Federal officials have picked a contractor to construct and manage a small self-contained nuclear power plant located at Eielson Air Force Base. The contract has to be cleared regulatory hurdles. If everything goes according to plan the microreactor could start operating in just five years.
Secretary of the Air Force Air Force Secretary Ravi Chaudhary announced the choice from a California-based business as a potential contracting partner for the Eielson microreactor at a Thursday evening meeting at the Schaible Auditorium at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
“I am extremely happy to announce our notice of intent to select our first microreactor technology for Oklo Incorporated,” Chaudhary stated.
The announcement was an important significant momentin the process that began almost three-year ago, when the Air Force announced its intention to construct a microreactor on Eielson. The contract will not be granted until the process is complete and federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues a license. However, Oklo special projects’ senior director John Hanson says his company is now ready.
“We’re thrilled about being in this place,” He said. “We’re delighted to have been selected for this project and are extremely looking forward to getting started.”
Eielson 354th Fighter Wing commander Col. Paul Townsend says base personnel are also enthusiastic about the pilot project.
“Team Eielson is happy to join forces with these people to make this happen,” he said in an interview following the ceremony. “It’s an thrilling moment.”
Townsend stated that the microreactor will aid the 354 354 that flies and maintains modern F-35 jet-powered fighters fulfill its mission. The technology that resulted in the development of the self-contained, small reactor is an example of the type of technological innovation the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown says is crucial to maintain the military’s superiority to the 21 21st century.
“General Brown tells us ‘Accelerate and change, or lose and we’re looking forward to helping accelerate change and add a massive potential in the Alaskan state. Alaska,” Townsend said.
Chaudhary highlighted the microreactor’s capability to deliver stable energy, without generating climate-changing carbon emissions. He is the deputy Air Force secretary who oversees the Air Force’s environmental, energy and installations concerns. He explained that Eielson was selected for the pilot project partly because of its position in Alaska and the two F-35 squadrons are able to swiftly reach difficult spots within the Indo-Pacific region as well as elsewhere.
“You have a source of energy that is local within the building which permits you to have these two vital squadrons of fighters up in the air and running their work, fulfilling its mission” He said.
Chaudhary claims the facility, which is 5 megawatts, could provide energy security by providing back-up power to the 72 year-old coal-fired power and heating plant. Additionally, since Eielson also purchases power from Golden Valley Electric Association, this microreactor will permit the base to disconnect out of the power grid the event the utility were attacked cyber-wise.
“So that redundant technology is crucial to accomplishing that goal,” he said.
In addition to offering backup power as well, the system will allow to the Defense Department to learn how the system can be employed in other locations. Eielson will be the only U.S. military installation to receive a licensed and commercially-produced microreactor. It was authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act. The president states that it will benefit the State of Alaska.
“This is the first state to actually have a license,” Chaudhary said, “and that’s a big job, holding an official state and federal license to operate and execute the operation of microreactors.”
But before it is able to go into operation, Oklo must complete the microreactor licensing process. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Safety and Licensing Project Manager Stephen Philpott says that likely will not be finished until 2026’s end. The company might start testing the facility next year, and if no complications develop, the facility could be operational by 2028.
