Ep 07: Hans Gougar, Idaho National Labs

Episode Content:

• How Hans became interested in nuclear energy

• An overview of the of pebble bed technology physics and materials

• How high temperature can be safer than low temperature

• The ups and downs of interest in the technology

• He explains need to build expertise, infrastructure, modeling and new regulations just to lay the foundation for commercializing new technologies

• Why even a 50MW pilot project is a large endeavor

• The role INL plays as an independent auditor and fuel qualifier

• He articulates the difference between pebblebed and prismatic reactors

• We wrap up with where Hans sees the future of Nuclear technology