eVinci Micro Reactor
Westinghouse - Battery Reactor
DOE Press Release
Westinghouse's eVinci™ Microreactor: Pioneering a New Era in Nuclear Energy"
Introduction
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability and energy security, Westinghouse is paving the way with its eVinci™ Microreactor technology. This innovative solution is set to upgrade the landscape of nuclear energy, offering a commercial compact, efficient, and emission-free energy source.
The eVinci™ Micro-reactor: Innovation in Nuclear Technology
Westinghouse, leveraging its 70 years of innovation and experience as a global nuclear solutions provider, has developed the eVinci™ Microreactor. This miniaturized reactor technology is designed with modern energy needs in mind, offering a transportable solution that delivers energy and heat precisely where it's needed.
Key Features and Benefits
Transportable Design: The eVinci Microreactor's compact size allows for easy transportation, making it an ideal solution for remote locations or areas with limited infrastructure.
Minimal Site Footprint: With its above-ground installation, the reactor requires minimal site footprint, integrating seamlessly with existing microgrids and renewable energy sources.
Advanced Heat Pipe Technology: The eVinci Microreactor utilizes a unique heat pipe technology for transferring heat from the fuel, eliminating the need for water in operation or cooling.
Long Operational Life: Remarkably, the reactor can generate electricity for 8 years or more. After its operational life, the entire unit, including its spent fuel, can be conveniently removed from the site.
Emission-Free Energy: Emphasizing Westinghouse's commitment to decarbonization, the eVinci Microreactor offers a reliable source of emission-free energy, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Westinghouse's Commitment and Future Prospects
Westinghouse is opening of a new facility in Pittsburgh dedicated to the production of it’s eVinci microreactor marking a significant milestone in their nuclear journey. This investment underscores the company's dedication to bringing the first advanced microreactor to the western market.
A Step Towards Decarbonization and Energy Resilience
The eVinci™ Microreactor is more than just a technological innovation; it represents a step towards a future of decarbonization, energy security, and resilience. As Westinghouse invites stakeholders to join this journey, it's clear that the eVinci Microreactor is not just an end but a beginning of a new era in nuclear energy solutions.
eVinci™ Microreactor Selected for Department of Energy FEEED Contract October 23, 2023 by Westinghouse Electric Company
Cranberry Township, PA – Oct. 23, 2023 – In a significant advancement for nuclear energy, Westinghouse Electric Company announced its selection by the Department of Energy (DOE) for a Front-End Engineering and Experiment Design (FEEED) contract. This initiative will bolster the commercialization of the groundbreaking eVinci™ microreactor. The DOE funding is a key step towards deploying the eVinci Nuclear Test Reactor at Idaho National Lab (INL).
The eVinci Nuclear Test Reactor, a scaled-down version of the full eVinci microreactor, is pivotal for design finalization, testing, and licensing. Leveraging INL’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) DOME test bed facility, this phase involves detailed planning for a comprehensive End-to-End Reactor Test Program.
This cutting-edge microreactor represents a leap in Westinghouse's long history of innovation, offering carbon-free, safe, and adaptable energy solutions. The eVinci Microreactor's versatility extends across various applications, from remote community power to support for lunar missions.
DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Dr. Kathryn Huff, highlighted the project's significance, stating, “The FEEED process is a critical step in bringing advanced microreactor designs closer to realization. These technologies offer diverse communities new pathways to a clean energy future.”
Jon Ball, President of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse, expressed gratitude for the DOE and INL's support. “With the eVinci technology approaching a commercialization tipping point, NRIC’s collaboration is crucial in advancing technology readiness and licensing,” he remarked.
The NRIC program, a DOE initiative led by the INL, plays a vital role in fast-tracking advanced nuclear energy solutions. Its mission involves inspiring stakeholders, empowering innovators, and ensuring the demonstration of advanced reactors by 2025.
The eVinci Microreactor, with minimal moving parts, operates similarly to a high-capacity battery. It offers a variety of power solutions, ranging from kilowatts to 5 megawatts, continuously over eight years without refueling. The reactor's ability to generate high-temperature heat is well suited for industrial applications, including alternative fuel production.
Completely factory-built and assembled, the eVinci microreactor's design ensures ease of transportation to any location. Its potential to advance energy supply in remote and high-demand sectors is yet to be matched.
This project represents a promising milestone in the pursuit of sustainable and versatile energy solutions, highlighting the potential of modern nuclear technology in addressing local and global energy challenges.
Questions We Might Ask:
Can we provide specific examples of how the eVinci microreactor differs from traditional nuclear reactors?
What are the anticipated environmental and economic impacts of deploying the eVinci microreactor in various sectors?
Are there additional quotes or perspectives from industry experts or potential end-users of the eVinci microreactor?
The eVinci microreactor developed by Westinghouse differs from traditional nuclear reactors in several key aspects:
Passive Safety Features: The eVinci microreactor incorporates diverse and redundant safety features, including accident-tolerant fuel and passive heat removal systems. Its heat pipes, which eliminate the need for reactor coolant, cooling water, and associated systems, are self-regulating and based on proven technology.
Fuel Type: The eVinci uses TRISO fuel, known for its higher resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and high temperatures, making it more robust than traditional nuclear fuels.
Design Simplicity and Reliability: The eVinci microreactor is designed with a fully-passive, heat-transfer solid-state fuel technology, enhancing its simplicity and reliability compared to traditional nuclear power generation.
Cost-Competitiveness and Minimal Maintenance: Combining new technologies with Westinghouse's extensive nuclear experience, the eVinci microreactor is a cost-competitive source of power that requires minimal maintenance.
Water-Independent Cooling System: Unlike traditional nuclear reactors that require large amounts of water for cooling, the eVinci's heat pipe technology is water-independent, which is a significant advancement.
The environmental and economic impacts of deploying the eVinci microreactor, especially in remote and high-demand sectors, are substantial:
Clean and Cost-Competitive Energy: A feasibility study with Bruce Power concluded that the eVinci microreactor could provide clean, cost-competitive energy, particularly in off-grid markets like remote communities and industrial mines in Canada. This aligns with decarbonization goals and reduces dependency on expensive diesel generation.
Reduction in Carbon Emissions: In mining scenarios, the eVinci microreactor, supplemented by diesel backup, could reduce carbon emissions by approximately 90%.
Perspectives from industry experts and potential end-users about the eVinci microreactor highlight its significance in the evolution of nuclear energy:
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania: Emphasized the role of the eVinci microreactor in fostering innovation, protecting communities and the planet, and creating jobs, contributing to Pennsylvania's position as an energy leader.
DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Dr. Kathryn Huff: She stressed the importance of advanced nuclear technology like the eVinci microreactor in addressing climate change and meeting diverse community needs.
Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and CEO: He expressed confidence in the eVinci technology's potential to change lives and livelihoods for the better, with plans to have multiple eVinci microreactors operational worldwide by the end of the decade.
Applications and Versatility: The eVinci microreactor is designed for a variety of applications, including providing electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, and defense facilities. Its ability to deliver power continuously for over eight years without refueling and its suitability for industrial applications like alternative fuel production further highlight its versatility. Potential for small scale desalination has yet to be explored but should be.
These insights collectively underscore the eVinci microreactor's role as a groundbreaking development in the nuclear energy sector, poised to contribute significantly to global energy solutions.
