Generation IV nuclear reactors are being developed through an international cooperation of 14 countries—including the United States. The U.S. Depart

3 Advanced Reactor Systems to Watch by 2030

submited by

Style Pass

2023-01-25 13:30:10

Generation IV nuclear reactors are being developed through an international cooperation of 14 countries—including the United States.

The U.S. Department of Energy and its national labs are supporting research and development on a wide range of new advanced reactor technologies that could be a game-changer for the nuclear industry. These innovative systems are expected to be cleaner, safer and more efficient than previous generations.

Here are three designs we are currently working on with industry partners to help meet our future energy needs in a cost-competitive way.

The sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) uses liquid metal (sodium) as a coolant instead of water that is typically used in U.S. commercial power plants. This allows for the coolant to operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures than current reactors—improving the efficiency and safety of the system.

The SFR also uses a fast neutron spectrum, meaning that neutrons can cause fission without having to be slowed down first as they are in current reactors. This could allow SFRs to use both fissile material and spent fuel from current reactors to produce electricity.