The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), a section of the U.S. Department of Energy, works to advance the United States' nuclear energy science and technology, including the use of nuclear energy in weapons. The Office has five goals in "addressing challenges in the nuclear energy sector, realizing the potential of advanced technology, and leveraging the unique role of the government in spurring innovation." They include:
- Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors
- Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors
- Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles
- Maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology
- Enable a high-performing organization
Learn a little more about the Office of Nuclear Energy below!
Nuclear Reactor Technologies
Nuclear power is the single largest contributor of non-greenhouse-gas-emitting electric power generation in the United States. It has become largely reliable and contributes largely to the economy. The Office has a variety of nuclear reactor technologies including:- Small Modular Reactor Technologies
- These SMRs, used for power generation and many other industrial uses, have many advantages due to their small size. They are ideal for small electric grids.
- Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program
- The LWRS program conducts research to continue creating technologies and solutions to improve the nation's fleet of nuclear power plants. It looks into plant modernization, flexible plant operation and generation, risk-informed systems analysis, materials, and physical security.
- Advanced Reactor Technologies
- Continuous ACR research allows nuclear energy to provide clean, affordable, and secure energy while supporting greenhouse gas reduction goals.
- Versatile Test Reactor
- The U.S. Department of Energy has been working on building a Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). It aims to perform irradiation testing at higher neutron energy fluxes.
Fuel Cycle Technologies Initiatives + More!
Nuclear power has become essential in our nation's electricity use and low-carbon energy. Unfortunately, nuclear energy has challenges including "mounting stockpiles of used nuclear fuel, high-level waste, and a potential for proliferation." Now, the Office has been working on creating solutions to these challenges through a commitment to research and development campaigns: fuel cycle options, advanced fuels, separations and waster forms, used fuel disposition, and material protection, control, an accountability technologies.
- Nuclear Facility Operations
- Advanced Modeling & Simulation
- Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies
- Space Power Systems
- Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition
- International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation
Edmon Low Library Resources
The Edmon Low Library has a variety of resources regarding nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
- Nuclear Energy
- Nuclear Energy Risk Management
- Nuclear Energy in Oklahoma
- Principles of Guided Missiles and Nuclear Weapons
- Nuclear Weapons and The National Interest: The Early Years
Other Resources
Learn more about any articles coming out from the Office of Nuclear Energy.
Read about the variety of nuclear milestones that are happening.
Created in 2009, NEUP funds nuclear energy research upgrades at U.S. universities, and it provides educational support.
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Eager to know more? Start here.
Government Information Online is produced by the staff at the Oklahoma State University Libraries Government Documents Department, a regional depository for U.S. Government and Oklahoma state government documents. We are located on the 5th floor of the Edmon Low Library. Our department website can be reached at www.info.library.okstate.edu/government-documents. For more information or for research assistance, contact us at 405.744.6546. or email suzanne.reinman@okstate.edu.
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