This nuclear reactor could be used in a mine and on the Moon. A major decision has just been reached.

With this decision, Westinghouse became the first microreactor manufacturer to obtain an approved PSDR for test beds at the NRIC-DOME (Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

The preliminary PSDR report provides a detailed design description and safety analysis of the eVinci test reactor, which is a Department of Energy requirement for its placement at the NRIC-DOME.

Draft of a preliminary documented security analysis

The eVinci test reactor is a scaled-down version of the 3 MWt heat pipe microreactor, designed to improve key design elements and enable development of the larger, commercial eVinci microreactor.

"We were the first to achieve PSDR approval for the test reactor, demonstrating the maturity of our eVinci design and underscoring our momentum towards commercialization and deployment of this technology. We value our strong collaboration with the INL and DOE teams and look forward to continuing this collaboration through the NRIC-DOME program," said Jon Ball, president of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse.

The eVinci Licensing Department is currently developing a draft Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis, which is the third of four documents required by DOE for the development of eVinci reactor technology.

Possible production of electricity and heat

The eVinci microreactor is intended to be used to provide electricity and heat to remote communities, universities, mines, industrial centers, data centers, and defense facilities, and soon to the Moon and beyond.

According to Westinghouse, the eVinci microreactor has very few moving parts and operates essentially like a battery, providing from a few kilowatts to 5 megawatts of electricity, delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for more than eight years without refueling.

It can also produce high-temperature heat suitable for industrial applications, including the production of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, and has the flexibility to balance renewable energy production. The technology is manufactured and assembled in a factory before being shipped in a container.