Nuclear power is in the news. Particularly small modular (nuclear) reactors (SMR). Governor Healy includes new nuclear reactors as a part of an “all of the above” approach to meeting the state’s energy needs. But what is the reality behind this renewed interest? Will new nuclear reactors be safe and economical?
The Deep Dialogue on September 22nd helped answer these questions. Our speaker was Sukesh Aghara, Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is Director of the Integrated Nuclear Security and Safeguards Laboratory (INSSL), Co-Director of the International Nuclear Institute (INI), and served as Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program from 2017 to 2024. Professor Aghara is a subject matter expert on small modular reactors (SMR), energy economics.
Professor Aghara discussed our overall energy demand going forward, the role nuclear power could play in meeting these demands, and the status of different forms of nuclear power. After the presentation, there was a lively Q &A. The slides from Professor Aghara’s presentation are here. The video is below.