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  1. Research
  2. Sustainable Energy
  3. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy

Advancing nuclear power
for a reliable, safe,
and secure energy future

PNNL led the environmental review for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission operating license for the Watts Bar Nuclear Unit 2 in Tennessee. The review evaluated a full scope of areas, ranging from aquatic ecology to radiological impacts to cultural resources to noise. The NRC approved the Tennessee Valley Authority's application for facility operating license for a second light-water nuclear reactor. Read more here.

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Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms to produce heat that can be used to generate electricity. As an example, most nuclear reactors operating today heat water and produce steam that then is used to turn a turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear energy protects air quality by producing massive amounts of carbon-free electricity.

File

PNNL Nuclear Energy overview

 

Benefits of nuclear energy

The first commercial nuclear power stations started operation in the late 1950s, and nuclear plants now are operational in many countries worldwide, with nuclear energy powering communities in many U.S. states. Nuclear energy can meet the growing need to increase generating capacity without the need for using carbon-emitting fossil fuel units. The federal government estimates use of carbon-free nuclear energy in America avoids some 650 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Nuclear energy also contributes to many non-electric applications, ranging from the medical field to space exploration.

Considering its many contributions to society, continuing research focused on nuclear energy is critical to further inform actions involving its use, gather evidence for theories, and contribute to developing existing nuclear energy knowledge.

National research is primarily focused on maintaining the existing fleet of nuclear reactors, developing new advanced reactor technologies, and improving the nuclear fuel cycle to increase sustainability of our energy supply and strengthen the U.S. economy.

Nuclear energy expertise at PNNL

At PNNL, experts use decades of expertise to facilitate the design of advanced reactors, extend the lives of the existing nuclear reactor fleet, help license new nuclear power plants or relicense existing plants, and develop processes for recycling, safe storage, transportation, and disposal of used nuclear fuel.

Support for nation's nuclear energy programs

PNNL has a long heritage of supporting the nation’s nuclear energy programs. A combination of science and technology expertise, a unique Hanford history, and highly equipped and modern facilities enable laboratory experts to bring substantial resources to helping solve the nation's nuclear energy challenges. For example, PNNL led the International Nuclear Safety Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy—enhancing the safety of reactors in former Soviet states. Staff also led research and development activities for the Fast Flux Test Facility sodium-cooled fast reactor. PNNL experts also served as the waste form qualification authority for the Yucca Mountain Project and the Materials Characterization Center.

Staff expertise and specialized facilities—such as the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory, a Hazard Category 2 nuclear facility—are substantial assets to the federal government and the commercial nuclear sector.

Recent News

FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Staff Accomplishment

Four Nuclear Waste Researchers Receive ASTM International Awards

Read
Matt Asmussen, Viviana Gervasio, Benjamin Parruzot, and Alessandra Fujii Yamagata pictured on a textured background with ASTM logo
JANUARY 25, 2023
Staff Accomplishment

INFUSE-ing Fusion Energy with Solid Phase Processing

Read
Photograph of Dalong Zhang
JANUARY 24, 2023
Feature

Metal Alloys to Support Nuclear Fusion Energy

Read
KSTAR
SEE MORE RELATED NEWS

Facilities

Radiochemical Processing Laboratory Radiological Microscopy Suite 318 Building Materials Science and Technology Building Applied Process Engineering Laboratory Wasteform Development Laboratory Shallow Underground Laboratory Mineral Extraction from Seawater at PNNL-Sequim

Related Research

Materials Sciences Waste Processing Nuclear & Particle Physics Radiation Measurement Environmental Management Chemistry

Related Divisions

Earth Systems Science Division
Nuclear Sciences Division
Signature Science and Technology Division

Related Links

Environmental Justice capabilities at PNNLAdditional Nuclear Energy capabilities at PNNLPNNL's Nuclear Research FacilitiesCareer OpportunitiesWSU-PNNL Nuclear Science and Technology Institute

Brochures

File

PNNL Nuclear Energy overview

File

EED_1799_FLYER_EnergyFacilitiesInfra_FINAL_4.pdf

File

PNNL_NuclearEnergy-Regulatory_Capabilities_Overview.pdf

File

PNNL's Aging Management of Nuclear Facility Materials and Components (PDF)

File

PNNL Seismic Hazard Analysis flyer 2021

File

PNNL Spent Nuclear Fuel Management brochure 2021

Contacts

Mark Nutt
Manager, Nuclear Energy Market Sector
mark.nutt@pnnl.gov
509-375-2984
Katie Wagner
Manager, Nuclear Regulatory Subsector; Program Manager, Energy & Environment Directorate
katie.wagner@pnnl.gov
509-375-2387
Ali Zbib
Manager, Nuclear Industry Program, Energy and Environment Directorate
ali.zbib@pnnl.gov
(509) 372-4034

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