Megawatt nuclear battery to test at DOME facility in Idaho
A Houston startup, Deployable Energy, has been chosen to run a 2027 trial of a so-called nuclear battery at Idaho National Laboratory’s Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility. The goal is to test a compact, portable reactor design that could provide about 1 megawatt of electrical power, significantly smaller than traditional nuclear plants. The project is part of a broader push to explore next‑generation, small modular reactors and related energy technologies.
What is happening now
In 2027, Deployable Energy will operate a microreactor inside the DOME testbed at Idaho National Laboratory. This makes it the second company to use the DOME facility after a different nuclear developer, Radiant, completed an inaugural test earlier this year. The test aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a compact, portable "nuclear battery" that could provide power for certain applications without the scale of a traditional plant.
Key facts you should know
- Purpose: Test a microreactor system designed to produce about 1 megawatt of electric power (1 MWe).
- Location: Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho, USA.
- Participants: Deployable Energy is the selected operator for the 2027 trial; Radiant conducted the first test at the same site earlier this year.
- Context: Microreactors are small, portable nuclear systems, different from large traditional reactors that generate far more power.
- Timeline: The trial is planned for 2027, with ongoing evaluations of safety and performance as part of the testbed program.
Who is affected or involved
Key stakeholders include Deployable Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy (which oversees the project and the DOME program), and nearby communities in Idaho where the tests will take place. No direct consumer or public service disruptions are described in the source material, but the project relates to how future small nuclear systems might be deployed for energy or research purposes.
Practical next steps for readers
- Follow official DOE releases for safety, regulatory, and scheduling updates tied to the DOME program.
- Note the distinction between a microreactor test bed and commercial power plants: scale, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight differ.
- Explore background on microreactors and what a 1 MWe output implies for potential applications and grid integration.
- Be aware that developments in this field are subject to change based on safety reviews, funding, and technical results from the 2027 trial.
Which sources did Setup in Bahrain review?
Setup in Bahrain reviewed the following source material before preparing this explanatory article.
The links remain visible so readers can inspect the evidence, compare dates and context, and confirm current requirements with the relevant authority.
- interestingengineering.com — evidence source reviewed for this article.
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