1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,640 Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep dive. 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:05,960 Today we are going to be exploring something 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,720 that's been generating a lot of buzz lately 4 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:10,680 in the energy world. 5 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:14,240 Small modular reactors or SMRs. 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,120 You know you've sent us a bunch of really interesting stuff 7 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,600 about how China's kind of leading the way 8 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,480 with these next generation reactors. 9 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:22,640 Yeah they're really pushing ahead. 10 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,960 So we're super excited to like dig in tall that with you. 11 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:26,840 Absolutely. 12 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,480 But before we like get ahead of ourselves, 13 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,160 let's start with like just the basics. 14 00:00:32,160 --> 00:00:35,160 You know for anyone who's maybe not totally familiar. 15 00:00:35,160 --> 00:00:36,000 Okay. 16 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,680 What exactly are SMRs and like why is everyone 17 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:41,040 suddenly making such a big deal about them? 18 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,560 So basically SMRs are kind of like mini nuclear reactors. 19 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,080 You know they're like way smaller than the traditional ones 20 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:48,920 we're used to. 21 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:50,080 Like a fraction of the size. 22 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:50,920 Interesting. 23 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:52,520 We're talking like 110th to 14th. 24 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:53,360 Wow. 25 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,480 And what's really exciting about them is that they could 26 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,640 totally change the way we think about nuclear power. 27 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:03,200 Like imagine instead of these massive multi-billion dollar 28 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,120 projects that take forever to build. 29 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:05,960 Yeah. 30 00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:10,280 We have these smaller, more flexible reactors 31 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,480 that can be built in factories and shipped anywhere. 32 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:14,920 Oh wow that's super interesting. 33 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:16,280 Yeah it's like a whole new ball game. 34 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:18,560 It's almost like Legos. 35 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:20,120 Legos for clean energy. 36 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:20,960 Exactly. 37 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:22,320 That's a really cool way to think about it. 38 00:01:22,320 --> 00:01:24,640 And I know you're you know really passionate 39 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:25,640 about clean energy. 40 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:26,480 Definitely. 41 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,240 So this has got to be like right up your alley. 42 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:29,080 Absolutely. 43 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:30,920 It's super exciting to see this technology developing. 44 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:32,960 Yeah and SMRs you know they produce power 45 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:35,040 without those greenhouse gases. 46 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:37,280 So it makes them a really attractive option. 47 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,000 You know as we're trying to find these cleaner ways 48 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:40,960 to power the world. 49 00:01:40,960 --> 00:01:41,800 Exactly. 50 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:42,840 It's a critical part of the solution. 51 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:43,680 Totally. 52 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:45,840 And you know it's interesting because there's this whole 53 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,280 global race going on right now. 54 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:49,120 Really. 55 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:50,440 Oh yeah to develop SMRs. 56 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:51,480 Wow. 57 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,440 Like all over the world there are teams working on this. 58 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:55,360 I had no idea. 59 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:56,200 Yep. 60 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:57,200 Tons of different designs and development. 61 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:58,480 Over 80 actually. 62 00:01:58,480 --> 00:01:59,320 80. 63 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:00,160 That's a lot. 64 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,840 It shows you how much attention this technology is getting. 65 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:04,440 Yeah that's incredible. 66 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:06,960 Yeah but you know from what we've seen. 67 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:07,800 Yeah. 68 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,120 China seems to be way ahead of the pack. 69 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:11,800 That's what our sources are saying too. 70 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:13,200 Yeah they're really out there in front. 71 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:14,680 Yeah so like how so. 72 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:15,600 Well for one thing. 73 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:16,440 Okay. 74 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:18,120 They actually already have SMRs up and running. 75 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:19,680 Wow seriously. 76 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:23,440 Yep pumping power into their grid as we speak. 77 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:24,440 That's amazing. 78 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:25,280 It is. 79 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:26,120 It's a big milestone. 80 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:29,560 Okay so can we talk about these Chinese SMRs then? 81 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,240 Like I'm dying to know what makes them tick. 82 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,920 Okay so the first one is called the HTRPM. 83 00:02:35,920 --> 00:02:36,760 Okay. 84 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:40,240 And it's actually the world's first grid connected SMR. 85 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:41,800 Oh wow. 86 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:43,720 So that's a pretty big deal in itself. 