Exploring Options for Microreactors in Alaska

Federal and Commercial Opportunities for Microreactors in Alaska
In addition to Alaska’s remote villages, the state hosts a number of remote federal installations and commercial facilities that might benefit from a power source that could last for decades with minimal fuss.

Candidates for microreactors include mining operations, seafood processing factories, and especially military installations. Army, Air Force and Coast Guard outposts such as Eareckson Air Station, located on one of the Aleutian Islands 1,500 miles from Anchorage, and Fort Greely, located 100 miles from Fairbanks in one of the coldest regions of Alaska, are just two examples of military bases where providing reliable power is difficult.

“We have some fairly remote military installations,” Klouda said. “They often need redundant power. In many cases they have to be self-sufficient.”

Another potential use of microreactors in Alaska is for disaster relief. The state is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires and extreme weather, which could leave an isolated community particularly vulnerable. A portable microreactor could help with rescue operations and as a stopgap power source. They could also help power communities that need to relocate due to rising sea levels.

Microreactor History
The microreactor concept isn’t new. In the ’60s and ’70s, the U.S. Army commissioned several mobile nuclear reactors that were used with varying levels of success at installations such as a radar station in Greenland; on a ship that powered Panama Canal operations; at a radar station in Sundance, Wyoming; and at Alaska’s Fort Greely.

But these reactors relied on decades-old technology. There’s reason to believe this next generation of microreactors will offer several advantages compared with the older models.

“In the past 25 or 30 years there have been pretty significant advances in materials and electronics that would help microreactors be simpler, safer and more economical,” Aumeier said.

Alaska’s mix of energy challenges has prompted public officials to again take a hard look at microreactors. In an April 2019 op-ed, Alaskan U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said microreactors “could help relieve crippling energy prices in isolated villages and provide baseload power for an array of other applications.

“What’s more, the technology is safer than ever before,” Murkowski continued. “Creative designs mean massive improvements in performance.”

A Partnership to Determine Need and Feasibility
The INL/University of Alaska partnership is meant to determine the need and feasibility of such a project. In 2019, the laboratory and the university signed a joint master agreement, making it easier to collaborate via mechanisms such as joint appointments and internships for students.

Klouda and the Center for Economic Development are analyzing the cost benefits and identifying potential customers. Aumeier is leading a team of researchers at INL to help industry develop the technology, including advanced “intelligent” systems that allow for autonomous or highly simplified operations.

“It’s an example of the role of the national laboratory,” Aumeier said. “We’re not here to sell people anything. Because we don’t have a profit interest, we can help stakeholders understand the technology.”

Opportunities for Research and Development
The interest in nuclear microreactors for military bases has spawned two different federal opportunities for research and development.

First, the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act calls for a pilot project that requires a microreactor to be deployed on a military or federal reservation by 2027.

Second, the Army Strategic Capability Office has requested proposals for a mobile microreactor. More than 50 U.S. companies have microreactor designs in various stages of development.

“Many think that this is a very near-term deployment opportunity,” Aumeier said.

A microreactor demonstration project on the INL reservation would have enormous value for companies, state government officials and other stakeholders. “They’ll have a front-row seat so they can decide for themselves the potential benefits of these systems,” Aumeier said.

For now, INL and the University of Alaska are hosting a series of forums to get input from stakeholders and companies.