NuScale’s was conceived in the early 2000’s
by NuScale co-founder Dr. Jose Reyes after completing tests for the Westinghouse AP600 and AP1000 nuclear
plants in support of their design certification. Dr. Reyes believed that he could
eliminate many of the complex systems found in conventional PWRs while simultaneously
improving safety and reducing the cost of construction, operation, and decommissioning.
The U.S. Department of Energy provided initial funding for the development of this
concept. Over a decade later, NuScale has advanced Dr. Reyes' ideas to the point
where a one-third scale test facility has operated since 2003, proving the technical
viability of the design and leading to the commercialization of an innovative modular,
scalable nuclear power technology.
NuScale is currently completing the design of an SMR that offers the benefits of
nuclear power while eliminating the issues presented by installing a large power plant. Each NuScale Power Module produces greater than 45 MWe with its own designated turbine-generator set.
NuScale power plants
are scalable. Additional modules can be added as customer demand for electricity
increases. A single plant can include as many as 12 modules to produce at least
540 megawatts. These multi-module plants are highly reliable at a projected >95%
capacity factor. One unit can be taken out of service for refueling or maintenance
or a new unit can be added, without affecting the operation of the others.
NuScale is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Our technical team (i.e., design,
engineering, licensing, testing, operations, and project management) is located
in Corvallis, Oregon.
NuScale is majority-owned by Fluor Corporation, one of the world’s leading companies
in the engineering, fabrication, procurement, and construction markets.