Exploring Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Their Market Fit

Adam Stein is the Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute, where he focuses on the technology, policy, risk and economics of nuclear energy. The Breakthrough Institute is a global research center that identifies and promotes technological solutions to environmental and human development challenges. Among its many projects, the Breakthrough Institute recently launched Build Nuclear Now, a national campaign to mobilize Americans in targeted states to call for regulatory and legislative change to accelerate the licensing and deployment of new, advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.

Adam brings a pro-nuclear perspective to this conversation; and given that, Cody and Adam focus the majority of the discussion on the history of nuclear power in the US and potential paths forward, rather than debating the merits of nuclear (which could of course be a full episode by itself). Adam has a particular interest in advanced nuclear reactors, which represent a broad class of new technologies currently under development and review. This conversation covers these advanced reactors and so much more. 

Episode recorded on Apr 15, 2024 (Published on May 13, 2024)

In this episode, we cover: 

• [02:39]: Launch of 'Build Nuclear Now' to boost public support for nuclear energy
• [03:45]: Shift in public opinion on nuclear energy post-Three Mile Island incident
• [05:03]: Contrast between post-WWII and current energy policies focusing on efficiency
• [09:30]: Decline of nuclear energy due to increased natural gas from fracking
• [10:48]: Challenges in revitalizing the stagnant US nuclear industry
• [13:02]: Future projections for nuclear load growth by 2050  
• [15:14]: Why renewables and storage alone cannot meet future energy demands
• [19:39]: Additional benefits of nuclear energy
• [21:33]: The role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the need for reform
• [25:00]: Challenges with traditional nuclear reactor approval processes 
• [29:23]: Vogtle reactors and challenges for deploying nuclear plants in the US
• [32:27]: The potential of advanced nuclear reactors and their smaller, adaptable designs
• [39:32]: Strategic focus on Appalachia for repurposing coal plants for nuclear projects
• [42:38]: Recent legislative efforts to modernize nuclear energy regulation and innovation
• [52:12]: The process and challenges of nuclear fuel management, from enrichment to waste
• [01:01:12]: National focus on nuclear innovation, highlighting Idaho's MARVEL reactor development
• [01:05:31]: Role of the Breakthrough Institute in addressing and implementing solutions for nuclear energy barriers

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant