The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy has begun a new effort that will use existing nuclear energy infrastructure to put more power on the grid and significantly expand the country’s rector capacity.

The DOE said in a statement that the Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort (Uprise) will increase the power output of existing reactors, bringing dormant facilities back online, and completing stalled projects.

Uprise will use proven nuclear technologies and streamlined regulatory processes to deliver “immediate results that will accelerate nuclear power growth and foster innovation to address the nation’s urgent energy needs”, the DOE said.

According to the DOE, nuclear energy plays a crucial role in ensuring the US’s energy security and achieving and maintaining energy independence. A reliable and secure source of power, nuclear energy can help meet national energy demands.