Starting in 2000, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) funded research for the development of a small nuclear power plant that might be used in multiple applications. Idaho National Environment & Engineering Laboratory (INEEL) led the project with support from Oregon State University (OSU). At the same time, OSU was gaining international recognition for its work in the development of passive safety systems that use natural circulation to provide cooling for nuclear plants. OSU built and operated a scale model or replica of a 1000 mw and a 600 mw nuclear steam supply system to help the developer obtain US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Design Certification for those technologies.