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Fact Sheets
Nuclear Energy
As energy demands continue to increase, nuclear power will be an essential part of providing affordable, reliable electricity to millions of Americans. INL’s cutting-edge research is helping making nuclear energy even more efficient and safe.
Topics in this Section:
Advanced Nuclear Fuel, Fuel Cycle Technologies, Nuclear Reactor Systems, Safety and Risk Assessment, Space Power Systems, Nuclear Energy Collaborations, Department of Energy Microreactor Program, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, National Reactor Innovation Center, Nuclear AccidentsMultiple INL programs contribute to the safe operation of today’s reactor
INL operates 3 types of nuclear reactors: test, demonstration and commercial power reactors.
AFF’s operations involve research and development primarily with uranium-bearing fuels and associated surrogate materials to increase MFC’s advanced fuel manufacturing capabilities.
Includes only companies that are engaged in formal licensing or pre-licensing activities with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for power-producing reactors.
ATR is the only U.S. research reactor capable of providing large-volume, high-flux thermal neutron irradiation in a prototype environment.
ATR’s core overhaul process renews the reactor by replacing components nearest to the core.
ATR is the largest and most powerful research reactor in the world and supports research for the departments of Energy and Defense.
ARL supports chemical, radiochemical, physical and analytical data needed for advanced nuclear fuel design, waste management, environmental and other INL programs.
Aqueous Separations Laboratories specialize in the research and development of water-based and gas phase separations for researchers and industry.
CAES is committed to conducting cutting-edge energy research, educating the next generation of scientists and engineers, and partnering with industry to advance competitiveness.
Since EBR-II demonstrated electricity generation, the dome is well suited for higher thermal power reactor projects and those that aim to demonstrate electricity generation.
INL researchers have developed a monolithic iridium anode that makes electrochemical reprocessing more cost-effective.
Fabrication, Assembly, and Testing of Research, Development, and Production Equipment
EFF includes uranium metal forming equipment, a computer numerical control (CNC) lathe, electrical discharge machine, a cold rolling mill, and other fabrication equipment.
Developing safe, reliable sources of carbon-free energy will be the next decade’s greatest challenge for US power producers. Several US companies are developing Fast Reactors, a type of advanced nuclear reactor.
INL’s Fuel Conditioning Facility supports work to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a nuclear recycling technique called pyroprocessing.
FMF transitioned to research and development (R&D) of transuranic metallic and ceramic fuels. It supplies various INL and off-site facilities with feedstock materials.
FASB is a radiological facility that houses small hot cells, gloveboxes, hoods, and other equipment that supports nuclear energy research and development.
Several US companies are developing High Temperature Reactors, a type of advanced nuclear reactor used to provide safe, reliable sources of carbon-free energy.
The Hot Fuel Examination Facility is the largest hot cell dedicated to radioactive material research at Idaho National Laboratory.
Idaho National Laboratory partnerships within the state of Utah illustrate a growing relationship that makes sense both geographically and academically.
A virtual nuclear control room that safely tests new technologies before they are implemented at commercial reactors.
Since 1949, 52 reactors have been built and operated on INL’s 890-square-mile site.
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