Kaylee Harrison
The Texas A&M University System is at the forefront of the future of nuclear energy in the United States. Prime Minister John Sharp recently announced that Texas A&M has provided land near the main campus to four major reactor companies, Kairos Power, Natural Resources, Terrestrial Energy and Aroatomic, to provide advanced small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). ) announced that it will be constructed. Known as the “Energy Certification Site,” the initiative aims to meet the nation’s growing demand for clean, reliable energy, especially in electricity-hungry sectors and data centers.
Prime Minister Sharp pointed out that Texas is competitive in this sector due to his leadership in energy production and strong support from state governments. Other regions may hesitate to adopt new nuclear technologies, but Texas is ready to lead. The first SMR will be operational within five years and could directly power the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
Launchpad for small modular reactor innovation
For participating companies, the agreement provides a land and strategic platform to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation nuclear reactor technologies.
Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer highlighted the growing demand for clean energy, which has increased the role of nuclear power in the national energy strategy. His company plans to deploy commercial SMR units within the city on its site, contributing to the state’s energy security and economic growth.
Natura Resources has long-standing relationships with the University, collaborating on the Natura MSR-1 demonstration system. Douglass Robison expressed his enthusiasm to expand this partnership through the deployment of Natura’s commercial system. It is designed to showcase the scalability of modular reactor technology in meeting the growing energy demand of countries.
Similarly, Terrestrial Energy sees this collaboration as an opportunity to showcase its Integrated Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) technology. CEO Simon Irish has created the best-in-class research capabilities and expertise in nuclear engineering at Texas A&M, creating an ideal environment for driving the future of modular reactor development, bringing Texas to the nation of advanced nuclear technology. He pointed out that it creates an ideal environment for positioning as a leader.
Nuclear regulations have been streamlined to speed up SMR deployment
One of the main benefits of this initiative is its streamlined regulatory process. The Texas A&M System has already launched an early site permit (ESP) application with the US Nuclear Regulation Commission (NRC) to facilitate the deployment of SMRs. The Energy Proven Status caters to multiple reactors and combines power output beyond one gigawatt to significantly enhance Texas’ energy infrastructure.
For Aalo Atomics, this regulatory efficiency is a game changer. The company plans to build up to six AALO pods, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of mass-manufactured nuclear technology.
Texas A&M’s vision for the future of nuclear energy
Joe Elabdo, vice-prime minister of research at Texas A&M, highlighted the potential for transformation of energy proof sites. He believes the partnership will fundamentally reconstruct the US energy landscape and establish SMR as a key pillar of the country’s future energy strategy.
