Idaho National Laboratory

Our Leadership Role

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Secretary Bodman speaks with employees at DOE's Fermi National Accelerator Lab in April 2006.

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) lead laboratory for nuclear energy research since 2002. That distinction was earned through INL's continual contributions to the nation's energy security and environmental quality by developing and demonstrating advanced, sustainable, safe and economic nuclear energy and fuel cycle technologies.

The nation's confidence in INL has prompted heading major programs at INL regarding the U.S. nuclear energy development:

The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)

Under President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative, this clean-energy Partnership would demonstrate the critical technologies needed to change the way nuclear fuel is managed – to build recycling technologies that enhance energy security in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, while simultaneously promoting non-proliferation.

Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI)

This initiative aims to develop new ways to treat and reduce the amount of nuclear waste generated by the operation of commercial nuclear power plants. AFCI web site

Generation IV Nuclear Power (Gen IV)

INL serves as the Command Center for Gen IV nuclear systems research, assuming full application of capabilities in industry, universities, other labs and overseas organizations in an effort to develop and deploy promising, advanced, next-generation reactor and fuel cycle technologies by 2030. Gen IV web site

Radioisotope Power Systems

In 2005, INL assembled a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator for the New Horizons mission to Pluto. Radioisotope Power Systems are used for spacecraft as well as top-secret power systems assignments for the U.S. Military. Radioisotope Power Systems Fact Sheet ( 202kB PDF)

Nuclear Hydrogen

Scientists at INL have broken ground for future, large-scale production of hydrogen. High Temperature Electrolysis is leading the way to mass production of hydrogen. The goal is to use nuclear energy to create hydrogen, thus weaning the nation from its oil addiction.

Additional INL initiatives include:

Develop, test and demonstrate proliferation-resistant fission and fusion power systems.
Develop, test and demonstrate technologies and systems that enhance the safe transportation, management and storage of spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear materials.
Develop, test and demonstrate advanced fuel-cycle technologies and optimize the national repository at Yucca Mountain.
Conduct basic and applied research in subsurface science and engineering to advance the cleanup and monitoring of contaminated sites.
Use the broad scientific and engineering capabilities of the laboratory to support DOE’s three challenge areas: expanding energy, ensuring defense and advancing science.