Image Courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. 

Radiant recently announced its plans to build the world’s first mass-produced nuclear generator factory in Oak Ridge, a $280 million investment. Through the project, Radiant will create 175 new jobs in Roane County that will directly support the development and mass production of Radiant’s Kaleidos, a portable nuclear microreactor that can replace diesel generators. This machine will be the world’s first one-megawatt, portable nuclear generator capable of generating power in remote areas and providing resilient power options for military bases or disaster-relief scenarios. Radiant will receive support from the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Fund for the project.

BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services announced a $122 million expansion of its operations in Unicoi County. The expansion will create 198 new jobs as the facility grows its capability to manufacture nuclear fuel materials for naval reactors. This expansion is supported by the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Fund, which also provided support to BWXT in April for an expansion of its Oak Ridge facilities. Watch a video of the announcement here.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Chattanooga State Community College (ChattState), and the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative partnered on a $1.33 million planning grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, designed to strengthen the nation’s power grid and expand the workforce for the quantum economy. Funding will support the development of a blueprint for a QuantumGrid Innovation Hub in Chattanooga, a collaborative testbed where researchers, utilities, startups, and industry partners will develop cybersecurity solutions for the nation’s power grid. With support from EPB of Chattanooga and local workforce boards, ChattState will introduce targeted workforce training programs aligned with the needs of startups and pilot partners as quantum technology matures. The program will connect education to energy, cybersecurity, and applied quantum systems career opportunities.

Nidec Power, a division of Nidec Motor Corporation, designs and manufactures advanced alternators used in critical power generation applications such as data centers, hospitals, and defense. The company recently announced a $52.4 million expansion to existing operations in Lexington, TN. This expansion will create 200 new jobs and enhance production efficiency and capacities to support the increasing electricity demand in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced awards for Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants to 14 states, including Tennessee, to accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic production, and address critical workforce needs across the U.S. The grants will provide outcome-based reimbursements to employers to provide training in high-demand and emerging industries that align with federal priorities. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will receive $5 million to support advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and technology infrastructure.

Brownsville Energize STEM Teacher Event

Kingston Elementary School STEM Night

OEP provides educators with the knowledge and resources necessary to teach energy concepts in the K-12 classroom, helping Tennessee educators inspire their students and prepare them for success in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. OEP staff travel across the state to support year-round professional development and student learning opportunities in energy education. Learn more about OEP’s K-12 Energy Education programming and upcoming Energy Camps for Educators on our K-12 Energy Education page here.

OEP staff recently visited with K-12 schools and organizations across Tennessee to explore energy topics:

Educators interested in participating in Energy Education Camps or Workshops (STEM nights, Earth Day, school assembly, etc.) may contact Angela.McGee@tn.gov or Alisha.Brewer@tn.gov.

TVA EnergyRight recently launched Resilience 360, a program that uses vetted, third-party developers to install, operate, and maintain backup generators on-site for businesses. Backup generators support business operations during outages and during grid peak demand. Participants will work out an agreement with the generator installer and operator, as well as TVA, to cover project costs. Whenever a qualified resiliency event occurs, the system automatically turns on backup power so the business can continue operations. Learn more about Resilience 360. 

Innovation Crossroads is a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) that supports and mentors entrepreneurial researchers whose early-stage innovations are presently too challenging or technically uncertain to pursue in a venture capital–financed start-up. Innovators are selected for the program through an annual competition. Innovation Crossroads embeds innovators at ORNL for up to two years to receive entrepreneurial mentorship and conduct cooperative R&D with the intention of incubating and translating innovations from proof of concept to proof of product. Applications are due November 7.

The Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through collaborative projects. The funding opportunity seeks to strengthen Appalachian business and industry and grow and support the development of new opportunities. Projects will be funded up to $500,000 for planning projects and $10 million for implementation projects. All proposed projects must align with at least one of the ARC’s five strategic investment goals:

Eligible entities include local development districts, state and local government, institutions of higher education, and public or private nonprofit organizations and associations. Pre-applications are due December 5.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) recently announced the launch of the Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS) Grant Program, which aims to enhance and facilitate partnerships between private industry and the state’s leading research institutions. The grant program will encourage companies to pilot innovative technologies and pursue discoveries within the state, which, in turn, will facilitate collaborations that highlight the strength of Tennessee’s research capabilities and foster long-term corporate investment in the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Applications for the inaugural round of IRIS funding are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The U.S. DOE Industrial Training & Assessment Centers (ITAC) Program has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing (SMM) firms to receive grants of up to $300,000 per unique assessment recommendation from ITAC assessments. These grants will support projects to improve energy and material efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce emissions at SMMs. U.S. DOE has extended the application deadline and selection process for this program to be compliant with recent Executive Orders. The application deadline is to be determined, and U.S. DOE will provide a 30-60 day notice prior to closing the application portal.

