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Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kairos Power Begins Nuclear Safety-Related Construction of Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor
OAK RIDGE, TN, UNITED STATES, May 8, 2025 / / -- Kairos Power has completed the first installation of nuclear safety-related concrete for the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor, marking the start of 'nuclear construction' on the project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Hermes is a scaled demonstration of Kairos Power's fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor technology and is the first advanced nuclear reactor to receive a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Kairos Power first broke ground at the Hermes site in July 2024 and completed excavation in October. Safety-related construction activities, which are subject to oversight by the NRC and can only be performed with a construction permit, started on May 1 with a focus on the building's foundation. To ensure structural soundness, Hermes will have 51 six-foot-diameter drilled piers extending approximately 40 feet below grade to anchor the building to bedrock. The first safety-related concrete pour was the culmination of several months of preparation. Two earlier projects at the Oak Ridge site served as proving grounds to test the drilled pier installation process and refine Kairos Power's nuclear quality assurance program. The construction team, led by Barnard Construction Company, completed a full-scale test pier in November, known as 'Pier 52,' to demonstrate the process from beginning to end before drilling 70 piers for Kairos Power's non-nuclear Engineering Test Unit (ETU 3.0) facility over four months. The team became highly proficient, installing as many as six piers in a single day using quality control checklists similar to those that will be used for Hermes. 'The first safety-related concrete pour for a U.S. advanced reactor under an NRC construction permit is a major milestone and a significant accomplishment for the Kairos Power team and our construction partners,' said Kairos Power CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer. 'This achievement reflects the value of our iterative development process to meet the necessary nuclear quality standards and provide crucial real cost information that gives confidence to our customers. It is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and represents an enormous amount of learning and progress.' 'The Hermes project team continues to lead the industry as we forge a new path in advanced reactor construction,' said Kairos Power Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Edward Blandford. 'Working with our partners and in close communication with the NRC, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety to ensure the success of this project.' The Hermes reactor will leverage proven technologies that originated in Oak Ridge—a novel combination of TRISO coated particle fuel and 'Flibe' molten fluoride salt coolant, which yields robust inherent safety while simplifying the reactor's design. Hermes is supported by risk reduction funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Kairos Power is building the demonstration reactor as part of its iterative approach to mitigating technology, licensing, supply chain, and construction risks for the commercial fleet. About Kairos Power Kairos Power is a mission-driven nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company singularly focused on commercializing the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) – a clean energy solution that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost to enable deep decarbonization. Founded in 2016, the company is unique in applying a rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy to bring advanced reactor technology to market. In 2025, Kairos Power commenced safety-related construction of the Hermes demonstration reactor – the first non-water-cooled reactor approved for construction in the U.S. in over 50 years. Kairos Power's mission is to enable the world's transition to clean energy with the ultimate goal of dramatically improving people's quality of life while protecting the environment. Learn more at Contact: Ashley Lewis Corporate Communications [email protected] (510) 775-1685 Ashley Lewis Kairos Power email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Kairos Power Joins Texas Nuclear Alliance as Founding Member
The Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA) is proud to announce that Kairos Power, a nuclear energy engineering, design, manufacturing, integration, and operations company has joined as a Founding Member. The company is singularly focused on commercializing advanced reactor technology that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost. 'Kairos Power recognizes the tremendous potential that nuclear power offers for Texas and is leading the way in developing advanced reactor technologies to help unlock a reliable, affordable, cleaner energy future,' said TNA President Reed Clay. 'Kairos Power's unique technology and leadership in nuclear will play a pivotal role in the future of the power industry in Texas.' 'Texas is taking bold steps to secure its clean energy future by embracing nuclear energy to power homes, businesses, and industries. As a member of the Texas Nuclear Alliance, Kairos Power is proud to align with this mission, furthering our commitment to enable the energy transition while promoting human wellbeing,' said Kairos Power CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer. 'We are excited about the opportunity to drive technological leadership and continued economic growth by deploying advanced reactors in Texas.' About Kairos Power Kairos Power is a mission-driven nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company singularly focused on commercializing the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) – a clean energy solution that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost to enable deep decarbonization. Founded in 2016, the company is unique in applying a rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy to bring advanced reactor technology to market. In 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for Kairos Power's Hermes demonstration reactor – the first non-water-cooled reactor to be approved for construction in the U.S. in more than 50 years. Kairos Power's mission is to enable the world's transition to clean energy with the ultimate goal of dramatically improving people's quality of life while protecting the environment. Learn more at About the Texas Nuclear Alliance TNA is the only industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology in the state. TNA was formed with a singular mission: to make Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World. Formed in 2022 in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, TNA is based on the fundamental premise that if Texas and the world want low-carbon, reliable energy, it can no longer turn its back on nuclear energy. Nuclear is clean, safe, reliable, and secure. Texas Nuclear Alliance Lauren Clay 512-567-7604
