Aegis to Develop Digital Twin Control Platform for Marine Nuclear Hybrid Energy with Ontario Tech University

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. announced on August 12 that it will undertake a multi-year research collaboration with Ontario Tech University through the Mitacs Accelerate program. The project, valued at CAD 480,000, aims to develop and test a digital twin-based control platform to support the safe, reliable, and robust operation of small modular reactor and micro modular reactor (SMR/MMR) hybrid energy systems in marine environments.

Under the project arrangement, the research team will simulate changing loads, system faults, and cybersecurity conditions prior to actual equipment deployment to test reactor-aware control strategies and mitigate risks in subsequent engineering and commercialization efforts.

The research will be conducted within the Department of Energy and Nuclear Engineering at Ontario Tech University. Academic supervision will be jointly led by Professors Hossam Gaber, Li Yang, and Kirk Atkinson, with Professor Khalil El-Khatib serving as co-supervisor. The team's research expertise covers nuclear hybrid systems, energy systems, digital twins, and cybersecurity.

The project comprises 36 internship units, providing graduate researchers with sustained hands-on opportunities in nuclear engineering, energy systems, and cybersecurity, while cultivating specialized talent for Canada's safe nuclear hybrid technology development.

Gaber stated that integrating small and micro modular reactors with battery energy storage systems introduces a range of control and safety challenges that cannot be adequately addressed by studying any single system in isolation. Digital twin technology enables testing of reactor-aware strategies against real load variations, system faults, and cyber threats before physical construction.

The approved project is titled "Digital Twin-Based Energy Management and Control Framework for Safe and Reliable Operation of Small Modular Reactor/Micro Modular Reactor Hybrid Energy Systems for Marine Applications." This marks the second funding award Ontario Tech University has received for this project. Previously, a related project led by Professor Gaber received support from the Horizon Europe program in early 2026, with plans to present to European industry stakeholders in fall 2026 to explore further funding and collaboration opportunities.

This research will advance the digital twin energy management and control framework announced by Aegis on April 1, 2026. Key project focus areas include: developing digital twin models of SMR/MMR and battery energy storage system architectures for marine platforms; developing reactor-aware energy management system and power management system control layers for real-time coordination of reactor output, high-rate battery response, and critical loads; building cybersecurity control architectures suitable for nuclear integration scenarios and critical infrastructure; investigating transient load management and frequency stabilization techniques; and progressively conducting hardware-in-the-loop testing and controller validation to reduce commercialization risk and support future certification efforts.

Aegis stated that under the Mitacs Accelerate model, the company, as an industry partner, will receive cost-shared, non-dilutive funding for intellectual property development focused on safe nuclear hybrid control. The 36 internship units will also enable graduate researchers in nuclear engineering, energy systems, and cybersecurity control to join the company's engineering team and participate in related R&D throughout the multi-year project.

Aegis CEO Ramtin Rasoulinezhad stated that this CAD 480,000 R&D grant reflects Canada's applied research capacity being invested in critical issues for advanced nuclear deployment in both marine and land-based settings. The project advances the company's collaboration with Ontario Tech University from the framework stage to a funded, planned research effort with clearly defined deliverables.

The company also disclosed that it is currently executing non-disclosure agreements with several major international shipbuilders regarding potential offshore SMR/MMR integration projects. In accordance with corporate governance policies and applicable securities regulations, the company is currently in an insider trading blackout period.

Beyond marine applications, the platform can also serve ports, AI data centers, Arctic and remote communities, commercial and defense shipping, and disaster response scenarios. In situations where traditional grids are unavailable or insufficiently reliable, the control framework can help coordinate SMR/MMR units and battery energy storage systems to respond to rapidly changing load demands and support resilient, low-carbon electricity supply.

This Mitacs Accelerate project builds on the memorandum of understanding signed on February 4, 2026, among Aegis, Malahat Energy Systems Inc., and Ontario Tech University, and continues the collaboration related to the Mitacs–Horizon Europe International Mobility Award announced on April 23, 2026. Aegis stated that these arrangements will collectively advance the company's development of a digital twin-enabled secure control and simulation technology platform, adaptable for future deployment across multiple critical infrastructure markets, including marine, port electrification, AI data centers, Arctic communities, shipping, and disaster relief.

The research agreement between Aegis and Ontario Tech University is still under negotiation and is expected to be finalized prior to the official commencement of the project.