Department of Energy Awards $20M to Fund Nine Advanced Nuclear Projects

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that it has selected nine projects to receive almost $20 million in funding for cost-shared research and development for advanced nuclear technologies through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) with the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE). This is the second group of projects to receive funding through this FOA. Further groups will be selected for additional funding through a quarterly application process over the next five years.

One of the primary roles NE plays is supporting research and development that is focused on reducing the risk and cost of advanced nuclear technologies. As Secretary Perry explained in a DOE press release, “DOE is investing in advanced nuclear technologies, because we are looking to the future. Nuclear energy is a critical part of our all-of-the-above energy strategy for the country, and early-stage research can help ensure it will continue to be a clean, reliable, and resilient source of electricity.”

The NE funding solicitation is broken into three funding pathways:

• First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) Nuclear Demonstration Readiness Project pathway, intended to address major advanced reactor design development projects or complex technology advancements for existing plants which have significant technical and licensing risk and have the potential to be deployed by the mid-to-late 2020s.
• Advanced Reactor Development Projects pathway, which allows a broad scope of proposed concepts and ideas that are best suited to improving the capabilities and commercialization potential of advanced reactor designs and technologies.
• Regulatory Assistance Grants pathway, which provide direct support for resolving design regulatory issues, regulatory review of licensing topical reports or papers, and other efforts focused on obtaining certification and licensing approvals for advanced reactor designs and capabilities.

Additional funding awards are available under the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program (GAIN). The goal of GAIN projects is to accelerate the commercialization of innovative nuclear energy technologies. The first round two deadline for GAIN applications is August 17.
For further information on GAIN, click here: https://gain.inl.gov/SitePages/Nuclear%20Energy%20Vouchers.aspx

For further information on NE, click here: https://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy