Nuclear Plants Future Role in Reliable Low-Carbon Energy Supplies

EPRI's Roadmap for Nuclear-Industrial Integration is a first-of-its-kind guide to help nuclear energy power more than the grid. This roadmap mirrors the organization of the EPRI-NEI Advanced Reactor Roadmap, but its actions are specific to applications of nuclear energy for industrial end users. Integrating nuclear energy for high-temperature heat and other industrial applications could be a game-changer for deep decarbonization of the sector, which currently produces nearly 30% of global CO₂ emissions. Built with input from global stakeholders and supported by leading petrochemical companies, the roadmap provides actions and research scopes to close the gaps for successful nuclear-industrial integrations and will support policymakers, industrial leaders, and reactor designers. The roadmap outlines three priority areas: ✔️Technical Readiness : Matching reactor designs to industrial needs ✔️Regulatory Efficiency : Streamlined licensing and siting guidance ✔️Project Execution : Ownership models, financing strategies, and deployment pathways Explore the full roadmap: https://lnkd.in/eFqG_npk #Decarbonization #NuclearEnergy #NuclearRoadmap

As demand for reliable, carbon-free energy accelerates, a once-unforeseen question is on the table: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀? A recently-published EPRI white paper explores how shifting market conditions - driven by electrification, data center growth, energy security concerns, and policy support - are redefining the role of previously shut-down nuclear assets. Key takeaways: 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹: Under the right conditions, previously retired plants can represent strategic, recoverable assets - not just sunk costs. 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁: Actions taken before and during shutdown, particularly around asset preservation and workforce retention, can determine whether a restart is feasible or prohibitively complex. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝘀. 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲: Modest, disciplined investment in preservation can maintain optionality worth billions, while traditional decommissioning pathways can quickly eliminate restart potential. 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 - 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰: Restart decisions depend on evolving market signals, policy incentives, and plant conditions, requiring ongoing, data-driven evaluation. 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲: Maintaining workforce expertise and institutional knowledge is often as important as preserving major components. As global energy systems navigate rapid load growth and increasing pressure for clean, firm capacity, this research reframes shutdown plants not as endpoints—but as strategic options. Read the full white paper to explore the technical, regulatory, and economic pathways shaping nuclear restart decisions: https://lnkd.in/gbbBSPxV #NuclearEnergy #EnergyTransition #NPPRestart

As Europe experiences prolonged heatwaves and increasingly challenging water conditions, nuclear operators are adapting to a changing operating environment while continuing to deliver reliable electricity. These developments are reinforcing the importance of resilience across the nuclear sector. Utilities are assessing how environmental factors may influence plant performance and identifying measures that support long-term reliability, operational flexibility, and safe plant operation. EPRI research supports this work through initiatives focused on climate resilience, long-term operation, plant modernization, and operational performance, helping utilities prepare for future challenges while maintaining dependable generation. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eyyJ3Xtu

Last week in Madrid, EPRI was proud to actively contribute to the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) Forum 2026, engaging with European stakeholders on nuclear's role in the region's energy systems. A key takeaway echoed throughout the Forum, and underscored by Neva Espinoza's remarks, was clear: nuclear energy’s success depends on collaboration—across countries, technologies, regulators, and industry—to deliver reliable, competitive, low‑carbon power. Steve Chengelis emphasized that turning nuclear ambition into reality requires a strong industrial foundation, including scalable manufacturing approaches, a resilient supply chain, and a skilled workforce. Agnieszka Czeszumska, PhD shared examples of applied AI and digital tools supporting plant performance, safety, and informed decision‑making. The EPRI Europe team was grateful for opportunities to connect with European research, regulatory, member, and industry collaborators during the Forum. EPRI is committed to deepening its engagement in Europe and to further linking global research with practical solutions for operating plants, workforce and supply chain resilience, digital modernization, and future system development. #EPRIEurope #NuclearEnergy #SNETPForum

#ICYMI on the EPRI Current 🎙️Extreme Heat and the Future of Nuclear Reliability In this episode, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Kurt Crytzer and Jonathan Black to discuss how extreme heat is reshaping nuclear plant operations in Europe and around the world. Experts discuss how changing environmental conditions, from rising water temperatures and lower river levels to shifting aquatic ecosystems, can affect cooling systems, plant performance, and grid reliability. They also highlight EPRI's work to help utilities anticipate, monitor, and adapt to these challenges through advanced forecasting tools and resilience-focused solutions. 🎙️Watch the full episode https://lnkd.in/ekcV_V5b, or tune in wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnkd.in/erXVS6DJ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: • 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗚): EPRI program focused on cooling water intake reliability and emerging operational challenges: https://lnkd.in/evfkPU9W • 𝗛𝗢𝗟 𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗝?: Real-time dashboard of Hungary's power system and the Paks Nuclear Power Plant: https://holadelej.hu/en/

