Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) is the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) preferred location to pilot its first microreactor. The next-generation energy technology has the potential to provide the installation with a clean, reliable, and resilient energy supply for critical national security infrastructure.
Microreactors are small nuclear reactors that can produce clean energy and are equipped with built-in safety features that self-adjust to prevent overheating. The technology’s ability to operate independently from the commercial grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions make microreactors a promising power source for remote domestic military installations critical to national security.
The Department of the Air Force Microreactor pilot was initiated in response to the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act requirement to identify potential locations to site, construct, and operate a microreactor. The department is partnering with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Office to execute a power purchase agreement with a third-party developer.
The procurement process is currently paused, following a bid protest filed with the Government Accountability Office. The pause will allow for additional proposal review. Unanticipated milestone shifts have not halted our efforts, and the department remains steadfast in our exploration of this innovative technology to assure resilience at mission critical locations and to meet the evolving challenges of Great Power Competition.
As the first pilot program of its kind, the microreactor pilot program must undergo significant scrutiny and coordination from all agencies involved. The Department of the Air Force is partnered with key regulatory authorities to ensure the pilot is executed safely and is committed to frequent, clear, and transparent communication with all local stakeholders – including Fairbanks North Star Borough, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and University of Alaska, and many other community groups – to ensure this project benefits both the installation and the broader local community.