NuScale Just Turned AI on Itself. Here's What That Means for the Stock.
Key Points
Nuclear energy is gaining traction as AI data center power demands grow.
NuScale Power develops next-generation small modular reactors that could become operational in the 2030s.
NuScale is deploying industry-specific AI tools to its workflows to address key operational bottlenecks.
Technology giants like Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Oracle have moved to secure nuclear power agreements and are looking to the future of nuclear power by partnering with companies developing innovative small modular reactors (SMRs).
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) doesn't currently have any deals with hyperscalers, but it has a first-mover advantage as the only nuclear company with a standard design approval for its SMR from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). While its SMRs could power the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, NuScale is turning AI on its own business. Here's what that means for NuScale Power investors.
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NuScale Power is putting AI to work on its own workflows
On Aug. 25, NuScale announced it was putting AI tools from Nuclearn and NPX to work on its own critical information to support engineering, regulatory, and knowledge work as it advances its SMR technology. Nuclearn provides its AtomAssist nuclear AI platform, while NPX helps NuScale implement these tools into its business.
These tools are specifically built to handle nuclear engineering terminology and compliance frameworks from the NRC, as well as NuScale's proprietary technical documentation. The tool will help it cross-reference design schematics and regulatory filings with full source traceability.
The company hopes to address operational bottlenecks, including compliance drag and engineering verification cycles, and noted that the process reduced its time spent searching for and verifying critical information by up to 80%. Ideally, this new system will help NuScale speed up design modifications or regulatory response times.
Investors need to maintain a long-term outlook on NuScale
NuScale enjoys a first-mover advantage with its 50-megawatt electric (MWe) and 77 MWe NuScale Power Modules, which are currently the only SMRs to have a standard design approval from the NRC. That said, the company is still in pre-commercial operations and currently has one project secured in Romania. This project is in the front-end engineering phase, and the company hopes to open the plant by 2033.
Beyond this, NuScale, along with ENTRA1 Energy, is seeking a firm commitment from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The parties entered a collaborative agreement to explore deploying up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of NuScale's SMRs, and discussions between ENTRA1 and the TVA continue. NuScale management hopes to secure a deal before the end of this year.
By applying specialized AI to its business, NuScale is embracing the technology that could be its key growth driver in the coming decades. That said, the company is still in the capital-intensive early stages, so most investors are best off waiting to see it secure more deals before diving into this risky stock.
Courtney Carlsen has positions in Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, NuScale Power, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Oracle. The Motley Fool recommends NuScale Power. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.