MARVEL
MARVEL Project
The Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project, led by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under the DOE Microreactor Program is pioneering the development of a nuclear microreactor demonstration test bed. This project aims to advance the integration and application of microreactors in various industries, providing a unique opportunity for companies to learn from, collaborate, test novel capabilities, and enhance the technological maturity of microreactors.
MARVEL features a sodium-potassium cooled microreactor designed to generate 85 kilowatts of power. MARVEL is intended to test microreactor applications, develop regulatory processes, and explore various electrical and nonelectric uses. It will be connected to INL’s first nuclear microgrid and is expected to be operational by late 2027.
Expression of Interest
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking an Expression of Interest (EOI) from industry providers to suggest potential tests and experiments that leverage the Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) demonstration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
MARVEL
What is MARVEL and why is it important?
MARVEL is a sodium potassium-cooled microreactor that uses uranium zirconium hydride fuel, a version of TRIGA fuel that is similar to what is used in university research reactors across the country. The microreactor will employ natural circulation cooling and operate at a temperature range of 500 to 550 C. Process heat applications can expect to receive an inlet fluid temperature upwards of 300 C. MARVEL is capable of producing 85 kilowatts of thermal energy and approximately 10 kW of electricity.
MARVEL is a first-of-a-kind microreactor test bed intended to pioneer the integration of nuclear generated power into non traditional applications.
What can MARVEL be used to power?
MARVEL can power a wide range of applications. Example applications for electricity use cases include powering a microgrid, small data center node, or charging station. Example heat use-cases could be synfuel production, chemical processing, or novel heat application.
How small is MARVEL?
MARVEL is approximately the size of a sedan car. The reactor is around 15 feet tall.
Where will MARVEL be located?
The reactor is slated to be installed at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility located at the Idaho National Laboratory. TREAT is located at the Materials and Fuels Complex at the INL desert Site
What is the current deployment timeline for MARVEL?
Key components of MARVEL are being fabricated with several systems (e.g., guard vessel) already completed and in storage. Final reactor assembly is expected in 2026 with installation in TREAT starting in late 2026. Dry initial criticality is anticipated in 2027 with transition to full power operations in 2028. The first stage of operation will consist of electricity generation with the second stage, likely in 2029, transitioning to process heat generation.
How long will MARVEL operate?
MARVEL is expected to be in operation from 2028 to 2030. An experiment testing plan will be released at the conclusion of the EOI and notice of opportunity process to determine the sequence of demonstrations during the operational timeline. The reactor is anticipated to operate primarily during “off-shifts” at the facility when the other TREAT reactor is not operational. This typically extends from Friday through Sunday. However, depending on needs, continuous week-long operations can be accommodated.
How is MARVEL funded?
MARVEL is funded under the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Microreactor Program within the Advanced Reactor Technologies Program.
Could MARVEL one day be commercially deployed?
The MARVEL design is not intended to be a commercial product. However, members of the project are keen to work with stakeholders on commercializing different aspects of the technology and supporting novel concepts being pursued by industry.
Expression of Interest
How does DOE define “novel” applications? What does this mean?
Novel applications consist of use cases that have never been previously demonstrated with a nuclear reactor or proven applications with limited data. For instance, nuclear energy has never been previously shown to power a data center directly or provide heat for chemical processes. Preference will be given to applications that have never been coupled to a nuclear reactor, but applications that have seen limited demonstration time but lack data are also encouraged.
Potential use cases that are eligible include connecting an electrical application to the reactor, connecting a thermal storage system to the process heat system, coupling the process heat system to a chemical process, conducting a specific transient within the allowed safety basis with the reactor, or demonstrating novel controls paradigm.
What are examples of applications that are not eligible for the EOI?
Any application that requires drastic changes to the reactor or the safety basis will not be considered. Examples include fitting a sensor that will require a modification to the reactor vessel, inserting novel fuel or material inside the core, or drastically altering the balance-of-plant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Responses must be led by the private sector and be a U.S. based company. Preference will be given to end-users of nuclear energy. Specifically, interested parties who can leverage the energy produced by a reactor. University or national labs can be listed as supporting entities.
Do interested parties need to reply to the EOI to be eligible for the subsequent notice of opportunity?
Failure to respond to the EOI will not disqualify eligibility to the subsequent notice of opportunity, however respondents to the EOI will be favored.
Notice of Opportunity
When will the MARVEL notice of opportunity be issued?
The notice of opportunity is expected to be issued in calendar year 2026, following the review of EOI submissions. It will be made publicly available on SAM.gov.
Does DOE anticipate any funding tied to the notice of opportunity?
While there are no direct financial awards related to the anticipated notice of opportunity, funding could be provided in the form of a cost-share with the end user. The majority of funds provided by DOE will be leveraged to cover national laboratory staff hours in support of the end user application.
If there is no direct financial award tied to the future notice of opportunity, why should industry be interested? What is the benefit of participating in a self-funded MARVEL application test case?
Stakeholders who are self-funded can greatly benefit from the demonstration of novel nuclear applications that can be commercialized in the future. Tests conducted with MARVEL can result in substantial experimental data that would be invaluable for future scale-up commercial demonstrations. Applications can significantly de-risk novel technologies and help secure follow-on funding in the future.
Furthermore, proprietary intellectual property generated as part of these demonstrations can be protected subject to contractual agreements between the different stakeholders.
What are the anticipated steps toward ultimate demonstration of a novel MARVEL application?
Following the response to the EOI and the subsequent notice of opportunity, successful end users will conduct a feasibility assessment of their proposed application in collaboration with a DOE national laboratory. This will form the basis for any follow-up notice of opportunity to deploy the physical demonstration within the 2027 to 2030 timeline.
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