9 SMR reactors, fast reactors, high- temperature gas-cooled reactors, test reactors, a U.S. Department of Defense reactor, molten salt reactors, micro reactors and fusion projects. Assessing advanced reactor fuel performance A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Ltd. of South Africa enables INL to conduct post-irradiation examination and safety testing of PBMR nuclear fuel. Four compacts containing Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) coated particle fuel were irradiated in INL’s Advanced Test Reactor. The testing and examination will help assess fuel performance during high-temperature reactor accident conditions. Fortifying reliability with microgrids A northern California Native American reservation launched a community microgrid built in collaboration with INL. The Blue Lake Rancheria microgrid provides resilience to the power supply in the area, which is also a designated Red Cross evacuation route. Pacific Gas & Electric, an industry partner in the project, nominated it for a “Projects of the Year Award,” an honor sponsored by the publications Power Engineering and Renewable Energy World. The projects are selected based on technological innovation, local impact, logistical challenges and creativity, and capacity. Testing for a California microgrid was conducted at INL’s Power and Energy Real-Time Laboratory. “One of the lessons learned in this project is the absolutely essential role of testing at INL.” — Jana Ganion, Blue Lake Rancheria Sustainability Director