Nuclear powerSmall modular nuclear reactor may come to South Carolina
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) recently announced federal award totaling up to $452 million to support engineering, design certification, and licensing for up to two first-of-its kind small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) designs; a South Carolina-based organization dedicated to promoting innovative nuclear power generation wants to bring one such SMR to the state
Columbia, South Carolina-based NuHub the other day announced that it has partnered withCorvallis, Oregon-based NuScale Power, LLC, which is developing a modular, scalable commercial nuclear power technology, to bring the U.S. first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) models to South Carolina. NuScale will compete for one of two federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) recently announced federal award totaling up to $452 million to support engineering, design certification, and licensing for up to two first-of-its kind SMR designs. NuHub says that SMRs represent a new class of nuclear reactors, offering improvements like reduced capital cost and scalability. NuScale intends to locate their SMRs at Savannah River Site if selected.
NuHub was launched in October 2010 by EngenuitySC as a consortium of public, private, higher education, and business development interests sharing a common goal of maximizing the economic and job creation impact of the nuclear renaissance on the Midstate of South Carolina.
“One of the key initiatives of NuHub is to support the manufacturing and deployment of SMRs domestically to meet demand for clean energy nationally and abroad,” said Charles T. (Ted) Speth, chair of NuHub’s SMR Committee and managing shareholder at Ogletree Deakins’ Columbia, South Carolina office.
“NuHub was impressed with both NuScale’s dedication to investing in the growth and prosperity of the Midstate of South Carolina. We are excited to partner with NuScale, along with Savannah River Site, in the response to the DOE funding opportunity announcement.”
“We at NuScale are excited and enthusiastic at the tremendous opportunity that lies before NuHub and NuScale to develop a powerful economic growth engine with world-class excellence and worldwide reach,” said Michael McGough, vice president of business development. “We believe our programs will generate superior economic returns to the state of South Carolina, particularly in the Midstate region. We’re excited for the opportunity to have South Carolinians develop and deliver the future of the nuclear industry to the world.”
Applications for DOE’s program are due 21 May, and DOE expects to announce awardees this summer.
NuHub says it expects to partner with a second vendor in the coming weeks who will also apply for the award.
NuHub will host Nuclear Energy Insider’s SMR Conference24-25 April at the Embassy Suites-Greystone for the second year in a row. The conference, which hosts approximately 300 industry experts and leaders.
