A Year of Progress at Seadrift

One year ago this month, X-energy and Dow announced the selection of Dow's Seadrift, Texas, manufacturing facility as the site for our first Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor plant -- focusing on providing Dow's site with safe, reliable, zero-greenhouse gas emissions power and steam. 

As we reflect on the past year, it's evident that our partnership with the power and manufacturing industry is propelling nuclear energy forward and bringing global attention to the versatility and scalability of advanced nuclear.

Selecting Seadrift

Dow joined X-energy in the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program in March 2023, and the companies signed a joint development agreement to demonstrate the first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor for an industrial site in North America. In May 2023, Dow announced the selection of its Seadrift site as the project's home.

Spanning 4,700 acres, Seadrift is Dow's second-largest site in Texas and an important manufacturing site for current and future products. With the site's existing energy and steam production assets nearing their end of life, Dow sought to strengthen Seadrift's long-term viability with X-energy's safe, reliable, zero-greenhouse gas emissions technology.

A significant contributor to the local economy, Seadrift employs over 1,200 people and produces more than 4 billion pounds of materials annually. Products manufactured at the site are used across a wide variety of applications including food packaging and preservation, footwear, wire and cable insulation, solar cell membranes, and packaging for medical, pharmaceutical products, and many more essential applications. 

When the Xe-100 plant reaches full operation, it is projected to make a substantial impact, reducing the site's emissions by 440,000 metric tons of CO2e per year. This achievement not only strengthens the site's long-term viability but also serves as a beacon for industries worldwide, demonstrating the potential for significant emissions reduction.

Progress Onsite 

Since site selection, X-energy and Dow have initiated extensive environmental, geological, and geotechnical work to advance progress toward submitting a Construction Permit Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for review and approval. Most of the work onsite includes detailed analysis and testing of the site environment, soil, and water to help ensure that the Xe-100 plant is designed and constructed based on the site's unique characteristics.

To date, crews have drilled nearly 80% of the wells and boreholes required to collect environmental samples. While initially used to inform the completion of a Construction Permit Application (CPA), some of the wells will also support ongoing sampling and monitoring for the expected 60-year life of the plant.

Momentum through Engagement

Following the site announcement, Dow and X-energy leadership hosted a community town hall with neighbors and Seadrift-area stakeholders to provide more details on the project and the expected timeline. In August, the project was the subject of a fireside chat with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Dow CEO and Chair Jim Fitterling, and X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell. Underscoring the opportunity for energy leadership, Governor Abbott announced the formation of a working group to identify and attract other opportunities to strengthen the state's position in advanced nuclear energy.

A pre-application readiness assessment was initiated with the NRC last October to preview and gather feedback on the project’s draft preliminary safety analysis report (PSAR). The process allows the Commission to provide feedback on most of the nuclear safety portions of the application before its formal submission. The NRC concluded its initial assessment in January 2024, finding no barriers to moving forward and setting a path forward for the submission of the CPA.

The NRC also began its public engagement process earlier this year with a site tour and hosting an open meeting with the community to describe how the application review will unfold.  

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, our vision extends beyond the construction of the Xe-100 plant. We are committed to fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem that aligns with America's clean energy goals and positions the country as a global leader in next-generation nuclear technology. The upcoming submission of our CPA is a significant step in this journey, marking our progress toward realizing the promise of advanced nuclear power.

The first anniversary of the Dow-X energy collaboration is not merely a milestone but a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. We are deeply grateful to all our stakeholders, including the communities near and around Seadrift, for their unwavering support and trust. Your belief in our mission has been instrumental in our progress, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

Stay tuned as we continue to make strides in transforming the energy landscape. For more information, please visit the Seadrift project page. 

Reflecting on a Year of Progress and Growth

Reflecting on a Year of Progress and Growth

Nuclear energy has emerged as a cornerstone in the global shift towards a low-carbon economy. Reflecting on 2023, it's clear that our mission to deliver clean, safe, secure, and affordable energy is more crucial than ever as we seek to address the rapidly growing decarbonization and energy demand challenges facing the world today.

We are proud of the technology advancements our team has developed and excited about the opportunities expected to underpin our growth going forward. Because of this, X-energy is poised to make significant strides in the energy sector, and we are committed to meeting the needs for clean, safe, and reliable energy across the globe.

