Welcome to EPRI Current – bringing you the latest on new and evolving research and findings on the generation, delivery and use of electricity, and how this work benefits society as we shape the future of energy.
Your host, Samantha Gilman, talks to EPRI experts and industry guests who provide insight, context and science-based observations on what’s new – and what is yet to come – in the energy transition.
Latest Episodes
What’s Next for Advanced Reactors? EPRI’s 2025 AR Roadmap Update
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Alison Krager Hahn, NEI, and Chad Boyer, EPRI
The nuclear industry is in an era of rapid innovation and deployment. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gillman is joined by Alison Krager Hahn from NEI and Chad Boyer from EPRI to revisit the 2023 episode on the Advanced Reactor (AR) Roadmap, assessing the industry's recent progress with advanced technologies and where it's headed next. Developed as a collaborative framework, the roadmap serves as a strategic guide for the successful commercialization and large-scale deployment of advanced reactor designs.
Alison and Chad unpack the 2025 roadmap update, highlighting strides in emergency preparedness, fuel supply, and workforce development. They explore the growing role of data centers and industrial decarbonization in shaping demand and discuss how policy shifts and bipartisan support are accelerating deployment. With insights into how industry-wide collaboration is shaping the future, they offer a timely look at how advanced reactors are positioned to meet rising energy demands, and how the roadmap is guiding the way.
To explore the AR Roadmap, visit https://ant.epri.com/roadmap
Hydrogen on the Horizon: Inside Ireland’s SH2AMROCK Hydrogen Valley Initiative
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Rory Monaghan, University of Galway; Conor O’Dowd, Port of Galway; Maria Jaen, EPRI
Hydrogen is gaining momentum in Europe as a potential strategic energy carrier, and Ireland is stepping into the spotlight with its first hydrogen valley initiative – SH2AMROCK. In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman speaks with Rory Monaghan from the University of Galway, Conor O’Dowd from the Port of Galway, and Maria Jaen from EPRI to discuss the vision behind SH2AMROCK and its role in reshaping Ireland’s energy landscape.
The SH2AMROCK Project brings together public and private collaborators to deploy green hydrogen as part of the EU Horizon program for research and innovation. From digital twins to startup hubs, experts explore how hydrogen valleys can drive regional decarbonization and energy innovation. Learn how Galway’s unique geography, vibrant innovation ecosystem, and strong offshore wind potential make it an ideal launchpad for hydrogen infrastructure.
Read more about Ireland’s hydrogen valley initiative: https://www.sh2amrock.eu/
Weathering the Storm: Hydropower and Climate Resilience
Host: Samantha Gilman
Guests: Jacob Mardian, EPRI; Mark Christian, EPRI
Hydropower plays a vital role in the U.S. energy mix, but how will its infrastructure hold up under a changing climate with evolving weather patterns?
In this episode of The EPRI Current, host Samantha Gilman is joined by EPRI experts Jacob Mardian and Dr. Mark Christian to explore the future of hydropower in the face of extreme weather. Drawing from a recent nationwide hydropower study under EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative (Climate READi), guests discuss how extreme weather events, like droughts and floods, are impacting hydropower operations and infrastructure. The experts highlight the importance of proactive planning, data-driven risk assessments, and collaboration across sectors to ensure long-term reliability and safety. After analyzing more than 1,500 hydropower facilities nationwide, they offer insights into regional vulnerabilities, adaptation strategies, and the role of hydropower in a clean energy future.
Explore how climate risks are impacting hydropower across the U.S. in EPRI’s latest study: https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002033642
