USREL signs agreement with NuCube Energy for test reactor at Orangeville site

The Utah Office of Energy Development has agreed to locate a microreactor made by Idaho Falls-based NuCube Energy at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab (USREL) in Emery County’s Orangeville. 

The entities signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes a collaboration for placing the small reactor at the lab. 

The NuCube device is a small fission reactor capable of producing electricity and high-temperature heat — in excess of 1,000 degrees Celsius — for integration with chemical processes and energy conversion technologies. The reactors provide double value by generating electricity or providing heat for other industrial processes. NuCube’s reactor design utilizes TRISO (tristructural-isotropic) fuel and heat pipe technology, among other innovations, that are designed to minimize the use of moving parts within the reactor, thereby enhancing safety and reliability.

The microreactors are housed in a stainless-steel compartment that increases safety and streamlines permitting. Testing of NuCube’s microreactors at USREL will be the next step in the technology’s development and eventual commercialization, according to a NuCube release.

According to the release announcing the MOU, this comes “at a time when the United States as a whole is seeing renewed interest in nuclear energy — an interest being driven by both an increased need for more energy and newer and safer nuclear technologies. Utah has already begun attracting significant investment in its nascent nuclear industry, and the USREL will play a critical role in bridging the gap between research and development and deployment, including the NuCube project.”

NuCube and USREL have begun discussions about community outreach and engagement.

“Utah has an enormous amount of momentum as it explores how best to leverage nuclear energy to meet the needs of its residents and businesses,” said Cristian Rabiti, CEO and co-founder of NuCube. “NuCube’s innovative reactor is ideal for Utah, and we’re looking forward to bringing the highest temperature application for nuclear energy to the state for the first time. We are especially excited to be working with USREL, given its proven track record of demonstrating advanced power generation technologies, including a supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle.”

“The USREL has the space and equipment necessary to host projects like NuCube Energy’s test reactor,” said Emy Lesofski, Utah OED director. “The lab will be a site for a variety of research projects that focus on keeping our energy clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable. The research at USREL will play a critical role in bringing promising technologies to market safely and quickly so the state can continue to increase its reliable and clean energy supply, while also working with local community members. We’re particularly excited about NuCube’s technology because of the opportunities around research it will afford.”

In 2023, management of the San Rafael State Energy Lab was transferred to the Utah Office of Energy Development by the state Legislature. The lab fosters innovation and supports technological developments in the energy sector through community engagement and collaboration with industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders.