12 - Harlan Bowers - X-energy's Growth and Innovation in Nuclear Technology

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast we hear from Harlan Bowers, Senior Vice President of X-energy, one of America's leading reactor and nuclear fuel developers. He talks about X-energy's advancements in nuclear technology, particularly focusing on the Xe-100 reactor and its applications, and his work leading the deployment of four Xe-100s under the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Development Program. Bowers provides valuable insights on the characteristics of high temperature gas cooled reactors, the growth of the company, the importance of TRISO fuel, and the potential for using nuclear power for industrial processes and space applications. Further, he shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing the nuclear industry, including the use of inherent safety features, partnerships with companies like Dow Chemical and Amazon, and the future of nuclear energy in a decarbonized world.