87 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:44,560 Yeah. 88 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,880 And this one uses this really unique pebble bed design. 89 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:48,840 Pebble bed. 90 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:51,120 Yeah so picture this. 91 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:55,520 Thousands of these tiny uranium fuel pellets. 92 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:56,360 Okay. 93 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:57,840 All encased in graphite. 94 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:58,680 Uh huh. 95 00:02:58,680 --> 00:02:59,840 And they're all cooled by helium. 96 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:02,200 Helium oh wait like the stuff in balloons. 97 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:03,040 Yep that's the one. 98 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,440 I had no idea you could use that in a nuclear reactor. 99 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:06,480 It's pretty wild right? 100 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:07,320 It is. 101 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:09,720 But it's actually a really ingenious technology. 102 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:10,560 Okay. 103 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,360 So the combination of the pebble bed and the helium 104 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,760 creates this super safe system. 105 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:16,600 Okay. 106 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:18,080 Because even if something goes wrong 107 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:21,440 the reactor basically cools itself down. 108 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,200 So like it's designed to prevent meltdowns. 109 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,080 Exactly it's inherently very safe. 110 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,080 That's really reassuring especially after you know 111 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:30,400 accidents like Fukushima. 112 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:31,240 Right. 113 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:33,440 That really shook people's trust in nuclear power. 114 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:35,000 Yeah definitely. 115 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,560 But you said China has another operational SMR too right? 116 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:39,400 They do. 117 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:40,240 The Linglong one. 118 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:41,080 Yes that's right. 119 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:41,920 What's the story with that one? 120 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,040 Well this one is interesting because it just passed 121 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:45,800 this independent safety assessment. 122 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:46,720 Oh wow. 123 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,120 By the International Atomic Energy Agency. 124 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:49,960 Okay. 125 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,880 So that's like the gold standard for nuclear safety. 126 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:53,040 So it's a pretty big deal. 127 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:53,880 Huge. 128 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:56,720 It gives SMRs a lot of international credibility. 129 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,200 So it's like a stamp of approval from the experts. 130 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:00,040 Exactly. 131 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,120 Okay that's really interesting. 132 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:03,520 Yeah it's a major step forward for the whole industry. 133 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,280 But what about costs though? 134 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,000 Aren't SMRs supposed to be cheaper to build 135 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,280 than those traditional nuclear plants? 136 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:12,680 Well that's the million dollar question isn't it? 137 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:13,520 Yeah. 138 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:14,840 Everyone wants to know the answer to that. 139 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:15,680 Right. 140 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,560 And while the idea of cheaper nuclear power 141 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:19,800 is super appealing. 142 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:20,640 Sure. 143 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:22,800 The reality is a bit more complicated. 144 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:23,920 Mmm. 145 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:25,040 So early days. 146 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:25,880 Okay. 147 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,000 You know and there are a lot of opinions out there. 148 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,120 Yeah our sources had some mixed information on that too. 149 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:31,960 Right. 150 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,240 Like one study said that current SMR projects 151 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,760 might not be like economically viable yet. 152 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:37,960 Yeah it's a valid concern. 153 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:39,680 But then we found this Australian report. 154 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:40,520 Okay. 155 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,000 And it predicted that the price of SMRs 156 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,240 could like drop dramatically. 157 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:45,080 Interesting. 158 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:46,520 In the next five years. 159 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:48,520 Similar to what happened with solar power. 160 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:49,360 Oh right. 161 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:51,440 Remember how expensive those solar panels used to be? 162 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:52,280 Oh yeah. 163 00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:53,120 They're everywhere. 164 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:53,960 It's true. 165 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:55,120 Costs have come down a lot. 166 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,760 So could SMRs follow that same path? 167 00:04:57,760 --> 00:04:59,440 That's the big question isn't it? 168 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:00,280 Yeah. 169 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:02,320 Like could they become that affordable? 170 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:04,440 Well it's possible. 171 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,160 But you know we have to remember 172 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,120 the solar power revolution was driven 173 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:09,600 by a bunch of different factors. 