Could compact nuclear reactors soon power campuses and industries? A key regulatory milestone has brought this advanced microreactor significantly closer to real-world deployment.
NANO Nuclear Energy has announced that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has begun the formal review of the Construction Permit Application (CPA) for its KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor (MMR), marking a significant step towards deploying the reactor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The review follows the NRC’s acceptance of the application in May 2026 and signals progress in the licensing process.
The KRONOS MMR is a Generation IV, high-temperature gas-cooled microreactor designed to deliver approximately 15MWe of clean and reliable power. It uses TRISO fuel, helium cooling and a graphite moderator, making it suitable for applications including data centres, industrial facilities, military installations, remote communities and mining operations.
According to the NRC, the formal review will assess the project’s environmental, safety and technical documentation before any construction approval is granted. The agency expects the environmental assessment to be completed in spring 2027, followed by the safety evaluation later the same year.
The company stated that the latest milestone aligns with its previously announced timeline, which anticipates completion of the NRC review during 2027. Subject to regulatory approvals and customary project requirements, construction of the research reactor could begin in the second half of that year.
Company officials said the commencement of the review demonstrates continued progress for the KRONOS programme and provides greater clarity on the regulatory roadmap. If approved, the project could become one of the first university-based deployments of an advanced micro modular reactor in the United States, supporting research while showcasing compact nuclear technology for future commercial energy applications.
