Jennifer Wheeler

In this new era of nuclear, the word “scalable” can mean many different things. From new advanced reactor designs that can meet the diverse needs of big power users like hyperscalers to industrial process heat applications, and from remote rural communities to new fuel cycle facilities (conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fuel fabrication), there is much to consider when predicting and meeting developing demand signals.

The biggest challenge in scaling fuel fabrication is recognizing that scaling applies to much more than taking the specific process equipment used to manufacture fuel products from pilot scale to commercial scale to nth-of-a-kind scale. For a first-of-a-kind fuel facility where there is no available reference facility to use as a basis, there is a delicate balance—and often an iterative dance—between fuel demand, right-sizing the facility, and project financing. Let’s focus on three major areas: factory throughput, staffing, and space.

Now is such an exciting time to be a nuclear engineering student. We are seeing decades of work culminate in technology that can soon be deployed. The nuclear energy sector is experiencing growing support as more people recognize and accept the role that nuclear power has in decarbonizing our electric grid.

Throughout the history of commercial nuclear power plant operations, there have been events that changed the industry. The incidents at Three Mile Island and Fukushima brought about great advancements in how nuclear plants are operated, including additional safety measures and supplemental training on how to prevent such events. Looking forward, the commercial nuclear industry is poised for a similar transformative change: one motivated by financial viability.