Capacity Expansion
The Capacity Expansion Pathway supports national energy goals to deliver more energy from existing nuclear plant sites.
Objectives, Research Areas and Outcomes
The pathway focuses research efforts on activities that align with the Department of Energy’s UPRISE Initiative and target the most cost-effective and immediate methods to significantly increase nuclear energy capacity:
• Accelerate efforts to increase power and energy output from operating plants
• Restart dormant nuclear plants
• Add new capacity from existing units using proven technologies and infrastructure
• Strengthen the economic viability for capacity expansion by supporting the development of partnerships between nuclear operators and energy offtakers
• Achieve operational improvements through capacity factor enhancements and support the adoption of advanced fuel cycle technologies.
Pursue a strategy guided by national goals in key Executive Orders:
• Declaring a National Energy Emergency (EO 14156): Highlights the urgent need for a diverse energy supply to sustain critical industries and modern society.
• Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base (EO 14302): Achieve 5 GW of power uprates in existing reactors and initiate construction of 10 new large reactors by 2030
• Unleashing American Energy (EO 14154): Positions affordable and reliable energy production as a cornerstone of U.S. economic growth
• Reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (EO 14300): Establishes the U.S. as a global leader in nuclear energy and sets the ambitious goal of expanding domestic capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050.
Pathway Activities
• Develop an actionable roadmap aligned with Executive Orders and DOE goals for capacity expansion from nuclear power
• Support industry efforts to increase generating capacity through uprates, efficiency improvements, improved capacity factors, and plant restarts
• Establish measurable metrics and figures of merit to guide expansion projects and track their progress
• Support industrial energy end users’ needs through nuclear utility capacity expansion capabilities
• Coordinate capacity expansion efforts with key industry and federal organizations and support coordination of efforts across DOE programs and Offices
Outcomes
Align stakeholder plans and efforts across industry around a shared strategic plan that advances DOE’s nuclear energy goals.
Establish a validated technical foundation that supports commercial nuclear power generation beyond historically demonstrated levels.
Produce risk-informed safety analysis and licensing strategies that provide a clear and viable pathway for plants to achieve extended power uprates.
Characterize the relationship between technical readiness and economic viability, giving decision-makers the information and tools needed to prioritize and direct investment.
