Deep Fission partners with Urenco USA to secure low-enriched uranium (LEU) for its innovative 'Gravity' reactor.
Deep Fission, the California-based startup aiming to revolutionize nuclear energy by burying reactors a mile underground, has signed a pivotal agreement with Urenco USA to purchase low-enriched uranium .
The fuel, sourced from Urenco’s enrichment facility in Eunice, New Mexico, will power the testing and demonstration phases of Deep Fission’s initial “Gravity” reactor.This supply deal is a critical step toward early commercial operations and follows the company’s recent announcement of $80 million in new financing intended to scale production for AI-driven data centers and US electricity grids.“The fuel will support testing and demonstration activities as part of the Company’s participation in the US Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program as well as early commercial operations,” said the company in a press release.A mile-deep solution to nuclear costsDeep Fission’s “Gravity” reactor represents a radical departure from traditional nuclear plant design.Instead of building massive, expensive surface containment structures, the company places a 15-megawatt small modular reactor at the bottom of a borehole roughly one mile deep.By utilizing the Earth’s natural geology, the design achieves several engineering breakthroughs. At a depth of one mile, a column of water naturally provides the 160 atmospheres of pressure required for the reactor to function, which eliminates the need for costly surface pressure vessels.“Each Gravity Reactor is installed one mile underground, where surrounding geology provides passive shielding and natural containment, reducing the need for above-ground megastructures,” explained the press release.Most significantly, the company estimates this approach could slash construction costs by as much as 80 percent compared to traditional nuclear projects.Scaling for the AI eraThe fuel agreement with Urenco supports Deep Fission’s participation in the US Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program.The company has already broken ground on a pilot project in Parsons, Kansas, and claims a customer pipeline representing 12.5 GW of future planned power.“Securing fuel is one of the most important steps for any nuclear project,” said Liz Muller, CEO and Co-Founder of Deep Fission.“This agreement with Urenco enables us to move quickly toward commercialization and scaling our technology with high-quality fuel.”The modular nature of the system allows for significant scalability. While a single borehole produces 15 MWe, the company notes that 100 reactors co-located on a single site could produce 1.5 GWe—enough to power large-scale industrial hubs or massive data center complexes—while requiring only a fraction of the land used by traditional surface plants.Strengthening the domestic supply chainBy partnering with Urenco USA, a domestic fuel producer that has supplied the US market for over 15 years, Deep Fission is insulating its supply chain from geopolitical volatility.“Advanced reactor developers are an important part of the future energy landscape,” concluded John Kirkpatrick, Managing Director of Urenco USA.“We are focused on ensuring a reliable domestic supply of enriched uranium to support growth in this sector.”
Environment Nuclear Fission Nuclear Reactor Uranium
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vallejo police say woman pushed from vehicle during 16-mile pursuit; driver arrestedPolice in Vallejo said they arrested a driver on multiple felony charges following a pursuit over the weekend that covered nearly 16 miles.
Read more »
Bears Stadium Funding Plan Passes Another Mile Marker in IndianapolisIndiana's House passed the Bears stadium funding plan in Indianapolis on Tuesday, and the bill still needs the final Senate vote and Gov. Mike Braun's signature.
Read more »
Mexico's Best World Baseball Classic Lineup: Big Bats Can Make A Deep RunIf Mexico wants to build on its 2023 semifinal run at the World Classic Baseball, they have the bats to do it.
Read more »
Antarctica's 'gravity hole' reveals the evolution of Earth's deep interiorSamantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News.
Read more »
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring del 2026, un EV que impresionaEl Lucid Gravity Grand Touring del 2026 representa el segundo modelo de Lucid Motors y su primera incursión en el segmento SUV: un vehículo eléctrico que combina lujo extremo, tecnología de punta y capacidades dinámicas que desafían las leyes de la física para un SUV de casi 6,100 libras.
Read more »
1,000-mile range: US firm’s military drone can operate in world’s most dangerous environmentDeveloped by Pyka, the DropShip drone can move a meaningful mass of supplies or evacuate injured personnel in active conflict environments.
Read more »