Energy Department funds nuclear project innovations

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) has granted $15 million to fund selectees for multiple domestic advanced nuclear technology projects.

Three projects in three states will receive varying amounts for their efforts, noting the projects are cost-shared and enable industry-led teams, including participants from federal agencies, public and private laboratories, institutions of higher education and other domestic entities, to advance the state of the nation’s commercial nuclear capability.

“Several companies are working on technologies to make the next generation of nuclear reactors highly competitive, and private-public partnerships will be key to successfully developing innovative domestic nuclear technologies,” Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. “The Trump Administration is committed to reviving and revitalizing the U.S. nuclear industry.”

The three funding pathways involve First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) Nuclear Demonstration Readiness Projects, Advanced Reactor Development Projects, and Regulatory Assistance Grants.

Two projects selected under the Advanced Reactor Development Projects program include the LWR Integrated Energy Systems Interface Technology Development & Demonstration and the Application of Machine Learning for Enhanced Diagnostic and Prognostic Capabilities of Nuclear Power Plant Assets.

The Advanced Fuel Qualification Methodology Report for TerraPower Traveling Wave Reactor was selected under the Regulatory Assistance Grant pathway.

NE funds research, development, and demonstration projects to reduce the risk and cost of advanced nuclear technologies to improve nuclear energy’s contribution to meeting the nation’s economic, energy security, and environmental challenges.