NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), a leader in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, announced on June 18, 2025, breakthrough research to develop an integrated energy system combining clean water production and energy-efficient hydrogen generation. Partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and GSE Solutions, NuScale’s system uses a 77-MWe NuScale Power Module (NPM) to produce 150 million gallons of desalinated water daily and over 200 metric tons of hydrogen per day via high-temperature steam electrolysis and Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (RSOFCs). The system’s hydrothermal chemical decomposition method, using brine as a feedstock, cuts energy and water use by up to 50% compared to traditional electrolysis, supporting decarbonization and water scarcity solutions. The project, featuring a first-of-its-kind SMR control room simulator in Corvallis, Oregon, sustains 100 jobs and boosts Oregon’s 7,000-strong manufacturing workforce. Aligned with tariff-driven reshoring under President Trump’s 25% steel tariffs, it targets a $5 billion hydrogen and desalination market. CTO José Reyes called it a “win-win-win for water scarcity, brine remediation, and hydrogen production.”

For the precision machining industry, NuScale’s research emphasizes the critical role of workpiece flatness in manufacturing SMR components. Parts like reactor module frames require CNC milling with workpiece flatness tolerances under 0.0005 inches to ensure structural integrity, achieving surface roughness as low as Ra 4 µin for high-strength alloys. 5-axis milling machines, optimized for workpiece flatness to prevent distortion, support automated production with real-time quality control. The project drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this initiative creates opportunities for suppliers in Oregon, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening clean energy supply chains.

Source:

NuScale Power Corporation Press Release, June 18, 2025

Source:

Yahoo! Finance

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is ignited with NuScale’s clean energy breakthrough, with posts from June 19–July 10, 2025, dubbing it a “trailblazer for sustainable tech.” Users championed the 100 jobs, with one exclaiming, “Oregon’s leading the green revolution!” while another linked it to “nuclear’s new era in hydrogen.” Some raised questions about regulatory hurdles for SMR scaling. The X fervor glows with hope for eco-innovation but calls for streamlined approvals.

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#NuScalePower #CleanEnergy #WorkpieceFlatness #PrecisionMachining #HydrogenProduction #Reshoring