The Next Big Thing: Nuclear Power
As traditional energy sources become increasingly vulnerable to adversaries’ attacks, U.S. military leaders aspire to utilize a safer, more secure and more reliable energy source on a grander scale. That ascending option is nuclear power, and the sought-after changeover from fossil fuel-based energy sources, such as gas and oil, to nuclear power-based energy sources, such as commercially built microreactors, is gaining momentum as Army personnel are in the early stages of making that dream a reality, particularly because of the novel Janus Program.
Despite being less than half a year old, the initiative has already gathered prospective parties who are interested in constructing microreactors. Leaders expect to finalize a list of the companies in priority order that they see as the most qualified and compatible to overcome this challenge. Once they complete this task and after they negotiate with individuals in industry, program contributors hope to sign the contracts and announce the awardees by mid to late spring, per Jeff Waksman, principal deputy at the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. This comes after Janus Program officials sifted through and evaluated a large number of submissions turned in by private sector personnel seeking a contract.
Janus Program contributors also revealed their long-term goals and milestones for the project. They are striving to develop a demonstration reactor core that will produce neutrons by the end of this year. This accomplishment does not necessarily produce electricity, but it is a major step toward generating energy, scientifically speaking, according to Waksman.
“Just producing neutrons does not mean you’re producing electricity,” Waksman explained during an interview with SIGNAL Media. “Electricity is electrons. You have to heat some fluid up, and then that has to turn a turbine, so you need the fluid, and you need the turbine. The whole system needs to be figured out, so that is going to take quite a bit longer.”
Furthermore, Waksman wants to complete the entire system and have it power something on a military base by the end of 2028, a target that he called “aggressive” and a goal, not a promise.
In addition to already gathering prospective parties interested in constructing microreactors, Army leaders have zeroed in on nine optimal sites for the initial installation of the proposed microreactors. Those nine locations are Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Drum, Fort Hood, Fort Wainwright, Holston Army Ammunition Plant, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Redstone Arsenal, according to Army officials.
Identifying these sites signifies a major step toward bringing this proposal to fruition. One Army team highlighted the nine locations listed above following a thorough analysis of the sites, which included an examination of several factors, Waksman explained. That process included inspecting various sites and assessing their importance, current energy and grid situation, electricity costs, compatibility with nuclear, and geologic and geographical ability to support nuclear reactors. Additionally, they factored in state and local politics and whether lawmakers would likely support or rebuke the installation of microreactors. Lastly, assessment team members researched nearby utility companies to determine whether they would likely be interested in working with the military to make this happen, per Waksman.