The path to clean energy is often framed in broad strokes—solar, wind, hydropower—but nuclear energy has a critical role to play in the quest for a carbon-neutral future. While fusion energy is making strides toward becoming a reality, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are gaining attention as a more immediate solution to some of the energy challenges we face today, both in the U.S. and abroad.

To that end, the U.S. Department of Energy recently opened up applications for $900 million in funding to help spur next-gen reactor technology, including SMRs. According to Reuters, the funds are part of Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill and allocate up to “$800 million for milestone-based awards for support of first-mover teams of utility, reactor vendor, constructor, end users, and others. Up to $100 will spur additional SMR deployments by addressing gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in areas such as design, licensing, supplier development, and site preparation.”

As nuclear power re-enters the climate change chat, the conversation has shifted to how this technology could address climate change and energy shortages. Here's a very high-level overview of what you need to know about SMRs and the potential future of nuclear energy and climate change.

What are SMRs?

Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs, represent a relatively new wave of nuclear technology that differs significantly from traditional large-scale reactors, like those you see in old episodes of the Simpsons. SMRs are smaller in size and can be prefabricated before being transported to their intended site. The most crucial advantage of SMRs is their ability to be scaled up incrementally as demand grows, unlike traditional plants, which require massive upfront investment and planning.

One key reason that SMRs are so attractive to climate advocates is their potential to be deployed in areas that are currently underserved by power plants or reliant on less efficient (and more carbon-emitting) forms of energy. For example, remote regions, islands, or areas with outdated energy infrastructure could see significant benefits from smaller reactors that can provide stable, clean power with a lower risk profile than traditional nuclear plants.

According to Bloomberg, SMRs tend to have less than 300 megawatts of power-generating capacity. Some are just 5 meters in diameter and 10 meters high, but the plants that would be built to operate the reactor would be larger. SMRs stans include the likes of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett as they argue that, unlike other renewable power generators, nuclear plants can be turned on and off based on demand, and they provide much more stable and cleaner power. SMRs can be used for heat, power, or desalinization.

What are some of the issues with SMRs?

There are, of course, issues around nuclear power– including disposal of the radioactive waste and a number of high-profile meltdowns that we've seen at older nuclear plants around the world. Some start-ups like Deep Isolation believe that they might have a solid solution to that issue, but it's still early days. While SMRs may produce less waste than traditional reactors, they still produce high-level radioactive waste, some of which needs to be managed for thousands of years. This all takes place against a backdrop where the U.S. continues to debate what to do about the current nuclear waste storage situation at Yucca Mountain.

It's also important to note that there are currently only two operational SMRs in the world. Both are Russian-owned and operated in the Arctic. According to Bloomberg, they were deployed in 2020. China plans to begin trials with an SMR on Hainan Island in 2026. There was a planned SMR in Idaho, but NuScale Power Corp, the owner and only company with a US-licensed design, canceled those plans in 2023 due to rising costs.

Those opposed to SMRs argue that because they are smaller, they won't reach economies of scale and will always remain costly to build, maintain, and run. Even though nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source, critics argue that its cost-effectiveness is questionable compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which have seen steep price declines in recent years.

Public opposition to nuclear energy has also been a significant obstacle for years, thanks to high-profile meltdowns and environmental impacts. Many communities still have deep-seated concerns about nuclear energy, and these attitudes could stall progress, even if SMRs are safer and more cost-effective.

Nuclear power also has to surmount regulatory hurdles: It takes time to obtain permits, meet safety requirements, and secure community buy-in, and a delay in any one of those steps can significantly delay projects and increase costs.

How SMRs could help fight climate change

One of the most compelling arguments for SMRs is their potential to bring reliable power to regions that have traditionally struggled with access to electricity. Some rural or economically disadvantaged areas in the U.S. face frequent power outages, lack of grid connectivity, or rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Places like rural Appalachia, Puerto Rico, and Alaska struggle with aging grid infrastructure that can cause frequent blackouts. At the same time, areas like most of the midwest (Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska) are heavily reliant on coal-fired power plants, which contribute significantly to climate change. SMRs could offer these regions a stable, long-term solution that has less of a carbon footprint.

