Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we interview Todd Allen, one of the top U.S. experts in nuclear energy. Todd's played a critical role in supporting the advancement of the next generation of nuclear technologies serving roles throughout our national lab system, in academia, the think-tank world and more. In this episode Todd' reveals tremendous insights around: The function of our national lab system in prototyping reactors and creation of user facilities to revitalize innovation on this front Walking through various permutations of fuels, coolants, and approaches towards proving new technologies Turning points in the history of commercial nuclear development, here in the US and abroad, and the recent resurgence of nuclear excitement His contribution towards shaping policy at Thirdway, the clean energy think tank, and launching their first advanced nuclear summit. We talk about the concept of prize based incentives and how they might apply to the nuclear space Most importantly concrete steps how the can DOE restructure their efforts to best encourage innovation At the very end he also offers a nugget regarding communication strategies to the public as well

In this episode we interview Per Peterson, professor at one of UC Berkeley's Nuclear reactors groups. He's the world expert on Fluoride Salt Cooled High Temperature reactors and a founder of Kairos Power, an Oakland, CA based nuclear startup, pursuing commercialization of that same technology. He has a lot of insight to share in this space including: The true cost drivers in plant construction and operations Civil nuclear energy from the perspective of non-proliferation Public misunderstandings around nuclear waste Theories around various safety design approaches Integral effects test facilities and their role in new reactor technology development How market failures make it challenging to develop new reactors Opportunities to borrow learnings from the success of the revitalization of the private space industry

In this episode we interview Michael Shellenberger who has been on the forefront of nuclear advocacy for over a decade. He's the founder of Environmental Progress, a research and policy organization, which in addition to putting together papers on Health and Safety, technology, innovation and economics also manages grassroots campaign efforts for preserving the existing Nuclear Fleet. In this episode we discuss: Michael Shellenberger's personal evolution from a solar to nuclear advocacy Common misconceptions around fukushima including the media's role We touch on concepts such on technocentrism, human consciousness, even question energy inevitability, And then we review which arguments are more or less influential in readjusting the public's position

Host, Bret Kugelmass, introduces his nuclear energy themed podcast explaining his motivations around climate change.