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Study to consider power-generating nuclear reactor for Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH/AP) — Purdue University will work with Duke Energy to study the use of a nuclear reactor to power the campus, the utility announced Wednesday.

The West Lafayette campus is home to a nuclear engineering program.

Purdue and Duke plan to study power produced through a reactor smaller than traditional nuclear power plants. It’s designed to be manufactured in factories and assembled on site.

The reactor would be a major step toward a carbon-free energy future, Purdue and Duke Energy say.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels says, “No other option holds as much potential to provide reliable, adequate electric power with zero carbon emissions.”

However, nuclear power plants use large amounts of water for steam production and cooling. They also produce spent uranium fuel. Purdue provided no time line on when its first SMR might arrive on campus.

It’s unclear how quickly Purdue and Duke Energy could install the small reactor.