From July 21 to August 2, I was in Laramie, Wyoming, for the Nuclear Innovation Alliance’s seventh edition of the Nuclear Innovation Bootcamp, co-sponsored by Good Energy. This two-week, immersive workshop is designed for students and early career professionals new to the nuclear sector. Through expert-led sessions, team-building exercises, and collaborative group projects, participants hone their innovation skills and emerge with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the nuclear sector. 

NIA partnered with the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources this year. The 2024 cohort was incredibly diverse, featuring twenty-four students and early career professionals from seventeen countries. It was fantastic to see such a global, multidisciplinary cohort. The program also included an impressive lineup of speakers from academia, private industry, state and federal government, and the non-profit sector. 

During the two-week program, participants explored various topics with speakers. Wyoming-based speakers highlighted the state’s plans for a robust energy future. State Representative Don Burkhart, for instance, emphasized Wyoming’s all-of-the-above approach to energy. He discussed how new nuclear development could benefit Wyoming’s ratepayers and workforce while maintaining its status as an energy-leading state. Overall, the expert-led sessions laid the foundation for deeper investigation into innovative solutions to workforce shortages, spent fuel storage challenges, and more. 

A core component of the Bootcamp is its hands-on, experiential learning. On July 25, Tata Chemicals hosted the cohort at its Trona mine in Green River, WY. Tata recently partnered with BWXT Advanced Technologies to deploy several advanced reactors to support Tata’s existing power generation. Tata Chemicals is Wyoming’s largest trona producer, and if successful, this project will be the first in the nation to deploy small-scale industrial nuclear power. There was genuine excitement as our hosts discussed the benefits nuclear energy could bring to the Trona mine’s operations. 

The following day, we explored the front end of the fuel cycle at Ur-Energy’s in situ recovery uranium mine in Lost Creek, WY. The Ur-Energy team offered us a guided tour of their facility, walking us through their process, from in situ mining the fresh uranium ore to producing yellowcake ready for transportation. 

The Bootcamp culminated in a pitch competition to a panel of expert judges on the last day. Each team delivered a creative five-minute pitch presentation showcasing an innovative solution to a pressing industry challenge. It was inspiring to witness the products of two weeks of generating novel ideas, collaborating across disciplines, and incorporating mentor feedback. We all headed home in different directions, energized by new connections and innovative ideas.