Nuclear Reactor Simulator Lab at VCU College of Engineering expands functionality with $160K grant from Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank
The Nuclear Reactor Simulator Lab (NRSL) at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering will get an upgrade thanks to a $160,000 grant from the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank (VCEIB). The upgrade expands the existing generic pressurized water reactor simulator and greatly increases VCU Engineering’s workforce development, public engagement, and research and development activities.
“We are looking forward to implementing these VCU NRSL upgrades with an immediate impact in our spring Nuclear Power Plants course and spring K–12 outreach events,” said Lane Carasik, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering. “My research group will leverage my U.S. Department of Energy early career research award on molten salt fusion system to support the creation of generic fusion systems simulator in collaboration with GSE Systems.”
The grant will fund critical software and hardware upgrades to the state-of-the-art reactor simulator to add nuclear and fusion reactor types. The simulator upgrades will expand VCU NRSL’s educational and training activities for university and community colleges through new interactive operator workstations and large overhead displays. The funding includes laboratory modifications and interactive displays designed to accommodate expanded public engagement and K–12 outreach activities.
“This grant is a significant investment in the long-term future of VCU’s nuclear and fusion energy programs that span education and workforce development, outreach, and research and development activities,” said Gennady Miloshevsky, Ph.D., associate professor and nuclear engineering program director in the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering. “These upgrades will address key needs to expand the Commonwealth of Virginia’s nuclear and fusion energy footprint within the United States and international community.”
The VCU College of Engineering has received multiple requests from regional nuclear companies for specialized workforce training courses tailored to their respective reactor systems. The NRSL is a full-scope reactor simulator designed to accurately mimic the behavior, operation and control of large commercial pressurized water reactors like those operated
by Dominion Energy at Virginia’s North Anna and Surry Nuclear Power Stations. “Virginia has positioned itself as a national leader in advanced nuclear and fusion energy innovation,” said Glenn Davis, director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “This targeted investment in education and workforce development ensures that our universities and workforce can fully realize the opportunities that this emerging industry represents for the Commonwealth.”
The enhanced simulator will enable the VCU College of Engineering to rapidly switch between different reactor systems, creating opportunities for specialized research and training for several advanced reactor developers. The facility will also support the development of simulators for eventual development of fusion energy systems, positioning VCU to serve as a regional hub for next-generation energy research.
“This investment represents Virginia’s commitment to maintaining its competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving nuclear and fusion energy sectors,” said Julianne Szyper, deputy director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “With the proposed upgrades, the facility will gain capabilities that do not currently exist in Virginia and will provide a great complement to our expanding nuclear ecosystem that is positioning itself to meet energy demand and beyond.”
The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. Formed from a partnership with Dominion Energy, the department provides a foundation in nuclear energy, allowing students to choose their educational path with advanced coursework in either mechanical or nuclear engineering. Access to industry tools, like the Nuclear Reactor Simulator Laboratory, grounds education in practical instruction. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Research Grants