The annual conference showcases innovations and business start-ups within the nuclear industry.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Wednesday, hundreds of people from the nuclear world made their way to downtown Knoxville for the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council’s “Opportunities in Energy” conference.

“This is the most exciting time in my career. And as you can see, I’ve been here a long time, I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs, both in the fission and the fusion worlds. This is the most exciting time for both of them,” Mickey Wade, Associate Director of the Fusion and Fission department at Oak Ridge National Lab said.

Wade said the conference is helpful to ORNL, as it shows them ways they can improve their work at the lab in ways that will help the industry.

“Our role in the nuclear ecosystem is to do the (research and development). Is to innovate, to drive new technologies forward, and get industries to a place where they can actually take a product and take it to market both at an economic place and at a scale up so they can meet the demand of the future,” Wade said.

Some of the major players at the conference include Orano, Centrus Energy, Kairos Power and Type One Energy. 

They say these events provide a sense of community but also highlight the state’s dedication to nuclear energy.

“From the start-ups that people are talking about, some of the government representation we have here, and obviously, the state representation. I think this just shows that the state is Uber committed and supportive,” Amir Vexler, President and CEO of Centrus Energy, said.

It also allows companies to network with groups that could be assets to them in the future. 

“We are so proud of being an enabler of more investment in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. And, of course we work closely with Kairos, with Oklo and with Radiant Standard Nuclear. All these new companies that will grow in the future in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” Jean-Luc Palayer, President and CEO of Orano USA, said.

Many of the companies hoping to expand their reach into the nuclear realm are setting down roots in Oak Ridge. As of now, 10 companies have recently announced their plans for nuclear projects in the city. 

Other companies like Centrus have ties to the Manhattan Project and are proud of the work they’ve done in the area.