Moreover, SMRs could bolster U.S. energy independence. By diversifying energy sources and providing a domestic, low-carbon alternative to imported fuels, SMRs strengthen the nation’s energy security. The Department of Energy has a primer on some of the benefits that SMRs could offer.

What Could SMRs Mean for the Green Energy Transition?

For all the controversy, SMRs could play a critical role in the U.S. transition to clean energy. As Bloomberg reports, the technology could help bridge the gap between current energy needs and long-term carbon reduction goals. SMRs could complement renewable energy sources by providing a consistent baseline of power to support the grid as wind and solar production fluctuate.

Another potential benefit of SMRs is their ability to alleviate grid congestion. In areas where expanding transmission lines for large-scale renewables is challenging, SMRs could serve as local, decentralized energy hubs, reducing the need for extensive grid upgrades.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s $900 million funding for advancing SMR technology is a strong signal that the federal government sees SMRs as a viable approach to the climate crisis and is ready to invest in the technology. The funding will allow SMR developers to demonstrate the viability of their technology and could potentially attract more investment into this area.

While it's still a ways off, SMRs offer a near-term solution to supplement renewable energy sources, especially in underserved areas, while nuclear fusion represents the long-term potential for virtually limitless clean power if it comes to fruition.

New Climate Jobs

Check out some of the latest featured jobs below. If you don't see anything that speaks to you, you can always go to Climatebase to explore thousands of other opportunities.

Ekotrope

“Ekotrope is a customer-centric software company that believes our success is predicated on our customers’ success. We run the most widely used Home Energy Rating Software which is used on about 1 in 5 of new homes built in the US each year. Our clients for this product are home energy raters who work with home builders to help design ...”

• Data Analyst (Remote · New York, NY,...)
• Energy Model Developer (Hybrid · Boston, MA, US)

US Heat Pump Summit

“The U.S. Heat Pump Summit is the only trade show in America solely focused on helping HVAC contractors improve their businesses by starting or expanding their work in heat pumps. Having hosted two successful ~350 person events in its first year of existence, we have proven a need for supporting HVAC contractors’ switch to heat pump technology and now are ...”

• CEO - US Heat Pump Summit (Remote)

Climate and Wildfire Institute

“Climate & Wildfire Institute (CWI) works at the intersection of policy, practice, and research to accelerate solutions to climate and wildfire. We are innovators and problem-solvers, working at the cutting edge of and in close partnership with public, private, and community partners as well as academic institutions. We develop practices that reduce the societal and environmental risks of wildfire that ...”

• Deputy Director of Development (Remote)
• Deputy Director for Programs and Partnerships (Remote)

Peak Energy

“We are Peak Energy. The first American venture to advance globally proven Sodium-Ion battery systems as the storage standard for the new era of renewable energy on a resilient grid. ...”

• Manufacturing Design Engineer (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Head of Finance (Remote · Burlingame, C...)
• Embedded Systems Lead, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Electrical Systems Lead, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Program Management Lead (Hybrid · Remote · Burl...)
• Senior Manager, Electrical and Embedded Systems (Hybrid · Burlingame, C...)
• Reliability Lead, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Cell Manufacturing Engineer (In-person · Denver, CO...)
• Systems Engineer, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Battery Modeling Engineer, Cell (In-person · Denver, CO...)
• Product Certification Specialist (In-person · San Franci...)
• Applications Engineer (In-person · San Franci...)
• Technician, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)
• Systems Modeling Engineer, ESS (In-person · Burlingame...)

Three Squares Inc.

“Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Three Squares Inc. (TSI) is an award-winning sustainability and ESG consulting firm. Having worked on all seven continents (including Antarctica), TSI is a global leader in developing and implementing sustainability plans for corporations, industry groups, and large-scale events. TSI carries a robust corporate client roster and enjoys working with many of the world’s leading companies ...”

