TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company that strives to improve the world through nuclear energy and science. TerraPower acts as an incubator and developer of ideas and technologies that offer energy independence, environmental sustainability, medical advancement and other cutting-edge opportunities. TerraPower actively works to bring together the strengths and experiences of the world’s public and private nuclear research and energy sectors. The company was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who decided that the private sector needed to take action in developing advanced nuclear answers for pressing global needs.
TerraPower’s main focus is the development of safer, cheaper, more efficient nuclear reactors, with an emphasis on two design concepts known as traveling wave reactors and molten chloride fast reactors. TerraPower also works on next-generation uses for coal. The company is part of a team that includes Ramaco Carbon which received more than $1 million in federal funding, from the US Department of Energy, to develop an emissions-free process to produce carbon fiber from coal.
Ramaco Carbon is looking for higher-technology uses for the carbon from coal, such as advanced products like carbon fibers, to increase its value and lower the environmental footprint from its use. Carbon fiber is used in high-end, high-performance products. TerraPower has conducted research into how the heat generated by nuclear reactions could be used for purposes other than turning steam turbines, one of which could be an emissions-free process to transform biomass and fossil resources into useful products. TerraPower stated that they believe they can create carbon fiber precursor using elements of coal rather than the petrochemical product, poly acrylonitrile.
Timeline
In 2019 DOE awarded TerraPower with $1 million in funding to support a joint venture with Ramaco Carbon project to create a high-value products from coal.
In 2019 TerraPower expanded their laboratory space to a 65,000 square foot lab located in Everett, Washington.
In 2017 TerraPower announced a joint venture with China National Nuclear Corporation to co-develop TWR technology.
In 2016 TerraPower announced receiving a $40 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy for researching, designing, and testing the company's molten chloride fast reactor project.
In 2015 TerraPower signed a MOU for cooperation with China National Nuclear Corporation for their TWR program development.
In 2015 TerraPower expanded its laboratory to a 10,000 square foot research and development facility that will focus on advanced nuclear energy technologies.
On September 26, 2012 TerraPower was acquired by Littelfuse for $10.6 million.
In 2012 TerraPower's own laboratory began operations.
In 2012 TerraPower announced establishing their test reactor irradiation and ion radiation programs.
In 2012 TerraPower announced launching their global fuel, materials, and component development program in collaboration with universities, national laboratories and companies.
People
Christian Blessing
Director of Business Development
Jeff Latkowski
Senior Vice President, Innovation
Nathan Myhrvold
Vice Chairman of the Board & Co-Founder
Rob Corbin
Chief Engineer Sodium Fast Reactor Technology
Tara Neider
Senior Vice President Program Development and Lab Facilities
Tom Hughes
Senior Vice President, Engineering
Further reading
TerraPower, LLC traveling wave reactor development program overview
Pavel Hejzlar, Robert Petroski, Jesse Cheatham, Nick Touran, Michael Cohen, Bao Truong, Ryan Latta, Mark Werner, Tom Burke, Jay Tandy, Mike Garrett, Brian Johnson, Tyler Ellis, Jon McWhirter, Ash Odedra, Pat Schweiger, Doug Adkisson, John Gilleland
Academic paper