SC State launches nuclear reactor simulator to power careers in clean energy
SC State is the only HBCU in the nation with a four-year nuclear engineering degree and now hosts one of just 10 NuScale Energy Exploration Centers in the world.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University has officially opened a NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center — a simulated control room that mirrors the operation of a real advanced nuclear power plant — giving students the opportunity for immersive, hands-on training in nuclear systems and plant operations.
SC State is now home to one of only 10 such centers in the world — and the only one in South Carolina. The simulator is now fully installed and operational, allowing students in the university’s Nuclear Engineering Program to gain first-hand experience with technology used in the energy industry.
"This is an exciting moment for SC State,” President Alexander Conyers said. “The NuScale Energy Exploration Center gives our students a front-row seat to the future of clean energy. It’s not every day you get to bring a virtual nuclear reactor into the classroom. That kind of access can spark curiosity, open career paths, and change lives.
“This partnership brings world-class tools to our campus, supports our growing research mission as an R2 institution, and underscores the vital role HBCUs play in driving innovation across the country,” Conyers said. “It also strengthens our pipeline for workforce development with partners like the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, preparing our students to lead in one of the nation’s most critical industries.”
On Wednesday, NuScale Power officially handed off the fully installed E2 Center to SC State following a collaborative setup and training process. The centerpiece of the E2 center is NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) simulator, which replicates real-world advanced nuclear plant operations in a dynamic and interactive environment.
“We are excited to partner with SC State on our 10th E2 Center, helping to build a strong workforce of nuclear energy innovators,” said John Hopkins, NuScale president and chief executive officer. “As clean, reliable power demand grows, so does the need for skilled professionals. This facility will offer students practical experience, problem-solving skills, and the expertise to advance clean energy solutions.”
SC State is the only institution in South Carolina — and the only historically Black college or university in the nation — that offers a four-year degree in nuclear engineering. Dr. Stanley Ihekweazu, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Transportation, said the E2 Center raises the bar for how students are trained.
“It transforms how we prepare future engineers — moving beyond textbooks to immersive, industry-standard training,” Ihekweazu said. “This kind of access not only strengthens our nuclear engineering program but also empowers our students to lead in a field that is vital to our nation’s energy future.”
Aniya Zielgler, an SC State nuclear engineering student, considers the E2 Center’s addition to the program’s experiential learning capabilities a boost for her career prospects.
“This is more than just a milestone for SC State -- it's a personal game-changer for me,” Ziegler said. “Coming from the only HBCU in the nation with a nuclear engineering program, I’m gaining access to cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences that will directly prepare me for a future in the nuclear energy industry.
“The E2 Center opens doors I once only dreamed of, giving me the tools,
exposure, and confidence to compete and a lead in the field upon my graduation. It's an inspiring step forward for my education, my career, and for students like me across the country,” she said.
What is an E2 Center?
Using state-of-the-art computer modeling within a 12-module NuScale SMR control room simulator, the E2 Center allows users to assume the role of control room operator. Each workstation can view the status of any of the 12 units within the model. The center’s innovative features include:
- A library of digital procedures and automations.
- A tiered notification system that informs operators of abnormal conditions.
- Integrated emergency procedures.
- Fully automated sequences for changing output and controlling equipment.
Dr. Musa Danjaji, chair of SC State’s Department of Engineering, said the E2 Center gives students “a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a realistic setting.”
“Through interactive training, students learn to operate a reactor, monitor systems, and respond to emergency scenarios,” Danjaji said. “Such skills are critical to careers in the nuclear energy sector. The experience students get strengthens their safety awareness, decision-making abilities, and teamwork under pressure. Graduates who undergo simulator training are well-equipped for careers in plant operations and nuclear systems engineering.”
Beyond classroom applications, the E2 Center also promotes collaborative research and builds bridges with industry leaders, academic partners and government entities — giving students a valuable network as they enter the field.
“With this investment in high-tech training, South Carolina State University is shaping the next generation of nuclear professionals,” Danjaji said. “The initiative aligns with the university’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education with real-world impact.”
Dr. Frederick Evans, SC State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the simulator offers an invaluable tool for developing talent in the increasingly critical industry of advanced nuclear.
“The NuScale Energy Exploration Center is a game changer for SC State,” Evans said. “It will allow students to safely explore complex systems, gain hands-on experience, and develop critical thinking skills in a realistic, immersive environment. This kind of innovative training not only deepens understanding but also prepares students for the workforce and inspires the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.”
SC State officials issued thanks to Rick Lee, chairman of the South Carolina Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council, for his support of SC State’s Nuclear Engineering Program and its STEM initiatives, including the E2 Center.
As a member of the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, SC State works closely with other institutions in support of Savannah River Nuclear Laboratory (SRNL). The state recently awarded SC State $8 million to take STEM education and research to a new level in support of that effort. The Research Partnerships and Workforce Training Programs are a partnership between SC State, the University of South Carolina (USC) and Clemson University in support of SRNL and the Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA). The programs’ objective is to provide a talent pipeline for SRNL and coursework to support professional development for the site’s existing workforce.
For more information about SC State’s Nuclear Engineering Program and other fields of study in engineering, technology, mathematics and more, visit www.scsu.edu/academics.
About NuScale Power
Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The Company’s groundbreaking SMR technology is powered by the NuScale Power Module™, a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output.
As the first and only SMR to have its design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications.