DeepGEO and Nuclearis Team Up to Explore Multinational Waste Disposal
Today Nuclearis signed an MoU with DeepGEO that will help unlock innovative solutions for the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The is the first such agreement between a light water reactor vendor and the multinational repository (MNR) developer. Nuclearis is now the second reactor technology start-up company to back this innovative waste disposal option.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Nuclearis, who have demonstrated clear nuclear industry leadership in considering not only their technology but the full nuclear fuel cycle. An innovative nuclear sector needs innovative waste solutions. We are committed to working with all forward-thinking technology and project developers to help make the advanced nuclear future a reality,” said Link Murray, President of DeepGEO
“Our partnership with DeepGEO is a pivotal move in solving one of the nuclear industry’s most pressing challenges—responsible management of spent fuel. By working together Nuclearis and DeepGEO are advancing not only safe and efficient energy generation, but also ensuring long-term environmental stewardship. This collaboration represents a crucial step towards sustainable nuclear energy,” added Santiago Badran, CEO of Nuclearis.
Within the global nuclear sector currently, the situation is that each country expects to develop its own repository for high-level nuclear waste, but national progress has been glacial. Only a handful of countries have made tangible progress – the most notable being Finland, which has constructed its repository and expects to begin operations in the next 24 months.
Where the model of national government-led disposal is at least nominally suited to large traditional nuclear projects, disposal pathways are far less clear for advanced reactor developers which are pursuing novel technologies and business models, such as leasing concepts and providing ‘nuclear energy as a service’. Many startups are not satisfied with the rate of progress on national disposal facilities and cannot afford to bank on them, as investors require strict assurances of sustainable waste management.
The need for innovative, flexible and practical disposal options for spent nuclear fuel is expected to grow in the future as nuclear energy expands globally to meet international climate pledges and to address energy security concerns. Leading international organizations have long recognized that MNRs are essential for many established nuclear countries, which face acute challenges in the form of small waste inventories, unsuitable geology and public opposition. It is increasingly clear that MNRs can also help facilitate the development of SMRs and advanced reactors.
Under the terms of the MoU the companies agree to evaluate the integration of DeepGEO’s multinational services as a solution for any wastes generated by Nuclearis’s microreactor technologies, and will address technical, legal, regulatory, and financial challenges that may prevent the use of MNRs for this purpose. They will also share information and jointly collaborate to promote nuclear energy adoption in emerging markets, and particularly in Africa
Nuclearis is developing an innovative Pressurized Water Reactors at the microreactor scale that are multi-functional, providing not only electricity but also heating and supporting industrial applications such as hydrogen production, HVO, syngas, and biochar. By focusing on sectors that are traditionally difficult to de-carbonize, the company contributes to reducing carbon footprints across various industries. The N1 reactor design currently under development is expected to be constructed underground and operate without refueling for at least 20 years. At the end of its operational life, the reactor vessel transitions to a decay pool and dry storage solution, eliminating the need for external handling of spent fuel.
DeepGEO is currently the only global enterprise seeking to establish MNRs on a commercial basis. The company is making strong progress, and in March last year signed a groundbreaking partnership agreement with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy. In November last year it signed a similar agreement with advanced reactor technology developer Copenhagen Atomics.
Both companies welcome interest from other reactor developers and technology developers who are also ready to get serious about their future waste challenges and support multinational solutions.
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Nuclearis’ mission is to accelerate energy transition and reliability to enhance energy security and access by developing a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). The N1 reactor represents a significant advancement in nuclear technology, combining conventional, proven designs with innovative smart engineering. Our commitment to technological excellence ensures enhanced safety, efficiency, and performance for nuclear power plants worldwide. Nuclearis Energy Corporation is a nuclear technology company based in the US.
DeepGEO is a US-based company with regional teams in Canada, Finland and Africa. It is developing multinational repositories for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste. With a focus on a clean energy future and sustainable resource management, DeepGEO works with its partners to provide a solution for spent nuclear fuel while promoting economic healing for under-served communities. The company intends to take radioactive materials from multiple reactor types. For more information, please visit www.deepgeo.earth.