Italy-based micro-modular reactor developer Terra Innovatum Srl has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italian industrial firm ATB Riva Calzoni, a global supplier and manufacturer of nuclear component, for the preparation, development, and production of Terra Innovatum’s SOLO reactor.
Under the MoU, Terra Innovatum and ATB will work closely to carry out joint feasibility studies and advance component design, safety evaluations, engineering validation, and regulatory and project risk assessments. In the commercialization stage, ATB is expected to lead component manufacturing and commissioning of SOLO and support commercial production and manufacturing at scale.
Terra Innovatum is developing its SOLO micro-modular reactor design which is intended to form the basis for a scalable modular energy platform from megawatt to gigawatt-class. A single SOLO reactor is designed to deliver approximately one megawatt. The design features a solid heterogeneous composite moderator and is intended to use both widely used zircaloy-clad low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel or, when available, LEU+ and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuels. Cooling of the SOLO reactor is accomplished by helium gas which eliminates the need for water from the reactor coolant system.
The reactor is designed to feature autonomous operation, on-line safeguards-by-design, and a defense-in-depth structure of radiological barriers with the intent to minimize or eliminate emergency planning zone requirements beyond the operational boundary.
Terra Innovatum is currently involved in pre-application activities with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
In July of this year, the company signed an MoU with Rock City Admiral Parkway Development in Illinois, USA, to host the first deployment site for the SOLO reactor. The MoU includes an option to deploy up to fifty reactors on the site in the future. The optional reactor(s) would supply power to the businesses operating at the park.
Alessandro Petruzzi is the CEO of Terra Innovatum. He said, “Signing this MoU with ATB is a major inflection point as we move closer to making the first commercial deployment of the SOLO micro-modular reactor a reality. Our shared commitment to quality and innovation will enable us to deliver reliable, affordable clean energy where it’s needed most, quickly and at scale.”
Giordano Morichi is an Innovatum Partner and Chief Business Development Officer & Investor Relations added, “This collaboration is a testament to Terra Innovatum’s vision and the tangible market momentum behind our advanced nuclear solution. With a leading manufacturing partner in place, already serving several nuclear leaders and colossal industry manufacturers, our path forward is clear, de-risked, and we are confident in deploying SOLO by our target of 2028.”
Francesco Squaratti is the ATB Riva Calzoni Managing Director. He said, “We are proud to support the development and manufacturing of Terra Innovatum’s SOLO reactor and to partner on a project that delivers a reliable and safe energy solution. Combining ATB’s century-long legacy in complex energy infrastructure with Terra Innovatum’s micro-modular technology will help set new benchmarks in safety, performance, and sustainability for the nuclear industry.”