An artist rendering of a proposed SMR plant at Clinch River (Image: TVA)
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has partnered with Bechtel, Sargent & Lundy, and GE Hitachi (GEH) to initiate planning and evaluation for a potential small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinch River Nuclear site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. According to a TVA press release, this marks a significant step toward advancing nuclear innovation in the United States, with the project relying on an integrated project delivery (IPD) model to align all stakeholders on shared goals of cost and schedule efficiency.
TVA’s senior vice-president for the Clinch River Project, Bob Deacy, explained that the IPD approach fosters teamwork by establishing a unified plan among contractors, designers, and the TVA. Deacy emphasized that this method could enhance the affordability and reliability of clean energy solutions, improving energy security for the region. Ontario Power Generation’s success with the IPD model in Canada further reinforces its value, offering lessons for its application at the Clinch River site.
Bechtel brings decades of experience to the initiative, having previously collaborated with TVA on other nuclear projects, including Watts Bar Unit 2. Ahmet Tokpinar, Bechtel’s Nuclear Power business unit leader, highlighted the company’s commitment to utilizing advanced tools and innovations to deliver clean energy efficiently. Sargent & Lundy, tasked with the detailed design for the BWRX-300 reactor at the site, echoed this sentiment, with CEO Victor Suchodolski pointing to the firm’s 40-year partnership with TVA as a foundation for success.
The team has entered a validation phase to refine cost and schedule estimates for the SMR, with results expected within 1-2 years. Sean Sexstone of GE Hitachi expressed excitement about this collaboration, noting that the expertise of all partners positions TVA to lead the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies. While TVA’s Board has not yet approved construction, the phased approach ensures careful evaluation of progress, underscoring the organization’s commitment to meeting growing energy demands responsibly
About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA was established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by developing innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA’s unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. With one of the largest, most diverse, and cleanest energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies – TVA is a leader in our nation’s drive toward a clean energy future.
TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
About GE Vernova
GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) is purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.
GE Vernova’s Nuclear energy business, through its global alliance with Hitachi, is a world-leading provider of nuclear fuel bundles, services, and advanced nuclear reactor designs. Technologies include boiling water reactors and small modular reactors, such as the BWRX-300, which is one of the simplest, yet most innovative boiling water reactor designs. GE Vernova’s Nuclear fuel business, Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), is a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel-related engineering services. GNF is a GE Vernova-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and operates primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.
GE Vernova’s mission is embedded in its name – it retains its legacy, “GE,” as an enduring and hard-earned badge of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” / “verde” signal Earth’s verdant and lush ecosystems. “Nova,” from the Latin “novus,” nods to a new, innovative era of lower carbon energy.
About Bechtel
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations.
About Sargent & Lundy
Sargent & Lundy is one of the world’s longest-standing full-service architect engineering firms. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power, energy and decarbonization with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, conventional power, environmental services, carbon capture and hydrogen. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services – from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance – with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private clients in the power, energy, gas distribution, industrial and government sectors. For more information, visit sargentlundy.com and follow the firm on LinkedIn.
Contact
Scott Fiedler
Public Relations
safiedler@tva.gov
423-751-7883
Additional Contacts
Jon Allen, GE Vernova
910-819-2581
jonathan.allen1@ge.com
Amanda Meixel Bechtel
703 429-6313
ammeixel@bechtel.us
Gretchen Wahl
gretchen.wahl@sargentlundy.com
Source: TVA
