Helium reactors [a type of High Temperature Gas Reactor or (HTGR)] use helium as the nuclear fuel coolant and energy transfer to a steam generator used to spin a turbine couple to an electric generator. Helium is not used as an energy storage medium, but for energy transfer in lieu of water currently used in most commercial operating reactors. That said Terrapower and GE Hitachi are teaming to develop a molten salt cooled fast reactor with the capability of temporarily storing a significant amount of energy during periods of low electrical loads for subsequent use during peak power demands.
Helium reactors [a type of High Temperature Gas Reactor or (HTGR)] use helium as the nuclear fuel coolant and energy transfer to a steam generator used to spin a turbine couple to an electric generator. Helium is not used as an energy storage medium, but for energy transfer in lieu of water currently used in most commercial operating reactors. That said Terrapower and GE Hitachi are teaming to develop a molten salt cooled fast reactor with the capability of temporarily storing a significant amount of energy during periods of low electrical loads for subsequent use during peak power demands.