Kairos Power Completes Fabrication and Installation of First Internally Produced Reactor Vessel for Engineering Test Unit


Published: January 30, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KAIROS POWER COMPLETES FABRICATION AND INSTALLATION OF FIRST INTERNALLY PRODUCED REACTOR VESSEL FOR ENGINEERING TEST UNIT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – January 30, 2025 – Kairos Power has successfully completed design, construction, and installation of the reactor vessel for its second non-nuclear Engineering Test Unit (ETU 2.0). It is the first reactor vessel to be fabricated in-house at Kairos Power’s Manufacturing Development Campus in Albuquerque, N.M.

The reactor vessel is a central component of the Engineering Test Unit, which Kairos Power is building to advance the iterative development of its Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR) technology. ETU 2.0 will demonstrate KP-FHR system integration in an optimized, fully modular design, building on lessons learned from its predecessor (ETU 1.0).

The Kairos Power Manufacturing and Operations teams collaborated closely to deliver Kairos Power’s first internally-produced reactor vessel.

A primary objective of the ETU program is to mature Kairos Power’s internal manufacturing capabilities, mitigating supply chain risk for the Hermes demonstration reactor series and Kairos Power’s commercial fleet. With ETU 2.0, the company is ramping up output of ASME U-stamped pressure vessels, advancing the production of specialized reactor components, and gaining proficiency in modular construction methods.

To deliver the ETU 2.0 reactor vessel, Kairos Power established a dedicated shop inside its Albuquerque facility for KP-FHR vessel production, featuring large-scale plate-rolling, cutting, automated welding, and machining capabilities. Kairos Power’s in-house engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams collaborated closely throughout the project, enabling key learnings that will carry forward to future iterations.

Kairos Power’s goal is for 80% of ETU 2.0 costs to derive from raw materials or commercial off-the-shelf parts, following the company’s vertical integration strategy. By minimizing the outsourced production of specialized components, Kairos Power gains better control over product cost, quality, and schedule for the commercial fleet.

The ETU 2.0 reactor vessel is not only a significant construction milestone; it’s a contract milestone under Kairos Power’s Technology Investment Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for risk reduction funding through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP).

Under the agreement, Kairos Power receives fixed, performance-based payments from DOE upon demonstrating the achievement of pre-determined project milestones. This fiscally responsible approach ensures Kairos Power only gets paid when we deliver. DOE has agreed to invest up to $303 million in the Hermes reactor project through the ARDP, supplementing Kairos Power’s substantial private investment.

What People Are Saying

“Completing the ETU 2.0 vessel was a monumental achievement for Kairos Power that illustrates the synergy between our rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy. We are systematically building the capabilities and know-how to self-produce major reactor components over multiple iterations – an investment that will ultimately lower costs for the commercial fleet.” Mike Laufer, Kairos Power co-founder and CEO

“A little over three years ago, we identified the opportunity to vertically integrate vessel manufacturing to achieve Kairos Power’s quality, cost, and schedule goals. It is incredibly gratifying to see so many internal teams work together on this complex project to design, manufacture, and deliver a completed reactor vessel.” Craig Gerardi, Kairos Power Vice President of Manufacturing

“The Kairos Power team did a fantastic job collaborating to meet this milestone. Producing our first reactor vessel in-house was a concerted, cross-functional effort that represents what’s possible when talented people come together to achieve a larger mission. We’ve laid the groundwork; now we’re ready to build toward the future.” Edward Blandford, Kairos Power co-founder and Chief Technology Officer

 

About Kairos Power
Kairos Power is a mission-driven nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company singularly focused on commercializing the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) – a clean energy solution that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost to enable deep decarbonization. Founded in 2016, the company is unique in applying a rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy to bring advanced reactor technology to market. In 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for Kairos Power’s Hermes demonstration reactor – the first non-water-cooled reactor to be approved for construction in the U.S. in more than 50 years. Kairos Power’s mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy with the ultimate goal of dramatically improving people’s quality of life while protecting the environment. Learn more at kairospower.com.

Contact:
Christopher Ortiz
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
(510) 775-1685

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