Decouple Dr. Chris Keefer
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- Science
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There are technologies that decouple human well-being from its ecological impacts. There are politics that enable these technologies. Join me as I interview world experts to uncover hope in this time of planetary crisis.
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Marcel Boiteux: Builder of the World's Greatest Nuclear Fleet
Marcel Boiteux, a shy economist who escaped occupied France to fight the Nazis before working out the theory of electricity pricing for newly-nationalized Electricite de France, rose to become the greatest builder of nuclear power the world has ever seen.
Mark Nelson, founder of Radiant Energy Group, explains what forces shaped his mind, his role in the fateful "War of the Nuclear Systems," how he prepared for the oil crisis that triggered the "all nuclear" Messmer plan, and how he survived an ecoterrorist attack to construct the famous nuclear fleet that now lies underused and underappreciated.
Can France rediscover its greatest engineering hero, who died last year at the age of 101, in time to rescue itself and indeed all of Europe from its energy death spiral? -
The Chinese Atom
While the west struggles to deliver nuclear plants and dreams about novel reactor technologies China is deploying it all: large LWR, SMR and MSR/HTGR. World Nuclear Association China lead Francois Morin joins me to catch us up on recent developments and trends.
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Renewable Nuclear: All about Breeder Reactors
In the early days of nuclear power uranium was thought to be a critically rare mineral. Nuclear engineers sought to solve this problem with a special type of reactor that produced more fissile material than they consume. Nick Touran joins me to discuss and explore the long term sustainability of nuclear power.
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Vogtle part 4: Can Positive Learning Happen Next?
The Grand Finale is here. We wrestle with the question of whether nuclear can find its groove and the positive learning rates that have eluded it so frequently. Vogtle unit 4 came in 40% cheaper than unit 3. Can those gains continue downwards? Is Vogtle 5 more likely to follow this cost reduction curve compared to a new AP1000 elsewhere?
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A Chat with the Nuclear Barbarian
Emmet Penney joins me to shoot the breeze and catch up on the whirlwind developments of the last few months.
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Californication of the Grid
Fan favourite, Mark Nelson, joins me for an update on California’s soaring electricity prices and worsening grid dysfunction.
Customer Reviews
Alberta POD
Excellent discussion with a very knowledgeable guest.
Best Energy/Climate Podcast
Effective, empirical, genuine, honest, curious, practical… Dr. Chris Keefer is a model leader and communicator in the climate and energy space!
Awesomeness
As a part time nerd and engineering grad, this podcast is brain fuel. Personal favorite guest: Mark Nelson. Every time he is on, I can't stop thinking "I like this guy. I really like this guy." Highly recommend.