In July 2010, the Babcock & Wilcox Co. announced plans to locate the B&W mPower Integrated System Test facility in Bedford County, Va., at the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research. In late-September 2011, B&W opened its doors to the facility.

(1) Equipment for the B&W mPower reactor prototype is lowered into the tower of the Integrated System Test facility in July 2011.

(2) Equipment for the B&W mPower reactor prototype is lowered into the tower of the Integrated System Test facility in July 2011.

(3) Visitors receive a guided tour of the B&W mPower Integrated System Test facility following the dedication ceremony on September 29, 2011.

The new location will test a scaled prototype of the B&W mPower small modular reactor design to verify the reactor's design and safety performance during a multi-year initiative. The IST facility will include a scaled prototype of the B&W mPower reactor that will undergo extensive testing. All of the technical features of the B&W mPower integral reactor are included in the IST, although the source of energy is electricity rather than nuclear.

(4) A worker guides equipment for the B&W mPower reactor prototype into place inside the 117' tower.

(5) A worker walks across a layer of scaffolding in the 117' tower of the B&W mPower Integrated System Test facility.

(6) B&W Chief Executive Officer Brandon Bethards delivers remarks at the dedication of the B&W mPower Integrated System Test facility.

The prototype reactor is installed in a 117-foot tall tower where operators will run a variety of real-world scenarios to gather data to support licensing activities with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Once testing is complete, B&W plans to use the IST facility to train utility personnel who will be operating B&W mPower reactors in the field.