Abstract: This talk will give an overview of a few different projects at UW-Madison on reactor technology and integrated energy systems. Firstly, an irregular design of PWR assembly is introduced, which allows the number of pins to be increased while maintaining backward compatibility, hence facilitating core uprates. Secondly, an overview of our work on integrated energy systems will be presented. In an increasingly volatile electricity market, there are opportunities for nuclear energy to maximize economic value through flexible dispatch. This can be facilitated by integration of thermal energy storage which can be discharged at periods of high demand. Thermal energy storage also presents opportunities for tight integration of nuclear and solar thermal energy, providing synergistic benefits and increasing project value. Finally, integration of low temperature cogeneration, for example seawater desalination, can again increase revenue, and thermal energy storage presents opportunities for maximizing the value of the integrated system.

Bio: Dr Ben Lindley is an Assistant Professor in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics at UW-Madison. His current research focusses on the computational modelling, design & development of fission and fusion energy systems. Ben holds a joint faculty appointment at Argonne National Laboratory and co-founded Realta Fusion, a UW-Madison spinout aiming to commercialize fusion energy. Ben holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and MEng & BA degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK (2007-2014).

The NERS Colloquia Series invites leading researchers, industry experts, and thought leaders from across the nuclear engineering and radiological sciences community to share their insights with students, faculty, and guests. Covering a wide range of topics—from cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to policy, education, and professional development—the weekly talks offer an opportunity to explore current issues and innovations shaping the future of the field.