Nuclear Energy
Safe, Efficient and Always On.
Nuclear Energy Innovations from INL.
As the United States progresses toward a reliable energy future, nuclear power will be a crucial component. INL’s cutting-edge research is making nuclear energy more affordable and versatile.
We’re focused on providing effective tools to address energy challenges while ensuring the safety of our citizens.
INL is at the forefront of the nation’s research in advanced nuclear energy technology. Our scientists and engineers study reactors and materials that improve efficiency across all energy sources and help us explore new worlds.
Accelerating Nuclear Energy at Idaho National Laboratory
As the nation’s nuclear energy laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) unique nuclear infrastructure and facilities, expertise and capabilities are not just valuable, but essential to America’s energy future. The nuclear energy future we have long envisioned is no longer a distant possibility and we are partnering with institutions across the country to make it a reality. The path to energy dominance runs through Idaho. Together, we will power America’s next chapter.
Research Highlights
Advanced Test Reactor Overhaul
Experts supporting INL’s Advanced Test Reactor recently completed an 11-month outage for a core overhaul that occurs about every 10 years to maintain its status as the world’s most powerful test reactor.
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Space Power Systems
Fueling and testing nuclear power sources for deep-space missions.
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Advanced Nuclear
Leading advanced nuclear energy research and development for next-generation advanced reactor fuels and technologies.
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Advanced Test Reactor Overhaul
Experts supporting INL’s Advanced Test Reactor recently completed an 11-month outage for a core overhaul that occurs about every 10 years to maintain its status as the world’s most powerful test reactor.
Read More
Space Power Systems
Fueling and testing nuclear power sources for deep-space missions.
Read More
Advanced Nuclear
Leading advanced nuclear energy research and development for next-generation advanced reactor fuels and technologies.
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View All INL Nuclear Research
INL in the News | Nuclear Energy
U.S. Army taps INL’s nuclear expertise, capabilities to strengthen radiological response and readiness
It’s Tuesday morning in early June and the Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) control room is…Read More
MARVEL milestone: Microreactor project completes coolant system testing
In the spring of 2020, a team of engineers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) embarked on a groundbreaking project…Read More
Idaho National Laboratory accelerates nuclear energy projects with Amazon Web Services cloud and AI technologies
(IDAHO FALLS, Idaho) — The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) will collaborate to use AWS’s advanced…Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nuclear energy safe?
Nuclear energy is safe. Statistics show that nuclear energy is one of the safest forms of energy production. INL and other organizations are working on advanced nuclear reactor technologies that have passive safety features. This means they prevent accidents using the natural laws of physics without the need for electronics or human intervention. Nuclear options present a safe alternative to traditional energy sources and complement their variable production.
How does a nuclear reactor work?
A nuclear reactor converts the heat created by nuclear fission into electricity. Fission occurs when a neutron splits a uranium atom into two smaller atoms, releasing heat and more neutrons that split more atoms, continuing in a controlled chain reaction. The heat released by fission is used to create clean steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity. This is similar to how other types of energy plants use heat to generate electricity.
What is the future of nuclear energy?
The nuclear energy industry is pursuing a wide range of new systems that will be demonstrated within the next decade. These reactors use materials and technologies that allow for the reactors to be smaller, more flexible and operate at higher temperatures. These higher temperatures result in more efficient electricity generation and heat for industrial processes, along with reduced costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program is offering cost-shared partnerships with industry to support the development and demonstration of advanced reactors.
What is nuclear energy’s relationship to other energy sources?
Nuclear energy is a safe, reliable option that can work in harmony with other energy sources. It can provide primary or emergency power generation to fill production gaps left by solar or wind energy generation.
What is a user facility?
A user facility is a federally designated facility that can be used by anyone to advance science. A panel of experts evaluates proposals, selects research of value and assigns time in the facility. If the research findings are made public, the facility is free to use.
INL runs three user facilities, including the Nuclear Science User Facilities, which support universities, national laboratories and industry.
What is a microreactor?
A microreactor is a very small nuclear reactor that can produce up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy, which can be used to generate electricity or provide heat for processes like desalination, hydrogen production or other industrial processes. Microreactors are designed to be easily transported, installed and removed to facilitate widespread use, including at remote locations.
