TerraPower awards subcontract for Natrium project

A subcontract has been signed with NQA-1 qualified fabricator AvanTech to support TerraPower's Natrium project in Kemmerer, Wyo. AvanTech will design advanced sodium processing system modules and supporting skids for the Natrium plant as well as fabricate and deliver the test and fill facility's cold trap skid.

The company's role also will include the engineering and fabrication of sampling and monitoring assemblies, including components such as sodium processing system valves, distribution assemblies, and chemical monitoring equipment.

AvanTech operates facilities in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington and supports projects in more than 15 countries.

The reactor: TerraPower's Natrium reactor, which is being developed with funding from the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, consists of a 345-MWe sodium fast reactor coupled with a molten salt energy storage system, providing built-in gigawatt-scale energy storage. The storage system has the potential to boost the reactor's power output to as much as 500 MWe for more than five-and-a-half hours when needed, with the power ramping up at a rate of 10 percent per minute. Natrium is currently the only advanced reactor with such a design.

Past deals: Earlier this month, TerraPower awarded three supplier contracts to U.S. companies to support its Natrium demonstration project. The contracts represent the fifth round of procurement awards for the Natrium project.

In addition to AvanTech the latest awardees are Minnesota-based PAR Systems and Structural Integrity Associates, which has several U.S. offices.