seminar

Dr. John Wagner, Director of the Idaho National Lab, will talk on "Challenges and Opportunities for Nuclear Energy," REGISTER HERE

November 06, 2020

(Friday, 10:30-11:30 am)

TO REGISTER, click here.

Abstract
Today, the commercial nuclear power industry in the United States is undergoing market-driven
change with early closure of reactors and stiff competition in the energy market. The headlines are daunting, and the news about the current fleet rarely seems positive. Outside of the U.S., however, the market environment for nuclear energy is much different. Population-dense countries such as India and China are investing heavily in nuclear energy to support their growing economies. Nuclear energy deployment around the world is growing at its fastest pace in 25 years, creating a multitrillion-dollar global market. At the same time, the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges as it tries to provide clean electricity to a world of 8 billion people. And nuclear energy is an essential part of the global response. American companies and entrepreneurs are responding by pursuing a new generation of
advanced reactors markedly different from today’s fleet. They are smaller, modular, and can be used to generate electricity as well as power industrial processes.

This seminar will review the current challenges and opportunities for nuclear energy, with a focus on the research, development, and demonstration priorities to support a thriving current fleet, advanced reactor deployment, and the associated fuel cycle. Additionally, the seminar will include a brief overview of the Idaho National Laboratory and discuss collaboration and employment opportunities.

Bio
Dr. John Wagner serves as associate laboratory director for the Nuclear Science & Technology (NS&T) Directorate. He was previously director of NS&T Domestic Programs and the Technical Integration Office for the DOE-NE Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program. Wagner initially joined INL as the chief scientist at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex in 2016. He has more than 20 years of experience performing research, and managing and leading research and development projects, programs and organizations. Prior to joining INL, he worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for nearly 17 years, where he held a number of research and leadership roles in reactor and fuel cycle technologies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and master’s and doctorate degrees from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, recipient of the 2013 E.O. Lawrence Award, and has authored or co-authored over 170 refereed journal and conference articles, technical reports, and conference summaries.