New Look at Nuclear

Nuclear energy is making a comback, and University of South Carolina researchers are studying ways to make it more efficient and how to tap into its potential to make hydrogen gas.

The State of South Carolina has significant involvement in the nuclear industry. Some 56% of South Carolina’s electric power generation comes from nuclear power. Within a 120 mile radius of the State’s capital city of Columbia, eleven large commercial nuclear power plants provide more than 10% of the nation’s nuclear generated electricity. One of the world’s largest commercial nuclear fuel fabrication facilities is located just a few miles south of Columbia. In the western part of the state just ninety miles from Columbia is a large US government nuclear complex at the Savannah River National Lab Site.

About the Nuclear Engineering Graduate Program

Studies carried out by the Nuclear Engineering Department Heads Organization (NEDHO) have shown a major imbalance between the number of nuclear engineering students and the positions available. For the BS/MS level the projected supply of graduating students for 2003 was 174 versus 642. To counter this shortage, the federal government is undertaking extensive programs to support graduate students in the nuclear field.