Microreactor

Micro family · Generation IV · Demonstration

Contested

Sub-20 MW units, often transportable, aimed at remote communities, mines, data centers, and defense bases. The US Army's Project Pele/Janus programs are the highest-profile examples.

How it works — schematic

🚧 Diagram in progress

Tiny, sealed, transportable — runs for years.

Simplified schematic for orientation, not an engineering drawing — we're actively refining these for accuracy.

Key specs

Coolant: Heat pipe / gas / salt
Moderator: Varies
Fuel: TRISO / HALEU
Spectrum: Thermal or fast
Outlet temp: High
Status: Demonstration

Real-world examples

• Project Pele
• Oklo Aurora
• Westinghouse eVinci

Strengths

+ Transportable
+ Years of operation without refueling
+ Grid-independent

Trade-offs

– Very high $/kW
– Early-stage
– Fuel (HALEU) supply constraints

Compare other designs

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)Pressurized Heavy Water (CANDU)High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Sodium Fast Reactor Molten Salt Reactor / LFTR Small Modular Reactor (LWR-SMR)