Pioneering in the microreactor application space to support oil and gas, Nick Morriss with Shepherd Power a spinoff of NOV, is first in line! The integration of nuclear to deliver electricity and thermal support to upstream applications is becoming a reality, so much so that companies like Shepherd are forming in preparation of the uptick in need. Their model is as simple as setting up a facility that they own and operate, giving their customer the ability to purchase their power and thermal heat generation. We just need the regulators and developers to catch up!-Origin Story of Shepherd Power-Owning and operating reactor risks being removed from customer base-Values of siting small reactors with modest foundation pads-Qualitative vs. quantitative values that nuclear integration provides-Direct application of heat and electricity  in upstream application-Regulated vs. Non-Regulated Project Management Approaches   Support the Show.

From data centers to industrial and petrochemical integration, the new and novel applications of advanced reactors is gaining heavy traction! Join Tay Stevenson and I in a live two-day recap of the United States Nuclear Industry Council’s Advanced Reactor Summit. The shift in possibility from large, conventional power facilities for utilities (1000MW and above) to smaller, more bespoke nuclear applications is happening. Funding is being generated from new and private parties which is amplifying focus from not just the developers of technology, but also the new customer bases and legislature.  Texas openly displaying their “Welcome Mat” with Honorary Cody Harris, Texas House Representative presenting a large image with narrative on how we are making the state a nuclear policy a friendly environment, DOW Chemicals and Natura Resources proving it.  “I know we have the facts on our side, and the people working on it truly care." – Tay Stevenson Thank you Jeffrey Merrifield, Todd Abrajano and The USNIC for one of the most well thought out, curated conferences I have had the pleasure of attending. In this episode we discuss:-Applications on nuclear into new industries other than utility space-Supplying thermal heat, electricity, and decarbonization possibilities-DOW Seadrift Nuclear Integration-Natura Resources Abilene Christian University SMR-Oklo and Diamondback rallying to support the predicted 20GW necessary for the Permin Basin Operations-Fuel sources and reactors being tailored to meet specific applications-Understanding the US Fuel Cycle and non-recycle waste position-Domestic, high level fuel and waste overview-Nuclear waste proliferation-Achieving energy abundanceSupport the Show.

Join Douglas Sandridge and myself (along with a very special guest, Adeline Leonard, age 6) to discuss the growing support of oil and gas professionals supporting nuclear power. The movement of upstream and downstream adopting the concept of nuclear into operations is not new! It is just having an insurgence with the need for increased power generation and new technologies that can produce the increased steam generation as well.Energy SobrietyOil and Gas Executives for NuclearEnergy PolicyImportance of understanding macro dynamics  around energyThe emerging applications for nuclear in the oil and gas industry    Listen to his other recent interview with Titans of Nuclear to dive deeper into his history: https://www.lastenergy.com/titansofnuclear/experts/dougsandridgeThe Advanced Reactors Summit XI & Technology Trailblazers ShowcaseApril 15-18, 2024 | Houston, TX   | Home 2024 | ar-tech-summit (arsummit.org)Support the Show.

Join author Meredith Angwin and I as we discuss the movement of electrification and some of the major hurdles we must overcome to increase power production and support elimination of energy poverty. We rely on a grid system that is extremely fragile but one that must carry us into the future that is demanding it to supply more electricity than ever and will only increase. How do we support this increased power need, towing on such a fragile line, pun intended… In this episode we discuss: What is Power Generation 101Explain the “On Demand” situation the grid encounters and what the addition of renewables does to the power gridThe Fatal Trifecta the grid is currently encountering (resulting in winter Storm Uri, Texas, 2021)The ideal base load power situationThe overall relationship between electricity and oil and gasWhat the solution is to aide in the support of increasing electricity production while maintaining reliability and affordabilityAn introspective look on movement away from Microgrids    Watch her recent appearance on Robert Bryce’s Juice Mini Series here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3G3HFmpb4Y&t=4sAuthor of Shorting the Grid: The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid Support the Show.

