The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the safety design of Deep Fission's innovative underground small modular reactor (SMR). This development is pivotal for the California-based company as it advances under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program, laying the groundwork for potential commercial deployment.
What Happened
Deep Fission announced on August 6 that the DOE signed off on the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) for its Gravity Nuclear Reactor. This approval is a significant regulatory milestone, confirming that the reactor design meets safety standards necessary for further development. Deep Fission's Gravity Nuclear Reactor, designed to be installed one mile underground, represents a unique approach to nuclear power generation.
The company, founded in 2023 by Liz and Richard Muller, is progressing with a commercial pilot project at the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons, Kansas. Having broken ground in December 2025, Deep Fission has already drilled a data acquisition well over one mile deep and delivered a prototype reactor canister to the site. The Kansas project is not just a criticality test; it aims to establish a fully operational unit licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), aligning with Executive Order 14301 and the Reactor Pilot Program.
Deep Fission's 15-MWe reactors utilize a pressurized water reactor (PWR) design with low-enriched uranium fuel. The system is engineered to leverage geothermal components, using hydrostatic pressure from a deep water column to generate steam, which is then converted to electricity through a standard turbine.
What This Means for Your Business
For AECM professionals, this development signals a potential shift in nuclear energy projects that could influence future contracts and procurement opportunities. The Gravity Nuclear Reactor's scalable design promises significant power output with a minimal land footprint, presenting a compelling alternative to traditional surface nuclear plants. The approval paves the way for federal funding opportunities and positions Deep Fission as a competitive player in the nuclear sector.
Compliance officers and investors should note that Deep Fission is moving towards obtaining an NRC license, which will require adherence to rigorous safety and operational standards. The integration of proven geothermal technology with nuclear energy may also attract interest from stakeholders focused on sustainable and innovative energy solutions.
What US Operators Should Watch
Decision-makers should monitor upcoming DOE authorizations for the demonstration and deployment phases of Deep Fission's technology. The timeline for NRC licensing will be crucial, as it will determine when the company can move from demonstration to commercial operation. Additionally, the success of the Kansas pilot project could open new procurement windows for similar underground SMR projects.
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Source: https://www.powermag.com/doe-approves-safety-design-of-deep-fissions-underground-smr/
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