FAQ

The Gravity Nuclear Reactor^TM design will combine three well-established technologies in a new way:

• Pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology, which has been deployed for decades in commercial power generation
• Drilling technologies, service providers and operational practices developed in the oil and gas industries
• Established geothermal components and processes for energy transfer to the turbine generator at the surface

Each of these technologies is proven on its own. Our innovation is bringing them together in a deep underground environment with the goal of reducing reliance on surface infrastructure, supporting faster deployment timelines, improving security, enhancing safety and lowering costs.

By building on what already works, we are prioritizing deployment over invention.

Each Deep Fission Gravity Nuclear Reactor^TM is a SMR targeted to produce up to 15 megawatts of electric power output (MWe).

These reactors can be deployed individually or grouped together at a single site. By installing multiple boreholes, projects can scale to produce hundreds, or potentially thousands, of MWe of generation capacity.

This modular approach allows capacity to be added incrementally over time, making it possible to match energy production with growing demand.

Protecting groundwater is a top priority. At 5000+ feet deep, the reactor is placed well below surrounding freshwater aquifers, separated by thick layers of impermeable rock. Our deployment approach is designed to avoid subsurface activities that could alter surrounding rock formations or impact groundwater conditions.

In addition, the system is enclosed within multiple engineered barriers, including sealed steel casings and cement, which aim to prevent any interaction between the reactor and surrounding groundwater.

We also continuously monitor surrounding conditions to help ensure water quality remains protected.

Deep Fission will use low-enriched uranium (LEU), which is produced and fabricated by qualified nuclear fuel suppliers.

This approach aligns with long-established industry practices and helps ensure compliance with international nonproliferation standards and regulatory requirements.

Like other nuclear reactors, operation of the Gravity Nuclear Reactor^TM will generate used nuclear fuel, which must be stored and ultimately disposed of in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and nuclear waste management frameworks. Depending on the long-term disposal pathway, this may require interim on-site storage, transportation, and coordination with governmental authorities or third-party service providers. The management and disposition of used nuclear fuel will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Placing the reactor deep underground, around a mile below the surface, is intended to provide several safety benefits, including geological shielding and separation between the reactor system and the surface environment, reduced exposure to certain external hazards, increased security, and reduced reliance on safety-related surface infrastructure footprint relative to conventional nuclear facilities.

Importantly, the mile-deep column of water in the borehole is expected to provide the pressure conditions required for safe reactor operation. Water within the borehole is also intended to contribute to the reactor’s thermal management system.

In addition, going underground minimizes the facility’s surface footprint and visual impact.

Projects like Deep Fission have the potential to provide a range of economic benefits at the local and regional level. These may include investment in infrastructure, job creation during construction and operations, and increased tax revenues that support public services such as schools, roads, and emergency response.

In addition to construction jobs, these projects may support long-term, career-level opportunities, helping to build a durable local workforce.

There can also be a broader “network effect,” where these types of projects help attract new businesses and industries, and can help support existing employers and further investment in the region.

Together, these factors can contribute to sustained economic growth and long-term community development.

Yes. Deep Fission was selected as one of 11 projects across 10 companies eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program.

Authorized under Executive Order 14301, the Reactor Pilot Program marks a historic shift in federal policy, enabling reactor testing and deployment on sites outside of national laboratories. This initiative is a cornerstone of the DOE’s commitment to reform and streamline processes that will unlock innovation and speed up the development of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Deep Fission’s project follows a parallel regulatory pathway that involves both the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

As part of the DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program and subject to DOE authorization, we intend to demonstrate the Gravity Nuclear Reactor^TM.

For commercial operation, we intend to apply for a commercial license with the NRC, the independent federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety and security of civilian nuclear facilities in the United States.

This dual approach is intended to align both demonstration and commercial licensing pathways, as we are aiming to move these efforts forward together rather than advancing them in sequence.