Oklo’s Innovative Fast Reactor Seeks To Power U.S. Clean Energy Future with DOE Support – ( $OKLO $XLE )

Published Oct 10, 2025
Agriculture & Energy
Market News

By John F. Heerdink, Jr.

Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO), an advanced nuclear technology company based in Santa Clara, California, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a pivotal initiative to pilot advanced nuclear fuel line projects. This selection, conducted under the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program, signals a substantial vote of confidence in Oklo’s technology and business model.

DOE GAIN Voucher and Project Scope

The GAIN voucher awarded to Oklo provides access to the DOE’s national laboratory resources rather than direct financial grants. The collaboration will leverage Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) research capabilities to advance the design and construction of an experimental test device for Oklo’s Aurora fast reactor. The specific aim is to enable irradiation testing of innovative advanced fuels and reactor materials—an essential step for Oklo to sharpen its competitive edge and accelerate commercialization.

GAIN voucher participants commit to a minimum 20% cost share, typically fulfilled via in-kind contributions. These awards are part of the DOE’s broader effort to move advanced nuclear designs toward commercial viability while ensuring operational efficiency and enhanced safety.

Oklo’s Aurora Fast Reactor Technology

Oklo’s flagship Aurora powerhouse is a compact, advanced fast reactor designed to deliver clean, reliable electricity at a fraction of traditional nuclear facilities’ scale. With a capacity of up to 75 megawatts of electric power, the Aurora is engineered for inherent safety—featuring self-stabilizing and self-controlling mechanisms, and natural cooling that enables it to be “walk-away safe.” The Aurora is based on liquid-metal-cooled, metal-fueled fast reactor technology, drawing on decades of operating experience from early U.S. experimental breeder reactors.

One of Oklo’s unique innovations is its plan to recycle used nuclear fuel, using waste as a resource for generating new energy. Oklo’s reactor can utilize spent fuel from previous generations of reactors, a concept demonstrated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II program. The ability to use this recycled fuel not only addresses waste management concerns but also improves the economics and sustainability of their advanced fission plants.

Company Background and Strategic Position

Founded in 2013, Oklo has steadily positioned itself as a leader in next-generation nuclear power, with headquarters in Santa Clara and over 100 employees led by CEO Jacob Dewitte. The company holds the distinction of being the first recipient of a site use permit from the DOE for a commercial advanced fission plant and has already broken ground on its first Aurora powerhouse at INL.

Oklo’s reactors are targeted not just at utilities, but also industrial sites, data centers, and even college campuses seeking reliable, carbon-free baseload power. By pioneering regulatory pathways and piloting innovative technology in partnership with DOE, Oklo is helping to forge a new frontier for the nuclear industry in the United States.

Broader Industry Impact

The DOE’s GAIN voucher program is central to expediting the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies by engaging private companies like Oklo with national lab expertise and infrastructure. Oklo’s project is one of several recent awards under the GAIN initiative, all aiming to restore U.S. leadership in nuclear innovation and strengthen the reliability and flexibility of the national energy grid.

The Sum…

In summary, Oklo Inc.’s (NYSE: OKLO) selection by the DOE for advanced nuclear fuel liner pilot projects underscores its role as a vanguard in nuclear energy innovation. The company’s Aurora reactor, underpinned by time-tested safety and fuel recycling technology, could prove instrumental in advancing both U.S. energy security and the transition to a cleaner grid.