Title: Generation IV Nuclear Reactors: "Liángjī" for Global Nuclear X-energy: A Model for Nuclear Innovation

Abstract: Western proverbial wisdom has referred to the Chinese word for "Crisis" as meaning both "Danger" and Opportunity." However, according to Dr. Victor Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania, this is a grossly inaccurate statement when trying to describe the concept of opportunity. Instead, he recommends the word "Liángjī"(Excellent" + "Incipient moment" = Opportunity) to explain real opportunity at an inflection point in time. The US commercial nuclear industry can be considered an "Liángjī." US nuclear electricity generating capacity is expected to decline over the next 30 years, the recent boom in shale oil discoveries, low natural gas prices, and the apparent inability to construct and deliver US commercial nuclear power plants on time and within budget have all contributed to a low confidence in the future of commercial nuclear power. However, a new class of nuclear power plants, Generation IV (Gen IV), with the ability to provide cogeneration solutions (electricity and process heat) for non-traditional applications and, in some cases, utilize nuclear waste as fuel has the potential to enable the industry, like a Phoenix, to raise from the ashes of gloom. This presentation will describe considerations, strategies and plans of X-energy, a Gen IV High Temperate Gas Reactor technology developer, as it leapfrogs traditional commercial nuclear power plant technology to globally deliver breakthrough clean, safe, secure and affordable energy solutions.

Bio: As vice president for strategy and business development at X-energy, Jeff directs long-term business plans specifically focused on customers, partners and markets. Jeff has 30 years of entrepreneurial, general management, and nuclear power industry experience in Africa, Europe, and the US. Prior to joining X-energy, Jeff worked at the Westinghouse Advanced Reactors Program (pebble bed reactor), where he was a commercial/business development program leader and the initial commercial leader for its Small Modular Light Water Nuclear Reactor program. Prior to Westinghouse, Jeff was Founder and CEO for Turner, Harper & Associates, a niche global engineering firm, with 100 full time staff serving key clients including the Department of Energy, the CEZ - Czech Republic Nuclear Power Company, Lockheed-Martin, and Bechtel Jacobs. Jeff also served as a Vendor Inspector for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where he led more than 30 management, technical, and quality assurance inspections and audits of nuclear power plants and vendors. Jeff serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee, Nuclear Energy Institute’s Suppliers Advisory Committee, Prince George’s County Workforce Development Board and is a frequent speaker on advanced nuclear. Jeff received a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.