DOE grant to support Nebraska nuclear energy training, workforce development

A $1.4 million Department of Energy grant will power nuclear reactor safety training and workforce development in Nebraska through a collaboration among the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering, Nebraska Public Power District, Idaho National Laboratory, Southeast Community College, Asian Community and Cultural Center, and industry partners such as Orano and Kairos Power.

The Department of Energy anticipates unprecedented job growth over the next 25 years in the nuclear energy sector and recently awarded more than $49.7 million through its Office of Nuclear Energy to 10 university-led projects that will expand nuclear safety training and workforce development. 

“It’s very timely, as the United States is placing renewed emphasis on nuclear energy,” said Bai Cui, professor of mechanical and materials engineering. “With the rapid growth of data centers and the increasing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, there is a growing need for reliable, large-scale, carbon-free energy sources. Nuclear energy is carbon-free and represents one of the most energy-dense sources available today.”

Nuclear power plants continue to extend their lifespan through the renewal of operating licenses, but the industry faces challenges in an aging workforce and as long-term maintenance of light-water reactors tries to keep pace with growing energy demands, Cui said.

“When we hired Bai Cui 12 years ago, our goal as a college was to get back into the nuclear energy realm,” said Jeff Shield, Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Engineering and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. “We were hedging our bets that nuclear energy was fertile ground for energy in the future. The grant represents another step toward strengthening Nebraska Engineering’s role and impact in the nuclear energy sector.”

The College of Engineering currently offers one course, “Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems,” but the new grant will add three courses to its curriculum, in which students will learn theoretical knowledge of nuclear reactors and safety. The grant will also support nuclear reactor safety training, a summer youth camp at Southeast Community College and an opportunity for 10 graduate students to conduct doctoral-level research internships at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. These activities will strengthen research and workforce development in nuclear energy while expanding collaboration between the university and the laboratory to enhance research impact and future funding opportunities.

“More nuclear energy means more nuclear energy jobs,” said Michelle Scott, acting deputy assistant secretary for strategic crosscuts. “These awards help ensure that the next generation of nuclear energy workers receives robust and rigorous training that promotes the highest standards of safety.”

In addition to new courses in nuclear engineering, the Nebraska Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development Program will provide industry-recognized certification in nuclear reactor safety for Husker students through the support of NPPD; internship opportunities for 20 undergraduate students at Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville, Nebraska, for on-site, practical reactor safety training; and outreach programs through the Asian Community and Cultural Center in Lincoln aimed at inspiring underrepresented communities in Nebraska, including immigrants and their children, to explore educational pathways and future careers in nuclear energy and engineering.

“As someone with an electrical engineering background, I see this as an excellent opportunity to train more electrical engineering students in the nuclear domain, particularly in power electronics and power grids related to nuclear power,” said Yongfeng Lu, Lott Distinguished University Professor of electrical and computer engineering, who plans to develop a new graduate-level special topics course based on laser-based technologies for nuclear applications. 

Lu also believes the grant will strengthen the university’s nuclear engineering and nuclear-related materials research presence, enhance its visibility and competitiveness in nuclear safety and advanced reactor technologies, and help train the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists, addressing a critical national workforce need.

“As the United States is transitioning from traditional power sources like coal and natural gas toward a more diverse energy portfolio that includes advanced nuclear energy, Nebraska will need a highly trained workforce to support this transition,” said Cui, who cited the significance of collaborating with industry partners such as NPPD, Orano and Kairos Power. “Through projects like this, we are building strong partnerships among universities, industry and national laboratories to prepare the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists.” 

Cui, Shield and Lu are affiliated with the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, a partnership between NPPD and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln established in 2006 to promote research and education in energy sciences. Nuclear energy represents a major focus area within the center and plays an increasingly important role in its research portfolio.