Kate Kelly | Chief of Staff, Avalanche Fusion

Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast! On today’s episode, Karan interviews Kate Kelly, Chief of Staff at Avalanche Fusion. They begin with a brief overview of nuclear fusion and why it’s considered a potential game changer for global energy systems then discuss important metrics Avalanche Fusion has been reaching lately, the equipment they use, and how the “test, fail, fix” model used at places like Blue Origin works for them. Karan and Kate also discuss the major barriers to commercializing nuclear fusion, how the company navigates funding and investment among high costs for research, and how the public’s view of technologies that fall under the nuclear umbrella has changed over the years. Kate shares resources and ways anyone can learn more about fusion, how she envisions fusion impacting the global market in the next 10 years, and what excites her about where Avalanche Fusion is now and where they are going. 

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Connect with Kate:

https://avalanchefusion.com/

   https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2346410 

     https://www.cleantechalliance.org/cleantech-events/seattle-fusion-week/ 

     https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/event/seattle-fusion-week-2024/ 

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro 

0:55 - Welcome

2:25 - Overview of nuclear fusion

6:50 - Test, fail, fix - how Avalanche Fusion is working to put fuel in conditions where fusion will occur for as long as possible

12:40 - Balance between technology and cost 

16:35 - Major barriers to commercializing nuclear fusion

19:20- Navigating funding and investment challenges

20:50 - Misconceptions/public perception around nuclear technologies; how clean power can change communities

29:00 - How fusion will impact the global energy market in the next 10 years

30:45 - Q > 1; the fusion reaction produces more energy than it is consuming

32:35 - How to learn about nuclear fusion

36:25 - Exciting things about the Avalanche team

39:10 - AI applications that could develop fusion technology 

40:45 - Kate’s advice to young professionals

Credits:

Editing: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios