Texas advanced nuclear reactor moves closer to reality — technology could address power, water and cancer treatment
Natura Resources, a Texas company, is developing an advanced nuclear demonstration reactor in Abilene, which recently received a shipment of specialized molten salt. The technology aims to provide reliable electricity, desalinate water, and produce medical isotopes. This development is highlighted as a potential solution for Texas' growing demand for electricity from industries like data centers, as well as its increasing need for water.
Natura Resources, an Abilene-based company, is progressing with its advanced nuclear reactor technology, which is designed to produce reliable electricity, desalinate water, and create medical isotopes for cancer treatment. Doug Robison, founder and executive chairman, presented at the Fort Bend Regional Partnership's annual Infrastructure Conference in Richmond, Texas, highlighting the potential for Texas, particularly Houston, to become a national leader in advanced nuclear energy.
The company reached a significant milestone with the delivery of over two metric tons of specialized molten salt, FLiBe, to its MSR-1 demonstration reactor facility at Abilene Christian University. This material was previously used in the federal government's Molten Salt Reactor Experiment decades ago. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit for the Abilene reactor in September 2024, supported by over $120 million in private funding and an additional $120 million from the state of Texas.
Robison emphasized the technology's capacity to address Texas' increasing electricity demands, driven by artificial intelligence and data centers, and its critical water needs. Natura is collaborating with the Texas Produced Water Consortium at Texas Tech University on desalination using reactor heat. Additionally, Natura has partnered with Houston-based NOV (formerly National Oilwell Varco) to standardize and scale the manufacturing of these small modular reactors, aiming to produce them efficiently in factories.
While a commercial reactor in Houston has not been announced, Robison believes the city possesses the necessary infrastructure and demand to become an industry leader in advanced nuclear technology.