Nuclear energy coming to RELLIS, hoping to prevent future electricity loss

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M has teamed up with state leaders to try and solve the electricity concerns.

Chancellor John Sharp told the group ERCOT expects a 78% increase in energy demand statewide by 2030. With the help of state leaders and companies ready to join the cutting-edge work, the RELLIS Campus will be home to numerous small nuclear modules to produce energy that can be shared with the grid.

System leaders announced the new future site on Wednesday saying they’re excited to get companies looped into the project plus students and faculty. Companies will begin bidding for a part in the project and Chancellor Sharp said they will continue moving forward from there.

The following is a Press Release shared by the Texas A&M University System.

Leaders at The Texas A&M University System announced plans Wednesday to bring the latest nuclear reactors to the Texas A&M-RELLIS.

John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M System, said the System seeks to provide a platform for companies to test the latest reactors and technologies. It also will address the pressing need for increased power supply.

“As Texas continues to grow, it is critical that we add more reliable, dispatchable power for all Texans,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Texas A&M’s announcement to bring advanced nuclear technologies to its RELLIS campus is essential for Texas to expand our nuclear power capabilities that will help bolster our electric grid. Nuclear energy will continue to play an integral role in Texas so we can continue to meet the energy needs of our great state for generations to come.”

The next generation of nuclear reactors, with a potential power capacity ranging from 10 MW to 1 GW, have the potential to revolutionize power generation and meet the vast energy requirements of Texas. The new generation of reactors also could provide vital power sources for artificial intelligence companies, Sharp said.

“We at the Texas A&M University System understand the global need for more power,” Sharp said. “And we are positioned to bolster our grid and to provide the power for the latest technologies. We believe that nuclear power is the only solution to provide quick, clean, carbon-free and reliable energy to prevent blackouts and to foster innovation.”

To kickstart the latest nuclear initiative, the Texas A&M System will be seeking information – and later proposals – from manufacturers of nuclear reactors. Ultimately, the site could host multiple electrical power-generating facilities, and it could host first-of-a-kind reactors with a net increase of up to 1 GW of capacity that will have a direct connection to the grid operated by Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., or as it is more commonly called, ERCOT.

Sharp said the Texas A&M System is committed to developing power generation capabilities to ensure reliable electrical power provision to the RELLIS campus.

“This effort at Texas A&M-RELLIS will usher in a new era of sustainable and reliable power generation,” Sharp said.

Representatives from the System and from the companies hope to set up operational reactors within the next five to seven years.