- Radiant has secured HALEU fuel supply from Centrus Energy for its Kaleidos micro-reactors.
- HALEU, crucial for advanced reactors in commercial operation, contains 5% to 20% uranium-235.
- Radiant is building its fuel supply strategy in parallel with Kaleidos to eliminate deployment constraints.
- Centrus's contract supports the expansion of US uranium enrichment capabilities, strengthening the domestic fuel supply chain.
Radiant has secured a domestic supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from Centrus Energy to fuel multiple Kaleidos micro-reactors, advancing their commercial and national security deployment. Under a new multi-year contract announced on September 9th, Centrus will begin supplying this specialized nuclear fuel by the end of the century. The agreement also includes an upfront payment from Radiant to support Centrus's expansion of domestic enrichment capabilities. This deal addresses a key challenge faced by advanced nuclear developers.
While companies are developing smaller, more flexible reactors, ensuring sufficient HALEU remains a key hurdle to bringing these systems to commercial operation. HALEU contains 5% to 20% uranium-235 and is being developed as fuel for multiple advanced reactor designs.
The Importance of HALEU for Micro-Reactors
Radiant stated that it is building its fuel supply strategy in parallel with the Kaleidos reactor, rather than waiting until the reactor is ready for deployment. Dr. Rita Baranwal, Radiant's Chief Nuclear Officer, said, "You cannot deploy a nuclear reactor without fuel, so our approach to fuel supply is the same as our approach to the reactor: building in parallel, not relying on any single pathway. This agreement provides Kaleidos with a continuous source of HALEU for both commercial and national security applications, eliminating one of the biggest constraints on advanced nuclear deployment."
Radiant is developing Kaleidos as a transportable micro-reactor that can be moved by land, sea, and air. The company is targeting remote areas, data centers, defense facilities, and commercial and industrial locations where traditional infrastructure struggles to provide reliable power. The new contract provides Radiant with another domestic source of HALEU, and as it moves from initial Kaleidos testing toward broader deployment, the agreement also reduces the company's reliance on a single fuel pathway as it scales its reactor technology.
Centrus's Expansion Plans
For Centrus, the agreement adds another customer to its HALEU business and supports its plans to expand US enrichment capabilities. Radiant's upfront payment will help advance Centrus's domestic commercial enrichment program. The HALEU supplied to Radiant will be "unobligated," meaning it can be used for national security applications. Centrus stated that this fuel will be produced using US-origin technology and a US manufacturing supply chain. According to the company, Centrus's AC100 centrifuge design is currently the only US-origin technology available for unobligated enrichment.
This effort is part of a broader push by the US to rebuild its domestic uranium enrichment capabilities to secure a more resilient nuclear fuel supply. Amir Vexler, President and CEO of Centrus, said, "The contract with Radiant marks another important step in establishing the domestic fuel supply chain needed to support the next generation of nuclear energy. By expanding our work scope to include innovative micro-reactor developers like Radiant, we are strengthening America's domestic fuel supply network. This will help ensure that emerging nuclear technologies have the reliable fuel they need to achieve commercialization and meet the growing demand for clean, safe, and reliable energy."
Radiant's Kaleidos design revolves around transportability and plug-and-play deployment. This allows the reactor to serve locations needing reliable power without waiting for large grid infrastructure. The two companies did not disclose the financial value of the contract or the amount of HALEU covered by the agreement. Centrus will begin deliveries by the end of the century as Radiant advances testing and prepares for potential commercial and national security deployments.
Rebuilding and Innovating the US Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain
The collaboration between Radiant and Centrus is not just about providing HALEU fuel; it is an important step in rebuilding America's nuclear fuel supply chain. As the demand for clean energy increases, ensuring a stable nuclear fuel supply is crucial for advancing the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies. This agreement will not only support the development of the Kaleidos micro-reactor but also enhance the US's competitiveness in the global nuclear energy market and strengthen domestic energy security.