France-based nuclear start-up Naarea (Nuclear Abundant Affordable Resourceful Energy for All) has announced a partnership with Phoenix Manufacture, a French company specialising in the industrialisation of complex devices for the military, nuclear, petroleum, aerospace and robotics sectors. The aim of this partnership is to accelerate development of Naarea’s XAMR microreactor by integrating design, prototyping, first-of-a-kind manufacturing and mass production. “To meet these challenges, Naarea and Phoenix Manufacture will harness technologies such as 3D printing and envisage creating a joint plant including specially designed reprocessing facilities.”
The collaboration is based on five main phases up to 2032:
- Preliminary phase: validation of raw materials and the manufacturability of parts designed by Naarea for additive manufacturing.
- Prototyping of the components of the XAMR microreactor.
- Series production: providing the necessary parts for the FOAK and mass production.
- Scaling up production capacity: study on the creation of a joint production facility for components of the XAMR microreactor, pooling of resources and mutual skill development.
- Reprocessing: evaluation of solutions for recycling and recovering waste material resulting from production and the recycling of used components.
Naarea says the partnership reflects an innovative approach, with the incorporation of additive manufacturing as a production process. “3D printers will be used to produce components for the XAMR microreactor. Phoenix Manufacture will lend its expertise to assist Naarea with design reviews and the manufacturing of these parts throughout the project phases. This collaboration reflects Naarea’s commitment to working with French partners, contributing to technological development and promoting local French industrial capabilities.”
“Additive manufacturing also makes it possible to lower production costs, reduce assembly needs and meet the highest standards in terms of safety and security, which remains our absolute priority,” explained Naarea Founder & CEO Jean-Luc Alexandre.
Marco Calcamuggi, CEO and co-founder of Phoenix Manufacture said: “We firmly believe that this disruptive technology is profoundly transforming all industries, in particular the nuclear sector. In our collaboration with Naarea, we share a common ambition: to become key agents of change. Together, we are creating positive momentum to strengthen sectors contributing to sovereignty and shape an ambitious technological future.”
The XAMR (eXtrasmall Advanced Modular Reactor), a molten salt fast neutron micro-generator (40MWe or 80MWt) is designed to be modular, allowing it to be installed in locations of varying configurations to best meet local energy needs. Naarea says small and factory-built microreactor units can be assembled on site, making them easy to install. The XAMR microreactor will be manufactured in series, which reduces construction and manufacturing costs per unit, as well as construction time. However, the XAMR is still in only the design stage.
According to Naarea’s website the company has established an ambitious timetable marked by three main phases: Mid-2023: finalisation of the first digital twin; 2027: commissioning of a prototype; and 2030: construction of a manufacturing facility and launch of series production.
