US University Advances Groundbreaking Nuclear Reactor for Clean Energy
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has accepted an application to build a new research reactor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The KRONOS micro modular reactor (MMR) is designed to support the university’s green energy goals. The project marks a key development in advanced nuclear technology. The university submitted its Construction Permit Application on 31 March 2023. The NRC’s acceptance means the proposal will now undergo a formal review process. Florent Heidet, Chief Technical Officer at NANO Nuclear, confirmed the application’s progress.
The KRONOS MMR is a 45 MW thermal, 15 MW electrical high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. It uses TRISO fuel, known for its safety and durability. If approved, the reactor will partially repower the campus’s Abbott power station, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
The NRC will carry out a detailed safety and environmental assessment. A Federal Register notice will also be published, inviting public and community feedback on the plans. Caleb Brooks, a professor at the university, described the NRC’s acceptance as a major milestone for the project.
NANO Nuclear gained the reactor technology after acquiring Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation in January 2022. The company estimates the NRC’s formal review will finish by 2027. The reactor’s approval process is now underway, with public input set to play a role in the decision. If successful, the KRONOS MMR could become a key part of the university’s shift toward cleaner energy. The NRC’s final review is expected to conclude within the next four years.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Sleep Maxxing Trends and Tips: New Zealanders Seek Better Rest
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
