Tour participants gather in front of the National Reactor Innovation Center's DOME, which will be a testbed for advanced microreactor experiments up to 20 megawatts thermal power. The DOME originally housed a nuclear reactor that generated electricity.
On May 19, 2025, a team of engineers, communicators, and planners from Basin Electric traveled to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to visit the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), one of 17 U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. Located on an 890-square-mile site, INL is renowned for its pioneering work in nuclear reactor technology, including generating the first usable nuclear electricity in 1951.
The INL specializes in nuclear energy research, development, and testing, as well as broader work in clean energy and national security. Its capabilities include unique test facilities, extensive experience in nuclear operations, and leadership in electric vehicle battery research, hybrid energy systems, and bioenergy advancements.
The MFC focuses on nuclear materials research, fuel fabrication, and advanced characterization of irradiated fuels and materials. The tour included stops at the Zero Power Physics Reactor, the Sample Preparation Laboratory, and the Hot Fuel Examination Facility.
At the ESL, a 91,000-square-foot facility focused on integrated energy systems, energy storage, electric transportation, and hydrogen production, the group learned about INL’s use of science-based research and real-world data to test and simulate various technologies and methods.
Overview of the Idaho National Laboratory complex.
Matt Ehrman, vice president of Engineering and Construction, said, “It was great to tour the facilities and visit with the researchers and scientists that are directly involved with these technologies so that we can make better informed decisions for our members.”
“This trip gave us some insight into the vast world of technology research, specifically in the world of nuclear development,” Gavin McCollam, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said. “It was interesting to hear about various experiments that, left unto themselves, seem very remote, but when results of a series of related experiments are put together, the vision of a commercial product can be seen.”
The Sample Preparation Laboratory provides sample preparation, mechanical testing, and structural analysis for nuclear materials research.
McCollam was particularly interested in INL’s take on the race to develop small modular reactors. “They have a front row seat by serving technology providers with research services that help the technology grow. As Basin Electric continues to learn about advanced class nuclear energy, the work that INL conducts, and the expertise they have, can provide us with more information to help guide our decisions.”
Interest continues to grow in nuclear energy, with utilities and tech companies increasingly exploring or investing in the field. Basin Electric as a cooperative G&T continuously monitors and pursues various technologies to ensure members are provided with reliable and affordable power, and nuclear is just one of those technologies to keep an eye on.
As facilities become operational, Basin Electric will watch closely to see which technology providers emerge as potential commercial options. “We are not in the position to be on the cutting edge of this technology race – in fact we are happy to learn from others to gain enough information to make informed decisions on how this might fit in our portfolio of the future,” McCollam said. How long until Basin Electric plans to add nuclear to its portfolio is uncertain. McCollam said the cooperative probably won't pursue this technology until the mid 2040s.
The advanced nuclear technologies are still unproven for commercial applications and there are many competing designs. The fuel supply chain, manufacturing, and other resources also need to be developed. “Time will tell how nuclear will fit into Basin’s energy strategy in the future, so it’s important that we continue to monitor the technology and visit with INL and other industry partners,” Ehrman said.
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