NuScale Power is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to revolutionize nuclear fuel management using artificial intelligence, beginning in fiscal year 2026. The collaboration will leverage an AI-enabled framework to optimize fuel use across a 12-NuScale Power Module™ plant – a configuration uniquely suited to enhanced efficiency thanks to its shared fuel pool. This research, funded through the Department of Energy’s GAIN initiative, aims to reduce fuel costs by exploring options for strategically sharing resources between multiple reactors. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with ORNL, with the support of the DOE, to assess exciting new opportunities for potentially managing fuel even more efficiently across multiple nuclear reactors and further reducing costs going forward,” said John Hopkins, NuScale President and Chief Executive Officer.
NuScale and ORNL Collaborate on AI-Guided Fuel Management
Traditionally, optimizing fuel management is a well-understood process for single reactors, but extending this to multiple interconnected modules demands a new level of analytical power. NuScale utilizes established fuel assemblies, but the company believes its multi-module architecture allows for enhanced efficiency. By strategically sharing fuel across these modules, the potential exists to surpass the fuel efficiencies typically achieved in conventional single-reactor plants, ultimately lowering operational costs. ORNL brings to the table its expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance computing. This partnership will allow researchers to explore a wider range of fuel options and management strategies than previously feasible.
The research is slated to begin in fiscal year 2026 as part of the first round of GAIN Voucher awards. “With the tremendous focus on growing energy consumption in the U.S. and around the world, NuScale is committed to bringing clean, reliable energy to our customers, and this strategic partnership with ORNL will use cutting-edge computational science to create even more energy efficient fuel management solutions for our multi-module plants.”
DOE GAIN Initiative Funds Nuclear AI Research Program
The current landscape of nuclear fuel optimization largely relies on established methods for single reactor configurations, a process considered well-understood by industry experts. However, the advent of small modular reactors (SMRs) and multi-reactor sites presents a new challenge – and opportunity – for maximizing fuel efficiency. This isn’t simply incremental improvement; it’s a move towards leveraging artificial intelligence to fundamentally rethink fuel management strategies. Unlike conventional large reactors, NuScale’s architecture, capable of deploying up to 12 modules, introduces the possibility of sharing fuel across multiple reactors via a single fuel pool.
This unique setup allows for a broader range of fuel options and the potential to achieve efficiencies unattainable in traditional single-reactor plants. ORNL will contribute its expertise in AI, machine learning, and computational resources to develop an AI-enabled nuclear design framework. This framework will strategically explore fuel management options, aiming to reduce fuel costs across the entire multi-module plant.
Module Reactor Configuration Enhances Fuel Efficiency
NuScale Power, a leading provider of small modular reactor (SMR) technology, is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to refine fuel management strategies for its unique multi-module plants. Unlike conventional single-reactor facilities, NuScale’s design—capable of scaling up to 12 reactors at a single site—presents novel opportunities for optimizing fuel use across the entire installation. The company, founded in 2007, is collaborating with researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to explore these possibilities. The goal is to strategically manage fuel not just within individual reactors, but across the entire 12-module configuration, potentially reducing costs and boosting overall plant efficiency. By sharing fuel across modules and utilizing a single shared fuel pool, NuScale anticipates achieving efficiencies beyond those typically found in traditional nuclear plants.
NuScale’s SMR Technology & Carbon-Free Energy Mission
NuScale Power is pioneering a novel approach to nuclear fuel management, potentially unlocking significant cost savings and efficiency gains for its small modular reactor (SMR) technology. Unlike conventional single-reactor plants, NuScale’s 12-module configuration allows for strategic fuel sharing across multiple reactors utilizing a single fuel pool. This architecture presents a unique opportunity to optimize fuel utilization, moving beyond the established methods for single reactor optimization. NuScale utilizes proven, off-the-shelf fuel assemblies, but believes its multi-module design allows for enhanced fuel efficiency. Founded in 2007, NuScale aims to deliver scalable, carbon-free energy solutions.
The company’s SMR design is the first and only to receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission certification, positioning it to serve diverse energy needs, from electricity generation to hydrogen production.
NuScale uses proven, off-the-shelf fuel assemblies, and unlike large reactors, NuScale’s multi-module architecture offers a unique opportunity to enhance fuel efficiency in up to 12 reactors with a single shared fuel pool and a significant number of fuel options.
