NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading vertically integrated advanced nuclear technology company developing proprietary, portable, and clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office. The MOU sets a framework for the collaboration between NANO Nuclear and the DOE to evaluate the feasibility of siting, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of the Company’s ‘ZEUS’ and ‘ODIN’ experimental microreactors at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), one of the foremost research sites for nuclear science and technology in the U.S.
Through this MOU, NANO Nuclear will work with the DOE and Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, the current operator of INL, to progress the development, siting, and eventual testing of NANO Nuclear’s innovative microreactor designs. The ‘ZEUS’ and ‘ODIN’ microreactors are designed to deliver clean, portable power solutions for remote and industrial applications, supporting the United States’ energy security and climate objectives.
Collaborative Activities for Test Reactor Development
The MOU outlines several core activities, such as site evaluations, support of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing activities, and the development of operational and security plans, including hazardous material management. NANO Nuclear and the DOE will collaborate to assess the suitability of INL's infrastructure and secure appropriate land-use agreements for supporting the experimental reactors, focusing on site selection, feasibility studies, and thorough security and emergency planning. Each party will be responsible for its own costs, as specified in the MOU.
“Partnering with the DOE and Idaho National Laboratory on this initiative underscores our commitment to developing advanced nuclear technologies that meet the highest standards for safety and environmental stewardship,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “We are honored to collaborate with the DOE to realize our goal of delivering portable, clean energy solutions, particularly as the ‘ZEUS’ and ‘ODIN’ microreactors move closer to demonstration and eventual deployment.”
Strengthening National Energy Resilience
The MOU also includes provisions for regulatory coordination, communication strategies, and efforts to ensure environmental compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with both parties committed to adhering to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
“This partnership with DOE’s Idaho Operations Office allows us to take multiple critical steps toward demonstrating the economic viability and real-world applications of NANO Nuclear’s microreactor technology,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of Nano Nuclear Energy. “We look forward to working closely with the DOE and INL to explore new horizons in nuclear energy, bringing innovative power solutions to communities and industries that need them most.”
The collaboration will leverage INL’s existing expertise and infrastructure to support NANO Nuclear’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable energy. The MOU will remain in effect for five years, with an option for renewal.
