Atomic Show #349 – Josh Gillespie, COO National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC)

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) was born in 1949 as the National Reactor Testing Station after the Atomic Energy Commission decided they needed a place to test controlled nuclear fission power systems. Before being taken over by the AEC, the land was controlled and used by the U.S. Navy to test refurbished weapons, up to and including the 16″ guns carried by battleships.

After a five decade long hiatus in building new reactors while also implementing a significant level of diversification into other research areas, the INL is regaining strength in its original purpose as a place to test and demonstrate complete nuclear reactor power plants. (The term “plant” is not really applicable to micro-reactors, but it will serve as a general term for now.)

This time through, the design, approval, construction and testing programs are not being led by a federal monopoly called the Atomic Energy Commission. It is not focused on developing reactors that can be used to test the ideas of scientists who don’t really care if anyone wants to buy the system they are developing.

Instead, the reactor development efforts underway and in planning for the future are more cooperative, distributed and commercially driven.

Josh Gillespie is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC). He visited the Atomic Show to talk about NRIC and its role in helping the Nuclear Renaissance gain traction and success.

NRIC was created in 2019 as a result of directives and authorizations contained in the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA). Its purpose is to build bridges that enable private sector organizations to work with national laboratory scientists and physical resources to cross the “valley of death” between good ideas and commercially viable products. It is tasked with preparing facilities to serve as test beds for new reactor development and testing and to develop sites where new facilities can be built.

Though it can be a challenge for any government organization – like a national lab – NRIC has been tasked to be able to operate at the speed of a start-up. It is taking strides in that direction, though it is still limited in speed by the federal government budget cycle.

Josh described how NRIC is working closely with the Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office which is directly responsible for the DOE 1271 authorization process for both reactors and supporting facilities – like those that are in the fuel supply chain or involved in radioactive materials testing and evaluation.

NRIC helps private sector companies develop their plans, find suitable facilities, prepare required submittals and engage in readiness reviews. NRIC’s reach extends beyond the boundaries of the Idaho National Laboratory; has been contracted to support several of the Reactor Pilot Program developers that have built or are building their reactors in Texas or Utah.

Josh described DOME as the crowning jewel of NRICs facilities. It once served as the containment dome for the highly successful but prematurely retired Experimental Breeder Reactor II, the remains of which are encased in concrete and grout in the basement and foundations of the existing facility. DOME is designed to be able to host a test reactor that might be exercised to its limits while still preventing any release of radioactive materials. Radiant Nuclear was selected as the first tenant of the DOME. It is scheduled to complete its operational testing and to remove its equipment from the facility in a year to make room for the next tenant.

Top shield covering Antares Mark-0 in RACE facility

NRIC played an important role in the success of the Reactor Pilot Program. It helped to find and repurpose facilities for Antares (RACE – Reactor and Criticality Experiment), Deployable Energy (NRAD – Neutron Radiography Reactor)

Aside: Bit of INL Trivia – The building that is now RACE housed the Army’s ML-1 reactor development program from the late 1950s until the program was ended in 1964. End Aside.

Josh described NRIC’s role in the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad as similar to that of a subdivision developer. A 2,000 acre plot has been allocated. NRIC is responsible for developing basic infrastructure, including roads and common utility systems. It will arrange for site characterization studies in preparation for environmental assessments. Private sector developers will lease their sites and contract for any additional services desired from an available menu. These include additional security and fire services.

There will be similar services offered to developers who are building on sites that are not INL; that part of the program is called Launch Pad – USA.

Josh is an Idaho native who is happy to be involved in creating a winning partnership between private sector companies and government/national lab organizations. He believes that the new developments will help Idaho National Lab continue to thrive and lead in nuclear energy development. He is excited about helping to deploy abundant sources of clean electricity and heat that will contribute to a bright future for Idaho, the U.S. and the rest of the world.

You’ll enjoy this show. Listen carefully and comment via X if desired.