Decouple

Jeff Waksman, Program Manager for Project Pele at the Department of Defense, dives into the exciting world of military microreactors. He unpacks the powerful role of reliable energy in modern warfare and the logistics challenges faced by armed forces. Discussing Project Pele, he reveals the complexities of developing transportable nuclear reactors while balancing innovation with safety. Waksman also highlights the historical significance of nuclear power, advocating for its potential to enhance military energy resilience amidst evolving conflicts.

Steve Keen, a notable economist and author recognized for his critiques of neoclassical economics, dives deep into the critical misunderstanding of energy's role in modern economics. He discusses how traditional models fail to account for climate risks and the evolution of economic systems from feudalism to capitalism. Keen critiques the oversimplifications of neoclassical theories and emphasizes the need for new economic models that address ecological limits. He warns of the potential authoritarian measures needed to avert ecological collapse, highlighting the urgent need for nuanced economic thinking.

Phil Chaffee, Editor of Nuclear Intelligence Weekly, provides insider insights on the future of U.S. nuclear energy amidst potential political shifts. He discusses how a second Trump administration could impact nuclear power purchase agreements and the viability of carbon pricing. The conversation dives into the delicate balance of free-market ideals versus necessary government support for nuclear projects. Chaffee also highlights the complexities of U.S.-China nuclear collaborations and the broader geopolitical implications for energy policy.

Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, a French historian of science and technology and co-author of "Chaos in the Heavens," dives into the historical roots of climate discourse. He discusses how early European colonizers, like Columbus, shaped climate perceptions to justify their actions. Fressoz highlights deforestation debates dating back to the 16th century and how climate instability influenced political upheavals, such as the French Revolution. The conversation reveals how our modern understanding of climate is steeped in centuries of history, illustrating the complex interplay between environment and society.

Aidan Morrison, director of energy research at Australia’s Centre for Independent Studies, takes us to the depths of Australia’s security predicament as a country near Maritime Southeast Asia dependent on liquid hydrocarbon imports. We discuss military strategy, the use of nuclear and diesel-electric submarines, and the continent’s precarious dependence on maritime trade and military alliances.

Nick Touran, a nuclear engineer and manager at TerraPower, delves into the intricate world of microreactors. He highlights the sobering realities and fundamental challenges these technologies face, like neutronic constraints and production limitations. Touran discusses the historical significance of military microreactors and the complexities of radiation safety. He emphasizes the economic hurdles in the nuclear fuel market and the innovative solutions needed to enhance microreactor efficiency, while also navigating the hype around their commercialization.

Nick Touran tells the story of Admiral Hyman Rickover, the “Father of the Nuclear Navy” and author of the legendary "Paper Reactor" memo. We discover how Rickover’s hard-driving management and obsession with practical engineering shaped not just the US nuclear navy, but the entire landscape of modern nuclear power. Touran is manager of digital engineering at TerraPower and creator of Whatisnuclear.com. Decouple Substack: https://www.decouple.media/

James Krellenstein, co-founder of Alva Energy, explains precisely what happened at the Three Mile Island accident, in which an ordinary reactor trip cascaded into a partial meltdown due primarily to errors in the human-machine interface. Krellenstein discusses how the 1979 incident, despite its severity, actually showed the effectiveness of the “defense in depth” principle and led to significant improvements in plant operations and nuclear safety culture. Watch the episode on YouTube to follow along with visuals.

Koroush Shirvan, an MIT professor and consultant on recent major reports on nuclear economics, sheds light on the hidden costs of small modular reactors. Lower power densities, ballooning containment and reactor vessel sizes, poor economies of scale, and missed opportunities for cost reductions mean that SMRs may not be the panacea for nuclear that many believe them to be.

Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy, joins me to discuss his office’s latest Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report on nuclear energy. We touch on the state of the American nuclear industry, its surge of policy and private sector support, and outstanding obstacles to tripling nuclear capacity in the United States. In addition to emphasizing the need for standardization in reactor designs and a unified communications strategy from the nuclear industry, Jigar sets the record straight on what the LPO can and, importantly, cannot do for the sector. While the LPO offers extensive support in the form of loans and high-quality information, it is up to industry to lead the charge. In his words, “we can’t want this more than industry.” Read more on Substack: https://www.decouple.media/