DeepSummary
The podcast episode features an interview with Dr. John Wagner, the Director of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). INL is one of 17 national labs in the United States focused on advanced nuclear research, with a rich history in the development of nuclear energy. The episode covers the history of INL, its key priorities, current projects under development, and Dr. Wagner's vision for the future of nuclear energy.
Dr. Wagner provides an overview of the different types of national labs, including the Office of Science labs, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) labs, and the applied energy labs like INL. He discusses INL's role in reestablishing the capability to routinely test and demonstrate new nuclear reactor technologies, such as the Marvel microreactor project and the Pele mobile nuclear power plant for the Department of Defense.
Dr. Wagner shares his perspective on the future energy mix, emphasizing the need for nuclear power to play a significant role in decarbonization efforts. He highlights the importance of overcoming hesitations around cost and schedule uncertainties to start building new nuclear power plants, both large-scale light water reactors and advanced small modular and microreactors.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a leading national lab focused on advanced nuclear research and innovation.
- INL is actively working on projects to reestablish the capability to routinely test and demonstrate new nuclear reactor technologies, such as the Marvel microreactor and the Pele mobile nuclear power plant.
- Dr. John Wagner, the Director of INL, believes that nuclear power must play a significant role in decarbonizing the energy mix, and emphasizes the need to start building new nuclear power plants, both large-scale light water reactors and advanced small modular and microreactors.
- Overcoming hesitations and uncertainties surrounding cost and schedule is crucial for facilitating the deployment of new nuclear projects.
- INL collaborates closely with private companies to commercialize and deploy nuclear technologies, aiming to drive real-world impact.
- In addition to nuclear energy, INL also focuses on securing critical infrastructure against cyber threats, which Dr. Wagner considers a greater concern than the risk of nuclear weapon detonation.
- INL supports the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in understanding and regulating new nuclear technologies through technical assistance, regulatory development, and training.
- Fusion technology is a smaller part of INL's portfolio, but the lab is exploring ways to support fusion research through its expertise in areas like neutron radiation and tritium management.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We have to work with policymakers, financial people who understand how to manage those kinds of things to just get started. I very much look forward to policy or other changes that we can just get to where people are, come off the sidelines and start building them again because we certainly can't get to where I'd like to be if we don't get started.“ by John Wagner
- “We work with private companies who will get them out to where they'll have an impact.“ by John Wagner
- “I worry, frankly, much more about cyber attacks on our critical infrastructure than I worry about a nuclear weapon detonation in the United States.“ by John Wagner
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Episode Information
My Climate Journey
Jason Jacobs, Cody Simms, Yin Lu
6/10/24