The nuclear industry is on the cusp of a new era with startups like Apollo Atomics aiming to lower costs through innovative design. By focusing on shrinking the steam generator – the largest component in a reactor – they hope to revolutionise how thermal energy is converted into electricity.

Founder Assil Halimi claims their generator, which fits snugly at the size of a person, can make reactors 40 times smaller than those using conventional designs. This not only streamlines production but also reduces costs significantly; Halimi projects Apollo plants can generate power at just 3 cents per kilowatt hour.

Traditional steam generators, often towering structures built by hand, struggle to maximise the potential of high-energy density nuclear fuels like uranium. In contrast, Apollo’s compact design allows for more efficient heat transfer through a metal block with tiny channels, optimising energy conversion without compromising on scale or safety.

The innovative approach from MIT and Y Combinator-backed Apollo includes factory assembly rather than on-site construction, anticipated to cut production time and costs dramatically. With plans to offer reactors of varying sizes from 10 megawatts-electric to 300 megawatts, the company aims to undercut natural gas in cost-effectiveness while advancing nuclear technology.