BERKELEY, CA – Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, has successfully completed Project PUCK, a groundbreaking, government-funded initiative to demonstrate the feasibility and potential commercial readiness of its Universal Canister System (UCS) to manage TRISO spent nuclear fuel. Deep Isolation worked with advanced reactor company Kairos Power to conceptually evaluate the use of TRISO pebble fuel, affirming the UCS as a safe, scalable solution of deep borehole disposal for next-generation reactors.
Launched in July 2024 under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Project PUCK (Performance Validation of the Universal Canister System for Kairos Power) validated the potential use of the UCS to safely and cost-effectively manage TRISO spent fuel from Kairos Power’s fluoride salt–cooled high-temperature reactor (KP‑FHR). Optimized for deep borehole disposal, the UCS is a triple-purpose canister designed to enable the safe storage, transport, and permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Its flexible design also allows compatibility with mined repositories, offering multiple disposal pathway options.
The project addressed one of the nuclear industry’s most pressing challenges: the long-term management of growing spent fuel inventories. Results confirmed that TRISO spent fuel is compatible with the UCS and suitable for disposal in both conventional mined repositories and deep boreholes, the latter offering enhanced safety and a smaller surface footprint. A detailed economic analysis of the cost benefits of the UCS and borehole disposal approach identified potential process and design enhancements to enable broader commercial adoption across the advanced reactor sector.
“What we’ve accomplished with Kairos Power is more than a technical milestone—it’s a strategic leap toward long-term sustainability in nuclear energy,” said Jesse Sloane, Executive Vice President of Deep Isolation. “The UCS, paired with deep borehole disposal, offers an adaptable and forward‑thinking end-to-end solution that can serve the advanced reactor industry for the future.”
The findings provide a data-driven framework for stakeholders evaluating back-end fuel cycle management solutions. Analyses confirm that Deep Isolation’s UCS, combined with deep borehole disposal, offers a viable, cost-competitive, and scalable solution for nuclear waste management. The analyses demonstrate that the UCS is both technically and commercially ready for TRISO fuel, positioning it as a strong option for future deployment by advanced reactor developers and the DOE.
“Kairos Power is excited to see the progress made by the Deep Isolation team in advancing the UCS and looks forward to continued collaboration,” said Per Peterson, Chief Nuclear Officer of Kairos Power. “Together, Deep Isolation and Kairos Power are setting a precedent for innovation, safety, and sustainability in the safe and effective management of spent fuel from high temperature reactors.”
By validating the feasibility of deep borehole disposal for advanced reactor fuels, Project PUCK establishes a new standard for integrated, scalable nuclear waste management solutions. The results reinforce a foundation for broader industry adoption and continued public and private partnerships working to shape the future of nuclear energy.
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About Deep Isolation
Named as one of Goldman Sachs’ 30 top startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 70 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories.
For more information, visit deepisolation.com.
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media@deepisolation.com
About Kairos Power
Kairos Power is a mission-driven nuclear technology, engineering, and manufacturing company singularly focused on commercializing the fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) – a clean energy solution that can be deployed with robust safety at an affordable cost to enable deep decarbonization. Founded in 2016, the company is unique in applying a rapid iterative development approach and vertical integration strategy to bring advanced reactor technology to market. Kairos Power’s mission is to enable the world’s transition to clean energy with the ultimate goal of dramatically improving people’s quality of life while protecting the environment.
Learn more at kairospower.com.
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