Purdue study: SMRs can boost Indiana's economy and energy independence

A new study backs the feasibility of deploying X-energy’s Xe-100 SMR in Alberta — potentially repurposing an existing thermal site to deliver both electricity and industrial heat (565 °C steam) right where it’s needed. ⚙️⚛️ Key advantages: Air-cooling design to reduce water demand Alignment with Alberta’s industrial & energy ecosystem Strong local supply chain & siting flexibility A thoughtful real-world analysis, not just theoretical potential — one more step toward practical SMR deployment in new regions. https://lnkd.in/gsvSDdcu #NuclearEnergy #EnergyResilience #EnergySecurity

"States that embrace renewable energy are far more likely to save money for electricity consumers than those relying on fossil fuels or nuclear power, a POLITICO analysis of federal and industry data shows — findings that undermine one of the Trump administration’s main justifications for its aggressive rollback of federal clean energy policies." ☀️ ♻️ https://lnkd.in/gBPZEf4v

As America enters the global AI race, #Texas must maximize abundant, affordable, and reliable energy to sustain its economic leadership—and keep the U.S. ahead of competitors. “To remain competitive, our leaders should continue to focus on reducing regulatory hurdles that hinder the construction of critical infrastructure, spurring growth for our state’s advanced nuclear and energy storage industries, and preserving and building upon the natural gas, #wind, and solar resources we have worked so hard to foster here in Texas,” says Judd Messer, Vice President of Texas for Advanced Power Alliance. #AIrace #AI #EnergyPolicy #EnergyStorage #BESS #WindEnergy #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #Economy #DataCenters https://bit.ly/420ocIz

Amazon and X-Energy release details on the FOAK Cascade Advanced Energy Center in WA, USA. X-Energy started looking at the site in 2020, Amazon became involved in 2024. Construction is due to start by 2030, and operations by 2039. That timeline seem's plausible as is comparable to China's FOAK HTGR, the HTR-PM at Shidao Bay. Gen IV reactors could bring benefits, but the first ones won't be quick or cheap. I'm bullish on large Gen III+ light water reactors (LWRs) in the US, but less so on Gen IV SMRs, mostly because: 1. Large LWRs are lower risk, with completed designs, operating reference reactors, regulatory familiarity, and existing supply chains. 2. Large LWRs are likely to be lower cost per MW, at least initially. 3. Demand for LWRs is coming from utilities looking at grid expansion to deal with 'electrify everything'. I don't think that demand trend is changing anytime soon. Gen IV SMRs are mostly targeting data center build out, what that demand looks like ten years from now I'm not so sure about. https://lnkd.in/eGV9k9xr

WSJ: "In the long run, nuclear power is the clear solution to meet increasing demand....https://lnkd.in/ehbtrHw7 But nuclear plants are virtually impossible to permit because of regulations that seek to reduce risk well past the point of diminishing returns...Nuclear plants are expensive to build but cheap to operate and could be the backbone of a grid that offers low-cost electricity with low carbon emissions.

When governments take misguided actions to accelerate an energy transition faster than our ability to put the infrastructure in place to make it happen, higher electricity rates result. In Germany, which I visited recently, the cost of electricity increased rapidly and steeply because the German government foolishly shut down a considerable amount of nuclear power capacity. As for the risk of nuclear accidents like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, or Fukushima, these were unique situations. France still gets a majority of its electric power from nuclear power, and many US nuclear power plants, even with older technology, have worked without accidents. Higher electricity prices make domestic manufacturers less competitive, which is why many German manufacturing operations are leaving that country. https://lnkd.in/eS5jUjxu

I’m pleased to share my latest op-ed in Euractiv, where I discuss the critical role Small Modular Reactor (#SMR) technology can play in shaping Europe’s energy mix, strengthening the continent’s energy security, and driving industrial decarbonization. SMRs are no longer an idea for the future – they’re being built today. At GE Vernova, we’re under construction on the world’s first grid-scale SMR at Darlington in Canada, where excavation is complete and commissioning is set for 2029. Momentum is also building in Europe: in Poland, the government has approved six locations for 24 BWRX-300 SMRs, with the national regulator confirming that the design meets Polish nuclear safety standards. These projects show that SMRs are ready to deliver firm, 24/7 power, supporting energy security, industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation. Europe now has a window of opportunity to align with this global progress and ensure that policy frameworks, investment signals and workforce development keep pace. In the article, I explore how we can make that happen through: -Developing clear and predictable frameworks for SMR deployment; -Building the workforce and expertise needed to deliver safely and at scale; -Creating partnerships that drive innovation and manufacturing leadership; -Ensuring stable, long-term investment signals to unlock private capital. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gndymKAe #GEVernova #ConceptBecomesReality #EnergyofChange #NuclearInnovation #Europe

An op-ed by GE Vernova Chief Corporate Officer Roger Martella details the role that SMRs can play in Europe’s energy mix.   #GEVernova #EnergyofChange #SMR

Good Article with respect to the upcoming seemingly "Game-changing" SMRs. Suggest keep it "Cost-competitive" for Commercial Success of NEW Nuclear.(particularly in the West) REGARDING "SMRs are no longer an IDEA for the future – they’re being BUILT today" [Emphasis Added] Indeed.!   HOW About.! A very FIRST Order/Contract (hopefully as a "Fleet") for a SMR here in the U.S.***! ***The Global Nuclear Leader with a whopping 94 Successfully Operating Nuclear Units at High-Capacity Factors with an Average of 94%. #DATABASE(1970-2025)  

Avalanche Energy's $40M Series A and 300,000-volt electrostatic fusion milestone represent significant developments in alternative fusion approaches and distributed energy technology. Technology Differentiation: The Seattle-based startup's Orbitron system uses magneto-electrostatic confinement, departing from mainstream tokamak and stellarator approaches. This targets compact, modular deployment rather than centralized grid-scale facilities. Investment Thesis Validation: Leading venture firms including Lowercarbon Capital, Founders Fund, and Toyota Ventures are backing alternative fusion pathways despite technical uncertainties. Washington State's $10M grant adds public sector confidence in the approach. Strategic Market Positioning: The 2027 Defense Innovation Unit timeline focuses on space applications, acknowledging near-term technical constraints while targeting specialized high-value markets. This represents pragmatic commercialization strategy rather than overpromising on terrestrial deployment. Technical Risk Assessment: While the 300,000V steady-state achievement addresses classical space-charge limitations in electrostatic fusion, fundamental physics and engineering challenges remain substantial. The approach requires validation at higher power levels and longer durations. Industry Implications: This development illustrates fusion research diversification beyond traditional approaches, potentially enabling distributed generation models if technical barriers are overcome. However, comparison with renewable energy scaling and cost trajectories remains challenging. Investment Considerations: The compact fusion sector attracts significant capital despite unproven commercial viability, reflecting investor appetite for breakthrough energy technologies and hedging strategies in clean energy portfolios. What's your assessment of distributed fusion potential compared to centralized renewable energy infrastructure investment? Technical analysis: https://lnkd.in/eAyAGKqw #CompactFusion #CleanTech #EnergyInnovation #VentureCapital #FusionTechnology #DistributedEnergy