Nuclear power is often discussed as a technology problem. The deeper constraint is execution: cost, schedule, construction risk, financing, supply chain readiness, and whether new power capacity can actually be delivered on a timeline that matters. Jake Jurewicz argues that the future of nuclear power depends on changing the way plants are built. As the co-founder and CEO of Blue Energy, he is working on a deployment model that applies shipyard manufacturing, LNG construction methods, large-format prefabrication, and gas-to-nuclear sequencing to small modular reactors. In this conversation, we look at why nuclear's biggest bottleneck is not only reactor design, how Blue Energy is trying to reduce first-build risk, and why firm power capacity has become a critical constraint for AI, data centers, reshoring, industrial hubs, water needs, and long-term energy security. What You'll Discover In This Episode Why nuclear's biggest bottleneck is cost, schedule, and execution How small modular reactors create a different path for deployment Why Blue Energy is applying shipyard and LNG construction methods to nuclear How gas-to-nuclear sequencing can reduce first-build risk Why firm power is becoming a constraint for AI, data centers, and industrial growth About the Guest Jake Jurewicz is the CEO and co-founder of Blue Energy. Jake has over 10 years of experience building, investing in, and advising companies in the energy, climate, security, and construction sectors. He previously co-founded Entropy Power, a developer of behind-the-meter co-located industrial loads at wholesale generators, and served as Head of Transition Risk and Strategic Projects at Cervest, a UK startup focused delivering high-granularity climate risk analysis to real estate and infrastructure. Previously, Jake served on the corporate strategy team at Exelon Corporation, leading projects in R&D, strategic planning, and venture capital across the categories of nuclear, solar, hydrogen, energy storage, and distributed energy resources. Before Exelon, Jake worked in the nuclear security sector, pursued research in nuclear fusion, and apprenticed as a construction draftsman. Jake holds a Master's in Nuclear Science & Engineering as well as a dual bachelor's in physics and nuclear science & engineering from MIT. About Your Host Alex Krutz is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the U.S. Commerce Department and the Managing Director at Patriot Industrial Partners, an Industrial Advisory firm. Alex and his team partner with growth-oriented companies to improve their operational, quality and financial performance, drawing on decades of experience in complex problem solving, factory optimization, and supply chain optimization initiatives. Alex has earned the nickname "The Factory Doctor" from industry executives, analysts and media due to spearheading many manufacturing and supply chain turnarounds. Alex has completed over 250+ industrial performance improvement projects and manufacturing turnarounds around the globe in USA, Mexico, Canada, UK, Italy, France, South Africa, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and India. You can find Alex's Op-Ed articles that are featured in industry-leading publications, including Washington Times, Forbes, Aviation Week and Flight Global. He has also been cited in major media outlets, such as Wall Street Journal, Reuters, CNBC, among others. He has contributed to prominent conferences and webinars organized by Bank of America, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and other institutions. Resources Have a project that can benefit from Alex's expertise? Alex and his team at Patriot Industrial Partners work with growth-oriented organizations to raise their operational, quality and financial performance, drawing on decades of experience in complex problem solving, factory optimization, and due diligence. Visit TheFactoryDoctor.com to learn more about private consulting and to request a Discovery Call. What energy capacity means for manufacturing, national security, and economic sovereignty