Join Michelle Brechtelsbauer and I in a discussion about small scale nuclear reactor technology, 20MW micro reactors in fact. We are talking about an innovative way of taking proven, pressurized water reactors and condensing them down into fully packaged modularized power plants, introducing the company Last Energy. Where the goal of selling small scale nuclear energy to anyone needing baseload power generation, is becoming a reality.Fully packaged nuclear power plantsThe economic model of Last Energy and its customer applicationsConstraints around new small nuclear technology coming online at the same timeTimelines of having small nuclear power generation from Last Energy  Link to her eHour with Michigan State YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LIH--mfZiISupport the Show.

Join Heath Lovell and I to discuss the ground up of CCUS Project Development, its origin story if you would. Helping introduce CCUS and how it is coming to fruition through commercial project development.  Heath has a large picture of upfront project stakeholder engagement and development processes. In this episode, I am trying to learn and understand what the ideal model looks like for the carbon capture market to make sense!Stakeholder engagement CCUS project developmentIdeal Customer and commercial model for CCUSSink leasing as a possible concept to control carbon futuresMidstream regulations holding back transportation of CO2 in lines, resulting in carbon capture hubs Support the Show.

The public perspective of nuclear is positive, nearly half of a global survey of over 20K people are in support of it. This data is a step towards showing where we may need to educate and inform others on the nuclear industry along with many other messages to policymakers, governments, and nuclear producers. The narrative that nuclear is unpopular is dead. Nuclear is also being reinvigorated at a time when discussions surrounding Peak Oil are starting to resurface.  In this episode, we discuss the following:Recent release of Clean Energy Report, Nuclear EnergyThe overall findings of public acceptance of nuclearPeople can be worried about the safety of nuclear and waste, but still support itIndustrial application versus utility application  https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-ollington-9b519aab/Support the Show.

Join Dane Pehrman and I to discuss the current offshore wind (OSW) market in the United States. OSW is still in high demand for the eastern states where the power demand is equally high, in other regions the markets are still developing. Power to X and recent 45V IRA regulations may help build the case for industrial locations like that of the Gulf Coast. In this episode, we discuss the following: -Progression and history of offshore wind in the United States-Current state of economics-Details regarding OSW, including distances of leases, turbine sizes, output specs, and depths-Fixed bottom OSW versus floating offshore wind-Offshore lease updates-Power Purchase agreements being canceled versus projects along the East Coast-High-level introduction of Power to XSupport the Show.

Join Ryan Pickering and I as we discuss coal's continued use until we can implement cleaner technologies, be it Natural Gas or Nuclear. Coal is reliable, "cheap" if you do not account for all of the environmental and health impacts associated with it, and infrastructure is already established, contributing ~20% of the United States energy demand and is simple in the technological application - meaning it is not so complex that we have to have massive supply chain advancements for it to be supported. Coal reliance does not give us an excuse to stop the process of innovating new energy technology or implementation, and its continued phase-out is still necessary for us to achieve climate goals! -Pros of coal on site and fuel storage vs. natural gas-Coal Fired Generation Capacity here in the United States-Coal to nuclear conversions -Traditional Nuclear being overlooked currently with focus on Advanced Nuclear technologies -Engaging younger generations to step into nuclear, what will it take?https://gain.inl.gov/SiteAssets/2024AddNuclear2MixWorkshop/ResourceItems/NuclearMixHandout-RepurposingwithNuclear.pdfSupport the Show.

Join Matthew Hill and I as we have a high-level, light-hearted discussion between two individuals who some may consider far right and far left parties in the energy industry. Which is absolutely not the case. We are all in this together and walking towards delivering energy security. Why not support the evolvement if there are better means of delivering reliant, affordable accessible energy? In this episode, we discuss:-The feelings of energy transition in the conventional oil and gas space-Energy Transition versus Energy Addition, and Energy Transformation-Decarbonization vs. Human Need and Energy Security-Monetary reasons for shifting to different energy sources-Reutilization of existing energy infrastructureSupport the Show.

