Re-imagining Nuclear Power

Throughout history, humanity’s energy needs have driven technological innovation, fueled economic growth, and created societal cohesion. This drive led us to discover new and more efficient sources. Nuclear energy is one of the most recent steps in achieving readily available sustainable energy. In this article, I will lay a road map for anyone interested in getting involved with nuclear. 

Nuclear energy has come a long way from when it was first discovered. With its unmatched energy density, which comes to about one uranium pellet the size of a fingertip, is equivalent to 1.3 tons of coal, 250 gallons of oil, or 34,000 cubic feet of natural gas. It is also a low-carbon energy source, is more land efficient, and provides grid stability much better than other energy sources. Contrary to popular belief, when measured by fatalities per unit of electricity produced, nuclear power is one of the safest energy sources and with the invention of Gen IV reactors, we can prevent reactor meltdown even without human intervention. Modern fuel recycling methods allow us to reuse spent fuel, which drastically reduces waste and maximizes efficiency. 

The future of this industry is very promising. The advent of Small Modular Reactors allows this industry to scale much further as they provide flexibility in the form of cost-effectiveness and quicker deployment. The next step in this energy source is nuclear fusion. It has the promise of greater energy collection, minimal waste, no greenhouse gases, and no long-lived radioactive byproducts. 

One of the reservations one might have with this industry is that it might seem complicated, and are unsure how to build a foundation or interest. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and MIT OpenCourseWare offer courses on nuclear energy, radiation physics, and nuclear policy. Additionally, the U.S. is filled with nuclear power plants or nuclear research centers such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center or even the Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which provide numerous opportunities for hands-on learning. Those who are interested in this field may witness or even participate in Hackathons and Competitions like DOE Collegiate Wind and Nuclear Design Challenges.  

Beyond formal education, engaging with industry professionals is also a way to build a career or at the very least an interest in this field. Organizations like the American Nuclear Society (ANS), Women in Nuclear (WiN), and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) can offer an outlet to secure valuable opportunities. Conferences like the International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE) and Fusion Energy Conferences can also connect students with industry experts.  

Students can progress in this industry by becoming reactor designers or engineers, fusion energy researchers, radiation protection and safety experts, nuclear policy advocates, or even change it a bit to discover new avenues of using nuclear energy in other industries like healthcare.  

To get involved with the nuclear industry, students can pursue a minor in Nuclear Engineering. The minor is composed of 18 credit hours: 12 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives. Those who may not want to add a minor can find minor enhancements to their schedules by opting for courses that may enhance their understanding of energy systems, reactor design, and materials used in nuclear applications. Students in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering can use this to enhance their resume.  

Students interested in this field can opt for a graduate degree in either Nuclear Engineering or an MBA in Energy and Sustainability. That being said, I would like to emphasize that with how vast this industry truly is, you don’t need a specialized degree to pursue your interests in nuclear energy. 

Dr. Jonathan Link says this about this industry:    “Virginia Tech offers a minor in nuclear engineering at the undergraduate level, while full programs are available at the graduate level. Those not willing to opt for a minor can attend an introductory course. There are various internship and research opportunities across the U.S.; additionally, nuclear power plants hire people from multiple disciplines, so one must not hesitate to explore career opportunities in this field. VT students can take advantage of Professor Hagehat’s online lecture series; it can be beneficial for one’s knowledge and interest in this career. “

I would like to emphasize the fact that any majors are welcome to envision a future in this industry. One only needs a strong enough passion in nuclear and one can do well in the future as there are numerous career paths in countless well-established companies. Government agencies in the form of U.S. Navy’s NNPP, LANL, INL, ANL, NNSA, and DOE programs and then companies in the private sector such as NuScale, TerraPower, X-energy, NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin are not only advancing nuclear opportunities but also offer lucrative opportunities for a rewarding career filled with research, technology, and innovation. Furthermore, international organizations like IAEA, World Nuclear Association, and Nuclear Innovation Alliance can offer unique experiences to its employees. All of these companies have shown interest in VT students in the past and the skillset that VT instills in their students should make anyone excel in this field.