US-based TerraPower has awarded Idaho-based Premier Technology a contract for the design, testing, fabrication and delivery equipment for the Natrium Reactor Demonstration Project currently under construction in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The equipment includes the sodium-air heat exchanger (AHX) and the air stack structures and equipment (ASE)
These components are part of the intermediate air cooling (IAC) system will play a vital role in the Natrium plant’s passive safety systems and essential functions, TerraPower noted. This is the largest single procurement award to date for the Natrium demonstration project.
The Natrium technology features a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system. The Natrium demonstration project is being constructed near a retiring coal facility in Wyoming. Non-nuclear construction on the project began in June 2024.
In addition to working with Premier Technology, TerraPower has an ongoing partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) across multiple projects. INL is supporting the Natrium design by leveraging a diverse range of unique facilities and capabilities to accelerate fuel development and licensing as part of a cooperative research agreement.
“Since the inception of the Natrium technology, TerraPower has been committed to working with other leaders in the nuclear industry as we bring this first-of-a-kind plant to market,” said Tara Neider, Senior Vice President and project director for the Natrium project. “Idaho has a robust supply chain and extensive nuclear experience from research to production; we are excited for the opportunity to work with Premier Technology and bring their high-quality manufacturing capabilities to our project.”
Over the past 25 years, Premier Technology has completed more than 1,000 projects under nuclear quality assurance programmes with extensive experience supporting a wide range of industries including commercial nuclear and the US Department of Energy.
“Premier Technology is pleased to be a partner with TerraPower on this historical project…. We believe in the technology and we believe in TerraPower. We are ready to support this important project,” said Doug Sayer, founder of Premier Technology.
US TerraPower executives, including Chairman Bill Gates took part in the groundbreaking ceremony of the company’s planned Natrium reactor facility in Kemmerer, Wyoming in June. In November 2021, TerraPower selected an ageing coal plant in Kemmerer owned by US PacifiCorp as the preferred site for the demonstration project. The site is adjacent to PacifiCorp’s Naughton Power Plant, which will stop burning coal in 2026 and natural gas a decade later.
Researched and written by Judith Perera
