Key Takeaways

• The University of Houston joins the Texas Nuclear Alliance, expanding its leadership in advanced nuclear research, manufacturing, workforce development and commercialization.
• UH brings together nationally recognized expertise through UH Energy, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute and Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH to accelerate innovation from research through manufacturing.
• The announcement builds on UH’s leadership in the Texas Consortium for Fusion Energy, where UH collaborates with industry, national laboratories and academic partners to strengthen America’s domestic fusion supply chain.
• Located in the Energy Capital of the World, UH is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of advanced nuclear energy through industry partnerships, research excellence and workforce development
• With nearly $15 billion in private investment flowing into fusion energy worldwide, Texas is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in advanced nuclear technologies – and UH is helping that effort.

AUSTIN, Texas (July 20, 2026) – As Texas strengthens its position as a global leader in advanced energy, the University of Houston, a Carnegie-designated Tier One research university, has joined the Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA). The partnership expands UH’s leadership in advanced nuclear research, manufacturing and workforce development.

The alliance brings together industry, academic, and government leaders committed to advancing nuclear technologies that will help meet growing energy demand while strengthening domestic manufacturing, enhancing energy security and supporting long-term economic growth.

For UH, the announcement builds on a broader strategy to advance the future of energy through interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration and technology commercialization.

“Texas and the University of Houston have long led the nation in energy innovation and research,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation. “As demand for reliable, affordable and secure energy continues to grow, advanced nuclear technologies will become increasingly important. The University of Houston is uniquely positioned to contribute through world-class research and deep industry partnerships that help transform breakthrough discoveries into real world solutions. We look forward to working with the Texas Nuclear Alliance to accelerate technologies that will shape the future of the energy industry.”

Driven by rapid population growth, expanding advanced manufacturing, AI and data center development, demand for electricity is increasing across Texas and the nation. As governments and industry look for reliable, carbon-free energy sources to meet future power needs, the global race to commercialize advanced nuclear technologies is accelerating. Nearly $1 billion in private investment is fueling innovation and creating new opportunities for Texas to lead the next generation of energy development.

UH brings together expertise from 11 of its 16 colleges to develop interdisciplinary solutions across the energy landscape. Researchers, engineers and scientists collaborate with experts in business, public policy, manufacturing and workforce development to accelerate innovation from discovery to deployment. It is also home to several nationally recognized energy-focused research centers and institutes, including UH Energy, Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), and the Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI). Together, these capabilities position UH to help strengthen the research, manufacturing and commercialization ecosystem needed for Texas to lead the future of advanced nuclear energy.

UH’s whole-systems approach recognizes that meeting the world’s growing energy needs will require an all-inclusive portfolio of technologies. Nuclear energy is an important part of that portfolio, alongside oil and gas, hydrogen, carbon management, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. business leaders, policy experts and more to accelerate innovation from discovery to deployment. Through its partnership with the Texas Nuclear Alliance, UH aims to advance discoveries beyond the laboratory and into the Texas energy industry – creating solutions and jobs that are ready for deployment.

“As one of Texas’ premier research universities located in the Energy Capital of the World — Houston — and home to UH Energy, one of the nation’s leading energy programs, UH brings invaluable academic expertise, workforce development, and innovation to our mission of making Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World,” said TNA President Reed Clay. “UH’s commitment to advancing nuclear energy research will be instrumental as we build the talent pipeline and technology solutions needed for a reliable energy future.”

By joining the Texas Nuclear Alliance while continuing its leadership in the Texas Consortium for fusion Energy, UH is helping connect research, advanced manufacturing, commercialization and workforce development to accelerate the next generation of energy innovation.

By the Numbers
• 1 statewide alliance advancing Texas’ leadership in nuclear energy
• $1 billion in recent private investment supporting advanced nuclear innovation
• More than 80 member organizations in the Texas Nuclear Alliance
• 11 of 16 UH colleges contributing to energy-related research and innovation
• $25+ million in AMI research funding
• 3 signature UH institutes supporting advanced energy technologies

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city and one of the most culturally rich regions in the country, UH enrolls nearly 49,000 students.

About the Texas Nuclear Alliance
TNA is the only industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology in the state. Formed in 2022 in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, and comprising of over 80 member entities today, TNA is based on the fundamental premise that if Texas and the world want low-carbon, reliable energy, it can no longer turn its back on nuclear energy. In the 89th Texas Legislature, TNA helped pass four nuclear-dedicated bills, including House Bill 14, a $350 million investment by the state in nuclear energy—the largest of its kind in the U.S—that led to the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office (TANEO). TNA was formed with a singular mission: to make Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World. Nuclear is clean, safe, reliable, and secure.

Media Contacts

University of Houston
Heather Gioco
hgioco@central.uh.edu

Texas Nuclear Alliance
Lauren Clay
Lauren@TexasNuclearAlliance.org