NuScale and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will use an AI-enabled nuclear design framework to optimize fuel management and reduce fuel costs across multiple reactors sharing a single fuel pool.

The collaboration goes beyond single-reactor optimization by leveraging NuScale’s 12-module SMR design, enabling strategic fuel sharing across modules and potentially achieving efficiencies unattainable in conventional plants.

NuScale emphasizes small modular reactors and multi-reactor sites as a path to better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs, while delivering clean and reliable energy.

Press materials identify NuScale’s media and investor relations representatives as key contacts.

Market reaction was strong, with NuScale’s stock rising over 6% in early trading on the news, signaling investor interest in AI-guided fuel management.

The release includes forward-looking statements about plans, regulatory approvals, market adoption, and financial implications, and notes risks with a reminder to review NuScale’s SEC filings.

Standard forward-looking statements with risk factors are included, referencing NuScale’s SEC filings and public disclosures.

The press release contains typical risk disclosures about regulatory approvals and project execution, plus contact information and SEC filing references.

NuScale notes its SMR design is NRC-certified and capable of serving diverse energy needs, including electricity production and hydrogen generation.

The 77 MWe per-module SMR can scale to 924 MWe with 12 modules, a differentiator in serving varied customers, backed by NRC certification.

The project is funded through the DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative, awarded in FY2026.

This effort is part of a broader DOE program to fund nuclear AI research via GAIN Voucher awards, aiming to boost energy consumption, efficiency, and cost reductions.