174 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:10,440 Like what? 175 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:11,280 Government subsidies. 176 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:12,120 Yeah. 177 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:13,080 Technological advancements. 178 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:14,600 Economies of scale. 179 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:15,440 Okay. 180 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,160 So it's not a guarantee that SMRs 181 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:19,840 will follow that same trajectory. 182 00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:20,680 Right. 183 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:22,440 Definitely something to watch closely. 184 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:23,280 Totally. 185 00:05:23,280 --> 00:05:24,680 It'll be interesting to see how things develop. 186 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:25,520 Yeah. 187 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:27,000 And speaking of watching things closely. 188 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:30,320 Have you heard about what's happening in the tech world? 189 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:31,160 What's that? 190 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:33,160 Like big companies. 191 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:34,000 You know. 192 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:35,680 Like Microsoft, Google. 193 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:37,200 Even Amazon. 194 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:39,840 They're starting to invest in SMR companies. 195 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:40,680 Oh yeah. 196 00:05:40,680 --> 00:05:41,520 That's right. 197 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:42,360 I mean that's a pretty big deal right? 198 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:43,200 It is. 199 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,120 It shows that even these tech giants. 200 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:45,960 Yeah. 201 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:47,360 Are seeing the potential of SMRs. 202 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:48,240 Makes sense. 203 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:50,640 Especially as they're trying to find cleaner energy. 204 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:51,480 Yeah. 205 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,640 To power all their massive data centers. 206 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:54,480 Right. 207 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,840 Because those data centers are huge energy hogs. 208 00:05:56,840 --> 00:05:57,680 They are. 209 00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:58,520 It's a big challenge for them. 210 00:05:58,520 --> 00:05:59,360 Yeah. 211 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:03,040 And I was reading that Amazon invested in this SMR startup 212 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:04,160 called Xenergy. 213 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:05,000 I did hear about that. 214 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,960 And it caused like this huge buzz in the industry. 215 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:08,800 Yeah. 216 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:09,620 It was big news. 217 00:06:09,620 --> 00:06:12,520 And apparently their stock like went through the roof 218 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:13,640 after the announcement. 219 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:14,480 Yeah. 220 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:15,480 Definitely got people's attention. 221 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:16,320 Yeah. 222 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,120 It seems like everyone is suddenly paying attention to SMRs. 223 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:19,960 They are. 224 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,400 They're not talking about that topic right now. 225 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:23,400 But you know with all this excitement. 226 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:24,240 Yeah. 227 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:26,560 We can't ignore some of the bigger concerns 228 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:28,840 about nuclear power in general. 229 00:06:28,840 --> 00:06:29,680 That's true. 230 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:31,280 There are still important issues to address. 231 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:32,120 Yeah. 232 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:32,960 You're talking about nuclear waste. 233 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:33,800 Right. 234 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:34,640 Yeah. 235 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:35,460 That's a big one. 236 00:06:35,460 --> 00:06:37,200 It's a major issue for any kind of nuclear technology. 237 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:38,040 Right. 238 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:38,880 Including these new SMRs. 239 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:39,720 Absolutely. 240 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:41,480 It's something we can't just brush aside. 241 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:42,320 Okay. 242 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:43,160 So let's talk about that then. 243 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:44,000 Sure. 244 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:47,040 Like how do these smaller reactors change things. 245 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:47,880 Okay. 246 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:49,560 When it comes to dealing with nuclear waste. 247 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:50,400 Yeah. 248 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:52,160 That's a really important question. 249 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:53,000 It is. 250 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:54,040 It's a question that a lot of researchers 251 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:55,160 are trying to figure out right now. 252 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:56,000 Yeah. 253 00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:00,360 You see nuclear waste is basically what's left over 254 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:02,440 after the uranium fuel. 255 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:03,280 Uh huh. 256 00:07:03,280 --> 00:07:04,120 Is used up in a reactor. 257 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:04,960 Right. 258 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:05,800 It's radioactive. 259 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:07,560 And it has to be stored very carefully 260 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:09,160 for a very long time. 261 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:10,000 Okay. 262 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:11,680 So like how long are we talking? 263 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:12,920 Decades. 264 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:14,120 Centuries. 