We build advanced nuclear reactors for this century
The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) accelerates the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear energy through its mission to inspire stakeholders and the public, empower innovators, and deliver successful outcomes.
NRIC is a national Department of Energy program led by Idaho National Laboratory, allowing collaborators to harness the world-class capabilities of the U.S. National Laboratory System. We are charged with and committed to demonstrating advanced reactors by the end of 2025.
Our technologies help people and the planet
Global environmental challenges have the potential to harm vulnerable populations and disrupt fragile ecosystems. Some analyses suggest these effects are already being felt. Advanced nuclear provides the United States with a compelling opportunity to develop a low-carbon technology that will help to provide the world with an affordable, scalable tool to address the global need for expanded access to clean energy.
Innovative designs for cutting-edge applications
This includes decarbonized heat generation, water desalination, and hydrogen production. Hybrid energy systems will benefit from the flexible output of advanced fission plants that can balance renewables and deliver low-carbon electricity in all conditions. Innovative applications for maritime propulsion and space technologies will provide unmatched reliability on new frontiers.
Our Team
The NRIC team is passionate and guided by its mission. We rely on teamwork to overcome our biggest challenges and believe that diversity and inclusion are directly responsible for better outcomes. We are committed to the safety of ourselves, our peers, and our community. We are dedicated to protecting the natural environment today and for generations to come.
Dr. Ashley Finan is the Director of NRIC and Nicholas Smith is the Deputy Director.
We build advanced nuclear reactors for this century
The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) accelerates the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear energy through its mission to inspire stakeholders and the public, empower innovators, and deliver successful outcomes.
NRIC is is a national Department of Energy program led by Idaho National Laboratory, allowing collaborators to harness the world-class capabilities of the U.S. National Laboratory System. We are charged with and committed to demonstrating advanced reactors by the end of 2025.
Our technologies help people and the planet
Global environmental challenges have the potential to harm vulnerable populations and disrupt fragile ecosystems. Some analyses suggest these effects are already being felt. Advanced nuclear provides the United States with a compelling opportunity to develop a low-carbon technology that will help to provide the world with an affordable, scalable tool to address the global need for expanded access to clean energy.
Innovative designs for cutting-edge applications
This includes decarbonized heat generation, water desalination, and hydrogen production. Hybrid energy systems will benefit from the flexible output of advanced fission plants that can balance renewables and deliver low-carbon electricity in all conditions. Innovative applications for maritime propulsion and space technologies will provide unmatched reliability on new frontiers.
Our Team
The NRIC team is passionate and guided by its mission. We rely on teamwork to overcome our biggest challenges and believe that diversity and inclusion are directly responsible for better outcomes. We are committed to the safety of ourselves, our peers, and our community. We are dedicated to protecting the natural environment today and for generations to come.
Dr. Ashley Finan is the Director of NRIC and Nicholas Smith is the Deputy Director.
News Updates
July 20, 2021
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a multi-million-dollar program to develop three technologies, already common within other industries, to reign in ballooning nuclear power plant construction costs.
July 19, 2021
There is a lot of buzz around advanced reactors, and for good reason, according to Ashley Finan, director of the Department of Energy’s National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC). In the article , published earlier this month on the DOE’s website, Finan noted that advanced reactors promise to be cheaper
July 8, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy is through the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) that I’m deeply passionate about. It’s going to transform the nuclear energy industry without even splitting a single atom.There’s a lot of buzz around advanced reactors, and for good reason. They offer enhanced versatility,
July 7, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $5.8 million in funding to develop three construction technologies that together can reduce the cost of new nuclear builds by more than 10 percent.“Construction costs and schedule overruns have plagued new nuclear builds for decades,”
May 4, 2021
As the climate crisis worsens, the discussion intensifies over what role nuclear power should play in fighting it.President Joe Biden has for fighting climate change: To cut U.S. carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to have a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. The plan requires electricity generation—the
Welcome to our first quarterly newsletter. We are well into our second year of operations at the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), and I am excited to share some highlights about NRIC’s progress as we advance toward demonstrations of advanced nuclear reactors.
News Updates
