George Mason University opens NuScale Energy Exploration Center in Virginia
The small modular reactor simulator is the eleventh NuScale E2 Center and the first of its size in the United States.
NuScale Power Corporation and George Mason University have opened a new Energy Exploration Center in Arlington, Virginia. Located inside the university’s Fuse building, the facility is the largest of its kind and marks the eleventh NuScale E2 Center in operation globally.
The center features a full-scale control room simulator for a twelve-module small modular reactor (SMR), providing students with hands-on training in nuclear operations. The simulator replicates real-time power plant scenarios and is designed to bridge classroom instruction with applied technical experience.
NuScale, a publicly traded provider of nuclear energy technology, develops small modular reactors for zero-carbon power generation. Its Energy Exploration Centers serve as workforce development tools in partnership with universities and energy agencies.
Backed by Virginia clean energy initiative
The George Mason E2 Center was funded through the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank, which is managed by the Virginia Department of Energy. The funding forms part of a broader effort to build nuclear energy talent pipelines within the state.
Glenn Davis, director at the Virginia Department of Energy, comments, “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.”
The center is currently operational, with a formal opening planned for fall 2025. In addition to academic instruction, the site will offer outreach and interactive learning opportunities for school groups and local officials.
Part of a wider international simulator network
NuScale’s E2 Centers are already active at universities including Idaho State, Ohio State, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Seoul National University. The George Mason location is the first full-scale twelve-module SMR simulator in the network.
John Hopkins, president and chief executive officer at NuScale, says, “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. 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.”
