Presented By: Institute for Energy Solutions
IES Energy Seminar Series - Enabling Secure, Reliable and Affordable Energy Systems
Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Idaho National Lab
Hosted by Todd Allen
Abstract:
The U.S. is projecting its first major increase in electricity demand since 2007. Data centers alone are projected to consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2030—triple today’s share—driven by AI and digital transformation. Add to this the impacts of electrification and manufacturing reshoring, and the nation must prepare for an additional 130–150 GW of load by 2029, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Meeting this demand securely and affordably requires a broad, inclusive energy strategy. We cannot rely on a single preferred energy source. Instead, we must integrate existing large-scale resources—nuclear and fossil—with other energy options such as geothermal, water power, biomass, renewables, and advanced nuclear reactors to meet growing needs for electricity, heat, and cooling, as well as the critical materials to build these systems.
INL is advancing this vision through the proposed Energy Technology Proving Ground, a first-of-its-kind facility designed to scale, integrate, and demonstrate multiple energy systems for commercial adoption. Initial large-scale hydrogen production tests will launch this fall, with future work extending to synthetic fuels and chemicals powered by nuclear and renewables.
By accelerating the transition from lab innovation to marketplace deployment, Idaho National Laboratory aims to drive U.S. energy resilience, sustainability, and global leadership in an era of unprecedented demand.
Bio:
As the Associate Laboratory Director of Energy and Environment Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Shannon oversees a team of over 350 staff dedicated to a resilient, affordable, and diverse energy agenda. She steers INL’s research efforts to deliver viable energy solutions focusing on microgrid systems, water treatment, critical minerals and materials, advanced manufacturing, and efficient chemical production while harnessing cutting-edge technologies to efficiently integrate nuclear and other energy resources into the grid and the industrial sector. Shannon has earned a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering, master of science in medical physics, and a master of science and doctorate in nuclear engineering.
Abstract:
The U.S. is projecting its first major increase in electricity demand since 2007. Data centers alone are projected to consume 12% of U.S. electricity by 2030—triple today’s share—driven by AI and digital transformation. Add to this the impacts of electrification and manufacturing reshoring, and the nation must prepare for an additional 130–150 GW of load by 2029, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Meeting this demand securely and affordably requires a broad, inclusive energy strategy. We cannot rely on a single preferred energy source. Instead, we must integrate existing large-scale resources—nuclear and fossil—with other energy options such as geothermal, water power, biomass, renewables, and advanced nuclear reactors to meet growing needs for electricity, heat, and cooling, as well as the critical materials to build these systems.
INL is advancing this vision through the proposed Energy Technology Proving Ground, a first-of-its-kind facility designed to scale, integrate, and demonstrate multiple energy systems for commercial adoption. Initial large-scale hydrogen production tests will launch this fall, with future work extending to synthetic fuels and chemicals powered by nuclear and renewables.
By accelerating the transition from lab innovation to marketplace deployment, Idaho National Laboratory aims to drive U.S. energy resilience, sustainability, and global leadership in an era of unprecedented demand.
Bio:
As the Associate Laboratory Director of Energy and Environment Science and Technology at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Shannon oversees a team of over 350 staff dedicated to a resilient, affordable, and diverse energy agenda. She steers INL’s research efforts to deliver viable energy solutions focusing on microgrid systems, water treatment, critical minerals and materials, advanced manufacturing, and efficient chemical production while harnessing cutting-edge technologies to efficiently integrate nuclear and other energy resources into the grid and the industrial sector. Shannon has earned a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering, master of science in medical physics, and a master of science and doctorate in nuclear engineering.
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