactor in the U.S., setting a precedent in the nuclear industry. With its focus on iterative development and vertically integrated manufacturing, Kairos Power aims to accelerate the arrival of the next generation of commercial reactors.

Via: Kairos Power

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