Office of Nuclear Energy reports that Radiant Industries completed the front-end engineering and experiment design phase to test a prototype of its Kaleidos microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory. Leading to the world’s first microreactor test bed as early as mid-2026. They write:
Radiant Industries has completed the front-end engineering and experiment design (FEEED) phase to test a prototype of its Kaleidos microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
The Kaleidos microreactor is one of the designs on track to potentially test at the lab in the world’s first microreactor test bed as early as mid-2026.
A Phased Path to Testing
The FEEED process supports developers in designing and planning for the fabrication, construction, and potential testing of fueled reactor experiments at the DOME microreactor test bed.
Radiant was competitively selected last year to complete the FEEED process, which includes developing a detailed schedule, budget, design, and test plan for the experiment, as well as a detailed preliminary safety report on its design to ensure safe operations during testing.
“Completing the FEEED phase is a major milestone leading to Radiant’s fueled reactor test at INL’s DOME facility,” said Tori Shivanandan, Radiant’s Chief Operating Officer. “Radiant was added to the lab’s qualified supplier list, completed numerous design reviews, and submitted our Conceptual Safety Design Report, all while staying on-time and under-budget. We are excited to continue partnering with the lab going forward.”
Radiant will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) to finalize the design and planning for the Kaleidos experiment.
The company plans to also start securing long-lead procurement items in preparation for potential installation at DOME.
Westinghouse has also completed the FEEED process for its eVinci microreactor design.
Kaleidos Microreactor
In addition to FEEED, Radiant is also working with the Department and national labs through two GAIN voucher awards to advance its Kaleidos design.
The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor is designed to produce 1.2 megawatts of electricity and operate for 5 or more years before refueling.
The Kaleidos microreactor is expected to support broad applications ranging from replacing diesel generators in remote areas, to providing backup power to hospitals, military installations, and data centers.
Testing at DOME
Radiant and Westinghouse both plan to continue to prepare for potential testing at the DOME test bed.
The facility is currently being renovated at the former EBR-II containment structure at INL to help defray costs and lower risk for developers pursuing first-of-a-kind reactor technologies.
NRIC brings together industry and the national labs to help advanced reactor designs move from the conceptual stage to demonstration stage on the path to deployment.
Read more here.
Also read Radiant Secures $100 Million in Series C Funding, Plans Milestone Test at INL’s DOME Facility.
