The first-of-a-kind facility will enable testing for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, including the Xe-100 small modular reactor
(Left - right) Steve Miller, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, X-energy; David Harris, President & CEO, Kinectrics; and Katherine Moshonas Cole, President, X-energy Canada at the Helius MOU signing, Toronto
X-energy and Kinectrics Sign MOU to Support Establishment of Helius Clean Energy Innovation Centre
X-energy and Kinectrics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the establishment of Helius, a clean energy innovation centre, in Canada. The first-of-a-kind campus will provide testing facilities for systems and components of the Xe-100 small modular reactor (SMR) and other High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) technology that will prove instrumental in the global fight against climate change.
Envisioned as a collaborative research hub bringing together clean energy technology developers, academia, industry and other key stakeholders, Helius will support thermal hydraulic testing; materials testing and qualification; component functional or performance testing; and other related activities. The world-class facility will also house equipment enabling research and development and will come with extensive capabilities to demonstrate proof of concept for SMR viability in non-electrical market applications.
“Helius will provide critical infrastructure for our plans to net-zero,” said Katherine Moshonas Cole, President of X-energy Canada. “As well as testing our Xe-100’s systems and components in helium and high-temperature environments, the facility will also enable us to demonstrate the use of our reactor’s high temperature steam for hydrogen production and direct industrial uses. These capabilities are integral to Canada’s transition to a clean energy future.”
Based in Toronto, Canada, Kinectrics is the category leader in providing life cycle management services for the electricity industry. Backed by an award-winning team of more than 1,100 engineers and technical experts, the company provides unparalleled nuclear services to clients worldwide.
Kinectrics is the supplier of choice for execution of X-energy’s test program. X-energy and Kinectrics recently signed a collaboration agreement to advance the design and deployment of the Xe-100 SMR in Canada, the United States and worldwide. Kinectrics has been instrumental to X-energy’s progress in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review (VDR).
The MOU builds on this partnership, advancing efforts to establish the infrastructure required to develop, test and commercialize clean energy technologies, such as the Xe-100.
“Kinectrics is excited to be leading the way in supporting the development, testing of SMRs, providing the critical infrastructure required to accelerate their introduction around the world. This initiative will help to create long-term jobs in Ontario,” said David Harris, President and CEO of Kinectrics. “The commitment of X-energy to support Helius is an important step in anchoring a strong, sustainable, highly-trained workforce, build technical expertise and provide tangible results for the deployment of clean energy technology around the world.”
The Xe-100 is the catalyst to the world’s net-zero future. The Generation IV advanced reactor design builds on decades of HTGR operation, research, and development. It is designed to operate as a standard 320 MWe four-pack power plant or be scaled in units of 80 MWe, as needed. The SMR is engineered to deliver reliable and load-following grid-scale power to electricity systems, pairing seamlessly with renewables. At 200 MWt of 565°C steam, the Xe-100 is also ideal for heavy industry, mining, petrochemical and other power applications.
Additional Links
Helius - Kinectrics Clean Energy Innovation Centre
Video – The Future is Now (X-energy Canada)
(Left - right, back row) George Vanderheyden, Senior Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer (X-energy); Julie West, Vice President, Nuclear Safety & Licensing (Kinectrics); Natalie Alderson, Program Manager (X-energy Canada); J. Clay Sell, CEO (X-energy)
(Left – right, front row) Steve Miller, Senior Vice President & General Counsel (X-energy); David Harris, President and CEO (Kinectrics); Katherine Moshonas Cole, President (X-energy Canada)
Video: Helius - Kinectrics Clean Energy Innovation Centre (Source: Kinectrics)
About X-energy
X-energy is redefining nuclear energy. We manufacture fuel that seals uranium particles in a protective coating, which makes meltdown impossible and retains the uranium fuel inside. X-energy also designs plants that unlock the fuel's energy potential in a process that's as clean as wind or solar. When combined, the result is reliable carbon-free baseload power; produced safely, more affordable than ever before and available anywhere, at any time.
Based in Ontario, Canada, X-energy Canada supports the development and deployment of our Generation IV advanced Small Modular Reactor designs across the country through partnerships with Canadian communities, including industry, academia, and society.
Learn more at x-energy.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Kinectrics
Kinectrics is the category leader in providing life cycle management services for the electricity industry. Trusted by clients worldwide, our expertise in engineering, testing, inspection, and certification is backed by our independent laboratory and testing facilities, a diverse fleet of field inspection equipment and an award-winning team of over 1,100 engineers and technical experts. From initial design and type testing to operational deployment and maintenance services, Kinectrics collaborates closely with customers to ensure that utility assets perform safely, reliably, and efficiently throughout their entire life cycle.
Learn more at kinectrics.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
Media contact:
Monifa Miller
Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
canada@x-energy.com
Brandon Emrich
Director, Strategic Marketing and Sales
brandon.emrich@kinectrics.com