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Nuclear Power Fundamentals

August 20 - 21, 2026 Online :: Central Time

“Amazing start for a wide range of disciplines that are looking for an in-depth resource for information pertaining to such a complex field"

Inside Sales Engineer, Caltrol, Inc.

“John is a great resource- incredibly knowledgeable on the subject matter.”

Strategic Account Manager, Barnhart Crane & Rigging

“This was a worthwhile class and the remote learning worked really well for me.”

Electrical Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District
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“EUCI events always contain cutting edge technology, industry experts and the most relevant & emerging topics in the power industry. The events leave you informed and wanting to learn more.”

PhD Engineer

This 1.5-day comprehensive Nuclear Power Fundamentals course provides a foundational understanding of nuclear energy, covering basic nuclear physics, the history of nuclear power in the U.S. and globally, and where the industry may be heading. The course will examine major historical events that have shaped nuclear power’s role in the energy mix and discuss their implications for the future.

Participants will explore the different types of reactors currently in operation, upcoming large and small reactor designs, and how safety continues to play a central role in nuclear development. The course includes an up-to-date review of small modular reactors (SMRs), detailing the status of key projects and their licensing progress. We’ll assess whether now is the right time to build new nuclear units, drawing lessons from the recent Vogtle Units 3 & 4 project, and consider how the AP1000 could serve as a viable large-scale option moving forward. The course will also cover the U.S. regulatory framework, compliance requirements, and workforce planning challenges tied to building and maintaining nuclear facilities.

Additional topics include restoration progress at recently closed plants, the potential for reactor uprates, and license extensions out to 80 years. We’ll discuss nuclear proliferation and security concerns—particularly in relation to higher enriched fuel for some SMRs—as well as radioactive waste management strategies for spent fuel and other materials.

Participants will also get updates on Department of Energy funding initiatives for low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), along with potential pathways for future nuclear fuel supplies. The course concludes with a look at the status of fusion energy research and the reactor designs currently under testing, plus resources to help you stay informed about the latest developments in the nuclear sector.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify the meaning of E = mc² for nuclear plants and the fundamentals of reactor physics
  • Describe present nuclear power plant designs
  • Review nuclear power from an historical perspective by examining the past safety incidents and how they have shaped the industry
  • Describe the nuclear fuel cycle and refueling including fuel availability for LEU, LEU + and HALEU
  • Explore the pros and cons of nuclear power with focus on safety at the core of the business
  • Review the basic regulatory framework with standards and compliance measures needed
  • Describe plant uprates, license extensions, and reopening previously closed plants
  • Examine small modular reactors (SMRs), including licensing pathways, technology types, fuel enrichment needs, and more
  • Identify the impact of regulation on the nuclear industry
  • Explore spent nuclear fuel storage and transportation issues
  • Evaluate the licensing pathway for new SMRs under Part 53 regulations
  • Identify what constitutes radioactive waste and the current storage methods in use
  • Describe nuclear proliferation and security concerning nuclear plants
  • Explore the difference between nuclear fission vs nuclear fusion
  • List some affiliations for nuclear that can provide additional support

Register

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Individual attendee(s)$ 1295.00 each(early bird rate)
(price after August 7, 2026 is $ 1,495.00)
Volume pricing also available

Individual attendee tickets can be mixed with ticket packs for complete flexibility

Pack of 5 attendees$ 5,500.00 (15% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after August 7, 2026 is $ 6,350.00)
Pack of 10 attendees$ 10,360.00 (20% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after August 7, 2026 is $ 11,960.00)
Pack of 20 attendees$ 19,425.00 (25% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after August 7, 2026 is $ 22,425.00)

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before July 17, 2026 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI retains the right to refuse registration by any individual or company.

Day one

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Day two

Friday, August 21, 2026

Agenda

Thursday, August 20, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In and Welcome

8:45 AM

Lunch Break

12:00 - 12:45 PM

Adjourn for the day

5:00 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In and Welcome

12:00 - 12:45 PM

Lunch Break

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Course Timing

Nuclear Power Basics-Reactor Physics

  • How does it work?

Nuclear Power History

  • Where have we come from?

Safety is King

  • Importance of safety
  • Key safety incidents and how they shape the future

Types of Nuclear Power Plants Operating in North America and the World

  • Present Environment

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Availability

  • LEU,
  • LEU +
  • HALEU

12:00 – 12:45 pm :: Lunch Break

Future Outlook and Opportunities

  • What future opportunities for large and small nuclear plants does the future hold?

Small Modular Reactors Update and Availability

  • What Small Modular Reactors are available
  • What is a SMR?
  • SMR Technology Types
  • Fuel enrichment Types
  • Leading SMR types, locations, timeframes
  • Status of licensing
  • Building status

Uprates and License extensions

  • What uprates are available for plants
  • How do you extend a license and for how long

Regulatory Framework for Nuclear Power

  • Key bodies
  • Standards
  • Compliance and enforcement measures

Part 53 New Licensing Pathway for SMRs

Nuclear Proliferation and Security

  • Protocols and minimizing risks

Agenda

Friday, August 21, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In

8:45 AM

Adjourn for the day

1:00 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Course Timing

Reopening Previously Closed Plants

  • Status updates

DOE Funding Programs from IRA

  • LEU
  • HALEU
  • Other plant support

Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage

  • Current practices and challenges in storing spent nuclear fuel safely and securely

Radioactive Waste and Radioactivity

  • Types of radioactive waste and their hazards
  • Management strategies.

Fusion

  • Difference between nuclear fission vs nuclear fusion
  • Status of reactor development
  • What’s the advantages

Affiliations that may help further

  • American Nuclear Society
  • Nuclear Energy Institute

Instructor

John G. Austin III

Director of Governance and Oversight

South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company

John Austin currently serves as Corporate Governance and Oversight Director at the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, where he also acted as Recovery Director to lead plant recovery initiatives and drive operational excellence.

He brings over three decades of leadership experience across the nuclear energy sector, including recent work in the uranium enrichment field, where he held senior roles such as Head of Plant Support, Chief of Staff, and NetZero Site Director.

Previously, Mr. Austin was General Manager of Nuclear and Technical Training for the Xcel Energy fleet, overseeing enterprise-wide training programs to strengthen workforce capability and regulatory compliance. His career also includes extensive leadership roles in Engineering, Work Controls, Outage Management, Nuclear Oversight, Training, startup support for Vogtle 3-4\and Emergency Preparedness across multiple major utilities and fleets, including Southern Nuclear, Entergy, Duke Energy (formerly Progress Energy), and Northeast Utilities (now Dominion Energy).

Mr. Austin holds a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) Certification from Millstone Station and earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida. He began his career in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Program, where he developed the technical expertise and discipline that have defined his professional trajectory.

With a proven record of executive leadership, operational recovery, and governance oversight across diverse nuclear organizations, Mr. Austin is recognized for his ability to align complex technical operations with strategic objectives, regulatory requirements, and national energy priorities.

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

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EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.1 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must sign in/out each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the course

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations and open discussion will be used

CPE

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 13.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

CpeEUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event.  Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

  • Home office personnel supporting nuclear power plants
  • Utilities that are looking to add nuclear to the portfolio
  • Fund managers who want a broad perspective of the entire nuclear footprint
  • Individuals on the periphery of the nuclear power industry (lawyers, financial staff, procurement)
  • Executives who want to broaden their knowledge of the nuclear industry as a whole
  • Businesses looking to support carbon reduction goals with the use of clean nuclear power
  • Nuclear utilities who want a picture of the landscape of today and where the future of nuclear may go