Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank has been awarded $275,000 to install a nuclear control room simulator at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) in Wise, Va.
According to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) Dec. 18 press release, the installed nuclear control room simulation will be from NuScale’s Energy Exploration Centers. UVA Wise said it planned to confirm the simulation order in December and begin the installation and training this month.
The NuScale center is designed to engage students in hands-on nuclear science and engineering educational activities. Youngkin said the small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulation will support workforce and professional training.
“The NuScale simulator will enhance our outreach programs, expand STEM [Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] outreach, and help increase understanding about energy possibilities while positioning Southwest Virginia at the forefront of clean energy workforce development,” UVA Wise Chancellor Donna Henry said in the release.
In June 2025, George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. announced the opening of its own NuScale Energy Exploration Center. George Mason, which currently has the largest Energy Exploration in the United States, also features a NuScale SMR control room simulator.