Deployable Energy Announces Site Selection for Reactor Demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory
- Deployable Energy
- Feb 17
- 2 min read
Idaho Falls, ID — Deployable Energy, the Houston-based microreactor company, today announced they selected Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as the host site for the company’s upcoming reactor demonstration. This marks a major milestone on the path toward demonstrating Deployable Energy’s first operational microreactor.
The initial reactor demonstration will validate core physics of the Unity Nuclear Battery and provide early data to support the company’s manufacturing and deployment plans. INL’s unmatched facilities and decades of experience working with first-of-a-kind reactors provide the ideal environment for this foundational step.
Deployable Energy and INL are partnering through the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center to advance the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology.
“Our team is building microreactors meant to work in the field, under real constraints, for customers who need reliable power. INL knows how to help companies prove their designs quickly and safely, and we’re proud to partner with them,” said Deployable Energy CEO, Bobby Gallagher.
The test is anticipated to be conducted at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex pending approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, allowing Deployable Energy to reach criticality under controlled, zero-power conditions. Data gathered at INL will be used to support NRC licensing of Deployable Energy’s First-of-a-Kind reactor.
Deployable Energy’s microreactor is being developed to deliver reliable, transportable, and low-maintenance power for remote operations, industrial customers, disaster response, and national security missions. The reactor demonstration is a key step toward testing a system designed leveraging materials available using the existing nuclear supply chain with economies of scales that allow for cost-competitive energy at a price point that beats fossil fuels.
“The Deployable Energy team is ready to build simple, rugged, and scalable microreactors for a broad range of customers,” added Gallagher. “This test at INL moves us one step closer to putting nuclear power where it’s needed most.”
“Thanks to President Trump's leadership we're accelerating a nuclear energy renaissance in our country,” said Rian Bahran, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. “Advanced nuclear leadership depends on more than innovation—it depends on execution. Deployable Energy’s planned zero-power criticality test at Idaho National Laboratory will help validate their design that was developed with manufacturing, supply chain, and real-world deployment in mind.”
The reactor demonstration is scheduled to begin by summer 2026, with results supporting Deployable Energy’s first full-power demonstration unit.
About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment.
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About Deployable Energy
Factory made nuclear from the energy capital of the world.
Deployable Energy builds microreactors designed for real-world operations. Our systems are engineered for rapid deployment, simple operation, and reliable power where traditional infrastructure can’t reach. Learn more at: www.Deployable.Energy
Media Contact:
Suzanne Baker
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