The eVinci microreactor is a compact nuclear reactor that is designed to be safe, portable, and efficient for producing electricity, especially in places where traditional power sources aren’t practical. It works like a nuclear battery that can produce energy for 8 or more years without needing to be refueled.

The eVinci microreactor is designed to produce 5 megawatts electric (MWe) and 15 megawatts thermal when operating at 350F (150C). That’s enough energy to power 4,500 homes continuously over its 8 year lifespan (depending on location and average power use per home).

By producing clean nuclear energy, the eVinci microreactor will reduce up to 55,000 tons of C02/year, which is the same amount of carbon produced by roughly 12,000 cars/year. Over an eight-year period, that works out to be more than 1,000,000 barrels of oil!

The eVinci microreactor is smaller and much less complicated than traditional nuclear power plants. The reactor has safety features that work automatically without human intervention. For example, the reactor stays cool using air, meaning that it won’t rely on big pumps or a significant amount of water to keep it from getting too hot. The eVinci Microreactor also uses TRISO fuel, a special type of nuclear fuel that is wrapped in three layers of protective material to reduce the risk of any radiation leaking or fuel melting. The fuel is designed to be very safe, and radiation is always monitored to ensure it stays within safe limits. The design and materials of the eVinci microreactor prioritize safety for both the operators and the nearby community.

Westinghouse will soon begin to assemble a scaled eVinci test reactor for deployment at Idaho National Laboratory. Full scale commercial deployment of the eVinci microreactor could begin as early as 2029. The compact, modular design of the eVinci microreactor limits installation to thirty (30) days. The reactor is fully assembled in a factory before being transported to the site, reducing construction costs and installation time.

The eVinci microreactor weighs in at only 100 metric tons and boasts a compact design measuring only 10 feet in diameter and less than 40 feet in length. Additionally, the entire eVinci microreactor site footprint is less than 3 acres of land – including the safety perimeter.

The compact design of the reactor makes it transportable by custom heavy haul vehicle, rail, barge, or ship. Additional shutdown rods are inserted into the reactor for added safety during transport. The reactor will be in a permanent transport safe shutdown state and in an additional transportation cask approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 

The eVinci microreactor cost will vary depending on the location of the site and the desired delivery timeline. Because it will be produced in a factory, the microreactor will benefit from many of the cost-saving advantages associated with mass production. Its small footprint will also help to reduce construction time and costs compared to traditional reactors.

The eVinci microreactor will use 19.75% enriched tri-structural isotropic particle (TRISO) fuel stated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be “Meltdown Proof Nuclear Fuel.” The uranium inside each TRISO particle is surrounded by 3 layers that protect it and prevent the release of any radioactive fission products. TRISO fuel is characterized by its high thermal stability and resistance to corrosion and oxidation.

With over 75 years of experience in fuel supply, Westinghouse is partnering across our industry to secure and develop the supply chain for High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). Westinghouse is a recognized leader in nuclear fuel and was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for HAP distribution of HALEU to support fuel qualification and criticality testing, as well as the deployment of a scaled eVinci test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory.

An eVinci microreactor can operate at maximum output (5MWe) for 8 or more years without refueling. If the unit is operated at less than 100% power, the life of the reactor can extend to 12 years.

Westinghouse has developed a safe process for managing spent fuel that requires no on-site handling/storage. The reactor is cooled and moved from the site to a licensed facility where spent fuel is removed and put into cask storage at a licensed location. The reactor is then transferred to a factory to be refueled for redeployment.

The fuel volume from an eVinci microreactor can fit in a large cardboard box used for moving household items.

The eVinci microreactor’s unique design is especially well suited to mitigate risk during natural disasters. These layered safety features range from the TRISO fuel to the shutdown rods and control drums, the canister containment and the concrete containment structures. Shutdown rods and control drums are components that control power output and can safely shut down the reactor when necessary. On the other hand, cannister containment and concrete containment structures are designed to withstand extreme physical forces such as those generated by natural disasters, preventing radiation from escaping into the environment. All these features are diverse and redundant and ensure safe reactor shut down and containment. 

Access to the reactor itself is strictly controlled to ensure safety and security. Authorized personnel, such as security and operators, can work safely at close distances due to a reactor containment design that minimizes radiation levels.