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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Valar’s Ward 250 reaches criticality in Utah
El Segundo, Calif.–based start-up Valar Atomics has taken its Ward 250 test reactor critical at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab (USREL), becoming the second company in the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to reach the milestone, and, according to the DOE, the first to do so outside a national laboratory.
The DOE celebrated the achievement in a June 18 announcement, describing it as a "zero-power fueled criticality demonstration." The news follows a similar update for Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactor, which the DOE said achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory earlier this month.
NUCLEAR AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SPACE (NETS-2025) PLENARY SPEAKER
Harsh has over 16 years of experience in developing and deploying clean energy technologies. In his current capacity as the Chief Commercialization Officer, he is responsible for supply chain, policy and government affairs efforts for Zeno Power.
His past roles include being a senior manager at the Nuclear Energy Institute, Advisor at the US Department of Energy, advisor to the executive leadership of the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, senior nuclear engineer at Knolls Atomic Lab and nuclear engineer at GE. Notably, Harsh served as the ANS Congressional Fellow and Legislative Advisor in the U.S. Senate covering energy, transportation, climate change, and appropriations portfolios.
Harsh has an MBA from New York University’s Stern Business School, along with BS & MS in Nuclear Engineering from NC State University.
Harsh currently serves as an officer the American Nuclear Society as Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors. He is a Non-resident Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Council and serves on the NC State’s Nuclear Engineering Department Advisory Committee.
Harsh enjoys going on adventures, such as chasing tornadoes, being an avid photographer, brewing, and gardening with his mini-me.
Last modified April 16, 2025, 1:50pm CDT