As 2023 draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to our success. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges 2024 will bring, as we remain dedicated producing safe, affordable, and innovative solutions to power the world with carbon-free, advanced nuclear energy.

Here are a few of the significant milestones reached throughout the past year, marking 2023 as a year of unprecedented progress in our quest for sustainable energy solutions:

Advancing ARDP with Dow

Our partnership with Dow under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) represents a breakthrough in advanced nuclear applications. The project aims to deploy the first known advanced small modular nuclear reactor at an industrial site. The initiative aligns with Dow’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, demonstrating the potential of nuclear energy in reducing industrial carbon emissions. Read about our joint efforts with Dow.

Selecting Dow’s Seadrift, Texas Manufacturing Site

Dow’s Seadrift, Texas operations site was chosen for our advanced SMR nuclear project. When completed, the project will provide the site with safe, reliable, zero-carbon emissions power and steam production. The selection underscores the versatility and scalability of clean, advanced nuclear energy solutions. Discover more about the Seadrift project.

Signing Joint Development Agreement with Energy Northwest

In July, X-energy and Energy Northwest announced the signing of a joint development agreement for up to 12 Xe-100 advanced small modular reactors in central Washington capable of generating up to a total of 960 megawatts of carbon-free electricity. Energy Northwest expects to bring the first Xe-100 module online by 2030. Explore the details of this agreement.

Accelerating Microreactor Momentum

In September, X-energy and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced an agreement to an expanded contract under their Project Pele initiative to develop a transportable, cost-effective advanced nuclear microreactor prototype for use in remote military locations. X-energy expects to advance the design of its prototype – which could ultimately be used for commercial or industrial use in civilian applications – through an award of $17.49 million within an existing contract with the DOD.
 Read about our microreactor work with DoD.

In October, X-energy and DOE announced the signing of a cooperative agreement through 2024 to further advance the development of a mobile microreactor design. The agreement, awarded through the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, supports X-energy’s continuing work on architecture and key technologies for the preliminary design of the Company’s transportable nuclear power plant. Read about our microreactor with DOE.

Enabling Space Exploration

X-energy was selected to develop a nuclear power source for the Air Force Research Laboratory's JETSON program, focusing on nuclear-powered space vehicle development for satellite positioning and maneuverability. Read about how this project expands X-energy's involvement in strategic space, human planetary exploration, and other applications.

Building a Global Deployment Partnership

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and X-energy announced a partnership at COP 28 to assess viability of X-energy’s nuclear technology for the UAE market, explore development partnerships in the UK and Europe, and a regional deployment framework for the Middle East, Africa, and Indian subcontinent. Read about the partnership and how X-energy is poised to support Net Zero around the world.

Developing New Pathways for UK’s Net Zero Goals

X-energy UK released a new report, Beyond Electricity, that outlines how advanced nuclear plants can accelerate the UK's progress towards net zero emissions. The report summarizes work undertaken in Northeast England’s Teesside as a case study. High-temperature steam from advanced reactors can be used to replace fossil-fuel-generated heat in process industries like chemicals, or to produce hydrogen or clean jet fuels. X-energy is proposing to develop a multi-billion 12-reactor plant at Hartlepool, to be ready by the early 2030s. Read the full report here.

Finalizing Series C Financing:

X-energy finalized a $235 million Series C financing round to support the development of its advanced nuclear technologies, including the Xe-100 small modular reactor and TRISO-X fuel. The DOE is also supporting X-energy's deployment of the Xe-100 at Dow's Seadrift, Texas facility. Read about how these technologies aim to deliver safe, affordable zero-carbon energy worldwide.

Fireside Chat: Advancing Nuclear Technology in Texas

Clean, safe, reliable, and capable of powering everything from the grid to heavy industry, X-energy's advanced nuclear technologies are well poised to become a leading player in the global energy market. And as businesses and governments around the world push towards reducing emissions, leaders in both sectors are taking note and growing to appreciate the technology’s full potential.   

Today, X-energy CEO Clay Sell joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Dow CEO Jim Fitterling at the University of Texas at Austin to discuss this growing potential and their shared vision for advanced nuclear in the state.

