The Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) Program

In April of 2010, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) published a roadmap for nuclear energy research and development (R&D) activities. NE R&D efforts are aimed at accomplishing four objectives that will help to ensure that nuclear energy remains a key contributor in meeting the United States’ energy needs:(1) develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the safety, and extend the life of current reactors; (2) develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear energy to help meet the Administration's energy security and climate change goals; (3) develop sustainable nuclear fuel cycles; and (4) understand and minimize risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Modeling and simulation are crosscutting tools important to the entire NE R&D portfolio. NEAMS was established to develop and advance these crosscutting tools in a coordinated and efficient manner. NEAMS will examine and address the challenges to applying advanced modeling and simulation to meet NE R&D needs. Benefits of a consolidated modeling and simulation effort include: a focused mission with clearly established milestones; a dedicated effort to understand stakeholder requirements; a coordinated approach to meeting these requirements; and streamlined programmatic interfaces.

 

NEAMS Program Elements

The NEAMS Program works to support the full range of NE R&D aimed at enabling the expanded use of nuclear energy for clean, safe and affordable power in the United States. To address this broad range, NEAMS has been organized as shown in the figure below: