Army Announces Plans for Nuclear Reactor and Natural Gas Power Plant
The U.S. Army has announced plans to build a small nuclear reactor and natural gas power plant at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland as part of its Janus Program.
The project, which is expected to be completed by 2030, will combine natural gas and advanced nuclear generation in phases and provide electricity to the regional power market while improving the installation's ability to maintain a reliable power supply.
Ameresco Inc. will develop the power-generation project using Terrestrial Energy Inc.'s advanced nuclear reactor technology, specifically a molten salt nuclear reactor that uses heated liquid salt at normal atmospheric pressure instead of pressurized water for cooling.
The privately built plants will also provide backup power to military installations and promote American energy dominance, according to Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.