Infocast will host the Southeast Renewable Energy Summit on November 3-5 in Atlanta, GA. The event brings together state policymakers, industrial customers, utility executives, financiers, and renewable developers to tackle current renewable energy challenges. The summit provides definitive updates on project opportunities and execution across key Southeastern states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Attendees will learn how increasing demand has led to procurement and investment opportunities, the impact of state legislative and regulatory priorities on purchase power agreement negotiations, and how utilities across the region are planning to meet near-term service obligations.

ORNL and the Idaho National Laboratory will host the International Symposium on Fusion Nuclear Technology (ISFNT) in Knoxville from November 9-14. ISFNT focuses on all technical aspects of fusion nuclear technology and other related disciplines. ISFNT is one of the main international events for the nuclear fusion field and offers an outstanding opportunity for the fusion community to meet, discuss new ways to address complex problems, and find advanced solutions in nuclear fusion technologies. The symposium covers both near-term fusion devices and long-term reactor fusion nuclear science and technologies.

TDEC will host the Tennessee Water Regulatory Forum on November 12 in Murfreesboro. The event will bring together water professionals from across the state and provide an in-person opportunity for organizations to learn more about TDEC's water programs, meet state program staff and other water professionals, and learn about initiatives to address water challenges throughout Tennessee. Key topics include an overview of the Division of Water Resources, TDEC water programs staff, Division priorities and key activities, as well as a discussion of emerging issues.

The Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council (TREEDC) will hold the TREEDC 2025 Annual Conference on November 13 in Cookeville. Speakers include Tennessee State Senator Heidi Campbell, Tennessee USDA Rural Development Director Patrick Jaynes, Ripley Mayor Craig Fitzhugh, EPB of Chattanooga VP Evann Freeman, and Nashville Sustainability Director Dr. Kendra Abkowitz. The event will include a panel confirmation with Mark Farley, Michael Skipper, and Chuck Hammonds representing the Upper Cumberland Development District, Greater Nashville Regional Council, and Southeast Tennessee Development District, respectively. 

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) will host its annual Opportunities in Energy event on November 19 in downtown Knoxville. The event will bring together TAEBC members and stakeholders to discuss all new and upcoming “opportunities” in the advanced energy sector, including trends, businesses, technologies, and other exciting developments. This year’s program will feature representatives from U.S. DOE, TVA, UT System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Centrus Energy, and Type One Energy. Topics range from energy innovation and workforce development to technologies shaping Tennessee’s energy future.

The Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance will host a Hydrogen Fuels Essential Infrastructure Back-up Power webinar on November 20 at 10:00 AM Central. The webinar will provide an overview of how hydrogen provides back-up power for data centers, first responders, and the military. Speakers will include representatives from the hydrogen industry.

The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council will host the Advanced Reactor Summit (ARS) February 10-12, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. Now in its thirteenth year, ARS convenes stakeholders who move projects from plan to plant. ARS XIII will bring together technology developers, supply-chain leaders, utilities and industrial offtakers, investors, and policymakers to tackle cost, timelines, policy, and market opportunities. The event will feature execution-focused sessions and practical pathways that align technology, supply chains, customers, capital, and policy - compressing schedules, lowering costs, and accelerating deployment.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced its next Annual Regulatory Information Conference (RIC), to take place March 10-12, 2026, in Bethesda, MD. The event will be held in a hybrid format, offering both in-person participation and virtual access. As the NRC’s largest public conference, the RIC is a dynamic forum for stakeholders across government, industry, international organizations, academia, and the public to engage in meaningful dialogue and share insights on key critical and emerging nuclear regulatory issues. This year’s theme, “Regulation, Innovation and Collaboration for a Safer Tomorrow,” underscores NRC’s commitment to safety, progress, and partnership.

OEP's K-12 Energy Education Program is excited to announce that Energy Camps for Educators will return in Summer 2026! These immersive, hands-on professional development experiences are designed to equip teachers with the tools, resources, and inspiration to bring energy education into the classroom. Whether new to energy topics or looking to deepen your expertise, these camps offer engaging content, expert-led sessions, and practical classroom applications.

Camp Locations & Dates:

The East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) will host a Nuclear Opportunities Workshop at the Knoxville Convention Center from August 4-5, 2026. The annual conference features experts in nuclear fission and fusion energy, national security, radioisotopes, environmental management, policy, regulation, reactors, and workforce development. Join the email list here for event updates.

The Solar Alliance for Clean Energy recently released the Solar in the Southeast Eighth-Edition report, which illuminates data, trends, and industry leaders throughout the region, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The report notes that solar growth in the southeast continued, reaching nearly 2 gigawatts in 2024. The report also notes that the amount of solar in the region is projected to double by 2030.

Visit the TDEC Office of Energy Programs Website at http://www.tn.gov/environment/energy.

Past Monthly Newsletters: 

September 2025

August 2025

July 2025

For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Transportation Edition, contact:

Audrey Jackson, Communications Officer
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-917-6683 or audrey.jackson@tn.gov

OR

Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, OEP Programs
U.S. DOE State Energy Program / Innovation & Transportation / Communications
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
 615-613-1096 or alexa.voytek@tn.gov

OR

Mark Finlay, Senior Energy Analyst, TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-772-6011 or mark.finlay@tn.gov

Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-SE0001084.

Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.  Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.  Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.  The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.