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U.S. Army seeks nuclear microreactors for reliable on-site generation
The U.S. Army currently relies on off-site electricity providers to obtain energy, creating “mission risks due to disruptions from extreme weather and cybersecurity attacks,” DIU said in the RFI.
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The U.S. Army is seeking proposals by June 21 for prototype onsite microreactor power plants that can begin operations at an Army installation in the continental United States by the end of 2030, the Defense Innovation Unit said on June 5.
The request for information seeks solutions to reduce the Army ’s reliance on electricity produced off-base and comply with a Congressional mandate to provide critical missions with 99.9% reliable energy by 2030.
“[The RFI] is a great opportunity to further incentivize deployment of microreactors,” said Jeff Merrifield, chair of the board of directors of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council, an advocacy group, and partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. “It has the potential, if successful, to be adopted by other branches of the U.S. military or other parts of the U.S. government.”
The U.S. Army currently relies on off-site electricity providers to obtain energy, creating “mission risks due to disruptions from extreme weather and cybersecurity attacks,” DIU said in the RFI.
To address operational challenges posed by intermittent renewables and battery storage installations, the Army seeks “a novel approach using recent advances in the nuclear industry that can provide continuous/reliable power regardless of weather conditions,” DIU said.
“The Army’s RFI program is a great first step toward making the American military more energy resilient,” said Ryan Duncan, director of government relations for Last Energy, an advanced modular reactor technology company. “Like other NATO members, the U.S. Armed Forces is looking for technologies that offer 24/7 energy security and can be delivered quickly and affordably.”
The RFI’s tight response timeline likely won’t stop “a diversity of companies,” possibly six or more, from responding, Merrifield said.
To read the complete article, visit Utility Dive.
