Over the past few years, a chain reaction of government support and policy in favor of nuclear energy has caused a shift in the industry. This November, President Biden released an ambitious declaration to triple the amount of nuclear energy produced by 2050, solidifying it as a vital clean energy source for the U.S. The declaration outlines plans to build new nuclear power plants, upgrade existing ones, and restart retired reactors. While the recent spark in nuclear energy is exciting, many people are still unsure about nuclear energy and its benefits.
I sat down with Kristin McCoskey, Senior Manager of Nuclear Fuels at Constellation, to gain insight into the nuclear energy industry and her career. She offers a glimpse into the future of nuclear energy she expects to see, highlighting the industry’s uniqueness and her oversight of a dedicated team of engineers.
Kristin McCoskey’s Journey
McCoskey’s path to nuclear energy was somewhat spontaneous.
“It was more of a coincidence than a passion,” she explains.
McCoskey received her degree in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Although always drawn toward engineering, she wasn’t sure what industry to pursue. Following the dean of admission’s recommendation, she decided to major in nuclear engineering after attending information sessions about the exciting opportunities in the field. As she took internships and delved deeper into the industry, her enthusiasm for nuclear energy grew. She developed a passion for its benefits and role in clean energy.
Why Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear energy is released from the nucleus, the core of an atom, in the form of radiation and heat. It is a critical energy source in the U.S. currently accounting for twenty percent of the total energy supply, McCoskey says. This contribution is significant, as nuclear energy prevents the release of around 470 million tons of carbon dioxide–equivalent to removing 100 million cars off the road.
Unlike fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil, nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants. Reliance on nuclear energy is necessary for the U.S. to meet its clean energy goals. It is also more versatile than other clean energy sources. McCoskey highlights the efficient advantage that nuclear energy can operate at all times. Other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, are dependent on weather or location so they are not as reliable.
The Growth of the Nuclear Industry
The growth in nuclear energy policy is optimistic for the industry, but McCoskey acknowledges that it is not without its challenges. Nuclear power plants are intensive– they require a lot of time, money, and expertise to build and operate. She notes that many projects have struggled to remain on schedule and within budget, leading to hesitancy in their investment.
However, since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), investment in the nuclear energy industry has increased. McCoskey emphasizes the importance of the IRA’s financing for nuclear technology. Core components of the IRA include taxes to preserve existing power plants, development of advanced nuclear reactors, and $150 million to support nuclear energy research.
While nuclear technology has remained reliable over the past several decades, McCoskey believes innovation and research are necessary for the industry’s growth. One technology she anticipates seeing more of is small modular reactors. Small modular reactors are one-third the size of traditional power plants but easier to assemble and allow for faster, cheaper installation. Despite their smaller size, they can generate up to 300 megawatts of energy. This is comparable to Wisconsin’s largest solar farm, with 830,000 solar panels that power 90,000 homes!
Nuclear Hesitation
It’s hard not to address public skepticism and concerns when discussing nuclear energy. In light of disasters like Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011, many people have questioned the safety of nuclear power. The risks of nuclear power are higher than other clean energy, but the probability of nuclear disasters is extremely low. Worldwide, there are currently 440 nuclear power reactors in 32 countries– most of which have been operating safely for decades.
The public also associates nuclear energy with nuclear weapons. However, experts agree that commercial nuclear power does not contribute to the development of nuclear weapons.
As the Senior Manager of Nuclear Fuels, McCoskey plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and operations of the power plant. Her responsibilities include monitoring fuel performance, planning and scheduling, and overseeing a team of nuclear engineers. She underscores the industry’s commitment to safety.
“We make safety our number one priority,” she asserts.
She also emphasizes that the industry thrives on collaboration and working together. Even if it’s with competition, McCoskey says.
“It’s impressive how people band together,” she says. “If there’s a problem, we’ll call competition to help out to maintain the whole industry’s success. If something happens, it hurts all of us.”
Conclusion
There are valid reasons for the public’s skepticism about nuclear power. However, nuclear energy has been a stable, essential energy source in the U.S. for decades. Nuclear engineers and professionals like McCoskey are dedicated to ensuring that nuclear energy continues to safely power a nation as it moves toward a cleaner energy future. The sparks in investment and nuclear energy policies will expand the nuclear power industry immensely. As nuclear energy grows, it is important to understand its benefits and how it will undoubtedly shape a sustainable energy future.
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