From the FAA to the NRC: Managing Evolution in Safety Regulation
Join host Dan Moneghan and guest Abby Smith, retired from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for the final “Ambition into Action” episode recorded live at the Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation in June. Abby shared her experiences leading change at the FAA, many of which are relevant as the nuclear industry looks to significantly increase sites and capacity in coming years, all with regulatory oversight. These changes will require new technologies, innovation, and development of new workforce. Abby’s insights on flexibility, safety, and rapid iteration present a unique parallel as the nuclear industry pivots to better support the energy transition.
Safe Doesn’t Have to be Slow
In a lively conversation, host Dan Moneghan speaks with Steve Rader from NASA and engineering consultant David Smeatham about the challenges and opportunities of fostering innovation in highly regulated industries like nuclear energy and aerospace. The discussion highlights the importance of diverse teams, systematic approaches, and leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain to enhance safety and efficiency. Steve shares insights on NASA's use of open innovation and technology readiness levels, while David discusses regulatory sandboxes and knowledge management.
Operating a Lean Machine
In this episode of the EPRI Current podcast, host Dan Monaghan is joined by Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy’s EVP of Nuclear Operations, and Brendan Hall, winning skipper of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. They delve into the pivotal role of talent in optimizing workforce efficiency within the nuclear industry. Discover how effective leadership, fostering a culture of safety and innovation, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like remote monitoring and predictive maintenance can drive operational excellence. Kimberly shares her experiences at Entergy, emphasizing the importance of empowering a grassroots workforce, while Brendan offers insights from his leadership journey in competitive sailing. Don't miss this engaging conversation on the future of nuclear innovation and the indispensable role of people in achieving continuous improvement.
Nuclear Beyond Electricity
In "Nuclear Beyond Electricity," Ville Tulkki, Lead of SMR technologies at VTT, and Mark Feltner, Senior Nuclear Technology Manager at Dow Chemical Co., delve into the innovative applications of nuclear energy beyond its conventional role in electricity generation. The discussion centers on how nuclear power is being reimagined to serve crucial needs in district heating and the decarbonization of petrochemical facilities. Hear about the importance of modularity, flexibility, and safety in the design and operation of reactors for these novel applications, the challenges of managing risks and the necessity of building robust regulatory and public trust frameworks to fully realize the benefits of nuclear energy in these new domains.
No Talent, No Sector
Dive into this episode where Sanjay Sarma, President and CEO of Asia School of Business, and Steve Layton, Head of Engineering at Rolls Royce, discuss the topic of "No Talent, No Sector". Our nuclear and non-nuclear guests explore the urgent need for talent in the nuclear industry, sharing stories from inside and outside of the sector. Our host Dan Moneghan invites discussion around the challenges of building a diverse workforce and the innovative solutions, like the Nuclear Skills Academy, that are being implemented to create a future-ready workforce. Learn how these strategies are striving to equip the nuclear sector with the skills needed to meet the rapidly growing demand for nuclear power. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of talent management and the future of the nuclear industry.
Introducing the Ambition Into Action Limited Series
In this special episode of the EPRI Current, hosts Samantha Gilman and Bill Florence introduce a new podcast series in collaboration with the Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation (GFNI) called 'Ambition Into Action.' Joined by its host Dan Moneghan, EPRI's lead on advanced nuclear fuel cycles, they discuss the goals of the limited podcast series, which will feature guests from nuclear and other industries exploring solutions to common challenges including the workforce of the future and agile plant operations. Their stories of turning their ambition into action aim to inspire and equip listeners with the knowledge and tools to make a difference in their own fields. Tune in to this exciting series to learn more.