DoD to Build Nuclear Microreactors
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,695
Likes: 7,377
From: Peripatetic
https://www.defensenews.com/news/you...o-power-bases/
Army to lead nuclear microreactor development to power bases
Some Army installations could be powered by nuclear microreactors under an executive order recently issued by President Donald Trump.
The order, published May 23, calls for deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security and directs Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to establish a program using the technology for both installation and operational energy.
It orders the operation of a nuclear reactor at a domestic military base or installation by Sept. 30, 2028.
“Advanced nuclear reactors include nuclear energy systems like Generation III+ reactors, small modular reactors, microreactors, and stationary and mobile reactors that have the potential to deliver resilient, secure, and reliable power to critical defense facilities and other mission capability resources,” according to the order.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George took multiple questions from various committee members on the initiative.
Driscoll indicated his support for the move in response to a question from Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., as to where microreactors fit into America’s national security strategy.
“I think microreactors can be an incredible asset as we solve against the future energy needs of the United States Army, both CONUS [continental United States], OCONUS [outside the continental U.S.] and peacetime and wartime,” Driscoll said. “We are excited to lead that effort.”
Neither Driscoll nor George had details as to which installation might feature such a reactor.
But both said the reactors could provide energy resilience and independence for some installations.
Army to lead nuclear microreactor development to power bases
Some Army installations could be powered by nuclear microreactors under an executive order recently issued by President Donald Trump.
The order, published May 23, calls for deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security and directs Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to establish a program using the technology for both installation and operational energy.
It orders the operation of a nuclear reactor at a domestic military base or installation by Sept. 30, 2028.
“Advanced nuclear reactors include nuclear energy systems like Generation III+ reactors, small modular reactors, microreactors, and stationary and mobile reactors that have the potential to deliver resilient, secure, and reliable power to critical defense facilities and other mission capability resources,” according to the order.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George took multiple questions from various committee members on the initiative.
Driscoll indicated his support for the move in response to a question from Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., as to where microreactors fit into America’s national security strategy.
“I think microreactors can be an incredible asset as we solve against the future energy needs of the United States Army, both CONUS [continental United States], OCONUS [outside the continental U.S.] and peacetime and wartime,” Driscoll said. “We are excited to lead that effort.”
Neither Driscoll nor George had details as to which installation might feature such a reactor.
But both said the reactors could provide energy resilience and independence for some installations.
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,695
Likes: 7,377
From: Peripatetic
Entirely different technologies and risks.
The problem in Russia are abandoned Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), a power source where a chain reaction does not take place using plutonium. It’s the plutonium that’s caused all the problems and deaths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-M
Camp Century used a conventional reactor which was removed when it closed. The only radioactive waste is low grade water from the cooling system. The biggest issue is PCBs and sewage.
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley....2/2016GL069688
The problem in Russia are abandoned Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), a power source where a chain reaction does not take place using plutonium. It’s the plutonium that’s caused all the problems and deaths.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-M
Camp Century used a conventional reactor which was removed when it closed. The only radioactive waste is low grade water from the cooling system. The biggest issue is PCBs and sewage.
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley....2/2016GL069688
