Decouple

Samuel Gibson, the 24-year-old founder and CEO of Hadron Energy, shares his innovative vision for the future of nuclear power. He discusses transitioning from a one megawatt to a ten megawatt microreactor design, believing it offers the fastest path to licensing. Gibson elaborates on assembling a seasoned team from industry leaders and the unique financial strategy involving a SPAC. The conversation dives into the challenges of regulatory frameworks, factory production versus civil works costs, and the potential applications for remote power needs, all while navigating the fascinating landscape of nuclear energy.

James Krellenstein, CEO of Alva Energy and a nuclear engineering expert, returns for a masterclass on the AP1000's advanced safety features. He shares the innovative passive safety architecture that outperforms traditional systems during emergencies. Listeners learn about the reactor's efficient design, including core makeup tanks and automatic depressurization systems. James discusses the challenges faced in validating these systems with the NRC and DOE, showcasing how the AP1000 represents a leap forward in nuclear safety.

Michael Seeley, a licensed nuclear engineer, discusses the intricate $80 billion U.S. partnership with Westinghouse. Yuri Humber, an expert on Japanese energy, explores how this deal dovetails with Japan's $550 billion investment framework. Chris Keefer, representing Canadian nuclear interests, sheds light on potential benefits for Canada and the geopolitics of energy security. They debate cross-border supply chains, discuss risks for Japan under U.S. concessions, and examine the implications of selecting Westinghouse as a favored vendor in nuclear policy.

Aleksey Rezvoi, a veteran maritime nuclear engineer educated in the Soviet Union, shares his insights on Russia’s maritime nuclear fleet. He reveals the historical significance of the Lenin icebreaker and the evolution of reactor designs to modern small modular reactors (SMRs). Rezvoi discusses the practicalities of Arctic logistics, contrasts Russian operational experience with Western SMR hype, and highlights the importance of system economics. He also addresses safety paradigms, fuel innovations, and the unique challenges of designing reactors for maritime conditions.

François Morin, a lead for the World Nuclear Association on China, brings his unique insights from traveling across Chinese reactor sites and speaking fluent Mandarin. He discusses the impressive speed of China’s nuclear construction compared to past French standards, revealing the challenges of transitioning from coal and gas. François explains the operational nuances of various advanced reactors, including the CAP1400, and the cultural hesitancies toward inland builds. He also highlights China’s ambitious plans for sodium fast and high-temperature gas reactors, while addressing geopolitical hurdles in nuclear exports.

Dan Wang, a research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover History Lab and author of Breakneck, explores the contrast between China as an 'engineering state' and the U.S. as a 'lawyerly society.' He discusses the rise of engineers in China's political landscape post-Mao and how the U.S. shifted towards legalism in the 60s and 70s. Wang shares insights from his cycling trip in Guizhou, the implications of the one-child policy, and China's ambitious infrastructure projects, revealing both the benefits and drawbacks of state control and capacity.

Jesse Ausubel, an environmental scientist and director at The Rockefeller University, discusses groundbreaking ideas on sustainability. He delves into the concept of logistic S-curves to explain trends in energy systems. Ausubel highlights the 'environmental trifecta' of land-sparing, decarbonization, and dematerialization, while addressing the complexities in these areas. He also shares insights on hydrogen's potential, challenges in energy transitions, and reflects on the future of biodiversity through innovative frameworks and long-term thinking.

Jesse Huebsch, a principal process engineer with expertise in chemical plant design and decarbonization, dives into the complexities of industrial process heat. He explains how steel and ammonia are produced, detailing methods for decarbonization and the challenges of electrification. The discussion reveals the role of steam quality in efficiency and the practicalities of integrating high-temperature reactors with existing systems. Jesse also explores the importance of maintaining consistent industrial heat and the potential of nuclear energy in this effort.

Nuclear has entered its meme stock moment. Last week, Oklo hit a market capitalization of $20.7 billion—more than established nuclear giants BWXT, Curtiss-Wright, and AtkinsRéalis—despite having zero revenue, no NRC design certification, and a rejected license application. In my conversation with returning guest Michael Seely, aka AtomicBlender, we examine this preposterous valuation built on glossy renderings rather than demonstrated readiness. If Rosatom, with 70 years of R&D and thousands of specialized engineers, struggles to make sodium fast reactors commercially viable, how will a Silicon Valley startup accomplish it in two years? When this bubble bursts, the entire nuclear renaissance may pay the price.

Join award-winning science writer Peter Brannen, who specializes in deep-time geoscience, as he explains the 4.5 billion-year saga of carbon dioxide. Discover how CO2 shaped early life and the planet's evolution through events like Snowball Earth and the Permian extinction. Hear about the role of fossil fuels in creating an oxygen-rich atmosphere and how climate shifts influenced human evolution. Brannen also dives into the significance of small CO2 changes and early human impacts on today's climate.