Texas A&M University System has boldly stepped into the nuclear energy arena, unveiling an ambitious project that could reshape the landscape of advanced nuclear power in the U.S. The initiative, dubbed “The Energy Proving Ground,” aims to deploy operational advanced reactors in Texas within the next five to seven years. This isn’t just a local endeavor; it’s a state-supported initiative with far-reaching implications for the energy sector.
The project will take place at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus near College Station, where four nuclear developers—Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Natura Resources, and Aalo Atomics—will explore building and operating small modular reactor (SMR) plants. This consortium will leverage an Early Site Permit (ESP), which Texas A&M initiated with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in November 2024. The site will accommodate multiple SMRs, with a combined output ranging from 10 MW to 1 GW, and is expected to connect to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid by the early to mid-2030s.
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp described the initiative as a “test bed” for companies to develop and refine new reactor technologies. Sharp emphasized the urgent need for more power in the U.S. and Texas’ willingness to lead this charge. “Until now, reactor manufacturers—along with the most powerful names in Big Tech—have not been able to find a suitable place to build clusters of nuclear reactors that can supply the power needed for artificial intelligence endeavors, data centers, and other projects. The U.S. needs more power, and Texas is stepping up to build the power plants we need.”
The four selected developers bring diverse technologies to the table. Kairos Power, for instance, is advancing a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) derived from Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL’s) 1960s molten salt experiments. Kairos has made significant regulatory progress and secured a $303 million DOE grant. The company recently signed a 500-MW fleet agreement with tech giant Google to deploy multiple SMRs by 2035. Mike Laufer, co-founder and CEO of Kairos Power, highlighted the importance of the Texas A&M-RELLIS project in developing in-house capabilities and learning along the way. “We’re looking to explore this site for multiple commercial reactors. And when we talk about multiple reactors, we talk about being able to build and learn and bring costs down and bring certainty. That’s the only way that we’re going to get new technologies into the market prove that they can be deployed with confidence, and then expand.”
Terrestrial Energy is developing the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a fourth-generation advanced reactor using standard low-enriched uranium fuel in sealed cores. The company completed Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Phase 2 licensing in 2023 and has notable partnerships with Schneider Electric and Viaro Energy. Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy, lauded the opportunity to showcase an IMSR plant at the Texas A&M’s RELLIS campus, emphasizing the site’s advantages in leveraging Texas A&M’s research capabilities and positioning Texas as a leader in America’s nuclear technology sector.
Natura Resources is advancing liquid-fueled molten salt reactor technology optimized for low-waste and high-temperature applications. The company recently received the first NRC construction permit for its MSR-1 research reactor at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Texas and is targeting 2030 for its 100 MWe commercial unit deployment. Douglass Robison, founder and CEO of Natura Resources, expressed excitement about continuing the partnership with the Texas A&M System to deploy their commercial system, the Natura MSR-100, on the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus.
This initiative is more than just a local project; it’s a strategic move that could accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies nationwide. The Texas A&M System’s willingness to take on the licensing burden and streamline the regulatory process could set a new standard for nuclear development in the U.S. The project’s success could inspire similar initiatives in other states, fostering a new era of innovation and collaboration in the nuclear energy sector.
The involvement of major tech companies like Google, along with the state’s proactive approach, signals a shift in how nuclear energy is perceived and utilized. This project could pave the way for more integrated and efficient power solutions, addressing the growing energy demands of data centers, AI endeavors, and industrial applications. The Texas A&M-RELLIS campus is poised to become a hub for nuclear innovation, attracting investors, researchers, and policymakers alike. The state’s leadership in this initiative could catal
