E5: Fission Founders, Part 2: Designing Advanced Nuclear Reactor Startups

The podcast explores the challenges and opportunities in building advanced nuclear reactors, contrasting them with traditional large-scale reactors and SMRs. It highlights the need for excellence in math, technology, storytelling, and regulatory navigation for energy startups. The discussion covers various advanced reactor designs, including sodium fast reactors, molten salt reactors, and radioisotope power systems, and their applications in remote communities, military operations, and even space missions. It emphasizes the importance of passive safety systems and innovative fuel cycles for achieving better economics and safety. The conversation also addresses the regulatory hurdles and the need for government support to foster innovation and build a robust supply chain. Ultimately, the podcast champions a mix of approaches to meet diverse energy needs and the importance of entrepreneurs driving change.

Outlines

Part 1: The Energy Startup Landscape

Part 2: Reactor Design and Technical Choices

Part 3: Market Strategy and Use Cases

Part 4: Defense and Space Markets

Part 5: Regulatory Navigation

Part 6: Investment and Company Building

Part 7: Supply Chain and Talent

Part 8: Branding and Industry Playbooks

Part 9: Future Outlook and Mission

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"Age of Miracles"

Part 1: The Energy Startup Landscape

00:10The Multifaceted Challenges of Energy Startups: A Landscape of Innovation

The Multifaceted Challenges of Energy Startups: A Landscape of Innovation

02:27Advanced Nuclear Reactors: Redesigning for Safety, Efficiency, and New Markets

Advanced Nuclear Reactors: Redesigning for Safety, Efficiency, and New Markets

Part 2: Reactor Design and Technical Choices

07:33Reactor Design Choices: A Flowchart of Options and Trade-offs

Reactor Design Choices: A Flowchart of Options and Trade-offs

11:50Advanced Nuclear Startups: Powering Remote Communities and Beyond

Advanced Nuclear Startups: Powering Remote Communities and Beyond

15:01Oklo's Sodium Fast Reactors and Valor Atomics' Synthetic Hydrocarbons

Oklo's Sodium Fast Reactors and Valor Atomics' Synthetic Hydrocarbons

20:07Fast-Spectrum Reactors, Passive Safety, and the Promise of Autonomy

Fast-Spectrum Reactors, Passive Safety, and the Promise of Autonomy

25:34Allo's Liquid Metal Reactors and Antares' Microreactors for Military Applications

Allo's Liquid Metal Reactors and Antares' Microreactors for Military Applications

Part 3: Market Strategy and Use Cases

31:37Military Interest in Nuclear Power and the Tyranny of Distance

Military Interest in Nuclear Power and the Tyranny of Distance

35:53Smaller Reactors, Underserved Markets, and the Breadth of Innovation

Smaller Reactors, Underserved Markets, and the Breadth of Innovation

40:40Radiant Nuclear's Mobile Reactors and the Burden of Proof for Startups

Radiant Nuclear's Mobile Reactors and the Burden of Proof for Startups

44:41End Use Cases and Customers: From Grid Connections to the Moon

End Use Cases and Customers: From Grid Connections to the Moon

Part 4: Defense and Space Markets

49:00Selling to the DoD: Open-Mindedness and Bureaucratic Challenges

Selling to the DoD: Open-Mindedness and Bureaucratic Challenges

54:00Becoming a Program of Record and the Potential of Space Nuclear

Becoming a Program of Record and the Potential of Space Nuclear

1:02:22Customer Selection and the Transferability of Hydrocarbons

Customer Selection and the Transferability of Hydrocarbons

Part 5: Regulatory Navigation

1:05:17Regulatory Pathways: Navigating the NRC and Part 53

Regulatory Pathways: Navigating the NRC and Part 53

1:09:00Oklo's Regulatory Journey: Persistence and Streamlining Efforts

Oklo's Regulatory Journey: Persistence and Streamlining Efforts

1:15:21The Nuclear Navy and the Need for New Designs

The Nuclear Navy and the Need for New Designs

1:18:07Space Nuclear Regulation and the Importance of Good Regulation

Space Nuclear Regulation and the Importance of Good Regulation

1:22:12Minimizing Regulatory Drag and the Allo Approach

Minimizing Regulatory Drag and the Allo Approach

1:25:30The Burdensome Nature of Nuclear Regulation and the Biotech Analogy

The Burdensome Nature of Nuclear Regulation and the Biotech Analogy

Part 6: Investment and Company Building

1:29:01Raising Capital in the Nuclear Space: A Shift in Investor Sentiment

Raising Capital in the Nuclear Space: A Shift in Investor Sentiment

1:32:36The Rise of Hard Tech and the All-or-Nothing Nature of Nuclear

The Rise of Hard Tech and the All-or-Nothing Nature of Nuclear

1:35:17Company Building: Reactor Design, Team Building, and Go-to-Market

Company Building: Reactor Design, Team Building, and Go-to-Market

Part 7: Supply Chain and Talent

1:37:57Fresh Talent and the Atrophied Supply Chain

Fresh Talent and the Atrophied Supply Chain

1:42:19The Government's Role in Standing Up the Supply Chain

The Government's Role in Standing Up the Supply Chain

Part 8: Branding and Industry Playbooks

1:44:41Making Nuclear Sexy: Visual Branding and Reactor Art

Making Nuclear Sexy: Visual Branding and Reactor Art

1:49:50The Anduril Playbook: Balancing Brashness and Seriousness

The Anduril Playbook: Balancing Brashness and Seriousness

Part 9: Future Outlook and Mission

1:52:20The Mission-Driven Nature of Nuclear Entrepreneurship

The Mission-Driven Nature of Nuclear Entrepreneurship

1:55:18Learning from the Past and Cutting Metal Quickly

Learning from the Past and Cutting Metal Quickly

1:57:31Collaboration and the Future of Nuclear Energy

Collaboration and the Future of Nuclear Energy