Business Leaders Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Briefing

The program covers electricity demand from data onshoring and options for expanding grid generation and infrastructure; agrivoltaics combining cattle grazing with solar; and collaborative, technology-neutral ways to meet Tennessee’s demand for reliable, affordable power. A panel on the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus focuses on research, industry collaboration, technology development, and resource recovery across the nuclear lifecycle. Power Moves discussions highlight advanced-energy projects, technologies, and investments, including work by Centrus Energy, Kairos Power, and Type One Energy. Power Pitches are grouped around the future of energy, nuclear materials, advanced materials, and manufacturing. The event also presents the Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award and includes a featured address on energy innovation and U.S. energy security.

Discussion focuses on delivering new nuclear projects on private and federal sites across the United States. The forum brings together local government and community leaders with federal agencies and industry, including data center companies, host communities, DOE, NRC, and state and Tribal governments. Topics include nuclear energy advancements, business opportunities, project implementation plans, challenges, partnerships, and economic development.

The conference theme is “Going Critical: Creating a Durable Nuclear Resurgence.” Plenary discussions address how technology, finance, and public policy can sustain nuclear energy momentum, and how public confidence, domestic supply chains, workforce development, investment, and state leadership can support deployment at scale. John Wagner, Laboratory Director at INL, is a featured speaker; the opening plenary also includes U.S. NRC Commissioners Douglas Weaver and Bradley Crowell. The technical program features expert-led presentations and peer-reviewed research on advanced reactors, fuel cycle and waste management, reactor physics, fusion, AI and machine learning, materials science, instrumentation and controls, criticality safety, and robotics. Named session topics include nuclear energy markets, financing and economics; hybrid and integrated energy systems; maritime and data center applications; nuclear safeguards; cybersecurity; molten salt reactor fuels and materials; and advanced/additive manufacturing. Panels address uranium mining remediation, environmental review, digital twins, advanced reactor fuel supply and fabrication, and nuclear deployment pathways.

A leadership summit and global broadcast focused on deploying small modular reactors and advanced nuclear. Themes include financing, first-of-a-kind project risk, supply-chain resilience, regulation, technology, project execution, and partnerships among utilities, developers, technology companies, finance, and regulators. The event frames nuclear as a scalable option for energy security.

The program spans project execution, nuclear energy, and grids, AI, and infrastructure. Sessions address financing and delivering the U.S. energy buildout; grid capacity, interconnection, transmission, reliability, and cost allocation; and the effects of data-center and industrial demand on power planning. Nuclear topics include power for data centers, first-of-a-kind project cost and delivery, nuclear finance, HALEU and fuel supply, utility choices among large reactors, SMRs, and microreactors, and pathways to SMR deployment. Other sessions cover LNG security, trade, and investment; energy storage and grid-edge technologies; AI in energy operations; and project bankability, permitting, policy, supply-chain, and delivery risks. The program also includes executive roundtables, a project-execution clinic, and an energy startup pitch competition.

Jointly hosted by the American Nuclear Society and the Nuclear Energy Institute, NECX brings together utilities, advanced reactor developers, suppliers, regulators, policymakers, investors, engineers, researchers, project leaders, and innovators. Programming includes executive plenaries, technical sessions, and expert-led discussions focused on nuclear deployment, commercialization, investment, and industry growth. Focus areas include advanced nuclear deployment; manufacturing and AI innovation; regulatory affairs; project integration; supply-chain sourcing; workforce development; plant reliability and engineering; and emergency preparedness. The expo-hall Spotlight Stage features presentations on emerging technologies, practical insights, and solutions related to nuclear deployment, operations, innovation, and commercialization.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the host utility. A generator-focused lunch-and-learn covers generator testing benefits, safety and expected results, along with extending generator life through condition-based maintenance. The program also offers tours of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Old Hickory Project, a run-of-river, multipurpose water-resources facility combining hydropower generation and navigation. The project is undergoing rehabilitation that includes transformer and exciter replacements, installation of an intake gantry crane, and turbine-generator overhauls. Tour participants can observe a disassembled unit.

The forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to examine energy security, economic competitiveness, clean energy deployment, regulatory modernization, market expansion, affordability, regulation, and nuclear deployment. Participants include professionals across government, utilities, finance, and advocacy. The program includes engagement with federal and state policymakers and the State of the Nuclear Energy Industry address by NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick. The forum is open to media.

Examines investment in new nuclear projects, advanced reactors, existing nuclear assets, and the nuclear supply chain. Topics include project bankability, returns and revenue certainty, capital structures, construction risk, customer demand, public-private financing, commercial partnerships, policy frameworks, and project delivery. The summit is designed for finance and investment professionals, utilities, developers, technology providers, energy customers, policymakers, and advisers.