265 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:15,000 Think bigger. 266 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:15,840 Like way bigger. 267 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:16,680 Oh wow. 268 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,000 Some of this high level waste we're talking about 269 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,040 needs to be isolated. 270 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:19,880 Okay. 271 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,320 For tens of thousands of years before it's safe. 272 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:23,160 Oh. 273 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:24,000 Millennia. 274 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:24,840 Literally. 275 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:25,680 That's mind boggling. 276 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:26,520 It is. 277 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:27,360 It's a huge challenge. 278 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:28,360 So what do we do with it then? 279 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:30,640 Just bury it and like hope for the best. 280 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:32,200 It's a little more complicated than that. 281 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:33,040 Okay. 282 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:33,880 But essentially yeah. 283 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:34,720 Yeah. 284 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,480 Right now spent nuclear fuel is stored 285 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:39,880 in these pools of water. 286 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:40,720 Yeah. 287 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:41,680 To cool it down. 288 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:42,520 Uh huh. 289 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:44,640 And then it's transferred to these super tough, 290 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:45,800 dry casks. 291 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:46,640 Okay. 292 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:47,480 For long term storage. 293 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:48,320 Got it. 294 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,960 Deep underground in these specially designed repositories. 295 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:51,800 Okay. 296 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:53,080 That sounds pretty intense. 297 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:53,920 It is. 298 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:54,760 It's a serious process. 299 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,320 I bet it costs a fortune too. 300 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:57,160 It does. 301 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:59,360 So is that where SMRs and waste gets tricky? 302 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,320 That's part of it yeah. 303 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:01,160 Okay. 304 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:03,680 Because some people argue that since SMRs are smaller. 305 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:04,520 Right. 306 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:05,560 And potentially more efficient. 307 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:06,400 Uh huh. 308 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:08,880 They might actually produce less waste overall. 309 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:09,720 All right. 310 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:10,560 That makes sense to me. 311 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:14,960 Smaller reactor, less fuel, needed less waste left over. 312 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:15,800 Exactly. 313 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:16,640 That's the thinking. 314 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:17,480 Okay. 315 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,480 In practice it's not quite that straightforward. 316 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:20,560 Oh, how so? 317 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:22,480 Remember that Stanford study we mentioned? 318 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:23,320 Yeah. 319 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,960 It suggested that the way most SMRs are designed right now. 320 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:27,800 Okay. 321 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:29,400 Might actually lead to more waste. 322 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:30,240 More waste. 323 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:31,080 Yeah. 324 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:31,920 Per unit of energy. 325 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:32,760 Hold on. 326 00:08:32,760 --> 00:08:34,240 So even though the reactors are smaller. 327 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,080 Right. 328 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:36,720 They could produce more waste. 329 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,120 Per megawatt of power. 330 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:38,960 Yeah. 331 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:39,800 How does that even work? 332 00:08:39,800 --> 00:08:41,280 It all comes down to the fuel cycle. 333 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:42,120 Okay. 334 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:42,960 And the reactor design. 335 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:43,800 Got it. 336 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,920 Some SMRs are super efficient with fuel. 337 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:47,260 Uh huh. 338 00:08:47,260 --> 00:08:50,320 While others need refueling more often. 339 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:51,160 Okay. 340 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,400 Which ends up creating more waste over time. 341 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,040 So it's not as simple as it seems. 342 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:55,880 Nope. 343 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:56,720 It's complicated. 344 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:57,560 It really is. 345 00:08:57,560 --> 00:09:00,560 And that's why research into these advanced fuel cycles. 346 00:09:00,560 --> 00:09:01,400 Yeah. 347 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:02,920 And better waste management tech. 348 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:03,760 Uh huh. 349 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:07,400 Is so important for making nuclear power, including SMRs. 350 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:08,240 Right. 351 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:09,560 A viable long-term solution. 352 00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:10,400 Totally. 353 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:11,840 It sounds like we still have a way to go. 354 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,680 Before we can confidently say SMRs are like a totally clean 355 00:09:15,680 --> 00:09:17,040 and sustainable option. 