France – Dutch-French start-up Thorizon and EDF R&D have signed an agreement to move forward with the design of the Thorizon One molten salt reactor. EDF is reviewing Thorizon’s calculations and conducting further analysis to see how the reactor can fit into EDF’s plans.
The Thorizon One can produce 100 MW of electricity. The reactor is flexible to demand and can provide between 50 and 300 MW. The special feature of the Thorizon reactor is that it is made up of cartridges of molten salts. These are replaced every five to 10 years. The advantage of this over other molten salt reactors is that material corrosion is prevented and the volume of fuel used is smaller.
EDF is very interested in the application of cartridges. Therefore, the company is also supporting the start-up through the France 2030 program. Thorizon is excited to work with EDF because it has the most knowledge about nuclear energy worldwide. The start-up therefore hopes to realize its technology with EDF in the future as an addition to other developments in the field of nuclear energy.
Thorizon originated as a spin-off from NRG. The company now has offices in Amsterdam and Lyon. The start-up focuses on developing small modular nuclear reactors based on molten salt technology. In doing so, it uses nuclear waste with a long half-life as fuel. The company is working on the development of a demonstration plant. To this end, it receives support from several companies, including Orano, Tractebel and EDF. It also receives support from the French state through the France 2030 program.
