Apollo Atomics Aims to Cut Nuclear Power Costs with Compact Design

By Adrian Cole

Apollo Atomics, a Y Combinator alumnus, is focusing on shrinking a key component of nuclear reactors to reduce electricity costs. The startup's innovation involves a Compact Steam Generator (CSG) that is significantly smaller than traditional models, enabling a 40-fold reduction in overall plant size.

The company aims to cut electricity generation costs to approximately 3 cents per kilowatt-hour, potentially undercutting natural gas. Apollo Atomics plans to build and commission a 300 MWe reactor within 24 months, with costs projected to be four to five times lower than existing designs.

Development is underway with a small 40 kW demonstrator at MIT, and the company has submitted a regulatory engagement plan to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Apollo Atomics has secured $26 million in seed funding and reports 20 GW of signed letters of intent from potential customers.