IMDEA Energy has established a new Nuclear Technology Unit to strengthen its research capabilities in advanced nuclear technologies, with a particular focus on small modular reactors (SMRs), microreactors and next-generation nuclear systems.
The initiative forms part of a strategy announced by the Regional Government of Madrid in September 2025 to advance nuclear energy research through IMDEA Energía. It aims to generate scientific and technological knowledge that could support innovation and industrial development across the Madrid region.
The new unit will develop advanced methods for analysing, modelling and simulating the behaviour of nuclear systems. Its research will bring together expertise in reactor physics, neutronics, thermal hydraulics, nuclear safety and radiation protection, alongside cutting-edge tools such as multiphysics simulation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
Advanced technologies to meet future energy challenges
A key priority for the unit will be to explore how advanced nuclear technologies could meet the needs of sectors that require a reliable, continuous supply of high-density energy, including data centres, energy-intensive industries, large-scale energy users and industrial parks. Research will consider both electricity generation and the potential use of nuclear heat in industrial processes.
The unit will also investigate the role these technologies could play in hydrogen production, as well as how they might complement renewable energy sources and energy storage systems. Its work will assess technical feasibility, safety, sustainability and integration into wider energy systems, providing a sound scientific basis for future technological and industrial decisions.
Research will also cover advanced reactor designs, cooling and thermal management technologies, and microreactors intended for remote or isolated locations, as well as potential applications in the maritime and space sectors.
Modelling, artificial intelligence and digital twins
Advanced simulation and digital technologies will be at the heart of the unit’s research. By combining physics-based models, reduced-order modelling techniques, artificial intelligence and digital twins, researchers will develop tools to analyse and predict how nuclear systems behave under normal operating conditions, during transient events and in scenarios relevant to nuclear safety.
These capabilities will support more effective design and assessment methods, help explore how nuclear technologies can be integrated with other energy systems, and contribute to the development of innovative technological solutions.
The unit will also foster collaboration with other research groups at IMDEA Energía, universities, research institutions and industry partners, while pursuing opportunities to participate in competitive research projects and scientific networks at national and international level.
Scientific expertise and knowledge transfer
The new unit is led by Miguel Embid Segura, a researcher with over 25 years of experience in the nuclear sector. His expertise spans nuclear research, radiation protection, instrumentation and the development and management of scientific research capabilities.
Before joining IMDEA Energía, he spent much of his career at the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), where he held both scientific and management positions.
The launch of the Nuclear Technology Unit reflects IMDEA Energía’s continued commitment to scientific excellence and knowledge transfer. By expanding its research capabilities in this field, the institute aims to open up new opportunities for industrial innovation, strengthen the Madrid region’s technological expertise and help address key energy challenges, including decarbonisation, security of supply and industrial competitiveness.