356 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:17,800 That's fair to say. 357 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:20,480 But hey, at least there's a ton of investment going 358 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:21,480 into this field right now. 359 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:21,980 That's true. 360 00:09:21,980 --> 00:09:23,080 There's a lot of momentum. 361 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,920 Especially with those big tech companies jumping on board. 362 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:26,560 Oh yeah. 363 00:09:26,560 --> 00:09:27,760 That's a game changer. 364 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:28,360 It is. 365 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:29,720 And you know, it's important to remember. 366 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:30,640 Okay. 367 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,800 Those investments aren't just about profits. 368 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:33,360 Right. 369 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,320 They're driven by this urgent need to address climate change. 370 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:38,200 Yeah. 371 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,040 Data centers, as we know, are massive energy hogs. 372 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:42,760 Oh, they are. 373 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:45,720 And these companies are under a lot of pressure 374 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:47,760 to clean up their operations. 375 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:48,440 Yeah. 376 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,280 SMRs offer a potential solution. 377 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:51,760 OK. 378 00:09:51,760 --> 00:09:53,800 Reliable, always on clean energy. 379 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:54,400 Right. 380 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:56,960 That doesn't depend on the weather, like solar and wind. 381 00:09:56,960 --> 00:09:57,160 Right. 382 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:58,400 That's a big advantage. 383 00:09:58,400 --> 00:09:58,960 It is. 384 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:00,960 But it's not just big tech either. 385 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:01,440 You're right. 386 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,760 Governments all over the world are pouring money 387 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:06,680 into SMR research and development. 388 00:10:06,680 --> 00:10:07,080 They are. 389 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:08,200 It's a global effort. 390 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,920 The UK, for example, has a whole program. 391 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,160 Dedicated to supporting SMRs as part of their strategy 392 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,200 to hit net zero emissions. 393 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:16,640 That's right. 394 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:18,040 They're going all in on this. 395 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:20,480 And Canada and the US are also looking into it. 396 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:20,800 Yeah. 397 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:22,840 Everyone's trying to figure out how SMRs fit 398 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:24,160 into their energy mix. 399 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,400 It's fascinating how each country 400 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:28,520 has their own unique take on it. 401 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:29,040 It is. 402 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:31,160 It really shows the potential of this technology. 403 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:31,640 Yeah. 404 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,280 It highlights how versatile SMRs could be. 405 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:35,000 Exactly. 406 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:39,240 But with any powerful tool, we need 407 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,960 to consider those broader implications. 408 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:42,520 Absolutely. 409 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,360 We can't just focus on the tech itself. 410 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:44,840 Yeah. 411 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:47,840 Like nuclear power, even in a smaller package, 412 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:49,440 still carries a lot of weight. 413 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:49,920 It does. 414 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:50,960 It's a powerful force. 415 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:51,280 Yeah. 416 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:52,760 And there are always those concerns 417 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:54,160 about safety and security. 418 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:54,440 Right. 419 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:55,280 We can't ignore that. 420 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,920 Even with all the advanced safety features, 421 00:10:57,920 --> 00:10:59,440 accidents can still happen. 422 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:00,240 They can. 423 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:02,120 And we need to be prepared for that possibility. 424 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:05,480 So it's all about having those rigorous safety protocols. 425 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:05,880 Absolutely. 426 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:09,000 And ongoing testing and being transparent with the public. 427 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:09,520 Exactly. 428 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:11,040 Building trust is essential. 429 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:13,000 Yeah, transparency and public engagement 430 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:14,200 are super important. 431 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:14,680 I agree. 432 00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:18,680 People need to feel informed and involved in the decisions. 433 00:11:18,680 --> 00:11:21,480 Especially when it comes to something like nuclear power. 434 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:22,240 For sure. 435 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:23,440 It's a sensitive topic. 436 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:24,040 It is. 437 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,920 And it brings up another critical aspect. 438 00:11:26,920 --> 00:11:27,600 What's that? 439 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,040 The economic impact. 440 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:29,400 Right. 441 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:30,560 The cost and benefits. 442 00:11:30,560 --> 00:11:31,080 Yeah. 443 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:34,000 Well, cheaper nuclear power sounds great. 444 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:34,880 It does. 445 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:38,000 It's important to make sure those benefits are shared fairly. 446 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,680 And the costs aren't unfairly put on certain communities. 