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The mission of the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of meeting the nation's energy, environmental and national security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, proliferation resistance, and security barriers through research, development and demonstration ﴾RD&D﴿.
Accomplishing this mission will realize the enormous potential of nuclear energy and maintain the United States' historic leadership in the field. While many innovative ideas exist, the research, development and demonstration ﴾RD&D﴿ needed to bring these concepts to a commercial readiness level is traditionally lengthy and expensive.
Therefore, DOE-NE has established the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) to provide the nuclear community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued safe, reliable, and economic operation of the existing nuclear fleet.
Capabilities
Through GAIN, DOE is making its state-of-the-art and continuously improving RD&D infrastructure available to stakeholders to achieve faster and cost-effective development of innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercial readiness. The capabilities accessible through GAIN include: -
Experimental capabilities with primary emphasis on nuclear and radiological facilities but also including other testing capabilities (e.g., thermal-hydraulic loops, control systems testing, etc.)
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Computational capabilities along with state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools
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Information and data through knowledge and validation center
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Land use and site information for demonstration facilities
Why is GAIN needed?
The facilities needed to conduct the necessary RD&D activities are very expensive to develop and maintain. Facilities at government sites have not been easily accessible by the entities trying to commercialize creative systems and components.
Additionally, the regulatory framework for novel ideas needs to be streamlined, with a clear, defined set of requirements for licensing concepts. Reducing the uncertainties and financial risks of achieving technical readiness and licensing will help spur further investment in innovative nuclear energy technologies.
FACT SHEET: Obama Administration Announces Actions to Ensure that Nuclear Energy Remains a Vibrant Component of the Unites States' Clean Energy Strategy November 06, 2015
As detailed in the Climate Action Plan, President Obama is committed to using every appropriate tool to combat climate change. Nuclear power, which in 2014 generated about 60 percent of carbon-free electricity in the United States, continues to play a major role in efforts to reduce carbon emission from the power sector. As America leads the global transition to a low-carbon economy, the continued development of new and advanced nuclear technologies along with support for currently operating nuclear power plants is an important component of our clean energy strategy. Investing in the safe and secure development of nuclear power also helps advance other vital policy objectives in the national interest, such as maintaining economic competitiveness and job creation, as well as enhancing nuclear nonproliferation efforts, nuclear safety and security, and energy security.
 READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT |
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