I’m Phil Sharpe. I lead a research program at Idaho National Laboratory
(INL). INL and our fellow Department of Energy laboratories are
developing advanced nuclear energy technologies. I’m here with a team of
scientists involved in this effort. AMA!
Abstract
Hi Reddit! My name is Phil Sharpe and I am here today with a few of my
colleagues from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Gateway for
Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN). This is Nuclear Science Week,
so we thought it would be great to start a conversation about the future
of advanced nuclear energy, including reactor designs, fuel types,
industry engagement, and some of the ideal uses for advanced nuclear
systems. Commercial nuclear power currently provides nearly 60 percent
of the U.S. emission-free power, according to the Nuclear Energy
Institute. INL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s lead nuclear energy
laboratory. INL experts are developing, testing and demonstrating new
fuels and materials, reactor systems, advanced nuclear energy system
applications, plant monitoring and safety systems, and waste management
options. The scientists participating in today’s AMA: Phil Sharpe,
Ph.D., director of Nuclear Systems Design & Analysis Rita Baranwal,
Ph.D., director of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear
(GAIN) Hans Gougar, Ph.D., director of the Advanced Reactor
Technology Technical Development Office at INL George Griffith, Ph.D.,
INL Manager for Small Modular Reactor Deployment Brenden Heidrich,
Ph.D., Chief Irradiation Scientist, the Nuclear Science User Facilities
(NSUF) Some fodder for discussion: • The Potential for Disruptive
Innovations in Nuclear Power -
http://pubs.cnl.ca/doi/full/10.12943/ANR.2014.00033 • What Will Advanced
Nuclear Power Plants Cost? -
https://www.eenews.net/assets/2017/07/25/document_gw_07.pdf • Advanced
Test Reactor Options Study -
https://art.inl.gov/INL%20ART%20TDO%20Documents/Advanced%20Demonstration%20and%20Test%20%20Reactor%20Options%20Study/ADTR_Options_Study_Rev3.pdf
• Global Nexus Initiative Reports on nuclear energy –
http://globalnexusinitiative.org/category/results/reports/ We’ll be back
at 11 a.m. EST (9 a.m. MST) to answer your questions, ask us anything!