Dow and X-energy have submitted a construction permit application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a proposed advanced nuclear project in Seadrift in the US state of Texas.
The initiative, headed by Dow’s subsidiary Long Mott Energy, aims to deploy an advanced small modular reactor (SMR) to power Dow’s UCC Seadrift operations site.
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The project seeks to provide safe, reliable and clean power and industrial steam, replacing existing energy and steam assets nearing the end of their lifecycle.
Supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, the project aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors through cost-shared partnerships with US industry.
Since 2018, X-energy and Dow have engaged with the NRC to highlight the safety profile of the Xe-100 advanced SMR, focusing on its advanced fuel design, passive safety features and analysis techniques.
The comprehensive application submitted exceeds NRC regulations for public health, safety and environmental protection. Approval of the construction permit could take up to 30 months.
Dow energy and climate business vice-president Edward Stones stated: “This is an important next step in expanding access to safe, clean, reliable, cost-competitive nuclear energy in the US.
“We look forward to engaging with the NRC, DOE our business partners and the community throughout the application process.”
The integration of nuclear energy and steam resources is set to significantly reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions [emissions from sources it owns or controls, and emissions which are a consequence of its activities but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it] at the location.
The DOE selected X-energy to develop, license and build an operational Xe-100 advanced SMR and TRISO-X fuel fabrication facility in 2020.
Since then, X-energy has completed the engineering and preliminary design of the nuclear reactor, begun development and licensing of a fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and secured $1.1bn in private capital to commercialise its technology.
X-energy CEO J Clay Sell stated: “The construction permit application is a critical step to deliver on the vision of Congress and DOE to position the US at the forefront of commercialising advanced reactor technology.
“Together with our world-class partner, Dow, we will demonstrate how the technology deployed at Seadrift, Texas can be quickly and efficiently replicated to meet incredible power demand growth across America.”
The Long Mott generating station will become the inaugural grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor dedicated to powering an industrial facility in North America.
The UK government also selected X-Energy, along with Cavendish Nuclear, for an award from the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund (FNEF), granting £3.34m ($4.22m) to advance their plans for advanced modular reactors (AMRs) in the country in April 2024.
