What ppl think we're saying:
“We’re the first to build nuclear hardware in a factory.”
This is of course not true.
What we're actually saying:
“We’re the first to build a fully vertically integrated factory that outputs nuclear power plants. Raw materials in, completed modules out.”
Vogtle and Westinghouse rely on subcontracting, working with dozens of suppliers, each with their own factory. This makes final on-site integration a challenge.
PM-1 was the closest thing to full vertical integration in the past. It was made in a single factory (by Martin Company) and deployed as a complete set of modules.
But this was a ~1 MWe system for military.
The Aalo Pod is a 50 MWe system for AI data centers.
Vertical integration to this extent is VERY hard to pull off. It requires a lot of talented engineers, a lot of capital, and a lot of customer demand. Michael is right that failure is more than just a possible outcome.
But for the first time in the 70 year history of nuclear, the right set of conditions are present to make it even remotely possible to pull this off.
If we do, we'll have a holy-grail product: Nuclear that can be deployed predictably, for low cost, anywhere.
The benefit that this would bring to humanity would be immense.
You think HOLTEC hasn't been rolling plates into cylinders for the last 20 years? You think Westinghouse couldn't do that? You will build 100% of 0 reactors a year. you're just looking to cash-in. When's the IPO Matt? Love the haircut. That'll sell reactors. You know nothing