**The Nuclear Renaissance: Can Small Reactors Save the Industry?**
It’s been a wild ride for the nuclear industry lately. With startups and investors pouring in a whopping $1.1 billion last quarter, it’s clear that small reactors are generating a lot of buzz. The optimism is built on the idea that these smaller, more efficient reactors can overcome the challenges that have plagued the industry in recent years.
But let’s get real for a second. Conventional nuclear reactors are massive, complex machines that take years to plan, build, and operate. Take the Vogtle 3 and 4 reactors in Georgia – they were eight years late and a staggering $20 billion over budget. So, can smaller reactors really deliver on their promise?
The answer lies in manufacturing. By shrinking the reactor size, startups hope to sidestep the issues that have held the industry back. With mass manufacturing methods, companies can build more reactors, driving down costs as they produce more components. But as expert Milo Werner points out, manufacturing isn’t as easy as it looks.
Milo Werner, a general associate at DCVC, knows a thing or two about manufacturing. She’s worked with Tesla and FitBit, launching new products and factories in China. Now, she’s co-founder of the NextGen Trade Group, which aims to advance the adoption of new technologies in the manufacturing sector.
When it comes to manufacturing, companies face two major challenges: capital and human capital. Factories aren’t cheap, and the US has lost its manufacturing muscle memory over the years. We’re talking decades of offshoring, here. As a result, there’s a scarcity of individuals with experience in both manufacturing unit development and operations.
“It’s like going from the couch to a marathon overnight,” Werner said. We don’t have enough people with the right skills in the US. There are a few individuals with the expertise, but it’s not on a large enough scale to meet the demand.
The good news is that some startups are building early prototypes close to their tech teams, bringing manufacturing closer to home. Modularity is key, Werner said – it allows companies to start small, scale up, and gather data on the manufacturing process.
The bad news is that the benefits of mass manufacturing don’t happen overnight. Companies may forecast price reductions, but it can take years – even a decade – to get there. Werner emphasized that this process of learning through manufacturing is crucial for achieving cost reductions.
As the nuclear industry continues to evolve, investors will be watching closely to see if these smaller reactors can deliver on their promise. Will they be able to overcome the challenges of manufacturing and reap the benefits of mass production? Only time will tell.
**Sources:** TechCrunch (link)
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