Advanced nuclear energy systems such as microreactors offer a fit-for-purpose solution to strengthen infrastructure across the nation, including the most pivotal to national security and military readiness.
As the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, or OASA (IE&E), looks to bolster the U.S. Army's energy infrastructure for the future, researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are sharing their insights and expertise to support this vital effort.
During a recent visit to ORNL, several OASA (IE&E) representatives learned about the lab's leadership in advanced nuclear energy development that informs the design and construction of a microreactor to power mission-critical facilities at two Army bases. The visit included tours, presentations and meetings with ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer and Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Associate Laboratory Director Mickey Wade.
With notable expertise in pioneering advanced reactor concepts and a history of partnering with the Department of Defense to translate scientific discoveries into solutions for national security challenges, ORNL is well-positioned to support the Army in deploying microreactors.
Nick Prins, national security technical coordinator in the lab's Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division hosted the OASA (IE&E) group, spoke to this unique capacity throughout the visit.
"Central to ORNL's mission is delivering technical breakthroughs that can address the major issues facing the nation," said Prins. "Our world-class expertise across nuclear science will be vital to meeting the Army's goal of greater energy resiliency through advanced nuclear and the utilization of microreactors."
The OASA (IE&E) is responsible for policy development, program oversight, outreach and coordination of a wide variety of Army activities overseeing the Army's installations. The OASA (IE&E) executes these responsibilities through innovative business transformation processes and continuous process improvement in the areas of installations, real estate - including military and civil works - housing, environment, safety and occupational health, energy, privatization and partnerships with industry.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science .
