In 2019, nuclear energy provided a whopping 55% of America’s carbon-free electricity. Yet the nation’s existing nuclear infrastructure is aging and there are virtually no new plants being built in the U.S. Research and development is underway on new designs for nuclear reactors that seek to completely change the paradigm for nuclear energy. The webinar features insights from nuclear energy experts Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh (ARPA-E and UC Berkeley) and Jessica Lovering (Carnegie Mellon and Energy for Growth Hub). The conversation is moderated by Dr. Eric Rohlfing, Energy Initiative executive-in-residence and former acting director of ARPA-E.
The conversation touches on these questions and many more:
* What is advanced nuclear? How is it different from current nuclear technologies and why does that matter?
* When it comes to this technology, who is already innovating, investing, and advocating?
* What are potential barriers to deploying advanced nuclear technologies as part of a decarbonized energy future, including economic factors, regulatory issues, safety concerns, and public perception of risk?