The future of nuclear power in Texas is poised to take a significant leap forward as Texas A&M University System heralds in a new era of energy innovation. Taking a decisive step, the institution has chosen four nuclear reactor companies to develop their advanced small modular reactor (SMR) technologies at the university's renowned Rellis Campus in Bryan. These companies—Kairos Power, Natura Resources, Aalo Atomics, and Terrestrial Energy—were announced in what could be a transformative move for the energy landscape in the Lone Star State.
In its relentless pursuit to ensure the United States meets its burgeoning power requirements, Texas A&M's Chancellor John Sharp stated, "Plain and simple: the United States needs more power." KPRC 2 further reported Sharp's ambitious vision of Texas stepping up to construct the crucial power plants. The university aims to showcase the viability and safety of SMRs, hoping they will play a crucial role in satisfying the nation's energy demands, which are inflating rapidly due to factors like the energy requirements of data centers, especially those hosting artificial intelligence systems.
The venture, dubbed "The Energy Proving Ground" as per KPRC 2, has stimulated an application process for an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. If greenlit, Texas A&M would become the only higher education institution in the country with a commercial nuclear reactor site license. To support this bold initiative, a hefty $200 million is being requested from Texas's General Fund for essential infrastructure upgrades at Rellis Campus, as revealed by Joe Elabd, Texas A&M's vice chancellor for research, in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.
Elabd is also not shy about his aspirations for the project to attract Big Tech's attention, potentially positioning Rellis Campus as a nexus for artificial intelligence research. This possibility is underscored by the tailored plans each company has laid out for the campus. For instance, Natura Resources eyes its first commercial reactor to go live before 2030, boasting about 100 megawatts in capacity. Similarly, Aalo Atomics, according to CEO Matt Loszak, who told the Houston Chronicle, is looking to provide power ideally suited for burgeoning data centers. Meanwhile, Terrestrial Energy is in the wings, prepared to erect a "commercial demonstration" plant with a hefty 400 megawatts of electricity capacity.
The initiatives of these companies, alongside Governor Greg Abbott's vision to position Texas as "the global leader in advanced nuclear power," signal the state's proactive approach to addressing its own rapid demand for electricity, as noted by the Houston Chronicle. Plans for taxpayer-backed funds to subsidize the nuclear industry are already on the legislative table, suggesting a serious commitment from Texas to this advanced energy course. Kearos Power, the largest of the companies selected, has its sights set on Rellis following its construction of a test reactor in Tennessee and an agreement with Google, marking a potential commercial breakthrough in the usage of nuclear energy. And with potential land leases and the intricacy of power selling arrangements still in negotiation, the full scope of Texas A&M's partnership with these companies is yet to be unpacked fully, as they look at a future where innovative nuclear power becomes a cornerstone of Texas energy.
