Apr 30, 2025
Collaboration to expedite the advancement of Blykalla SMR.
Swedish lead-cooled small modular reactor technology developer Blykalla has partnered with Norway's Institute of Energy Technology (IFE) to advance the technical development of Blykalla's SEALER reactor.
Blykalla, previously known as LeadCold, originated as a spin-off from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where lead-cooled reactor systems have been in development since 1996. Established in 2013 as a joint stock company, Blykalla is focused on creating the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) lead-cooled SMR.
The collaboration with IFE will target several crucial areas necessary for scaling the SEALER from prototype to commercial readiness, including the development of control room and operator environments, and designing instrumentation and control systems for remote and autonomous operation. IFE will also assist in engineering core mechanical components, such as shutdown assemblies and fuel handling systems, while ensuring radiation shielding meets stringent regulatory standards.
Prototype development and component testing will be key components of this collaboration, aimed at enhancing the instrumentation of core, primary, and auxiliary systems, while minimizing technical risks linked to licensing and deployment. Blykalla and IFE aim to expedite the shift from low technology readiness levels to the industrial standards required for commercial rollout.
Initial joint efforts will occur in Sweden and Norway, with subsequent phases aligned to SEALER's licensing and industrialization schedule.
Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman stated, "We're proud to work with the renowned research institute IFE. Strengthening Scandinavian collaboration feels vital at a time when technological independence is crucial for industrial growth and sustainability. Partnerships can significantly impact bringing new technologies to market and ensuring a clean energy future for our region."
Bjørn Axel Gran, vice president at IFE Nuclear, remarked, "We are glad that our expertise will be utilized in the next phase of the nuclear sector. Our partnership with Blykalla allows them to translate research into innovation and provides us with insights into future research needs."
Blykalla plans to build its first reactor, SEALER-One, in Sweden, which will serve as a demonstration of its technology and provide steam for industrial customers for applications like decarbonized biochar production. The goal is to achieve criticality of SEALER-One by 2029, with a letter of intent signed with nuclear operator Studsvik to develop it in Nyköping, Sweden, and licensing work is currently in progress.
Long-term, Blykalla intends to deploy up to 1,000 SMRs by 2050, supplying 500 TWh of clean energy annually to industrial users unable to rely on inconsistent power sources. SEALER aims to support sectors like hydrogen production, process heat, and pyrolysis, potentially reducing global carbon dioxide emissions while ensuring industrial resilience and growth.
In February, Blykalla and Norwegian nuclear developer Norsk Kjernekraft signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on deploying SEALER in Scandinavia. This MoU includes evaluating the business case for integrating SEALER into Norsk Kjernekraft's developing power plant projects, assessing site suitability, regulatory pathways, and economic feasibility for deployment in Norway. The agreement also covers collaboration on licensing, financing, construction, and operational aspects of SEALER-One in Sweden.
Blykalla, previously known as LeadCold, originated as a spin-off from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where lead-cooled reactor systems have been in development since 1996. Established in 2013 as a joint stock company, Blykalla is focused on creating the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) lead-cooled SMR.
The collaboration with IFE will target several crucial areas necessary for scaling the SEALER from prototype to commercial readiness, including the development of control room and operator environments, and designing instrumentation and control systems for remote and autonomous operation. IFE will also assist in engineering core mechanical components, such as shutdown assemblies and fuel handling systems, while ensuring radiation shielding meets stringent regulatory standards.
Prototype development and component testing will be key components of this collaboration, aimed at enhancing the instrumentation of core, primary, and auxiliary systems, while minimizing technical risks linked to licensing and deployment. Blykalla and IFE aim to expedite the shift from low technology readiness levels to the industrial standards required for commercial rollout.
Initial joint efforts will occur in Sweden and Norway, with subsequent phases aligned to SEALER's licensing and industrialization schedule.
Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman stated, "We're proud to work with the renowned research institute IFE. Strengthening Scandinavian collaboration feels vital at a time when technological independence is crucial for industrial growth and sustainability. Partnerships can significantly impact bringing new technologies to market and ensuring a clean energy future for our region."
Bjørn Axel Gran, vice president at IFE Nuclear, remarked, "We are glad that our expertise will be utilized in the next phase of the nuclear sector. Our partnership with Blykalla allows them to translate research into innovation and provides us with insights into future research needs."
Blykalla plans to build its first reactor, SEALER-One, in Sweden, which will serve as a demonstration of its technology and provide steam for industrial customers for applications like decarbonized biochar production. The goal is to achieve criticality of SEALER-One by 2029, with a letter of intent signed with nuclear operator Studsvik to develop it in Nyköping, Sweden, and licensing work is currently in progress.
Long-term, Blykalla intends to deploy up to 1,000 SMRs by 2050, supplying 500 TWh of clean energy annually to industrial users unable to rely on inconsistent power sources. SEALER aims to support sectors like hydrogen production, process heat, and pyrolysis, potentially reducing global carbon dioxide emissions while ensuring industrial resilience and growth.
In February, Blykalla and Norwegian nuclear developer Norsk Kjernekraft signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on deploying SEALER in Scandinavia. This MoU includes evaluating the business case for integrating SEALER into Norsk Kjernekraft's developing power plant projects, assessing site suitability, regulatory pathways, and economic feasibility for deployment in Norway. The agreement also covers collaboration on licensing, financing, construction, and operational aspects of SEALER-One in Sweden.