Tech Hub designation opens up organization to potential millions in funding

A recent designation could light the way for further innovations in nuclear energy in the state at a newly formed Idaho tech consortium.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated the Intermountain West Nuclear Energy Corridor (INEC) in advanced nuclear energy as a tech hub. Along with the EDA’s designation comes a $500,000 grant, which will help the agency apply for a second phase of funding worth anywhere from $40 million to $75 million.

The designation is part of an economic development initiative called the Tech Hubs program, which brings funding to regions in the U.S. identified for the “potential to become epicenters for globally competitive innovation,” as reported by the University of Idaho College of Engineering, one of 13 partners in the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC).

Along with the university, other supporters include Idaho National Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Shosone-Bannock Tribes, College of Eastern Idaho, City of Idaho Falls, Idaho State University, NuScale, TerraPower, the states of Idaho and Wyoming and Wind River Indian Reservation/HPAIRI.

According to the IAEC, “The … EDA Tech Hub Strategy Development Grant will enable the IAEC to facilitate necessary studies, preliminary work and collaboration across the Intermountain West to prepare for the Phase 2 EDA Tech Hub Application process. If successful, the INEC could be one of 10 Tech Hubs chosen out of the designated 31 Tech Hubs who received the initial development grant, to be awarded up to $75 million to carry out the mission of the INEC Tech Hub and jump start the nation’s global competitiveness in advanced reactor deployment in the next decade.”

IAEC reported that INEC is the only nuclear-focused organization to receive the development grant and the only one in the Intermountain West in the nuclear energy industry.

“With the high concentration of nuclear energy expertise, the Intermountain West is perfectly poised to kickstart the newest generation of advanced nuclear technologies,” said Kirt Marlow, executive director of IAEC. “This grant will mobilize the regional components necessary to support such a technology transition and help in solidifying our supply chains, workforce pipelines, community readiness and preparing the nation and the world for our future clean energy.”

Suzanna Long, dean of the U of I College of Engineering was enthusiastic about her school’s part in the consortium.

“U of I leads decades of competitive research in next-generation nuclear technologies, advanced manufacturing, cyber-physical systems and supply chain management,” Long said in a statement. “Our longstanding programs have deep connections to worldwide industry leaders. With direct access to nuclear and cybersecurity simulation laboratories and expansive online programs, we have tremendous ability to generate the advanced energy professionals needed to strengthen not only the Idaho but (the) U.S. economy.”

In addition to the Tech Hubs designation from the EDA, U of I was also endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency for its nuclear technology management master’s program, making it one of two universities in the U.S. to hold the endorsement.

But U of I’s nuclear technology program isn’t by any means new. It dates back nearly 70 years to 1954 when the nuclear engineering program began in Idaho Falls. It was developed in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which is the agency known worldwide for the first usable electricity created by nuclear power and its innovation in small modular reactor technology. Idaho, and specifically INL, is home to the first micro and SMR demonstration and deployment.

“Idaho is a proving ground for first-of-its-kind technologies in advanced nuclear energy,” said Chris Nomura, U of I’s vice president of research and economic development. “Leveraging U of I’s competitive advantage in research and workforce education, we have the capability to build a regional model to attract advanced technology suppliers to expand and grow incubation opportunities. This will result in great jobs that start and remain in Idaho.”

If the second phase of grant funding comes through for the INEC, it said it would support the deployment of the newest generation of advanced nuclear technologies.

“If our region can capitalize on all this grant can offer, we will see the results in hundreds, if not thousands of new regional jobs, increased tax bases, population gains, small business support, increased support of minority and disadvantaged communities across the region and so much more,” Marlow said.