Brazil to Develop First Nuclear Microreactor with R$30 Million Grant

Strategic Insights -

Brazil's innovation agency Finep is poised to sign a contract worth R$30 million to support the development of the country's first nuclear microreactor. The project, submitted by Diamante Geração de Energia, received the highest score in a public call for low-carbon energy generation initiatives launched by Finep in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) last year. The project involves state-owned Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) and the startup Terminus Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, with a total budget of R$50 million. Finep will provide a R$30 million grant, while Diamante will contribute R$20 million, meeting the legally mandated counterpart requirement.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project aims to develop Brazil's first nuclear microreactor, with a total budget of R$50 million, and will be developed at the Nuclear Engineering Institute (IEN) on Fundão Island and at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) campus.
  • The project involves state-owned Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) and the startup Terminus Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, in addition to Diamante Geração de Energia, which submitted the project proposal.
  • The microreactor technology is still under development and testing in countries like the United States and China and is expected to take at least two years to reach commercial scale.
  • Microreactors offer low carbon emissions, high safety standards, and logistical ease, making them suitable for areas with limited access to the national grid.
  • The project aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) within three years and could reach the market in about eight years.
  • The project involves four federal universities and five research institutions, including UFMG, UPEN/CNEN, IEN/CNEN, and Inatel.
  • Elias Ramos, acting president and director of innovation at Finep, emphasized that while nuclear energy is not classified as renewable, it qualifies for support due to its low carbon emissions and positions Brazil on the global innovation map.
  • Newton Hamatsu, Finep's superintendent of innovation, highlighted the modular design and strong safety features of microreactors, making them an appealing option for delivering clean energy to isolated systems.

Statistics:

  • The R$30 million grant will be provided by Finep to support the development of Brazil's first nuclear microreactor.
  • The project has a total budget of R$50 million, with Finep contributing R$30 million and Diamante Geração de Energia contributing R$20 million.
  • The project aims to reach Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) within three years.
  • The microreactor technology is expected to take at least two years to reach commercial scale.
  • The project involves participation from four federal universities and five research institutions.

Sources:

  • Brazil's innovation agency Finep.
  • Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).
  • Diamante Geração de Energia.
  • Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB).
  • Terminus Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento.
  • Nuclear Engineering Institute (IEN).
  • Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).
  • UFMG, UPEN/CNEN, IEN/CNEN, and Inatel.