“It is with tremendous pride that we bring this innovative technology to only a short drive from the energy capital of the world to the state of Texas. I do believe the technology that we will demonstrate here will be the first of many hundreds of plants that are built not just in Texas, around the United States around the world. What is happening here in Texas really will change the world,” Sell said. 

Texas is widely recognized as a leading source of traditional energy solutions – providing more power than any other state, and more than 10% of the net electricity generated in the country.  The state is also on the cutting-edge of innovative, zero-carbon solutions. In fact, Texas is the largest producer of renewable energy in the country, making it the perfect location for X-energy’s advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear project.  

Announced in May of this year, this partnership between X-energy and Dow will deliver a first-of-its-kind four-unit Xe-100 plant at Dow’s Seadrift, Texas facility. The project will provide Seadrift with safe, reliable zero-carbon power and steam production, cutting the site’s emissions by approximately 440,000 MT CO2e/year. Funded in part by the Department of Energy’s ARDP program, construction will begin in 2026 and will conclude by the end of the decade.

X-energy is making great strides in turning advanced nuclear power into the default technology for global, zero-carbon emissions energy. This partnership with Dow will showcase the unique versatility and wide range of applications of the Xe-100 advanced small modular nuclear reactors for energy production and manufacturing and serve as a model for decarbonizing industry around the world.

Gov. Abbott said, “This is the type of scenario where we can have big universities like UT and our other outstanding universities in Texas, work in collaboration with these two incredible private sector leaders. This is what Texas stands for. Texas is the leading innovation state in the United States because we got innovators like X energy and what they're doing, and then we put wind at their back. So this is a perfect example of how Texas brings all these folks together.”

“It's my view that based on this incredible technology that we will first bring to the marketplace with Dow in Texas that we this technology will change the way the world thinks about clean, firm dispatchable power that will provide the reliability that the grid needs and the sustainability that customers are demanding from their energy providers.”

• J. Clay Sell, CEO, X-energy

"We need 24/7 reliable power. Power needs to be sustainable, reliable, and affordable. And that's where we think new nuclear fits. This is an inherently safer technology than what you're used to seeing. In the utility sector, nuclear is based on light water reactors and you're thinking about large one gigawatt units. One module of the X-energy X-e100 is an 80-megawatt module that generates enough power and steam for us."

• Jim Fitterling, CEO, Dow 

X-energy Engages with the International Atomic Energy Agency to Integrate International Safeguards into Xe-100 Design

Safeguards by Design for the Xe-100 is a task under the Canadian Safeguards Support Program

X-energy is proactively engaged in Safeguards by Design (SBD) planning with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Representatives from X-energy visited the IAEA offices in Vienna, Austria, last month to meet with members of the Department of Safeguards through the Member State Support Program (MSSP). The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is facilitating the engagement between X-energy and the IAEA as part of the Canadian Safeguards Support Program (CSSP) task on safeguards-by-design for small modular reactors.

“These important meetings allow for an open exchange of information with the IAEA to enhance X-energy’s awareness of safeguard needs and obligations in support of international deployments of the Xe-100,” said Dr. Martin van Staden, X-energy’s senior vice president for the Xe-100, a high temperature gas-cooled reactor developed through decades of research, development, and operating experience.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the IAEA and CNSC to review international safeguards for our Xe-100 reactor design. We are leading the deployment of next-generation nuclear on a global stage by committing to develop solutions that meet international safeguards. This is a voluntary undertaking that demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that the Xe-100 is designed to easily implement international safeguards.”

IAEA safeguards are a series of independent measures coordinated between countries, such as Canada and the IAEA, which verify compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). X-energy is working on safeguard requirements in advance of final design and construction to de-risk international deployment of this advanced nuclear technology. We are building safeguards into the system, rather than around it afterwards. This results in a number of potential advantages, including:

• Reduced burden on operators, and the IAEA, by optimizing inspections;

• Enhanced use of advanced technologies, such as unattended monitoring systems and remote data transmission;

• Reduced risk of costly retrofitting in support of international deployments;

• Joint use of equipment;

• Increased flexibility for future installation of safeguards equipment; and

• Reduced risk to cost, scope and schedule.

