Oak Ridge National Laboratory Archives

Investigating Moisture Carryover Behavior

Constellation proposes to partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to apply high-fidelity multiphysics modeling and high-performance computing to improve predictive understanding of MCO phenomena. ORNL will utilize the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) and complementary computational fluid dynamics simulations to analyze historical operating cycles and identify core- and bundle-level mechanisms driving carryover.

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Uncertainty Quantification and Sensitivity Analysis Support

NANO proposes to partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to apply the SCALE/TSUNAMI code suite to quantify the impact of nuclear data, modeling assumptions, and operational parameters on key reactor physics metrics, including reactivity, power distribution, and temperature coefficients. ORNL’s NRC-recognized analytical tools and expertise will enable development of a validated UQ framework tailored to the KRONOS design.

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GAIN Announces Second Round FY 2026 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

April 1, 2026 DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. This is the 2nd round of GAIN vouchers awarded for fiscal year 2026. The businesses selected to receive a GAIN nuclear energy voucher for Round 2 FY 2026 are: Constellation Energy, Kennet Square, PA; NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., New York, NY; and NuCube Energy, Inc. Idaho Falls, ID.

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Development of High-Purity Graphite Matrix for Nuclear TRISO Fuel

Orbia Fluor will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to produce and test Orbia produced purified graphite feedstock for use in nuclear applications. ORNL has unique capabilities for TRISO relevant graphite matrix fabrication, machining, and nuclear materials testing under qualified procedures. Under this project, Orbia will produce purified feedstock powders and graphite matrix with the support of ORNL and then ORNL will test the produced graphite to assess the viability of meeting nuclear standards. This work will help build domestic capabilities to purify graphite feedstock for nuclear energy.

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AI-Guided Fuel Management for a 12-Unit Small Modular Nuclear Plant

NuScale will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to utilize the artificial intelligence (AI) enabled nuclear design framework for the 12-reactor design challenge by strategically exploring the vast design space and reducing the computational time required for the reactor simulations. ORNL has significant expertise in AI, fuel management, and computational resources. Reduced front end and back-end fuel costs can make nuclear energy more competitive in the marketplace.

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GAIN Announces First Round FY 2026 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

December 18, 2026 – TDOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. GAIN voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards. Vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges. All awardees are responsible for a minimum 20 percent cost share, which could be an in-kind contribution. This marks the 1st round of GAIN vouchers awarded for fiscal year 2026.

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EnergyHQ Advanced Nuclear Reactor and Data Center Colocation

EnergyHQ will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The project will use the Oak Ridge Siting Analysis for power Generation Expansion (OR-SAGE) tool to supplement EnergyHQ’s existing criteria for siting data centers. The result will be the identification of multiple sites, which are technology-agnostic, that could support site selection strategies for data centers. EnergyHQ can then work to develop those sites for nuclear and data center development.

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Adding Nuclear to the Mix: Feasibility Study

CSU will partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for techno-economic analysis with decision modeling and with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the water availability and optimal usage analyses. The study will also assess the feasibility and application of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the CSU service territory.

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2025 Molten Salt Reactor Workshop

ORNL’s annual Molten Salt Reactor Workshop is the leading forum to discuss the latest MSR research and development programs, technology advancements, international collaborations, and the progress of demonstration efforts. Please join us this year for an exciting and informative program, active discussions that advance our understanding of our challenges and opportunities, and networking that builds the partnerships essential to our future.

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GAIN Announces Fourth Round FY 2025 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

November 20, 2025,
DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. GAIN voucher recipients do not receive direct financial awards. Vouchers provide funding to DOE laboratories to help businesses overcome critical technological and commercialization challenges. All awardees are responsible for a minimum 20 percent cost share, which could be an in-kind contribution. This marks the fourth and final round of GAIN vouchers awarded for fiscal year 2025. Please visit the GAIN website for more information on upcoming award rounds.

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