Powering Industry
Without Compromise

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman speaks with returning guest Liz Muller, CEO and co-founder of Deep Fission, about the innovative approach to nuclear energy through deep borehole reactors. They discuss the transition from Deep Isolation to Deep Fission, the technical and economic aspects of the new reactor design, and the future of nuclear energy in addressing climate change. Liz shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the nuclear sector, including regulatory hurdles, safety considerations, and the importance of a robust fuel supply chain.

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman speaks with Dr. Jenifer Shafer, a professor at the Colorado School of Mines, about her journey into the field of nuclear chemistry and her research on nuclear fuel recycling and waste management. They discuss the evolution of energy sources, the importance of nuclear energy in providing low-emission electricity, and the complexities of nuclear waste. Dr. Shafer shares insights from her time at PNNL (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) and Hanford, her PhD research, the Purex process, and the role of private sector investments in advancing nuclear technologies. The conversation highlights the need for innovation and investment in nuclear fuel recycling research and the potential for future advancements in the field.

In this podcast episode, Mathias Meyer and David Harestad, founders of Norway’s pro-nuclear organization "Klimavenner for Kjernekraft" (Climate Friends for Nuclear Power), discuss Norway's shift toward nuclear energy and their advocacy work. Initially skeptical, both Meyer and Harestad turned pro-nuclear after exploring its potential to provide clean, stable energy and reduce environmental harm. They detail the challenges they face, including opposition from traditional environmental groups, and their strategy of grassroots mobilization to change public opinion and political perspectives on nuclear energy in Norway. Highlighting events like Norway's Offshore Northern Sea Oil and Gas Conference (ONS), they describe how nuclear energy discussions have gained traction among industry leaders and the public. They attribute part of their success to support from international allies, including American nuclear advocates, and foresee potential nuclear development in Norway within the next decade.

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, host Mark Hinaman speaks with Aimee Tooker, a community leader from Nucla, Colorado, about the challenges and opportunities facing her small town, particularly in the wake of the closure of the local coal plant. Aimee shares insights into the community's history with mining, agriculture, and the impact of recent economic transitions. The conversation delves into the proposed national monument that threatens local mining interests (including Uranium!) and the community's fight to maintain their economic independence while balancing environmental concerns. Aimee emphasizes the importance of local voices in decision-making processes and the need for a collaborative approach to conservation and resource management.

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman speaks with Matt Solomon, project manager of the Northwest Colorado Energy Initiative (NCEI) and the Survey 1 Report, about the transition from coal to alternative energy sources in Northwest Colorado. As Matt walks through the survey report released in June, they discuss the necessity of the feasibility study to address the impending closure of coal plants, the importance of community engagement through surveys, and the public's perception of nuclear energy as a viable solution. The conversation highlights the need for fact-based discussions, the political landscape surrounding energy policies, and the role of nuclear energy in addressing climate change. Solomon emphasizes the importance of understanding community needs and the potential for integrated energy solutions that include nuclear power.

New Podcast episode! This one is a little different than our usual episode. Featuring a panel discussion that took place in Norway at the ONS (Offshore North Sea) Conference in August 2024, on which Mark was invited to join by previous @Fire2Fission podcast guest, Martin Hjelmeland (see F2F Episode 054). Before that gets going, Mark introduces us to the Consortium model that F2F is driving forward. Please reach out to us if you want to hear more and collaborate with us as we seek to extend nuclear’s reach in the oil and gas industry. Visit our website at www.Fire2Fission.com and send us a message. The world needs more energy and we are here to build it.

On this episode of the Fire2Fission Podcast, Mark Hinaman interviews Florencia Renteria, PhD in Nuclear Science and Technology. They discuss various topics related to the nuclear industry, including; high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology, her nuclear energy education and experience from around the world, and the importance of international collaboration in the nuclear industry. Florencia also shares her experiences working with organizations like Women in Nuclear and the International Youth Nuclear Congress. She highlights the role of innovation in the nuclear industry and the future of nuclear energy in Mexico, her home country, as well.

Trey Lauderdale, the founder and CEO of Atomic Canyon, discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nuclear power industry. Atomic Canyon focuses on bringing next-generation technologies to the existing nuclear power fleet to drive efficiencies and make nuclear power more efficient and cost-effective. Trey explains the intersection of fast-moving AI technology and the slow-moving, risk-averse nuclear industry. He shares his background in healthcare IT and how it led him to the nuclear industry. Trey also discusses the importance of open sourcing AI models and the future monetization plans for Atomic Canyon. The conversation explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nuclear power industry. Trey Lauderdale discusses the digital transformation of healthcare as a parallel to the potential transformation in nuclear power. He emphasizes the need for a nuclear operating system built on AI to improve efficiency and streamline processes. The conversation also highlights the importance of data in AI and the abundance of data in the nuclear industry. Trey predicts that nuclear power will become the most advanced segment from an AI perspective in the next five to ten years. He also discusses the intersection of big tech and energy, suggesting that tech companies will become energy companies, potentially including nuclear energy.

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman interviews Michael Crabb, SVP Commercial at Last Energy. They discuss Last Energy's background and their mission to build, own, and operate micro nuclear power plants. Michael shares his experience in the energy industry and the challenges faced by the nuclear industry. They also talk about the importance of learning, collaboration, and competition in driving innovation and progress. The nuclear industry faces challenges, both logical and nefarious, but success depends on letting market results dictate winners. Data centers are a hot customer segment, especially with the addition of environmental targets. Other potential customers include mid-scale manufacturing industries that require their own gas CHP units. EV charging is challenging due to the need for baseload power and creditworthy counterparties. Building prototypes has taught valuable lessons in technical design and contract management. The US market faces economic and regulatory challenges, but there is momentum for change. Capital markets are increasingly interested in nuclear, and early deployment capital is crucial for project origination. The future should be an industry that fosters innovation and competition.

In this episode of the Fire2Fission podcast, Mark Hinaman and Ryan Pickering interview Heather Feldman, the director of training and development at EPRI. They discuss the Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation (GFNI) and the importance of innovation and education in the energy sector. Heather shares her background in mechanical engineering and her experience working on the space shuttle program. She explains how her time in the space industry prepared her for her role at EPRI and the importance of safety culture in both industries. The conversation also covers the three GFNI events and the focus on technology innovations, learning from organizations outside of energy, and creating a culture of innovation. Heather introduces the Ambition Into Action framework, which helps individuals and organizations turn ambitions into outcomes through specific actions and behaviors. The Global Forum on Nuclear Innovation is a transformative event that aims to accelerate the deployment of innovation in nuclear energy. It is a personal journey for participants, who gain insights and transform throughout the week. The forum focuses on technology innovations, culture, and turning ambition into action. The event has achieved its original vision of accelerating the deployment of innovation in nuclear energy. The future of nuclear energy includes collaboration, building a strong workforce, and having conversations to create positive change.