Kairos Power has begun constructing the world’s first fourth-generation nuclear reactor, called Hermes, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This low-power demonstration reactor will be the first and only one of its kind approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Hermes’ primary task is to demonstrate the capabilities of a reactor that uses TRISO granular fuel and a molten fluoride salt coolant.
The reactor will not generate electricity but will focus on heat production, an important step in developing the company’s commercial reactor. Hermes is expected to begin operation in 2027, providing valuable experience for future commercialization projects of this technology (Kairos Power).