447 00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:42,000 Yeah. 448 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:43,640 Equity is a huge factor here. 449 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:45,240 It's about finding that balance. 450 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:45,640 Absolutely. 451 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,800 Making sure SMRs are part of a just and sustainable energy 452 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:50,400 transition. 453 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:51,080 That's the goal. 454 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:51,960 For everyone. 455 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:53,400 For everyone, exactly. 456 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,960 It's clear that SMRs have amazing potential. 457 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:56,440 They do. 458 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:58,720 To be a big part of our clean energy future. 459 00:11:58,720 --> 00:11:59,240 For sure. 460 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,120 But there's still a lot to learn. 461 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:01,640 Definitely. 462 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:02,840 And a lot to consider. 463 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:04,280 A lot to discuss and debate. 464 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:04,640 Yeah. 465 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,000 And I think it would be really valuable 466 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:11,400 to explore some of the other countries working on SMRs. 467 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:11,760 Oh yeah. 468 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:12,400 Beyond China. 469 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:13,760 Besides China. 470 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:14,000 Yeah. 471 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:14,520 What do you think? 472 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:15,880 I think that's a great idea. 473 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:16,280 OK. 474 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,680 Broadening our perspective is super important. 475 00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:18,920 OK. 476 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:19,840 Cool. 477 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:21,640 So let's take a look at what's happening in other parts 478 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:22,480 of the world. 479 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,200 Like the US, Canada, the UK. 480 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:24,800 Yeah. 481 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,680 They're all taking different approaches to SMR development. 482 00:12:27,680 --> 00:12:28,000 OK. 483 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:29,360 So we've talked about China. 484 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:32,720 We've dug into this whole nuclear waste thing. 485 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:38,320 But like you said before, the SMR world goes way beyond China. 486 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:39,240 Oh, definitely. 487 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:41,480 So what's happening in other parts of the world? 488 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,800 Are they taking different approaches? 489 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:45,120 Yeah, absolutely. 490 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,960 The race to develop SMRs is a global thing. 491 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:48,760 OK. 492 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:49,880 In the US, for example. 493 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:50,520 Yeah. 494 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:53,920 They're really focused on using SMRs to replace 495 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:55,480 those old coal plants. 496 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:56,680 Oh, interesting. 497 00:12:56,680 --> 00:12:57,040 Yeah. 498 00:12:57,040 --> 00:12:59,760 They see it as a way to decarbonize their energy sector. 499 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:00,560 OK. 500 00:13:00,560 --> 00:13:04,160 But also still utilize all the existing infrastructure. 501 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:04,760 That makes sense. 502 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:05,600 And workforce. 503 00:13:05,600 --> 00:13:07,840 So it's like a clean energy upgrade. 504 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:08,320 Exactly. 505 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:09,560 For those old power plants. 506 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,200 Yeah, it's a pretty smart strategy. 507 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:11,520 It is. 508 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:12,640 What about Canada, though? 509 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,000 I know they've been exploring SMRs, too. 510 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,200 Yeah, Canada's approach is kind of interesting. 511 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:17,720 OK. 512 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,640 They're looking at SMRs not just for electricity, 513 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:23,440 but also for like, industrial applications. 514 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:24,080 Like what? 515 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,520 So things like providing heat and power 516 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:29,960 to remote mining operations. 517 00:13:29,960 --> 00:13:31,800 Or even producing hydrogen. 518 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:32,320 Interesting. 519 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:33,360 For clean fuel. 520 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:33,720 Wow. 521 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:35,520 So they're thinking outside the box. 522 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:36,120 They are. 523 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:38,160 They're looking at all sorts of possibilities. 524 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:41,240 It seems like every country has their own vision, 525 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:44,120 you know, for how SMRs could fit in. 526 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:44,600 It's true. 527 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,280 Everyone's got their own priorities. 528 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:48,160 And the UK is another good example, right? 529 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:48,720 Oh, yeah. 530 00:13:48,720 --> 00:13:53,520 They want to be like a global leader in SMR tech. 531 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:54,320 That's their goal. 532 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,160 Not just by using them in the UK, 533 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,200 but by like, exporting their knowledge and designs. 534 00:13:59,200 --> 00:13:59,640 Exactly. 535 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,400 They want to be the go-to experts. 536 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:02,040 That makes sense. 537 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:04,160 The UK has a long history with nuclear. 