Jacobs to support French microreactor start-up

Posted on: 14 December 2023

Nuclear technology specialist Jacobs has been selected to provide nuclear safety and engineering services to French start-up Naarea.

Raffaele Muscetta (left) and David Briggs (right), from Naarea, celebrate the signing of the framework contract with Dawn James and Philippe Wolf from Jacobs at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris. Image credit: Jacobs

Nuclear technology specialist Jacobs has been selected to provide nuclear safety and engineering services to French microreactor start-up Naarea.

Naarea is developing a nuclear power microreactor and was one of the first companies to receive funding support from the France 2030 investment plan, a government initiative aimed at boosting the country's nuclear industry.

“Promoting the circular economy by using long-lived radioactive waste, Naarea’s reactor would help to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and bring a complementary offering to the clean energy mix,” said Jacobs vice president Dawn James.

“Under the three-year framework with Naarea, we will work together to progress our joint aim of delivering safe, clean and sustainable nuclear energy to promote energy security and build a more connected and sustainable world.”

NAAREA's XAMR® microreactor consists of a molten salt reactor operating at close to atmospheric pressure and salt-cooled, in which an inherently auto-regulated fission reaction takes place at a high temperature.

NAAREA’s small-sized molten salt microreactors use no water, which excludes the risk of explosion. The liquid state of the fuel allows for a quick response to power demand, and can be emptied if necessary in the event of an emergency shutdown. Together, these features provide a high passive safety profile.

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The microgenerator produces electricity and heat using spent nuclear fuel, a concept which promotes circular economy in the nuclear industry. The spent radioactive material stored in France will provide a reserve lasting for at least several hundred years, states the Naarea website.

NAAREA founder and CEO Jean-Luc Alexandre commented: “Jacobs’ track record within the nuclear industry as well as its fast development in France will enable Naarea to collaborate with teams which are both highly experienced and agile. This partnership is key for Naarea in order to accelerate the development of our XAMR®.”