• Event Sustainability Manager (Hybrid)

Greenriot - Circular Economy App

“Tons of valuable objects in good or perfect condition like toys, furniture's, decoration, electronics… end up in landfills or recycling plants daily. By innovating it is possible to generate an incentive to give them a second life. Greenriot is an App to generate incentives and facilitate local circular economy tasks collaboratively Check out the project and the Deck: https://greenriot.org/ ...”

• Growth Manager (Spanish required, Paid with Equity) (Hybrid · New York, NY, US)
• Influencer Marketing Manager (Spanish required, Paid with Equity) (Hybrid · New York, NY, US)

Uplift Geosystems

“At Uplift Geosystems, we’re on a mission to use scalable minerals processing technology to provide durable carbon storage services and sustainable metal products to organizations and individuals seeking a global climate where everybody can thrive. Many critical tools require steel, concrete, and other products that are carbon-intensive to produce conventionally. To avert the worst impacts of climate change, we need ...”

• Staff Electrochemical Engineer (In-person · Baltimore,...)
• General Applicant (In-person · Baltimore,...)

Vigilent Corporation

“Vigilent applies state-of-the-art AI technology and expert services to deliver optimal environments in data centers and other buildings, increasing our customers’ revenue and capital efficiency while reducing energy use, carbon emissions and water consumption. ...”

• Software Engineer (Control Applications Developer) (Remote · United Kingdo...)
• Sales and Solutions Engineer (Remote · North America)

Pioneer

“Pioneer's mission is to coordinate funding for rapid decarbonization. We are taking the pain out of the government application process by using a combination of LLMs and grants & contracts experts to reduce the effort required to identify, apply, and comply with government awards. Culture: We are an early-stage, remote-first startup passionate about climate impact and creating a supportive growth ...”

• Senior Software Engineer (Remote)

Understory

“Understory is an AI powered platform that provides geospatial tracking and verification for nature. Our data-driven roadmaps help people manage land, preserve biodiversity, and tackle climate change more effectively. We use a combination of drone and satellite imagery to identify vegetation down to the species level and quantify biological data. The resulting metrics provide measurable environmental performance indicators over the ...”

• UI/UX Designer (Remote)

Deep Sky

“Deep Sky is a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developer in Canada that seeks to slow and ultimately reverse the accelerating march towards global climate disaster through carbon removal and long-term storage. In partnership with leading carbon capture technology developers from around the world, Deep Sky will build infrastructure to capture and permanently sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ...”

• Deep Sky Labs Operator (In-person · Innisfail,...)
• Deep Sky Labs Maintenance Technician (In-person · Innisfail,...)
• Site Engineering Lead, Deep Sky Labs (Remote · Calgary, AB, CA)
• Submit your CV/Soumettez votre CV (Hybrid,Remote)
• Public Funding Manager // Responsable du Financement Public EN/FR (Hybrid · Ottawa, ON, CA)
• Engineer, Carbon Capture (In-person · Toronto, O...)
• Controls Engineer, Capture (In-person · Toronto, O...)

Reunion

“Reunion's mission is to accelerate investment into renewable energy. We are building a marketplace to connect buyers and sellers of renewable energy tax credits to easily raise money for wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Project developers can easily access pools of capital from high quality corporate investors for their project portfolios. Corporate investors can buy tax credits to achieve a ...”

• Full Stack Engineer (Hybrid · Remote · Unit...)
• Senior Associate, Business Development (Hybrid · Remote · Unit...)
• Enterprise Marketing and Strategy (Hybrid · Remote · Unit...)
• Analyst / Associate, Finance and Transactions (Hybrid · San Francisco...)
• Business Development Executive (Hybrid · Remote · Unit...)

Ascend Analytics

“Ascend Analytics is an innovative software and consulting company at the forefront of the renewable energy transition. Our software solutions provide decision analytics for power traders, risk analysts, resource managers, developers and financiers. Ascend provides a collaborative work culture involving frequent interaction with clients, where individual initiative and creativity are highly valued. Interactions with senior management happen daily, and hard ...”

