049 Caleb Tomlin, Senior Technical Leader at EPRI Fire2Fission Podcast
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- Technology
Caleb Tomlin, Senior Technical Leader at EPRI, discusses the transition from coal to nuclear power. He explains the research being done on synthetic fuels and the opportunities for nuclear beyond electricity. Caleb highlights the challenges and considerations involved in converting coal plants to nuclear, including site characterization, technology and design selection, and securing land and transmission rights. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and workforce development in the transition process. Caleb also shares his optimistic vision for the future, envisioning an expansion of nuclear power and its role in providing abundant, cheap, and clean energy.
Takeaways
The transition from coal to nuclear power offers opportunities for synthetic fuel production and nuclear participation in various sectors beyond electricity.
Converting coal plants to nuclear requires careful site characterization, technology and design selection, and securing land and transmission rights.
Community engagement and workforce development are crucial aspects of the transition process.
The future of nuclear power is promising, with an expansion of nuclear power and its role in providing abundant, cheap, and clean energy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Caleb Tomlin's Background
03:20 Nuclear Beyond Electricity
04:15 Overview of EPRI
06:10 Research on Synthetic Fuels
07:32 Coal to Nuclear Transition
08:56 Challenges and Considerations
12:08 Conversion Process and Design Selection
15:41 Reuse of Existing Assets
17:36 Steam Conditions and Turbine Compatibility
24:32 Examples of Coal to Nuclear Projects
25:25 Workforce Transition and Job Creation
27:59 Hurdles and Steps to Build More Nuclear
41:04 International Perspective
45:06 How People Can Help
50:14 Optimistic Vision for the Future
Caleb Tomlin, Senior Technical Leader at EPRI, discusses the transition from coal to nuclear power. He explains the research being done on synthetic fuels and the opportunities for nuclear beyond electricity. Caleb highlights the challenges and considerations involved in converting coal plants to nuclear, including site characterization, technology and design selection, and securing land and transmission rights. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and workforce development in the transition process. Caleb also shares his optimistic vision for the future, envisioning an expansion of nuclear power and its role in providing abundant, cheap, and clean energy.
Takeaways
The transition from coal to nuclear power offers opportunities for synthetic fuel production and nuclear participation in various sectors beyond electricity.
Converting coal plants to nuclear requires careful site characterization, technology and design selection, and securing land and transmission rights.
Community engagement and workforce development are crucial aspects of the transition process.
The future of nuclear power is promising, with an expansion of nuclear power and its role in providing abundant, cheap, and clean energy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:23 Caleb Tomlin's Background
03:20 Nuclear Beyond Electricity
04:15 Overview of EPRI
06:10 Research on Synthetic Fuels
07:32 Coal to Nuclear Transition
08:56 Challenges and Considerations
12:08 Conversion Process and Design Selection
15:41 Reuse of Existing Assets
17:36 Steam Conditions and Turbine Compatibility
24:32 Examples of Coal to Nuclear Projects
25:25 Workforce Transition and Job Creation
27:59 Hurdles and Steps to Build More Nuclear
41:04 International Perspective
45:06 How People Can Help
50:14 Optimistic Vision for the Future