Ep 122: Jacopo Buongiorno, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In this episode we discuss...


Jacopo’s background in techno-economic analysis and personal
journey in the nuclear industry

Jacopo’s work at the Idaho National Laboratory before he
returned to his alma mater MIT as a professor of nuclear science
and engineering

Lead-bismuth reactors and the processes within

Jacopo’s contributions to MIT Energy Initiative’s recent
report, “The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained
World”

Why Jacopo believes when it comes to reducing cost we should
focus on improving construction methods rather than changing
coolant or fuel

A breakdown of the costs involved in building a new plant

Inaccuracies in cost prediction surrounding AP-1000 and EPR
and ways in which we can improve cost prediction

The benefits of assembling several microreactors to take
advantage of economies of multiple versus economics of scale of
size

Shipyard building and how Jacopo’s research at MIT works to
reduce construction costs