• Senior Product Designer (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Senior Integration Engineer (Hybrid,Remote)
• QA Engineer (Remote · Denver, CO, US)
• Energy Optimization Engineer (Remote · Denver, CO, US)
• Director of Energy Analytics and Trading (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Data QA Engineer (Remote · Denver, CO, US)
• Database Engineer (Hybrid,Remote)
• Senior Manager Business Development (Market Intelligence) (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Senior Product Manager (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Senior Full Stack Developer (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Senior Manager, Business Development - PowerSIMM (In-person · Denver, CO...)
• Software Engineer (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• Full Stack Developer (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)
• General Interest (Hybrid · Remote · Denv...)

TeraWatt Infrastructure

“TeraWatt Infrastructure was established, in the absence of anything like it, to provide solutions for the large scale electric vehicle charging infrastructure required to meet the rapid electrification of medium and heavy duty transport and fleets. The company serves as a crucial intermediary between customers, electric vehicle charging service providers, electricity suppliers, grid operators, and capital markets, for organizations of ...”

• Director of Hardware (In-person · San Franci...)
• Lead Product Manager - Technology (Hybrid · Remote · San ...)
• You would like to join Terawatt but do not see a role - drop your resume here! (Remote · San Francisco...)

DG+Design

“DG+Design is a marketing and creative agency with a focus on clean energy and sustainable brands. Our work is founded on the passion to uniquely combine clean energy expertise, creative skill, and marketing strategy to provide unrivaled value for clients. ...”

• Marketing Associate (In-person · Los Angele...)
• Strategy and Operations Manager (Remote · Los Angeles, ...)
• Marketing Manager (Remote · Los Angeles, ...)

Cloverly

“Cloverly, an API for carbon offsets, uses technology to help businesses, organizations, and individuals become carbon neutral or even carbon negative. Cloverly has made carbon offsetting available in a wide variety of business segments for everything from ridesharing and flights to fintech and supply chains. Offset projects in the Cloverly portfolio include everything from wind and solar farms to reforestation and improved ...”

• Strategic Account Executive (Hybrid · Remote · Atla...)
• Head of Finance (Hybrid · Remote · Atla...)

Bonneville Environmental Foundation

“BEF brings together partners across all sectors of society to co-create innovative solutions that address climate challenges primarily by restoring freshwater ecosystems and by catalyzing a renewable energy future for all. BEF is an entrepreneurial nonprofit working on environmental solutions at the intersection of energy, decarbonization and water. Partnerships are key to our success. We build long-term relationships with businesses , ...”

• Community Focused Program Leader (Remote · Twin Falls, I...)
• Solar for All Tribal Liaison, Renewables (Hybrid · Remote · Miss...)
• Community Solar Senior Program Manager - Solar For All Program (Hybrid · Portland, OR, US)

Arca

“At Arca, we pull carbon dioxide from the air and store it permanently as rock. To do this at scale, we partner with the minerals industry to implement our technology at mines. These are the same mines that are producing the minerals (nickel, for example) necessary for the transition to a clean energy future. Arca’s founders are leaders in the ...”

• R&D Laboratory Technician (Hybrid · Vancouver, BC...)
• Research and Development Scientist (Hybrid · Remote · Vanc...)
• Open call for climate champions (Hybrid · Remote · Vanc...)

BioLite

“BioLite is a for-profit social enterprise that develops, manufactures, and markets distributed energy solutions for off-grid communities around the world. Our business serves two distinct markets, 1) developing-world families living in energy poverty and 2) outdoor enthusiasts seeking fuel-independent cooking and electricity. BioLite is a unique company that lives at the intersection of climate-tech, social impact, consumer products, and outdoor ...”

• Test Engineer (In-person · Milwaukee,...)

Voltpost

“Voltpost transforms lampposts into a modular electric vehicle charging station platform. Mission Voltpost decarbonizes mobility by democratizing charging access. We reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by rapidly deploying chargers that accelerate the electric mobility transition. Our goal is to empower people and communities to take climate action. Vision Voltpost aims to be a transformative force in the climate movement by making charging ...”

• Manager - Financial Operations (In-person · New York, ...)
• Embedded Firmware Engineer - Electric Vehicle Charging (In-person · San Franci...)