What is a test reactor?
Test reactors are scientific instruments used to research and develop new materials. Test reactors are high-powered versions of research reactors, operated at DOE laboratories, and they are essential for ensuring the safe performance of advanced fuels and materials that will be used in commercial nuclear reactors, and in our nuclear Navy fleet. Scientists use test reactors to subject specimens to high levels of neutrons to safely determine how materials will stand up to long-term radiation exposure. INL maintains the world’s most powerful and flexible test reactors, including the Advanced Test Reactor and the Transient Reactor Test Facility. A new Versatile Test Reactor is under development to expand the nation’s nuclear material testing capabilities.
What can nuclear reactors do besides produce power for the electrical grid?
Since reactors produce large quantities of heat, they can provide energy for other purposes like hydrogen production, water purification and delivering heat to help decarbonize certain industries.
Nuclear fission also plays a role in space exploration. INL has provided five different radioisotope power sources to NASA spacecraft, including the power source for NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover. And INL is involved in the development of space fission power systems that will support future missions.
What is a small modular reactor?
Small modular reactors are compact reactor units that can be assembled as single power sources or combined in a series of reactor modules at one nuclear power plant. These reactors allow for easily scalable power production and come with distinct safeguards for security and nonproliferation goals.
Nuclear energy is safe. Statistics show that nuclear energy is one of the safest forms of energy production. INL and other organizations are working on advanced nuclear reactor technologies that have passive safety features. This means they prevent accidents using the natural laws of physics without the need for electronics or human intervention. Nuclear options present a safe alternative to traditional energy sources and complement their variable production.
A nuclear reactor converts the heat created by nuclear fission into electricity. Fission occurs when a neutron splits a uranium atom into two smaller atoms, releasing heat and more neutrons that split more atoms, continuing in a controlled chain reaction. The heat released by fission is used to create clean steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity. This is similar to how other types of energy plants use heat to generate electricity.
The nuclear energy industry is pursuing a wide range of new systems that will be demonstrated within the next decade. These reactors use materials and technologies that allow for the reactors to be smaller, more flexible and operate at higher temperatures. These higher temperatures result in more efficient electricity generation and heat for industrial processes, along with reduced costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program is offering cost-shared partnerships with industry to support the development and demonstration of advanced reactors.
Nuclear energy is a safe, reliable option that can work in harmony with other energy sources. It can provide primary or emergency power generation to fill production gaps left by solar or wind energy generation.
A user facility is a federally designated facility that can be used by anyone to advance science. A panel of experts evaluates proposals, selects research of value and assigns time in the facility. If the research findings are made public, the facility is free to use.
INL runs three user facilities, including the Nuclear Science User Facilities, which support universities, national laboratories and industry.
A microreactor is a very small nuclear reactor that can produce up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy, which can be used to generate electricity or provide heat for processes like desalination, hydrogen production or other industrial processes. Microreactors are designed to be easily transported, installed and removed to facilitate widespread use, including at remote locations.
Test reactors are scientific instruments used to research and develop new materials. Test reactors are high-powered versions of research reactors, operated at DOE laboratories, and they are essential for ensuring the safe performance of advanced fuels and materials that will be used in commercial nuclear reactors, and in our nuclear Navy fleet. Scientists use test reactors to subject specimens to high levels of neutrons to safely determine how materials will stand up to long-term radiation exposure. INL maintains the world’s most powerful and flexible test reactors, including the Advanced Test Reactor and the Transient Reactor Test Facility. A new Versatile Test Reactor is under development to expand the nation’s nuclear material testing capabilities.
Since reactors produce large quantities of heat, they can provide energy for other purposes like hydrogen production, water purification and delivering heat to help decarbonize certain industries.
Nuclear fission also plays a role in space exploration. INL has provided five different radioisotope power sources to NASA spacecraft, including the power source for NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover. And INL is involved in the development of space fission power systems that will support future missions.
Small modular reactors are compact reactor units that can be assembled as single power sources or combined in a series of reactor modules at one nuclear power plant. These reactors allow for easily scalable power production and come with distinct safeguards for security and nonproliferation goals.Not finding what you are looking for? Please send your question to [email protected].