A nuclear reactor the size of a couple of hot tubs that could power a town the size of Lexington — and be portable — could be made a little more than an hour from Columbia.

A New Mexico company, Hyperion Power Generation, has announced a partnership with the Savannah River National Laboratory that could lead to building mini-reactors at the site near Aiken.

The mini-reactors could power military bases and large industrial plants or serve as large-scale backup power generators. The reactors would be buried 33 feet in the ground and provide enough energy for the equivalent of 20,000 homes, said Deborah Blackwell, Hyperion’s policy director. They could be removed after cooling off after several months and moved to another site, she said.

Once production starts, the plant could employ 200 to 500, Blackwell said.

While the first mini-reactor is years away, the partnership is a sign of how the 60-year-old Savannah River Site is looking to find new business as it works to draw down its stores of Cold War-era nuclear weapons fuel.

A year ago, Savannah River National Solutions, a consortium of private firms that operates the site for the Department of Energy, announced plans for the U.S. Energy Freedom Center, dedicated to luring renewable power firms that help cut the nation’s oil dependence.

The center wants to attract hydrogen fuel cell, biomass and nuclear energy companies, said Pete Knollmeyer, vice president of strategic planning at Savannah River National Solutions.

Hyperion, a Santa Fe, N.M., firm started by entrepreneurs who have worked with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is the first firm to join the Savannah River’s energy center.

Hyperion impressed Savannah River National Solutions officials because the company came showing the technology first instead of asking for money, Knollmeyer said: “They were not looking for a hand out from us or the government.”

Blackwell would not say how much money the company has raised, but the company has enough to build a prototype that would cost about $50 million.

Details about the collaboration between Hyperion and Savannah River are being worked out, but the company is looking for land and expertise of scientists and engineers from the site, Knollmeyer said.

Hyperion also could use some of the site’s nuclear fuel that the government currently must pay to get rid of, he said.

Still, the mini-reactors need to get approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a process that could take years.

The commission does not have funding to test new nuclear technologies, spokesman Scott Burnell said. The money is dedicated to vetting new large nuclear reactors, such as those going into S.C. Electric & Gas’ V.C. Summer plant in Fairfield County.

The earliest funding could come is late 2012, Burnell said. Reviews could take three to five years. And because Hyperion is considering a very new technology, “they’re not at the front of the line when we get to the reviews,” Burnell said. The NRC will first review reactors using technology in use now, he said.

The commission has had preliminary discussions with at least five firms interested in making mini-reactors, Burnell said.

As part of the review, the NRC will also want to talk to any customers wanting to buy the reactors. Hyperion said it has interest in the reactors but declined to name any potential customers.

However, by being on a Department of Energy site, Hyperion can build a prototype and power Savannah River as long as electric is not sent outside the complex, Knollmeyer said. The reactor also could produce isotopes used in medical procedures.

In the short term, Hyperion could open an office in Aiken County within six months, Knollmeyer said.

And Blackwell did not rule out the possibility Hyperion could move its headquarters from the Southwest to South Carolina.

Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2010/09/19/1471640/scs-nuclear-future.html#ixzz105WmjbPy

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Over the last couple of weeks I had the opportunity to interview the candidates for the upcoming class of Leadership North Augusta. They all chose to call North Augusta home. Don’t miss that last sentence – they have all chose to make North Augusta home. Half of the candidates work outside the city, yet they still choose to live here. The reason that many of them chose our town is the same reason that keeps many of us in North Augusta. North Augusta is uniquely positioned to offer the best of both worlds.

North Augusta offers the convenience of the big city, without having to compromise the character and charm of our small town. Everything that we could possibly need is at our fingertips, and yet we can walk into a grocery store, barber shop, restaurant or coffee shop and see a half dozen friends and neighbors. We have everything that makes the small town lifestyle so appealing, and yet we have options that are generally found in larger cities. We truly have the best of both worlds.

There are countless examples of thriving small towns across our country; all with a common thread tying them together. These communities have found their niche. They not only have accepted the fact that they are a small town, but they have embraced it. These small towns promote their slower pace, family friendly environment, and rich quality of life. Many of these towns still cannot begin to hold a candle to what North Augusta has to offer. We have small town charm with big city amenities situated along the beautiful Savannah River. North Augusta has more quality public space (The Greeneway, Riverview park, etc.) than any city our size that I am aware of. We have the absolute best of both worlds.

At this point, I need to switch clichés from the “We have the best of both worlds” to “If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward”. As I’ve said, North Augusta is already a phenomenal place to live and work, but we have much more potential. The question is, “how do we reach our full potential?”

There are three quick answers. First, we have to know who we are and where we want to go as a community. This is an internally focused goal, and will be discussed in much more detail in the coming months.

Second, we have to understand that because we are so uniquely positioned, we have a responsibility to be involved and engaged in regional issues. Many small towns exist as an island, a self-contained oasis in the middle of a more rural landscape. This is one thing that sets North Augusta apart from other small towns. North Augusta is one small part of the larger, very populated region. We cannot focus on North Augusta, and hope that everything else takes care of itself. There are a number of variables that contribute to the vitality of North Augusta and the larger region. The Savannah River Lock & Dam, Savannah River Site, Fort Gordon, state of the art medical facilities, etc. all contribute to the overall health of our region.

Third, please understand, nothing good just happens. All of the progress and positive growth in North Augusta has taken years of planning and several generations of committed North Augustans doing their part to bring us to where we are today. Our predecessors have handed over a great small town with charm and character and a bright future, but what now? What is our role? What is your role in making sure that North Augusta reaches its full potential?

I encourage you to get involved and do your part in making North Augusta everything it can be. There are a number of ways to help at the Chamber:
1. We need more members – we can’t do what we do without the support of area businesses.
2. We need more volunteers – the Chamber can’t do what we do without a lot of helping hands.
3. We need your input and feedback on the direction of our community.

Thank you for your continued support and participation, and please help us welcome our new members:

Berry’s Catering & Floral
Mr. Cal Berry
520 Reynolds Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 724-2171 or
berryscatering@att.net
www.berryscatering.com

West Avenue Barber Shop
Ms. Debra Paradis
512 West Avenue
(803) 278-0099 or
jparadis11@aol.com

Forrest McKie & Company
Ms. JoAnn McKie
919 Georgia Avenue
(803) 278-1523 or
formckie919@hotmail.com
www.forrestmckie.com