The PROMOSA project, in which the three companies are collaborating, focuses on developing and testing technologies for a molten salt reactor. This type of reactor falls under the broader category of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) - small, modular nuclear reactors that can be built in a factory. Of the various SMR designs under development worldwide, the molten salt reactor is one of the most advanced.
These molten salt reactors work fundamentally differently from traditional nuclear power plants. They use liquid salt as both the coolant and the carrier of the nuclear fuel. This makes the reactor inherently safe: if the reactor stops, the salt solidifies and the reaction stops automatically. A reactor of the type that Thorizon is developing can provide enough energy for 250,000 households or a large data center. This scale makes the technology interesting for industrial applications. Moreover, they can use existing nuclear waste as fuel.
Commissioner Martijn van Gruijthuijsen said, “This investment does not only offer opportunities for the manufacturing industry in Brabant, but also contributes to an affordable and sustainable energy supply in the future. With our strong high-tech sector and research institutions, we have everything we need to lead this development. A good example of how we in Brabant are working on the smart solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”
International acknowledgement
The development has also attracted international attention. The Thorizon One reactor, which this project is working toward, has been selected by the European Commission as one of nine spearhead projects for accelerated development of new nuclear reactors. Van Gruijthuijsen: “This European acknowledgement confirms that we in Brabant are at the forefront of this innovative technology. By investing now in knowledge development, our companies will soon be able to play an important role in this growing market.”
“Thanks to the support of the province, we can take the first steps from the drawing board to the realization of parts together with the Brabant manufacturing industry,” said Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon. “It's great to do this as a startup with recognized high-tech companies like the VDL Groep and DEMCON. We also see in the collaboration with DIFFER that Brabant has world-class knowledge and facilities. With these ambitious companies we share a pragmatic attitude, crucial for rapid innovation. We thank the province for the trust and support and look forward to further cooperation in the region.”
The PROMOSA project should produce concrete results in the form of working prototypes and a test facility in Brabant within two and a half years. All technologies and facilities developed will be developed without a nuclear component. The province is contributing 50% of the total project costs of 8 million euros. The remaining funding will come from the companies themselves. Thorizon wants to start building its first reactor in 2030. Companies such as the VDL Groep and DEMCON are contributing through their experience in realizing high-tech projects and getting from concept to prototype and series production.
In addition to the development of clean energy, the technology also offers opportunities for other sectors. For example, the high temperatures produced by the reactor can be used to produce green hydrogen, which fits well with the ambitions of Brabant in that field and is an important technology for making the industry more sustainable.
The investment is part of the Innovation Coalition “Nuclear Energy for the Future” that the province launched in 2022. Earlier, the province invested in a research facility at research institute DIFFER in Eindhoven.
Photo - DIFFER/Bart van Overbeeke