Oklo Collaborates with the U.S. DOE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to Advance Next Generation Materials Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) has announced its participation in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Voucher Program to support the evaluation and testing of advanced structural materials for its Aurora powerhouse. This initiative is part of the Technology Commercialization Fund, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

The collaboration aims to enhance manufacturing efficiencies, supply chain resilience, and overall scalability as Oklo accelerates the deployment of its commercial powerhouses. ENERGYWERX will manage the DOE's Voucher Program in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The project will leverage DOE-funded vouchers to conduct advanced material characterization and real-world testing to validate high-performance materials for Oklo's fast reactor designs. It builds on decades of operational data from fast reactor systems to optimize performance and manufacturing processes.

Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo, highlighted that the company has "14 gigawatts of announced customers and partners" in their pipeline, positioning them to address growing energy demands across diverse applications.

Positive

• Participation in DOE Voucher Program provides access to advanced testing facilities
• 14 gigawatts of announced customers and partners in pipeline
• Collaboration with DOE and National Laboratories enhances credibility
• Project leverages decades of operational data from fast reactor systems
• Government funding support through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act

Negative

• No specific timeline for Aurora powerhouse deployment mentioned
• No financial details or cost estimates for the project provided
• Unclear immediate revenue impact from the collaboration

Insights

Financial Analyst

Oklo's newly announced participation in the DOE Voucher Program represents a strategic R&D advancement that could enhance the company's competitive positioning in the advanced nuclear market. By collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on advanced materials testing, Oklo gains access to world-class facilities and expertise without significant capital expenditure - effectively leveraging government resources to accelerate its technology development roadmap.

The focus on materials development is particularly significant for investors for three key reasons:

• Materials selection directly impacts reactor safety certification, potentially streamlining Oklo's regulatory approval process
• Advanced materials can enhance thermal efficiency and operational lifespan, improving the long-term economics of Oklo's Aurora powerhouse
• Optimized manufacturing processes could substantially reduce production costs as Oklo scales toward commercial deployment

While this announcement won't impact near-term financials, it addresses a critical technical hurdle in Oklo's path to commercialization. The nuclear industry has historically faced challenges with materials degradation under extreme operating conditions - solving these issues through DOE-supported testing could significantly de-risk Oklo's technology proposition to both customers and investors.

The reference to 14 gigawatts of announced customers and partners deserves careful consideration. This represents substantial potential demand, but investors should recognize that converting this pipeline into firm orders depends on Oklo demonstrating technical readiness and economic competitiveness - precisely what this materials development program aims to advance.

In the competitive landscape, Oklo's ability to secure this DOE collaboration strengthens its position against other advanced nuclear developers like NuScale and X-Energy, who are pursuing similar paths to commercialization. The company's focus on fast reactor technology differentiates it from competitors primarily developing small modular light-water reactors, potentially offering advantages in fuel efficiency and waste reduction.

For long-term investors, this partnership signals Oklo's continued momentum in addressing technical challenges while maintaining strong government relationships - critical success factors in the capital-intensive, highly-regulated nuclear energy sector.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) (“Oklo”), an advanced nuclear technology company, has announced its participation in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Voucher Program, which is expected to support the evaluation and testing of advanced structural materials for Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse. The initiative, part of the Technology Commercialization Fund and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, aims to enhance efficiencies in manufacturing, supply chain, and overall scalability as Oklo accelerates the deployment of its commercial powerhouses. ENERGYWERX will manage the DOE’s Voucher Program in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory technicians and researchers perform work inside the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis Laboratory. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

This collaboration leverages DOE-funded vouchers to conduct advanced material characterization and real-world testing to validate high-performance materials that will support Oklo’s fast reactor designs. The project builds on decades of operational data from fast reactor systems to unlock additional performance, optimize manufacturing processes, and enhance supply chain robustness.

"We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with the DOE and National Laboratories, including this latest opportunity facilitated through the DOE’s Voucher Program," said Jacob DeWitte, Co-Founder and CEO of Oklo. "This project helps us refine proven fast reactor technologies to deliver scalable, cost-effective clean energy solutions that empower our customers to meet their energy goals sustainably. With 14 gigawatts of announced customers and partners in our pipeline, we believe we are well positioned to address growing energy demands across diverse applications."

The DOE’s Voucher Program connects companies like Oklo with National Laboratories to help advance research and develop activities. Through in-kind support, the program provides access to testing facilities, expert consultation, and analytical resources.

“Through connecting organizations to the support they need, we believe these collaborations will deliver clean energy solutions that benefit communities across the country,” said Dr. Vanessa Z. Chan, Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the DOE Office of Technology Transitions.

About Oklo Inc.: Oklo Inc. is developing fast fission power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. Oklo received a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, submitted the first advanced fission custom combined license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that express Oklo’s opinions, expectations, objectives, beliefs, plans, intentions, strategies, assumptions, forecasts or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the benefits of the DOE’s Voucher Program, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties.

As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo’s future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the deployment of Oklo’s powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; the potential need for financing to construct plants, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; the risk that the DOE’s Voucher Program fails to produce the expected benefits; changes in applicable laws or regulations; and the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Source: Oklo Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250225772376/en/

Media and Investor Contact for Oklo:

Bonita Chester, Head of Communications and Media at media@oklo.com

Investor Contact:

Sam Doane, Director of Investor Relations at investors@oklo.com

Source: Oklo Inc.

FAQ

What is Oklo's collaboration with the DOE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory about?

Oklo is collaborating with the DOE and Oak Ridge National Laboratory through the DOE Voucher Program to evaluate and test advanced structural materials for its Aurora powerhouse, enhancing manufacturing efficiencies and supply chain resilience for its fast reactor designs.

How will the DOE Voucher Program benefit Oklo's reactor development?

The program provides Oklo with access to testing facilities, expert consultation, and analytical resources to validate high-performance materials, optimize manufacturing processes, and enhance supply chain robustness for its fast reactor designs.

What is the current size of Oklo's customer pipeline as mentioned in the press release?

According to CEO Jacob DeWitte, Oklo has 14 gigawatts of announced customers and partners in their pipeline, positioning them to address growing energy demands across diverse applications.

How is the DOE Voucher Program that Oklo is participating in funded?

The DOE Voucher Program is part of the Technology Commercialization Fund and is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Who will manage the DOE Voucher Program that Oklo is participating in?

ENERGYWERX will manage the DOE's Voucher Program in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.