# Will advanced reactors solve nuclear's problems?

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2022-02-25
- Length: 1h 07m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems

## Summary

Jake DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo, discusses the potential of advanced nuclear reactors to solve the cost, safety, and waste issues plaguing traditional nuclear power. He explains how Oklo’s microreactor technology leverages liquid metal cooling and fast neutron physics to create simpler, safer, and more scalable designs that can be manufactured like automobiles. DeWitte details the regulatory challenges faced by the industry, specifically the recent rejection of Oklo’s Aurora reactor application by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and argues for a paradigm shift in licensing to accommodate these new technologies. The conversation covers the economic benefits of modular manufacturing, new financing models like 'nuclear as a service,' and the role of advanced nuclear in industrial decarbonization and grid flexibility.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=6) Introduction: Jake DeWitte and Oklo
- [6:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=404) Traditional Nuclear vs. Advanced Nuclear
- [22:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=1365) Liquid Metal, Salt, and Gas-Cooled Reactors
- [30:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=1844) Fast Reactors and Fuel Recycling
- [33:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=2011) Microreactors and Manufacturing Scale
- [42:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=2520) Financing and Business Models
- [45:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=2726) Regulatory Challenges and the NRC
- [57:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=3473) Grid Flexibility and Waste Management
- [1:05:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-02-25-will-advanced-reactors-solve-nuclears-problems#t=3942) Timeline for Deployment

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Oklo (company)
- Aurora (product)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (company)
- Energy Hub (company)
- Bloom Energy (company)
- Antenna Group (company)
- Nextracker (company)

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## Citing this page

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