A rendering of the Helium Test Facility. Photo: ARCO/Murray
Naperville, IL - Kinectrics, a leading global provider of testing and engineering services to the electricity industry, has acquired 15 acres of land in Oak Ridge, Tennessee that will expand on its advanced nuclear services and support the growing demand for sustainable, clean energy.
This exciting announcement represents a crucial step forward in Kinectrics’ plan to build Helius, a world-class campus that will enable innovation in clean energy with a focus on the development, testing and qualification of technologies.
The land was purchased from the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board (ORIDB) and sits in the Horizon Center, located in the heart of Tennessee’s Technology Corridor. Strong support from local organizations like the ORIDB and Congressional leaders were deciding factors for Kinectrics locating the site in Oak Ridge.
Kinectrics’ first endeavor at this site will be a Helium Test Facility (HTF) to support testing and design validation for X-energy’s Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor as a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (“ARDP”). ARDP is a cost-shared federal funding program for the demonstration of a first-of-a-kind commercial advanced nuclear plant.
This facility will operate a high-temperature, high-pressure, high-purity helium test loop environment — a first-of-its-kind in the United States. Kinectrics has also begun the facility design, with the building design being developed by ARCO/Murray, who brings over 30 years of experience building facilities in North America. With construction set to start in early 2024, the HTF is expected to begin operations by the end of 2025 and will initially provide local job opportunities for approximately 25 people.
I’m happy to welcome Kinectrics to Oak Ridge. Kinectrics’ decision to build their Helius facility in Oak Ridge and invest in the community shows how East Tennessee is leading America and the world in advancing energy research, technologies, and innovation. Companies like Kinectrics continue to choose to invest in East Tennessee because of our commitment to empowering industry and working with private partners to make the energy solutions of the future today’s reality.
This new location will enable Kinectrics to work closely with X-energy to provide comprehensive testing and the critical infrastructure needed to support the commercialization of the Xe-100. The Oak Ridge land acquisition is an important step in Kinectrics’ vision to be part of the clean energy future – a site where we can expand our support of new technologies and enhance the value we bring to advanced nuclear clients.
The HTF will be a critical part of bringing our technology to market and delivering the first Xe-100 plant at Dow’s Seadrift, Texas, site as a part of ARDP. Combined with our TRISO-X nuclear fuel fabrication facility, we’re proud that our expanded efforts in Oak Ridge with Kinectrics will help to solidify East Tennessee as a leader in the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technology.
Oak Ridge is a hub for advanced nuclear innovators such as Kinectrics. We are excited to welcome and add such an impressive company to Horizon Center, the ideal location for their new test facility, as they work to create new, efficient and clean energy solutions for our future.
Kinectrics is the category leader in providing lifecycle management services for the electricity industry. Trusted by clients worldwide, our expertise in engineering, testing, inspection, and certification is backed by our independent laboratory and testing facilities, a diverse fleet of field inspection equipment and an award-winning team of over 1,200 engineers and technical experts. From initial design and type testing to operational deployment and maintenance services, Kinectrics collaborates closely with customers to ensure that utility assets perform safely, reliably and efficiently throughout their entire lifecycle.
