NuScale, the Oregon-based firm that is developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMR), recently announced several new partnerships that could enable it to more efficiently deploy its technology. Power-sector engineering specialist Sargent & Lundy will become an NuScale investor and provide project support, for instance. Also, agreements with Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd.—to invest in NuScale and build some assemblies for its plant—and with Romania and Jordan—to develop small modular reactors in those countries—indicate some market potential for the firm's still-emerging technology.
Last year, the company, which is majority owned by Fluor, also joined in an alliance with BWX Technologies to start the engineering work to manufacture the reactor itself. That announcement came after an 18-month selection process that garnered interest from 83 companies in 10 countries.