Jacobs Solutions has received a contract to support a French startup project to develop an innovative nuclear power reactor.
Under the three-year agreement, the U.S.-based company will deliver the necessary services to ensure that Naarea can safely advance its XAMR nuclear micro-generator technology.
According to Jacobs, it will provide nuclear safety and engineering support for Naarea’s technology development efforts. The required technical services cover control and instrumentation, mechanical and process, the company added.
Jacobs Vice President Dawn James said the partnership will mature Naarea’s reactor, which aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to global efforts to discover new clean energy sources.
The collaboration supports the goal of delivering clean, safe and sustainable nuclear energy to promote energy security, James noted.
Naarea is a recipient of funding from the France 2030 Investment Plan, a government project seeking to revive France’s nuclear industry and deploy small modular reactors in the country by 2035.
According to Jacobs, Naarea’s work is focused on improving the small modular reactor construction methods to produce heat and electricity using spent nuclear fuel. The approach supports the nuclear industry’s objective of creating a circular economy to cut down energy-generating costs, the company explained.