538 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:04,720 They do. 539 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:06,000 They've been in the game for a while. 540 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,360 So it's really interesting to see 541 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,680 how these different countries are approaching 542 00:14:09,680 --> 00:14:11,440 this whole SMR thing. 543 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:11,800 Yeah. 544 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:14,760 It's all based on their specific needs and resources. 545 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:15,000 Yeah. 546 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,520 It shows how adaptable the technology could be. 547 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:17,960 It does. 548 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:18,960 It's very versatile. 549 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:23,640 But like, with any powerful tool, you know, 550 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:25,400 we've got to think about the bigger picture. 551 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:25,840 Absolutely. 552 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:27,200 We can't just get tunnel vision. 553 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:27,400 Yeah. 554 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:28,680 Like nuclear power. 555 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:33,200 Even in a smaller package, still has a lot of, you know. 556 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:33,840 Weight. 557 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:34,600 Weight, yeah. 558 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:35,840 That's a powerful force. 559 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,800 There are always those concerns around safety and security. 560 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:39,120 Right. 561 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:40,160 That comes with the territory. 562 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:40,520 Yeah. 563 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,880 Even with all the advanced safety features, 564 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,200 accidents can happen. 565 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:45,840 That's true. 566 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:46,960 We can't pretend they can't. 567 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:49,760 So we have to like, plan for that possibility. 568 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:50,200 We do. 569 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,520 It's about managing the risks. 570 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,400 So rigorous safety protocols. 571 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:55,840 For sure. 572 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:56,880 Ongoing testing. 573 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:57,280 Yep. 574 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:58,640 Transparency with the public. 575 00:14:58,640 --> 00:14:59,920 All crucial. 576 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:00,280 Yeah. 577 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,760 That transparency and public engagement. 578 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:04,040 Super important. 579 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:05,240 Couldn't agree more. 580 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:07,480 People need to feel informed. 581 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:07,920 Definitely. 582 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:09,000 And involved. 583 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:10,640 They have to have a voice. 584 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,640 Especially when it comes to something as big as nuclear. 585 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:13,960 Yeah. 586 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:14,440 Absolutely. 587 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:16,760 And that actually brings us to another big thing. 588 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:17,360 What's that? 589 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:18,880 The economic impact. 590 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:19,680 Oh, right. 591 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:21,080 The money side of things. 592 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:21,720 Yeah. 593 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,560 Because cheaper nuclear power sounds great. 594 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:25,760 It does on paper. 595 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:28,280 But we got to make sure the benefits are shared fairly. 596 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:28,760 Exactly. 597 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:30,520 And that the costs aren't like. 598 00:15:30,520 --> 00:15:32,280 Dumped on certain communities. 599 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,120 Exactly. 600 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:33,400 Yeah. 601 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:34,440 It has to be equitable. 602 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:36,760 It's all about finding that balance, right? 603 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:37,200 It is. 604 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:38,160 It's a balancing act. 605 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:42,760 Making sure SMRs are part of a just and sustainable energy 606 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,840 transition for everyone. 607 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,880 That's the ultimate goal. 608 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:51,040 It's clear that SMRs have this incredible potential. 609 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:51,600 They do. 610 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,440 To be a huge part of this clean energy future. 611 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:55,080 No doubt. 612 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:56,880 But there's still so much to learn. 613 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:57,200 There is. 614 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:58,440 And so much to consider. 615 00:15:58,440 --> 00:15:59,840 It's an evolving landscape. 616 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:00,600 It really is. 617 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:04,160 And I think on that note to our listener, 618 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,360 we hope this deep dive has given you some food for thought. 619 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:08,680 Yeah, some things to ponder. 620 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,720 About these fascinating, complex, 621 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:11,680 favorite evolving things. 622 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:12,280 Exactly. 623 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:13,560 Stay curious. 624 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,600 Keep asking those tough questions. 625 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:17,440 Yeah, don't be afraid to dig deeper. 626 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:21,000 And remember, the future of energy is in all our hands. 627 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:28,000 That's a great way to put it.