en.Wedoany.com Reported - ARC Clean Technology, a US advanced nuclear reactor developer, has signed an agreement with Battelle Energy Alliance to advance the first deployment of the ARC-100 small modular reactor at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

Under the agreement, the project will cover the full reactor lifecycle, from detailed engineering design and site preparation to commissioning, operation, and potential decommissioning or mission conversion. The parties plan to leverage laboratory facilities and expertise to reduce technical risk before construction, licensing, and commercial-scale deployment activities begin.

This collaboration builds on the existing partnership between the two organizations. The two entities previously worked together through the US Department of Energy's "Advanced Reactor Concepts 2020" program, during which laboratory teams contributed to fuel design, probabilistic risk assessment, and engagement with the regulator, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Irfan Ali, President and Chief Strategy Officer of ARC Clean Technology, stated: "This collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory is a key step in ARC's mission to deliver safe, reliable, advanced nuclear energy to the world. INL's capabilities in reactor design, materials science, and regulatory engagement are unparalleled, and we look forward to working with their expert team to demonstrate the potential of our technology."

Under this agreement, project task statements will define the technical scope, funding, deliverables, and schedule for specific activities, with each task requiring approval from the US Department of Energy before commencement.

Laboratory support work will encompass engineering reviews, advanced manufacturing, materials evaluation, high-performance computing, reactor modeling, irradiation testing, safety analysis, commissioning, operation, and site development. Jess Gehin, INL's Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science and Technology, stated: "INL is focused on advanced reactor technologies, and we look forward to supporting ARC in achieving the first deployment of the ARC-100. Our team will contribute expertise in design review, materials evaluation, and safety analysis to help advance the project."

INL's nuclear infrastructure includes the Advanced Test Reactor, the Transient Reactor Test Facility, and the Materials and Fuels Complex, which can support fuel qualification, materials testing, transient behavior studies, and other technical work required before the first reactor of its kind can be brought into operation.

The ARC-100 delivers flexible, dispatchable power output within a compact footprint. ARC believes the reactor holds promise for applications requiring around-the-clock electricity, including data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, whose demands on the US power system are growing steadily.

A successful first deployment could also strengthen the export position of US advanced nuclear energy. Demonstrations at national laboratories will provide technical and operational evidence for future overseas projects, while offering allied nations another reliable low-carbon electricity option. This collaboration therefore carries both domestic and strategic significance, potentially helping to validate new reactor designs, support growing electricity demand, and enhance US influence in the global nuclear market, which is increasingly shaped by state-backed competitors.