This episode we are joined by the honorary Jeffrey Merrifield to discuss the International Energy Agency definition of Energy Security. The IEA defines energy security as "the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price". In order to substantiate our energy security nuclear seems to be a big opportunity. After the discussions held at COP28 and having 24 different countries pledge to triple their nuclear output by 2050 this is a major shift in support and gives both the previous president elect NRC Commissioner and myself high hopes that nuclear is going to make a strong comeback.  This conversation covers where the United States sits in regards to energy security and also discusses the following:What is Energy Security – The IEA’s definition (https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-security)How the electrification movement affecting energy security here in the USSome major shifts that need to occur to achieve stronger energy security here in USHow nuclear is playing a role in the shiftThe policy that surrounds nuclear .How to support the NRC to meet the newly promised nuclear increase by 2050Energy Security – Topics - IEACommissioner Jeffrey S. Merrifield | NRC.govSupport the Show.

Energy Security has many meanings, which will be covered in a few different episodes, but the reason energy security is a hot topic surrounding decarbonization is one of the selling points people are promoting is “renewables help strengthen our energy security” which you can deep dive into the subject HERE. However, when I began to look into energy security further there seems to be a few different definitions of the subject. On today’s episode I am joined by Paul Robinson to discuss the Department of Energy’s definition of Energy Security and which is how we actually support the safety of our existing and future energy distribution infrastructure.  In this episode we discuss:How the electrification movement has impacted the industry of Energy SecurityGrid reliance and resiliencyWeaknesses associated with our energy systemsA wholistic view of how we can defragment our energy industry https://www.energy.gov/ceser/energy-securityhttps://www.iea.org/topics/energy-security      https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-paul-robinson/Support the Show.

This week's episode of Elemental Energy is a collaboration between myself and another podcast host (one of the top podcasts in the nation I might add) Paul Rodden, MBA GISP. Join us as we cover at a high level the following surrounding Hydrogen:-Applications and uses of hydrogen-The United States Hydrogen Hubs-Economics and costs currently associated with blue and green -Transportation Constraints-Standardization in the industry-Addressing color scheme to introduce a carbon intensity measurement to the molecule to determine where it has been derived. Paul Rodden, MBA GISP | LinkedInHome - The Hydrogen PodcastSupport the Show.

Nuclear fusion will play a critical role in our energy future; the question is when. Nuclear fission is happening now and produces nuclear waste, what if we could generate nuclear energy without the waste? Join Sir Steven Cowley and myself in a slower paced philosophical discussion on nuclear fusion and the future of nuclear power generation. Steven Cowley | LinkedInSupport the Show.

You don't have to be a scientist or an engineer to be an advocate for nuclear power. Nuclear power is one of the safest forms of energy production there currently is. Join Miss America 2023, Grace Stanke and myself to discuss nuclear power and learn how to advocate for its use!Grace Stanke | LinkedInGrace Stanke – Miss America Support the Show.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage is one of the most impactful things we can do in the energy transition space. We still have a reliance on fossil fuels and CCUS is a critical technology to help decarbonize their use. Join Adam Green and myself in discussing the different applications for CCUS and to discuss at a high level why the government is focusing funding in the area of this emerging energy transition technology! Support the Show.

Power Density is an extremely important concept to understand in the energy industry. What you have to put into the system energy wise should be far less than what the return is. Join Robert and I as we discus Energy Return on Energy Invested, Power Density and what is energy vs power along with some other metrics that are commonly associated with Power Generation. Robert Bryce | LinkedInRobert Bryce | SubstackSupport the Show.

Gold Hydrogen. Is it naturally sourced, or organically enhanced and produced through bio-tech? Join the CEO of Cemvita Gold Hydrogen Charles Nelson and myself as we discuss the use of biotech in hydrogen production. With this technology, we can utilize already existing infrastructure in the form of abandoned wells and introduce naturally occurring extremophiles to produce hydrogen from present and hard-to-obtain existing products.https://www.cemvita.com/gold-hydrogenSupport the Show.

Emission reductions in the oil and gas space is happening in the early phases of production and into the midstream space. Join Patrick McCarthy and I in "giving emissions the bird" while we discuss definitions of scope emissions, scopes one through three, Project Canary,  and talk about how monitoring emissions actually keeps product in the lines and benefits the operators. The goal of this episode is to show emission reductions is a win:win for all. Support the Show.

We all share one goal, which is to decarbonize. Even in the oil and gas sectors, decarbonization is a must. Join Adam Murray and I as we talk about bridging conventional oil and gas with the Energy Transformation space. Join us in meeting in the radical middle ground of Energy.Support the Show.