The firm aims to use the materials to develop and demonstrate the Oklo Aurora, a small advanced fission technology
Oklo Aurora Powerhouse. (Credit: Gensler)
California-based company Oklo has secured access to recovered material from used nuclear fuel from Idaho National Laboratory.
The firm aims to use the materials to develop and demonstrate the Oklo Aurora plant, a small advanced fission technology.
Aurora is an advanced fission power technology, which is used to generate electricity in remote or off-grid locations.
Oklo had applied for access to the material through a competitive process launched by Idaho National Laboratory in 2019.
Idaho National Laboratory aims to speed up the deployment of commercially viable microreactors by providing developers with access to material which are required to produce fuel for their reactors.
Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte said: “This award paves the way for an important demonstration of the first Oklo Aurora plant, as well as the ability of advanced reactors to convert used nuclear fuel, that would otherwise be treated for disposal, into clean energy.”
Aurora has capacity to produce approximately 1.5MW of electric power
In December last year, the company launched its Aurora advanced fission clean energy plant in California, US.
The plant has capacity to produce approximately 1.5MW of electric power as well as offsets 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon emissions during its operation compared to diesel generator alternatives.
National Reactor Innovation Center director Ashley Finan said: “Building and operating advanced reactors is essential to restoring U.S. leadership in nuclear energy.
“The NRIC team is committed to empowering innovators to move their projects from concept to reality.”
In December last year, the firm has secured site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to build and demonstrate the Aurora plant at Idaho National Laboratory.