Development of Supercritical CO2 Generator Systems
On August 12, 2023, Elemental Nuclear Energy, together with Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that it is developing power generation systems around a closed Brayton cycle using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2). The goal is to deliver local electricity to data centers, industrial facilities, microgrids, and critical defense sites without relying on the wider power grid. This initiative taps into a growing need for cleaner, decentralized energy options for both civilian and military customers.
Instead of steam, the new machines will use carbon dioxide in a supercritical state. The first phase of the partnership is a 1-megawatt electricity system, scheduled for completion by 2027, which will run on natural gas and waste heat. Commercial deliveries of the baseline version are expected to begin in 2028.
What Comes After the First-Generation System
Next on the roadmap is a 10-megawatt system capable of using multiple heat sources, including Elemental’s ISTR nuclear reactor. Sandia National Laboratories will contribute a testing facility and its expertise in Brayton-cycle systems to support the project.
The technology’s key advantage is that it can be placed directly at the point of consumption, giving users independence from the grid. Partners involved in this effort are:
- Elemental Nuclear Energy
- Sandia National Laboratories
- U.S. Department of Energy
Supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton-cycle generators represent a meaningful step toward energy independence and greater efficiency in power generation. Because sCO2 systems can lower carbon emissions and boost plant performance, they align with broader global efforts to address climate change.
The project also points to a future where local power sources play a larger role in industrial and infrastructure development, potentially reshaping how critical facilities secure reliable electricity.