“By working with the IAEA at an early stage in reactor design, safeguards considerations can be embedded into the design of these reactors, so that nuclear verification can be performed in the most effective and efficient way with minimal burden on the operator,” said Jeremy Whitlock, Senior Technical Advisor at the IAEA Department of Safeguards, in a 2021 article on the IAEA’s website.

X-energy’s Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (“HTGR”) technology can power a broad range of applications through its high-temperature heat and steam output that can be integrated into and address the needs of large regional electricity providers as well as industrial manufacturing systems. Each module can provide 80 megawatts of full-time electricity. X-energy’s innovative and simplified modular design is road-shippable and intended to drive scalability, accelerate construction timelines and create more predictable and manageable construction costs.

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About X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC

X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, is a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation that is redefining the nuclear energy industry through its development of safer and more efficient reactors and proprietary fuel to deliver reliable, zero-carbon and affordable energy to people around the world. X-energy’s simplified, modular, and intrinsically safe SMR design expands applications and markets for deployment of nuclear technology and drives enhanced safety, lower cost and faster construction timelines when compared with conventional nuclear. For more information, visit X-energy.com or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About the International Atomic Energy Agency

The IAEA serves as an intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear power worldwide. It maintains several programs that encourage the development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy, science, and technology; provides international safeguards against misuse of nuclear technology and nuclear materials; and promotes and implement nuclear safety and nuclear security standards.

About the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

The Advantages of Nuclear Energy

With the ability to deliver safe, reliable energy with zero carbon emissions, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a solution for drastically reducing our greenhouse gas footprint and mitigating global warming. 

From the general public to governments throughout the world, the advantages of nuclear energy are becoming more apparent in the transition to clean energy. 

The primary advantages of nuclear energy include:

1. Clean

2. Safe

3. Reliable

4. Affordable

Overview of Nuclear Energy and How It Works

Nuclear energy is a clean and efficient way to produce energy and generate electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Fuel made of uranium is placed in a reactor and generates heat through nuclear fission. This heat is then used to create steam, which can be used for high-temperature industrial processes or to power turbines to generate electricity.

Nuclear energy remains a significant player in the global energy market, with improvements  to ensure its safety, particularly through the use of advanced nuclear technology.

The Benefits of Nuclear Energy

1. Clean

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world today, which has escalated the need for a clean energy transition.

One option that is increasingly gaining traction is nuclear energy, is a viable energy source and has the potential to play a critical role in mitigating global greenhouse gas emissions.

Advanced nuclear energy is an environmentally friendly option given its ability to conserve water. Unlike conventional power plants, advanced nuclear power plants like the Xe-100 use far less water since they do not need additional water to cool the reactor.

This is beneficial in areas that are prone to droughts or water scarcity, relieving the pressure on water supplies.

Moreover, nuclear power plants contribute to significantly less air pollution. They don't produce the emissions that are hazardous to both human health and the environment.

2. Safe

Nuclear power plants are subject to some of the most stringent safety regulations of any industrial sector. These regulations cover every aspect of plant operation, from design and construction to maintenance and decommissioning.

In addition, advanced nuclear power facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art safety technologies meant to prevent accidents and minimize their impact if they occur. 

These safety measures include emergency cooling systems, backup power sources, and other safeguards designed to protect both the nuclear reactor and the surrounding area in the event of an accident.

Advanced SMRs also have lower reactor power density and a self-regulating core design. This means that the core is designed to shut down if cooling stops and is intended to prevent the reactor from melting under foreseeable adverse conditions without action by the operator. 

Because of this, the emergency planning zone for advanced SMRs can be at the site boundary, allowing the technology to be located closer to population centers and industrial facilities that require process heat. 

Safety is also a top priority in the nuclear industry, and ongoing research and development are focused on improving safety even further. This includes research into new reactor designs, safety systems, and accident mitigation strategies.

3. Reliable

While renewable energy sources such as wind and solar have increased and will continue to become a greater share of the global energy supply, they are constrained by their inability to provide consistent base-load electricity power due to their intermittency.

Advanced small modular reactors, on the other hand, have load-following capabilities and are designed to ramp up or ramp down based on customer needs.

Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable and consistent sources of energy, as stated by the United States Department of Energy.

Rising energy consumption and the increased focus on decarbonization create a significant requirement for nuclear energy's carbon-free, always-on generation.

Nuclear power facilities can run continuously for long periods of time without needing frequent maintenance or refueling.

As a result, they can consistently supply electrical grids with uninterruptible electricity. Because of this, grid managers can plan and manage the supply of electricity more effectively.

4. Affordable

Nuclear energy is a cost-effective alternative to traditional sources of power and offers a reliable source of electricity.

Advanced small modular reactors are largely factory built and road-shippable, which reduces on-site work and results in better cost predictability and more efficient quality control.

Conventional large-scale nuclear facilities, however, have high upfront capital costs due to their large size, substantial containment structures, and longer construction times. 

The cost of nuclear fuel, which is primarily based on uranium, is also relatively low compared to other fossil fuels and natural gas. This means that the cost of fuel makes up a relatively small portion of the total cost of generating electricity at a nuclear power plant.

Nuclear power plants also have operational lifetimes up to 60 years, resulting in a relatively low cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced.

Due to their extended lifespan, the initial cost of establishing a nuclear power station can be distributed over a more extended period, making nuclear energy a cost-effective option.

How Countries are Utilizing Nuclear Energy Technology for Sustainable Development

Several countries, communities, and public bodies have adopted nuclear power as an alternative source of energy and a means to achieve sustainable development. 

In recent years, there has also been significant developments in nuclear technology. One of the most notable advancements has been the use of small modular nuclear reactors, which are mobile and can provide energy to remote areas.

In fact, advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) –  specifically, high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) like X-energy’s Xe-100 – have several inherent advantages over other carbon-free power generation, including existing Generation III SMR and conventional large-scale technologies.

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About X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC

X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, is a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation.

X-energy is redefining the nuclear energy industry through its development of safer and more efficient advanced small modular nuclear reactors and proprietary fuel to deliver reliable, zero-carbon and affordable energy to people around the world.

For more information, visit X-energy.com or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Investing in Our Planet: Earth Day and Beyond

This year, the organizers of Earth Day challenged the occasion’s more than 1 billion celebrants to do more than just take to social media or raise awareness. They asked governments, institutions, businesses, and citizens around the world to take actionable steps to “Invest in Our Planet.” 

Here at X-energy, we’re already on it. Investing in our planet is more than just a theme, slogan, or a once-a-year celebration—it’s a core tenet of our company. 

We understand that amidst undeniable climate disruption, life hasn’t stopped. People all over the world still need to heat their homes, keep their lights on, charge their appliances, and maintain access to the goods and services they rely on. And those energy needs will only continue to grow. In fact, energy demand is expected to increase by 50% by 2050. 

While solar, wind, and hydro are all part of the solution, they lack the power needed to generate base-load energy, support heavy industries, and power the grid. Nuclear energy is the solution to bridge that gap. Here at X-energy, we have created the advanced nuclear technology needed to complement renewables and accelerate progress to reduce global emissions.

And soon, we will see this investment in action. This spring, we announced a groundbreaking partnership with Dow, the world's leading materials science company, to develop a four-unit Xe-100 facility at one of Dow's U.S. Gulf Coast sites. These investments will not only serve as a leading example of how the industrial sector can effectively reduce emissions, it will prove the unique value and safety of nuclear, once and for all. 

Currently, only 10% of all electricity comes from nuclear, but X-energy is positioned to change that. Our Xe-100 is scalable, easily transportable, and meltdown proof, and our science is trusted and tested. X-energy has been awarded more than $80 million from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), and the Inflation Reduction Act further affirmed the confidence and potential in advanced nuclear. 

Not only will our reactors help curb the release of emissions in the long-term, they will have immediate, positive environmental impacts, too. Our advanced reactors occupy less land, require less water, and utilize a self-contained fuel source to better manage waste.

Through meaningful investments in innovative solutions, we have the power – and ability - to chart the future. The work we are doing at X-energy is proof we can meet growing energy demands while reducing emissions. This Earth Day, and every Earth Day to come, we are committed to doing our part to create a better world for all.