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Hyperion Power Generation, which is designing a small, 25 MWe, nuclear reactor, revealed design details Nov 18 (slides) about the company's product at the winter meeting of the American Nuclear Society taking place in Washington, DC. This is the first release of reactor design information by the company. It marks the kick-off of the firm's pre-application process with the NRC for safety analysis review that leads to a reactor design certification decision by the agency.

Hyperion Power Generation, which is designing a small, 25 MWe, nuclear reactor, revealed design details Nov 18 (slides) about the company's product at the winter meeting of the American Nuclear Society taking place in Washington, DC. This is the first release of reactor design information by the company. It marks the kick-off of the firm's pre-application process with the NRC for safety analysis review that leads to a reactor design certification decision by the agency.

About nine months ago we reported on a portable nuclear power generator made by Hyperion Power Generation which we dubbed a "nuclear hot tub" because of it's size. We weren't overly keen on the idea and comments ranged from incredulous to defensive. The executive director of the Los Alamos Study Group wasn't exactly supportive either: "The whole idea is loony and not worthy of much attention. Of course, factoring in enough cronyism, corruption and official ignorance and boosterism, it's possible the principals could make some money during the initial stages, before the crows come home to roost."

The idea of nuclear-in-a-box sounds like a joke, but investors and potential customers are taking Hyperion Power Generation very seriously - the company is valued at a whopping $100 million by investors, according to the Denver Post. The company is backed by Altira Group, and though Hyperion hasn't disclosed how much financing it has raised to date, CEO John "Grizz" Deal told us he is looking to raise a Series B round of funding, with plans to raise a Series C in about two years. Although nuclear power produces radioactive waste, it doesn't release greenhouse gases and it has vocal supporters in the new administration, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu. So it's not so far-fetched for investors to see the potential of Hyperion's nuclear option.

Imagine powering your home with a mini nuclear plant. Imagine that's it's not just a pipe dream. Scientists at Los Alamos in New Mexico say the plants will be on sale within five years. Hyperion Power Generation, based in New Mexico, said it's already taking orders and will start mass production of its Hyperion Power Module within the same time frame.

"Manufacturers of refrigerator-sized nuclear reactors will seek approval from U.S. authorities within a year to help supply the world's growing electricity demand. John Deal, chief executive officer of Hyperion Power Generation Inc., intends to apply for a license "within a year" for plants that would power a small factory or town too remote for traditional utility grid connections. The Santa Fe, New Mexico-based company and Japan's Toshiba Corp. are vying for a head start over reactor makers General Electric Co. and Areva SA in downsizing nuclear technology and aim to submit license applications in the next year to U.S. regulators. They're seeking to tap a market that has generated about $135 billion in pending orders for large nuclear plants. "