Fire2Fission Podcast Mark Hinaman

In this episode of the Fire to Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman interviews Martin Hjelmeland, a postdoc researcher in Norway. They discuss Martin's background in energy and environmental engineering, his work in hydropower scheduling, and his interest in nuclear energy. They also touch on Norway's nuclear history and the country's transition from oil and gas to nuclear. The conversation highlights the importance of energy system modeling and the potential role of nuclear power in a renewable energy system. The conversation explores the potential for nuclear energy in Norway and the challenges it faces. It discusses the need for understanding reservoir flow and injection locations, the success of tracer technology in enhancing oil production, and the importance of simulation software in the oil and gas industry. The conversation also touches on the changing sentiment towards nuclear energy in Norway, the controversy surrounding a report on nuclear energy, and the need for a more balanced approach to energy solutions. The ONS conference is mentioned as an opportunity to further discuss the topic.

Link to Martin’s research project on “Nuclear Energy’s role in a Renewable Energy System (NERES)”: https://www.ntnu.edu/iel/neres

In this episode of Fire2Fission, Mark Hinaman talks with Jeff Whitt from Framatome about the changing dynamics of nuclear energy. From his journey in the field to spearheading initiatives for the US government, Jeff sheds light on the pivotal role of nuclear power in environmental sustainability, the obstacles of innovation and talent acquisition, and the promising future of advanced reactor technologies.

Mark Hinaman talks with Craig Ranson from Framatome about the nuclear industry's past, present, and future. From robotics to reactor vessel examination and the challenges of expanding nuclear energy, Craig provides insights into Framatome's contributions and the industry's need for innovation and new talent.

Mark Hinaman interviews Sean Farrell, Senior Vice President of Operations at TeraWulf, a company focused on zero-carbon cryptocurrency mining. Farrell shares his extensive background in the energy sector, including his time at Siemens and Siemens Gamesa. He discusses TeraWulf's unique approach to sustainable crypto mining, leveraging existing infrastructure at retired power plants, and the importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) in the industry. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving energy landscape, particularly around nuclear energy and its integration with cryptocurrency mining operations.

Episode recorded October 27, 2023.

Host Mark Hinaman interviews Doomberg, an anonymous energy analyst and head writer for the Doomberg Substack. They discuss the importance of nuclear energy in addressing climate change and energy needs, criticizing the nuclear industry's lack of effective marketing and political advocacy. Doomberg advocates for a more assertive approach in promoting nuclear power, emphasizing its benefits over renewable sources. The conversation also touches on the challenges and potential strategies for advancing nuclear energy in the current political and social landscape.

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