Titans Of Nuclear | Interviewing World Experts on Nuclear Energy

In this episode we discuss... Gary's background in mechanical engineering and personal journey through the nuclear field Gary's work as president and CEO at Areva and his leadership approach and vision for Framatome Framatome's legacy of innovation and its commitment to future technology Framatome's partnership with LightBridge Challenges and opportunities within digital INC innovation Economics o...

In this episode we discuss... Curtis' education at VMI and personal journey through the nuclear industry What is a steam cut? Challenges of repairs in boronated water and other environments unique to nuclear plant machinery Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), Ultrasonic Inspection (UT), and process for repair and replacement of nuclear components Periodic scheduling of inspections for maintenance...

In this episode we discuss... Craig's background in robotics and shock peening Cycle of production, refueling, and mechanical maintenance at nuclear plants Use of inspection probes and robotics in steam generator maintenance Trends in maintenance innovation over last few decades Causes of component degradation and solutions to limit/reduce Division of responsibilities and unique challenges in mana...

In this episode we discuss... Bob's personal journey in the nuclear industry Bob's work in Nuclear Fuel Commercial Operations at Framatome Different types of nuclear fuel design Switching out fuel type as a means of reducing enrichment Ways in which fuel is designed for the commercial sector Processes and procedures within a full-scale fuel fabrication facility Who are the commercial sector buyers...

In this episode we discuss... Kam's background in engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry A behind the scenes look at how Kam started X-Energy Kam's work at X-Energy developing Generation IV high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor and fuel designs Nuclear challenges and how Kam works to overcome them with methods including fixed cost and fixed timeline Flaws with the appli...

In this episode we discuss... Ron's background growing up in Israel and entering the nuclear field via the study of medicine Ron's work as Director of Business Development at General Atomic IAEA demonstration of desalination process at Kazakhstan plant Different techniques for desalination Armenian nuclear history and safety concerns Role of technical advisors and detailees across National Securit...

In this episode we discuss... Joyce's unique journey from study of poetry to international relations to the nuclear field Joyce's international experiences in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan and later experiences in Kazakhstan in post Cold War era The history of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency The shutdown of the BN-350 fast breeder reactor in Kazakhstan Joyce's involvement in the 123 Agreemen...

In this episode we discuss... Umair's background in journalism and biochemistry and his personal journey in the nuclear space How Umair came to work for Vox and the reporting he does there on topics including climate and energy A deep dive into Vox and its mission to provide explanatory journalism The politics of nuclear energy Nuclear experts Umair interviews and how he navigates their bias and v...

In this episode we discuss... Paul's background in human rights and environmental activism and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The Peaceful Atoms and how it sparked Paul's concerns surrounding nuclear technology The advent of renewables including wind and solar and how the sector has evolved Paul's worries regarding the connection between uranium enrichment and weapons The practicalit...

In this episode we discuss... Bob's background in mechanical engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The history of MPR and Bob's role as Principal Officer MPR's work with power plants across the US and its critical role in US nuclear Solutions for intergranular stress corrosion cracking in boiling water reactors How Bob copes with the stress that comes with working in nuclear...

In this episode we discuss... Jeff's background in environmental law and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Challenges Jeff worked to overcome at the NRC including the issue of nuclear safety culture Jeff's work in business development for the Shaw Group Advanced reactor technology including the molten salt reactor Jeff's work as an outside advisor to several groups including X-Energy wh...

In this episode we discuss... Margaret's background in nuclear engineering and her personal journey in the nuclear industry Margaret's work with boiling water reactors at GE The processes within phase changes in nuclear reactors The physics of bubbles in boiling water reactors and how it allows greater fuel production, lower enrichment, and reduced cost Tritium and the fears associated with it Int...

In this episode we discuss... Andrew's personal journey in the nuclear industry Andrew's book After Fukushima How nuclear's adaptation or lack thereof has shaped our physical, social, and environmental history How Chernobyl and Fukushima shifted nuclear public relations How different countries view purchasing reactors versus homebuilt reactors Why nuclear is ultimately safer than every other energ...

In this episode we discuss... Milton's background in nuclear engineering and his personal journey in the industry Improving nuclear's ability to stay on time and on budget Milton's work understanding and minimizing operation risks The history of Canada's nuclear industry Milton's work as an independent consultant assisting with refurbishment projects in Canada including the Bruce Power refurbishme...

In this episode we discuss... Anurag's background in mechanical engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The many changing processes that go into building a nuclear plant The financial risk profile of a nuclear plant versus that of other energy sources The government's role in funding nuclear How nuclear plants benefit Canada and its employment rate KPMG's work improving nuclea...

In this episode we discuss... Amy's background in journalism and her personal journey in the nuclear industry reporting on energy from the Wall Street Journal to Axios How energy plays a role in economics and politics including the natural gas boom during the Obama era The evolution of energy in the media and its impact on public perception The pendulum swing of US energy regulations Nuclear's env...

In this episode we discuss... Tina's background in chemical engineering and her personal evolution in the nuclear industry Tina's early work at Northeast Utilities helping to manage the start up of Millstone 3 The chemical processes involved in a steam generator B&W Nuclear Technologies aka Framatome Different reactor types and their chemical components Comparing the overall environmental impact a...

In this episode we discuss... Al's background in material science and his personal journey in the nuclear industry from the NRC to EPRI Ways in which the NRC regulates civilian use of nuclear materials and its role at Yucca Mountain A deep dive into pitting and dry cask storage Various material degradation methods including crevice corrosion The safety and economic benefits of dry storage EPRI's r...

In this episode we discuss... Andrew's background in physics and optics and his personal journey in the nuclear industry An understanding of the metal wastes like uranium in weapons facilities and their effect on the environment How uranium becomes radon Chernobyl and how the facility was salvaged after the accident A deep dive into accident tolerant fuels The neutronics of silicon carbide versus...

In this episode we discuss... Dave's background in welding and his personal journey in the nuclear industry The advantages of welding versus a flange The history of ultrasonic inspection welds Fatigue and creep in fossil plants How data collected from materials testing in fossil plants now contributes to the nuclear industry Temperatures required in coal plants versus those required in nuclear pla...

In this episode we discuss... Rob's background in history and his personal evolution in the nuclear industry Design flaws that led to the Three Mile Island accident Rob's work in plant modernization managing major electrical and digital upgrades at plants in the US Pros and cons of analog systems versus digital systems The core inputs essential to safety control in a plant including coolant flow a...

In this episode we discuss... Dan's background in chemical engineering and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Dan's work studying lanthanides and actinides The different types of research and development an independent nonprofit organization like EPRI provides to utilities The contributing factors within primary and secondary coolants and how they alter the chemistry of oxides on materia...

In this episode we discuss... Neil's background in the British Navy and his personal journey in the nuclear industry Neil's work as a system engineer at Sizewell The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and its work to increase a power plant's capacity factor and uptime Understanding a plant's realtime risk profile EPRI's relationship with the nuclear industry and where it gets its funding...

In this episode we discuss... Eric's personal evolution in the nuclear industry and his entrepreneurial endeavors including General Compression Eric's work as one of the world's leading climate change analysts and advisors A deep dive into natural gas cavern storage How a combination of cheap gas and lack of demand for electricity nearly eliminated the wind development industry Why compressed air...

In this episode we discuss... Gene's background in nuclear engineering and personal journey in the nuclear industry The history of nuclear in the US including the aftermath of the Three Mile Island accident Plant designs including Westinghouse's AP1000 and GE's ESBWR The importance of documenting assumptions and managing margins when it comes to nuclear design and performance The role of redundanc...