Savannah River National Laboratory and Flibe Energy Strengthen Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle Research and Development

AIKEN, S.C. (Oct. 10, 2024) – Savannah River National Laboratory and Flibe Energy, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their research and development capabilities and explore opportunities for collaboration related to nuclear energy and advanced nuclear fuel cycles.

Under the MOU, SRNL and Flibe Energy will foster scientific and technical collaboration in areas involving:

• Flibe Energy reactor and fuel cycle technology.
• Potential projects supporting SRNL enduring missions.
• Thorium-based and LEU-based fuel and supply chain development.
• Joint research projects and funding collaborations.

As these efforts develop and grow, the formation of alliances between SRNL and Flibe Energy and their affiliated institutions will be evaluated to more broadly support important initiatives in the areas above.

“A culture of collaboration permeates everything we do,” said Bill Bates, deputy associate lab director, Environmental and Legacy Management. “Our partners rely on our competencies, capabilities, and resources to take innovative ideas and mature them to support implementation and meaningful outcomes.  We are excited to begin this new collaboration with the Flibe Energy team.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Savannah River National Laboratory to not only accelerate the development of our molten salt reactor technology, but also to bring new solutions to pressing national security concerns,” said Chief Strategy Officer of Flibe Energy Dr. Joseph Bonometti.  “SRNL’s expertise is unique in the world, and we and our partners are grateful to have such a tremendous resource to support our efforts here in the Southeast.”

About Flibe Energy

Founded in 2011 in Huntsville, Alabama, Flibe Energy, Inc. (FEI) was the world’s first molten salt reactor developer, and its Lithium Fluoride Thorium Reactor and associated technologies offer unique advantages among Gen IV nuclear technologies.  Flibe Energy technologies have tremendous fuel cycle benefits that would not only result in sustainable and scalable clean energy generation, but also provide various national security benefits.  Inherent safety and high operating temperatures open the door to new markets beyond electricity, providing alternative revenue opportunities in various markets.  Learn more or contact us at flibe.com.

About Savannah River National Laboratory

Savannah River National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy multi-program research and development center that’s managed and operated by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management.   SRNL puts science to work to protect the nation by providing practical, cost-effective solutions to the nation’s environmental, nuclear security, nuclear materials management, and energy manufacturing challenges (www.srnl.gov).