NuScale과 MillenniTEK은 NRC 승인을 받은 소형 모듈형 원자로(SMR) 설계를 위해 안전 등급 연료 펠릿을 제조하며, 원자력 장비의 설계에서 제작 단계로 전환하고 있습니다.
The nuclear energy sector continues to evolve as companies leverage technological innovation and scientific expertise to advance the industry. While the United States has long led global nuclear energy production, domestic firms remain committed to strengthening that position. Recently, NuScale Power Corporation and MillenniTEK successfully produced the first safety-grade pellets for a small modular reactor (SMR) design already approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), transitioning a critical reactor component from design to fabrication.
Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation is a leading provider of advanced small modular reactor (SMR) technology, dedicated to accelerating the global energy transition through safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free power. Its adaptability across shifting energy landscapes underscores its commitment to modern generation methods. Central to its portfolio is the NuScale Power Module, a compact, safe pressurized water reactor capable of generating 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross). The design can be flexibly configured to scale up to 924 MWe to meet specific customer requirements. Meanwhile, MillenniTEK was established in 2010 following a management buyout of Millennium Materials. Guided by a focus on innovation and quality, the company’s NQA-1-certified team has doubled its production capacity, positioning MillenniTEK to drive advancements in next-generation nuclear materials and manufacturing.
According to a recent NuScale press release, the company partnered with MillenniTEK to fabricate the first-of-a-kind boron-oxide pellets for its passive emergency core cooling system (ECCS). Industry experts have welcomed the collaboration, noting that both firms have established strong track records independently. This milestone marks a critical advancement in NuScale’s commercialization readiness, demonstrating the successful development of specialized components and manufacturing processes required to deploy its NRC-approved SMR technology. The partnership highlights how complementary expertise drives project execution, underscoring NuScale’s commitment to safety, technical rigor, and the ongoing maturation of its supply chain and manufacturing capabilities.
The U.S. regulatory framework has facilitated clean energy innovation by streamlining developer approvals. In NuScale’s design, these boron-oxide pellets serve a critical safety function: upon ECCS actuation, they dissolve into the reactor coolant to automatically control and maintain core reactivity at safe levels without requiring operator intervention. The successful completion of this fabrication milestone not only validates MillenniTEK’s capacity to meet the advanced manufacturing demands of next-generation nuclear systems but also establishes a replicable model for future industry collaborations.
This first-of-a-kind achievement positions both companies as pioneers in nuclear energy development and strengthens their industry standing. John Hopkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuScale, stated: “NuScale’s technology is built on a commitment to safety, simplicity, and deployability, and this milestone reflects the continued progress we are making to prepare our technology and supply chain for commercial deployment in the near-term.” As the United States advances its clean energy transition and works toward national decarbonization targets, nuclear power will play a vital role. NuScale and MillenniTEK’s collaborative innovation marks a significant step forward in realizing those goals.
Prince Sibanda is a staff writer specializing in energy, automotive, environmental, and general news. He translates complex technical and policy subjects into clear, engaging content for a broad audience.