Wisconsin's Dairyland Power Cooperative and Applied Atomics on Oct. 22 announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to evaluate the potential deployment of Applied Atomics’ small modular reactor nuclear technology at Dairyland’s Genoa, Wisconsin, site.
"Under the LOI, the two parties will work together to explore Applied Atomics’ SMR technology in support of Dairyland’s evaluation of safe, reliable, cost-competitive and low-carbon energy resources. Applied Atomics’ fleet deployment strategy for multi-unit nuclear installations leads with a focus on scalable and carbon-free energy solutions, which help meet increasing demand in the region for dispatchable, low-carbon power generation," a news release said.
The collaboration will analyze the feasibility of locating one or more Applied Atomic SMRs at Dairyland’s existing Genoa Site in southwest Wisconsin. Dairyland will explore securing the resulting carbon-free power through a power purchase agreement from Applied Atomics.
“Dairyland continues to evaluate emerging technologies that could support a reliable, resilient and lower-carbon energy future for our members and the region,” Brent Ridge, Dairyland president and CEO said. “This agreement allows us to take a closer look at Applied Atomics’ technology and its potential to better understand how it may complement our evolving generation portfolio.”
Applied Atomics’ scalable SMR power plants are ideally sized to meet the growing needs for firm, affordable power across Dairyland’s member cooperatives, the news release said.
Applied Atomics has the exclusive land-based license to use mPower, a pressurized light water reactor designed and manufactured by BWXT.
"BWXT is actively enabling Applied Atomics’ renewed push to commercialize the mPower SMR, providing technical expertise, preserved test infrastructure and deep manufacturing capability built over decades of nuclear engineering leadership," the news release said.
“BWXT engineered mPower with utilities squarely in mind: a proven light water design, integrated safety features and a manufacturing approach that supports predictable, cost competitive deployment,” Kate Kelly, president, BWXT Advanced Technologies said. “For utilities like Dairyland evaluating future reliable, carbon free resources, mPower offers the kind of engineering certainty essential for long term planning.”
Dairyland’s Genoa Site previously hosted a now-decommissioned 50 megawatt nuclear power plant as well as a 345 MW coal plant, which was retired in 2021.
An Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI), licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is currently located at the site.
Dairyland Power Cooperative provides the wholesale electrical requirements for cooperatives and public power utilities in the Upper Midwest.
