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!