Adam RollinsA nuclear technology startup is planning to build 30 micronuclear facilities in Haskell County. As power demands have skyrocketed due to increasing usage and expansion of data centers supporting artificial intelligence, innovative solutions are needed to support the power grid.
The proposed project would break ground on a 200-acre site approximately 180 miles west of Dallas. Microreactors are a scalable solution for generating electricity and heat for industrial applications in remote areas, able to function as part of an existing grid or independently. Each reactor is 100 to 1,000 times smaller than a conventional nuclear reactor yet produces 20 megawatts of energy, providing power to approximately 4,000 homes.
The next steps toward executing these plans depend on the company acquiring the necessary approvals and regulatory permissions. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will need to approve connecting the micronuclear facilities to the power grid. The company is also preparing to file for an early site permit with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
This is not the startup’s first foray into developing feasible microreactor facilities in Texas. The company has already built two full-scale prototypes demonstrating the efficacy and impact of micronuclear facilities for local economies and statewide energy demands.
Texas currently hosts more than 340 data centers, consuming nearly eight gigawatts of power with more expected as the state’s data center industry grows. Nuclear power is noted as one of the most feasible and effective solutions for addressing future deficits, providing a carbon-free source capable of ramping up in response to rapidly developing energy usage.
Photo courtesy of distelAPPArath on Pixabay
