![[kairos-power-logo.png|300]] Website: [kairospower.com](https://kairospower.com) ### Introduction Kairos Power, founded in 2016, is a nuclear energy company headquartered in Alameda, California, with additional facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The company was established by a team of engineers and scientists, including Michael Laufer, Edward Blandford, and Per Peterson, with a mission to enable the world's transition to clean energy while improving quality of life and protecting the environment, as stated on their official website [kairospower.com](https://kairospower.com). While specific employee counts are not publicly disclosed in the latest available data, Kairos Power is known to be expanding its workforce, particularly in Tennessee, where significant investments and job creation are underway. The company operates as a private entity, with no public ticker symbol, focusing on the development of advanced nuclear technologies to address global energy demands sustainably. As a key player in the nuclear fission sector, Kairos Power is pioneering the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) with innovative cooling systems. Their work aims to provide safer, more cost-effective nuclear power solutions compared to traditional reactors, positioning them at the forefront of the clean energy transition. Their projects have garnered attention from both private and public sectors, reflecting growing interest in nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source amidst rising energy needs, particularly from tech industries. ### Key Products and Technology Kairos Power is focused on developing advanced nuclear reactors, specifically fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs), which fall under the category of small modular reactors (SMRs). Below are details of their primary initiatives: - **Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor (SMR, Molten Salt-Cooled)** - **Technical Specifications**: Designed as a low-power demonstration unit with a capacity of approximately 35 MW thermal (specific electric output not widely detailed in public sources). The reactor uses molten fluoride salt as a coolant, operating at high temperatures to improve efficiency. - **Fuel Type**: Utilizes TRISO (tri-structural isotropic) particle fuel, a robust, accident-tolerant fuel designed to withstand extreme conditions. - **Key Differentiators**: Offers inherent safety features due to the molten salt coolant’s high thermal stability and low pressure operation, reducing meltdown risks. Additionally, it promises lower construction and operational costs compared to traditional water-cooled reactors. - **Development Stage**: Under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with groundbreaking announced in July 2024. This is the first non-light-water reactor permitted for construction in the U.S. in over 50 years, as per posts on X and regulatory updates from [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). - **Target Customers**: Primarily utilities and government entities for initial deployment, with potential future applications for industrial and tech sector clients like data centers. - **KP-FHR (Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor)** - **Technical Specifications**: A scalable design targeting commercial power generation, though specific power output details remain under development and are not fully public. - **Fuel Type**: Also uses TRISO fuel, aligning with safety and efficiency goals. - **Key Differentiators**: Focuses on modularity for rapid deployment and cost reduction, with integrated core design methodologies recently approved by the NRC for licensing efficiency. - **Development Stage**: In design and regulatory review phase, with methodologies for core design approved as of December 2025, per announcements on X by [@KairosPower](https://x.com/KairosPower). - **Target Customers**: Aimed at utilities and large-scale energy consumers, including tech companies seeking carbon-free power for AI and data center operations. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Kairos Power has made significant strides in regulatory approvals through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The company applied for a construction permit for the Hermes demonstration reactor in 2021, which was approved in December 2023, marking the first Gen-IV reactor construction permit issued by the NRC [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). This milestone also made Hermes the first non-light-water reactor to receive such approval in over five decades. Construction began in July 2024 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as reported by [@KairosPower](https://x.com/KairosPower) on X. Recent regulatory achievements include the NRC’s approval of Kairos Power’s KP-FHR Core Design and Analysis Methodology in December 2025, a critical step toward streamlining the licensing process for their advanced reactor fleet. Upcoming milestones likely include operational licensing for Hermes, with a projected operational date as early as 2027, based on updates from the Department of Energy [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment for a full-scale KP-FHR remains in the early 2030s, contingent on further regulatory reviews and construction progress, as noted in news coverage from [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/google-kairos-nuclear-smr-tennessee-valley-authority-tva-data-center-ai.html). ### Team and Leadership Kairos Power’s leadership team comprises experts in nuclear engineering and energy innovation. Key figures include: - **Michael Laufer (CEO and Co-Founder)**: A nuclear engineer with extensive experience in reactor design and commercialization, leading the company’s strategic vision. - **Edward Blandford (CTO and Co-Founder)**: Focuses on technical development, with