IAEA initiative tackles the rules for floating reactors and atom-powered civilian ships
Not content with nuclear reactors on land, the US is backing an international push to put atomic power plants aboard civilian ships and floating platforms.The US will host the launch of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative in Washington, DC, on August 26 and 27.ATLAS aims to tackle the legal, regulatory, safety, security, and liability problems that stand between maritime reactors and commercial deployment.
Ahead of the launch, the US will hold an "Industry Day" on August 25 to showcase technology from American nuclear and maritime companies hoping to take a share of any future market.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright linked the event to the Department of Energy's broader drive to deliver oodles of extra atomic power for AI datacenters and other industries."DoE remains focused on unleashing American energy dominance, accelerating innovation, and advancing sources of energy that are affordable, reliable, and secure for the American people," he said."Hosting the launch of ATLAS supports this critical mission, positioning the US nuclear and maritime sectors at the forefront of advanced energy innovation, while promoting safety and security for the United States and the world." The initiative covers civilian nuclear-powered ships and floating power plants, with the latter potentially supplying coastal communities or energy-hungry industrial processes such as desalination.The DoE is pinning its hopes on small modular reactors (SMRs), whose high energy density and long operating cycles could suit ships and offshore power installations.America is no stranger to reactors afloat. Every active US Navy aircraft carrier is nuclear-powered, giving it almost unlimited range without frequent refueling.The US Navy also used to operate nuclear-powered cruisers, such as the Virginia class, but these were retired after the end of the Cold War because they were costly to run.