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Analysts in nuclear power plants inspecting reactor vessel head penetrations in pressurized water reactors review miles of ultrasonic data to find tiny anomalies—a process that’s critical but also time-consuming and mentally demanding. EPRI is showing how AI can transform this work. By scanning massive datasets and flagging potential issues, AI helps experts focus where judgment matters most. The result? 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆. In 2025, Sweden’s Ringhals AB plant became the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗔𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, setting a global precedent. AI-assisted reviews cut hours off inspection time without compromising safety, amplifying human expertise instead of replacing it. Learn more in the EPRI Journal: https://lnkd.in/enDv-34B #Nuclear #NDE #AI

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued its final Safety Evaluation Reports (SERs) for EPRI’s Alternative Licensing Strategy (ALS) — a major step forward for the industry. This advancement supports improved fuel performance, more efficient use of existing nuclear assets, and incremental capacity gains as electricity demand grows. Over the longer term, ALS helps strengthen the role of today’s nuclear fleet in delivering reliable, carbon‑free energy at scale — supporting energy security, affordability, and the transition to a more resilient power system. ALS provides a risk‑informed framework to address large‑break LOCA–induced fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal (FFRD). This approval is more than a technical achievement; it opens the door for higher burnup fuel in U.S. pressurized water reactors (PWRs). With ALS now approved, most U.S. PWRs can move toward implementing 24‑month fuel cycles, even ahead of the NRC’s forthcoming Increased Enrichment Rulemaking. EPRI thanks the collaborators and contributors who helped achieve this milestone: Johnathan Chavers (Southern Nuclear), Stan Hayes (Duke Energy Corporation), Zeses Karoutas (Westinghouse Electric Company), Jennifer Uhle (Nuclear Energy Institute), Aladar Csontos and from EPRI, Fred Smith, Kurshad Muftuoglu, Sean Martin, Nate Glunt, and Aylin Kucuk #MoreMegawatts #Nuclear #Fuel

Innovation and disruptive technologies - from AI and robotics to additive manufacturing and digital twins - are reshaping nuclear energy and playing an ever-increasing role in plant operations. A comprehensive study on these topics was recently issued by OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, including insights on: ✔️𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 ✔️ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 ✔️𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 A team from EPRI, led by Emma Wong, collaborated with NEA and colleagues across the industry to contribute to the report: Jeremy Renshaw, Frank Sharp, Bob Eller, Heather Feldman, Daniel Moneghan, Brenden Mervin, Bruce Greer, Doug Lindsey , and Dr. Ishaq Mian. Access the insights here: https://lnkd.in/eNpj68wg #NuclearInnovation #DigitalTransformation #NuclearCollaboration

A new joint report from EPRI and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 2025, provides plant-level cost data for 23 electricity generation technologies across 21 countries. The analysis spans nuclear energy, renewables, storage, hydrogen, and fossil generation with and without carbon capture. Combining EPRI’s engineering-based cost data with input validated by participating countries, the report offers an international benchmark for understanding how capital costs, capacity factors, fuel prices, financing, and local conditions shape the cost of electricity generation. As electricity demand grows and power systems decarbonise, the message is clear: cost is only part of the equation. Reliability, flexibility, and system value matter too. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/edcm5ZUg

Extending the value of nuclear energy goes well beyond electricity—and a new International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report highlights the growing opportunity. The report explores the infrastructure, integration, and cross-sector coordination required for applications such as power-to-x production, district heating, and industrial processes. Notably, the report reflects contributions from experts across the global nuclear community, including EPRI’s Daniel Klein, PMP, helping to ensure the findings are grounded in real-world operational and research experience. Key takeaways:   • 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆: Successful deployment depends on aligning nuclear systems with industrial, thermal, and energy markets—not just power generation.   • 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Siting, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement are foundational to scaling non-electric applications. • 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲: With much of the global fleet now beyond 30 years of operation, long-term operation presents an opportunity to optimize assets for new applications. • 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Coupling nuclear with power-to-x, desalination, and heat applications can unlock significant efficiency and emissions benefits. EPRI's contributions to this report and its broader research portfolio directly support this evolution, providing the technical basis, data, and tools utilities need to safely extend operations, reduce costs, and explore new value streams. As the industry advances toward a more integrated, low-carbon energy system, collaboration between utilities, research organizations, and global institutions will be critical. The opportunity is clear: maximize the value of nuclear energy—reliably, safely, and across sectors. Download the report: https://lnkd.in/eBYRF2Dm Learn more about EPRI's Nuclear Beyond Electricity research: https://lnkd.in/eYjPxrG9 #NuclearEnergy #PowertoX #EnergyInnovation #CleanEnergy