Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy Ep 12: Jeff Harper, X-Energy
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Mar 28, 2018 
Jeff Harper, VP of Strategy at X-Energy, shares his journey from NRC vendor inspector to innovator in nuclear technology. He discusses the balance between safety and cost, and the revolutionary pebble bed reactor's benefits, including its meltdown-proof design. Harper highlights X-Energy's advanced TRISO fuel technology and the potential of high-temperature nuclear for water desalination. He also addresses the regulatory challenges facing new nuclear technologies in the U.S. and the importance of bridging the expertise gap in the industry.
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Jeff's Nuclear Career Journey
- Jeff Harper transitioned from NRC inspection to working at Westinghouse on the AP1000 and pebble bed modular reactor with South Africa.
- After South Africa canceled the project due to lack of funds, Jeff spent years outside nuclear before returning to X-Energy to reboot pebble bed efforts.
Small Modular Reactors' Cost Advantage
- Small modular reactors offer economies of volume, lowering costs through mass manufacturing instead of scale alone.
- They require less concrete and steel, enabling faster, simpler construction compared to large plants.
Meltdown-Proof TRISO Fuel Design
- X-Energy's pebble bed reactor uses TRISO fuel pebbles that are meltdown proof by design.
- Silicon carbide layers act as pressure vessels, eliminating need for massive containment buildings.