ARPA-E: Innovation for Ultra-Safe Modular Nuclear Energy Systems

Request for Information – Enabling Technologies for Ultra-Safe and Secure Modular Nuclear Energy Systems

This is a Request for Information only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs.

ARPA-E seeks input from a broad range of disciplines and fields, including, but not limited to nuclear science and engineering, materials science and engineering, sensor science and technology, instrumentation and control engineering, automation science and engineering, power systems engineering, and safety by design for innovative concepts for technical innovation that will enable accelerated development and regulatory acceptance of modular nuclear energy options involving either Gen III+ or Gen IV design features. If made technically and economically viable, modular nuclear reactor technologies can augment large-scale reactors in providing clean, safe, secure, carbon-free electricity as well as heat energy for various non-electrical applications (e.g., industrial processes, mining activities, hydrogen production, and seawater desalination). ARPA-E is particularly interested in innovations that enable reactor designs to be: 1) inherently safe (beyond passive safety) with multiple safety mechanisms to prevent core melting in case of a loss of coolant accident (LOCA); 2) extremely secure without exposure of radioactive nuclides in case of LOCA or an enclosure breach with a zero or near zero emergency planning zone (EPZ); 3) quickly responsive to external load variations with control mechanisms that can also add safety beyond passive cool down; 4) long-lasting with operational durations of 10 to 20 years without refueling; 5) substantially autonomous in operations with minimal operator intervention; and 6) proliferation resistant. Consistent with the agency’s mission, ARPA-E is seeking information on disruptive, novel technologies, relatively early in the R&D cycle, and not integration strategies for existing technologies.

The information you provide may be used by ARPA-E in support of program planning. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.

This is a Request for Information only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs.

ARPA-E seeks input from a broad range of disciplines and fields, including, but not limited to nuclear science and engineering, materials science and engineering, sensor science and technology, instrumentation and control engineering, automation science and engineering, power systems engineering, and safety by design for innovative concepts for technical innovation that will enable accelerated development and regulatory acceptance of modular nuclear energy options involving either Gen III+ or Gen IV design features. If made technically and economically viable, modular nuclear reactor technologies can augment large-scale reactors in providing clean, safe, secure, carbon-free electricity as well as heat energy for various non-electrical applications (e.g., industrial processes, mining activities, hydrogen production, and seawater desalination). ARPA-E is particularly interested in innovations that enable reactor designs to be: 1) inherently safe (beyond passive safety) with multiple safety mechanisms to prevent core melting in case of a loss of coolant accident (LOCA); 2) extremely secure without exposure of radioactive nuclides in case of LOCA or an enclosure breach with a zero or near zero emergency planning zone (EPZ); 3) quickly responsive to external load variations with control mechanisms that can also add safety beyond passive cool down; 4) long-lasting with operational durations of 10 to 20 years without refueling; 5) substantially autonomous in operations with minimal operator intervention; and 6) proliferation resistant. Consistent with the agency’s mission, ARPA-E is seeking information on disruptive, novel technologies, relatively early in the R&D cycle, and not integration strategies for existing technologies.

The information you provide may be used by ARPA-E in support of program planning. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA). NO FOA EXISTS AT THIS TIME.