Hardware Podcasts

The path to market for new nuclear reactors

Catalyst · 5 Feb 2026 · 34m

What this episode covers

Katy Huff, former Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy and current associate professor at the University of Illinois, explains the complex regulatory pathways for new nuclear reactors, distinguishing between meaningful milestones like construction permits and less significant ones like zero-power criticality tests. She details the NRC's current staffing shortages and political pressures, noting that while companies like Kairos Power, X-energy, and TerraPower are nearing construction permit decisions, the DOE’s goal of three reactors reaching criticality by July 2026 is an "extremely aggressive milestone" likely unachievable for full-power reactors. Huff assesses that the first new advanced reactors will likely come online around 2032, emphasizing the importance of factory-built microreactors and clear spent fuel storage plans for economic viability.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Kairos Power, X-energy, TerraPower, Radiant Energy, Whole Earth, Valaratomics
Also
NRC, DOE, Oak Ridge, Yucca Mountain

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    Mechanical engineeringMaterials & manufacturing processes
    9 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Catalyst. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.