WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University and Duke Energy recently announced a lecture series for the public to learn more about the developments being made in nuclear energy and small modular reactors.
An executive advisory committee had their first meeting regarding the “joint exploration between Purdue and Duke Energy into the feasibility of using advanced nuclear energy to meet the long-term energy needs of the West Lafayette campus.”
This committee will meet repeatedly over the course of the study to provide the university and Duke Energy guidance on safety, regulatory processes and research.
“I could not be more excited about both the quality of this stellar assemblage of scientific and technical talent and the plan for an open, comprehensive study process that helps further public understanding as it furthers our aim,” Mitch Daniels, president of Purdue University, said in the release.
The executive advisory committee is made up of the following members:
- Mung Chiang, committee chair, Purdue executive vice president for strategic initiatives and the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering
- Arden Bement, Purdue’s David A. Ross Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering
- William Dudley Jr., Bechtel Group vice chairman and former CEO
- Carlos Hernandez, former CEO, Fluor Corp
- Maria Korsnick, Nuclear Energy Institute President and CEO
- Theresa Mayer, Purdue executive vice president for research and partnerships
- Stan Pinegar, Duke Energy State President, Indiana
- Luis Reyes, former executive, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Bement will be the first speaker in the Purdue-led monthly lecture series. The lectures will focus on a range of topics, including sustainability, safety, economics, regulation and more.
The first lecture will take place at 4 pm August 30 in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall. Each lecture will be available both in-person and virtually.
“We are extremely grateful to Dr. Bement for offering his expertise on our executive advisory committee and his voice as the first distinguished speaker in our Small Modular Reactor study lectures,” said Chiang, who is president-elect of Purdue. “As part of our study with Duke Energy, we are eager to provide a platform for education, engagement and dialogue among the public as well as our faculty, staff and students.”
Multiple principals in charge have been appointed to ensure the success of this study, according to the release:
- Michael B. Cline, senior vice president of administrative operations at Purdue
- Seungjin Kim, the Capt. James F McCarthy Jr and Cheryl E McCarthy Head and Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Purdue
- Chris Nolan, vice president of new nuclear generation at Duke Energy
These principals will be supported by a utility technical group and a nuclear technical advisory group. As needed, other experts in decarbonization and renewable energy will be consulted.
“Through this study, we will be considering how nuclear technologies could potentially meet our campus energy needs in the future,” Cline said.
Comments are closed.