The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy and the National Reactor Innovation Center announced on Apr. 27 the first developers chosen for the new Nuclear Energy Launch Pad. The initiative is designed to help private nuclear developers advance their technologies from concept to commercial deployment.
The program aims to broaden opportunities for companies working in nuclear energy, not only focusing on reactor and fuel technologies but also including a wider range of applications. “Nuclear Energy Launch Pad builds on the foundation of DOE’s pilot programs to open new doors for developers – broadening the scope beyond reactor and fuel technologies to welcome a wider range of nuclear technologies and applications, and creating more pathways, more flexibility and more opportunities to move promising technologies to deployment,” said NRIC Director Brad Tomer.
Four companies were selected from an initial pool of applicants who had previously applied under DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program. These companies—Deployable Energy, General Matter, NuCube Energy in partnership with Idaho State University, and Radiant Nuclear—will now begin discussions with NRIC about receiving enhanced technical, regulatory, and deployment support through the Launch Pad program.
The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad represents an evolution from previous DOE pilot programs which are no longer accepting applications. According to officials, NRIC will issue an official call for additional applications in the coming weeks and expects further selections later this year.
The initiative creates two pathways: Launch Pad INL supports projects at Idaho National Laboratory while Launch Pad U.S.A. assists projects outside INL with flexible regulatory and technical support. The goal is to continue fostering innovation in advanced nuclear technology across both federal and nonfederal lands.
NRIC plans ongoing announcements as it expands participation in this program.