A company promoting deep borehole technology for nuclear waste has announced plans to work with a company developing plans for underground nuclear reactors, according to a press release.
Deep Isolation has agreed in a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the management of spent nuclear fuel from Deep Fission’s advanced underground reactors. A Deep Isolation spokesperson declined to reveal the contract value.
Deep Fission is a nuclear energy startup working on placing its 15 megawatt small modular reactors a mile underground. The company is working on pre-application filings with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for licensing its first reactor.
Under the MOU, the companies will study the management of spent fuel from Deep Fission’s reactors in Deep Isolation’s underground disposal technology, according to Deep Isolation’s spokesperson.
The two California-based companies agreed to ensure a “comprehensive approach to the full nuclear fuel cycle,” as stated in their joint April 3 press release.
Deep Isolation’s spokesperson told Exchange Monitor in an emailed statement that the two companies’ collaboration will start now and their work related to their first work order is expected to be completed by Summer 2025.
“Nuclear power generation requires a waste disposal solution, and responsible users should plan for waste management from the start,” said Elizabeth Muller, Deep Fission co-founder and CEO —who was also the co-founder and former CEO of Deep Isolation.
Deep Isolation says its boreholes bury the waste deeper than most international repository proposals of the past, and also does not require disposal workers underground.
Previously Yucca Mountain in Nevada was proposed to be a deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste. but in Barack Obama’s first presidential term he canceled the project.
