The Center will advance nuclear science and engineering education
NuScale Power Corporation, the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, today announced the opening of its latest Energy Exploration (E2) Center™–the largest of its kind in the United States. Established in partnership with George Mason University’s (George Mason) College of Engineering and Computing, the E2 Center is located in George Mason’s new Fuse building at Mason Square in Arlington, VA.
Designed to engage students in hands-on nuclear science and engineering educational activities, the E2 Center was funded by the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank, powered by the Virginia Department of Energy. This grant is a strategic investment in Virginia’s nuclear energy workforce development.
“A reliable and increasingly clean energy future is what the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank is all about,” said Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “With this investment alongside world-class higher-education partners at George Mason and cutting-edge industry leaders at NuScale, we’re ensuring Virginia has the energy to power our thriving economy and the expertise to continue leading the nation in innovation, education, and opportunity.”
NuScale E2 Centers, including the one at George Mason, feature a state-of-the-art simulator that replicates a NuScale SMR control room. Students at George Mason will have the unique opportunity to assume the role of a control room operator at the first full-scale 12-module simulator in the United States, engaging with real-life scenarios that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application. The establishment of NuScale’s E2 Center at George Mason marks a significant advancement for Virginia’s educational landscape, preparing the next generation of nuclear professionals to engage with the evolving energy industry.
“The opening of NuScale’s E2 Center at George Mason reinforces our mission to drive innovation in nuclear energy and inspire the next generation of leaders,” said John Hopkins, NuScale President and Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we are shaping a skilled nuclear-ready workforce and fostering a more informed public, providing a strong foundation for the future of clean, reliable energy in Virginia and around the world.”
“This cutting-edge SMR control room simulator in Fuse at Mason Square will ensure that our students have access to emerging technologies that will drive innovation,” said Ken Ball, Dean, College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason. “Partnerships such as this give our students the tools and education they will need to prepare for the future and become part of Virginia’s dynamic workforce.” Developed by NuScale Power and funded through the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank, the simulator supports the College’s growing reputation as a leader in addressing society’s grand challenges.
George Mason’s Fuse building is a 345,000-square-foot facility designed to promote technology, partnerships, and community engagement. The E2 Center, operational as of May 30, 2025, with a grand opening ceremony planned for fall 2025, offers opportunities outside the college curriculum, including practical demonstrations and interactive tours for local leaders and K-12 students, to deepen their understanding of nuclear power and the vital role it plays in providing reliable, clean energy.
With the addition of the new Center at George Mason, NuScale E2 Centers are now open at 11 educational institutions, namely Idaho State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Texas A&M, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, South Carolina State University, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, and Seoul National University. Learn more about NuScale E2 Centers here.
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