Team Nuclear Energy is NTNU's interdisciplinary research team in fusion and fission technology. The team consists of academic staff from different disciplines, departments and faculties at NTNU and represents NTNU's collective knowledge within nuclear energy.  

Our ongoing research and educational interests include nuclear reactor physics, neutron physics, nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics, nuclear reactor design, nuclear fuel cycles, nuclear power cycles, nuclear systems engineering, nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, accident investigation, nuclear powered marine transport, integration of nuclear power with electricity grids and markets, producing hydrogen and chemicals from nuclear energy, and more.

Our primary goal is to develop Norwegian expertise in nuclear energy through education and research. This includes education of the general public by providing relevant scientific information, expert voices, and diverse perspectives as a contribution to the public debate.  

Mission Statement 

Team Nuclear Energy is dedicated to the development of knowledge in nuclear energy. Our mission is to be a Centre of Excellence for nuclear research and education in Norway, provide expertise, and train future scientists and engineers in the field.

Three Focus Areas 

Although interest in the field across campus is diverse, we largely fall into three focus areas. 

1. Fission Technology. Nuclear fission research reactors were once operated in Norway. They are actively used in our closest European neighbours for power generation now, and fission power could return to Norway in the near future. At NTNU, our researchers are interested in many aspects of fission-based nuclear energy, such as fundamental research in physics, nuclear engineering, ethics, balance-of-plant systems, and how commercial nuclear energy could be integrated into the Norwegian energy system.  

2. Fusion Technology. Interest in fusion technology has expanded after a research team at the Lawrence Livermore lab in California managed to extract more energy from a fusion process than they consumed to run it. This exciting area is far from commercialization and much basic research is needed. 

3. Education in Nuclear Energy. Our most recent offer is a new k-course in Nuclear Energy, suitable for students across a large range of programmes. We are working to develop more pathways for our students to enter the nuclear industry either through new programmes, collaborations with other universities, or options within existing engineering or physics programmes that provide a pathway to graduate programmes at other universities in nuclear engineering, nuclear sciences, or para-nuclear fields.