a background in nuclear safety and advanced reactor technologies. - **Per Peterson (Chief Nuclear Officer and Co-Founder)**: A professor at UC Berkeley with deep expertise in nuclear engineering, guiding regulatory and safety aspects of reactor design. Specific X handles for these individuals are not verified or publicly prominent in available data, so they are omitted here. The team’s academic and industry experience positions Kairos Power as a credible innovator in the nuclear sector. ### Funding and Financial Position Kairos Power has secured substantial funding as a private company, though exact total figures are not fully disclosed in public sources. Significant investments have come from strategic backers, including partnerships with tech giants like Google, which signed a Master Plant Development Agreement in October 2024 to deploy 500 MW of nuclear power by 2035 [Google Blog](https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/). While specific round details and lead investors are limited in recent public data, the company’s profile on [Tracxn](https://tracxn.com) indicates ongoing interest from institutional investors in the clean energy space. As a private entity, there is no market cap or stock performance data available. Kairos Power remains pre-revenue, focusing on demonstration projects and regulatory approvals, though first contracts and power purchase agreements, such as with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), signal early commercial traction [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/18/google-kairos-nuclear-smr-tennessee-valley-authority-tva-data-center-ai.html). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 18, 2025 | NRC Approves Core Design Methodology | NRC approves KP-FHR Core Design and Analysis Methodology, aiding reactor fleet licensing [@KairosPower](https://x.com/KairosPower). | | Nov 30, 2025 | Hermes Construction Update | DOE reports ongoing construction of Hermes reactor in Oak Ridge, TN [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). | | Aug 18, 2025 | TVA Power Purchase Agreement | TVA agrees to buy up to 50 MW from Hermes 2 reactor by 2030, first U.S. utility deal for advanced reactor [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com). | | Jul, 2025 | Continued Hermes Construction | Updates confirm active construction progress on Hermes in Oak Ridge, per posts on X. | | May 26, 2025 | Big Tech Backing Highlighted | TechCrunch notes Kairos among nuclear startups supported by Big Tech for AI energy needs [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Google**: Signed a Master Plant Development Agreement in October 2024 to deploy a fleet of advanced nuclear projects totaling 500 MW by 2035. Strategic value lies in meeting Google’s high energy demands for AI data centers with clean power [Google Blog](https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/). - **Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)**: Agreed in August 2025 to purchase up to 50 MW from the Hermes 2 reactor by 2030, marking a pioneering utility power purchase for an advanced reactor. This enhances Kairos Power’s path to commercial deployment [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com). - **U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)**: Provides support through regulatory collaboration and public endorsements, with facilities in Oak Ridge benefiting from DOE’s historical nuclear research infrastructure [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov). ### New Hampshire Relevance Kairos Power’s technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly given the state’s existing nuclear infrastructure at [[Seabrook Station]] and its integration into the ISO-NE grid. The Hermes reactor and future KP-FHR designs, with their focus on safety and modularity, align with potential grid power needs in the Northeast, where reliable baseload energy is critical during harsh winters. Their small modular design could also support emerging data center loads in the region, a growing sector in NH. However, technology readiness remains a challenge, as Hermes is still under construction with an operational target of 2027, and full commercial deployment is likely in the early 2030s. This timeline may not align with immediate NH energy needs or legislative initiatives like HB 710, which encourage advanced energy solutions but prioritize nearer-term projects. While Kairos Power has not publicly expressed specific interest in NH or the Northeast, their partnership with Google suggests applicability to tech-driven energy demands prevalent in the region. Proximity to [[Seabrook Station]] could facilitate future collaborations or pilot projects if regulatory and community support aligns. ### Competitive Position Kairos Power competes with other advanced nuclear startups like [[NuScale Power]] and [[[[TerraPower]]]]. [[NuScale Power|NuScale]], with its water-cooled SMR design, has progressed further in regulatory approval, receiving NRC design certification for a 50 MWe reactor, though it faces cost overrun challenges. TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, focuses on sodium-cooled fast reactors and has broken ground on a demonstration project in Wyoming, offering a different safety and fuel cycle approach. Kairos Power’s unique advantage lies in its molten salt coolant technology, which provides inherent safety and potential cost savings, but it faces risks due to a less mature regulatory pathway for non-light-water reactors and a longer timeline to commercialization compared to NuScale. ### Closing Note Kairos Power is at a promising yet early stage, with active construction of its Hermes demonstration reactor and strong backing from tech and utility partners, signaling a positive trajectory toward commercial nuclear innovation. *Report generated December 24, 2025*