The planned construction and powering of four initial small modular reactors north of Richland is still years away, but the company behind their design is moving to ensure they have the advanced fuel they’ll need.

X-energy recently began testing its proprietary TRISO-X fuel pebbles for its Xe-100 small modular reactor, or SMR, at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). With the U.S. Department of Energy also collaborating in the testing, the roughly yearlong process will evaluate the fuel’s performance at different temperatures, burnout conditions and power levels.

The Oak Ridge, Tennessee-based company also has started construction of the facility that will produce that fuel for its SMRs. Called TX-1, the core and shell of the 214,812-square-foot facility is being built under a $48.2 million construction contract. It will be operated by X-energy subsidiary TRISO-X LLC once completed.

“The start of vertical construction marks another significant milestone in bringing our bold vision for the future of nuclear energy to life,” said Joel Duling, president of TRISO-X, in a statement. “As TX-1 takes shape, it will stand as a symbol of our team’s relentless dedication and determination to bring this transformative project forward in just a few years, not decades.”

SMRs are next-generation nuclear reactors that are smaller than current commercial reactors with simpler designs, faster deployment, lower construction costs and less disruptive refueling processes. 

The new reactor design means new forms of fuel are required and TRISO-X is the first commercially-produced SMR fuel to undergo testing such as what will be conducted at INL.

TX-1 will be the first new nuclear fuel fabrication facility built in the U.S. in a half century, with capacity to manufacture 70,000 TRISO pebbles per year, enough for 11 Xe-100 SMRs. X-energy anticipates regulatory approval for the facility by May 2026.

Announcement of the SMR project outside the Tri-Cities came a little over a year ago. While initial plans call for building a facility generating 320 megawatts of power, the goal is eventually build out the facility to generate up to 960 megawatts.

In an agreement with Energy Northwest, Amazon will provide two years of funding for the SMR project, supporting the necessary activities prior to construction, including permit applications.

Energy Northwest will build, own and run the reactors, which will use X-energy’s Xe-100 design. Through the pact with Energy Northwest, Amazon will have the right to buy electricity from the first four reactors. If the others are built, the power will be available to Amazon and northwest utilities. 

Called the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, the partners recently unveiled renderings of the facility, as well as the expected builders, a team of national and international construction and engineering firms called Cascade Nuclear Partners.