Jan Emblemsvåg, professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), gives facts and numbers to why nuclear is important as an energy source as well as its advantages compared to wind, solar and fossil fuel. Currently a 4th generation reactor is under development, a so-called thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor (MSR), and its application on merchant shipping is key to achieve decarbonization of the industry according to Jan. So how does Marine Nuclear Propulsion look like and what about the radioactive rest material? This and more is discussed in this episode of my technical hot seat. Recommended by Jan: Dr. Edward Calabrese The History of the LNT Episode Guide (hps.org)
NTNU is an international oriented university with headquarter in Trondheim and campuses in Gjövik and Älesund. It’s main profile is in science and technology, with roots going back to 1760. It is the largest single university in Norway. About Jan: Jan is not only a professor, but also author, consultant, board member and speaker. He has several publications related to Philosophy of Science: «I do not accept the populist notion that theory is one thing and practice is something else. Think about it; the human mind cannot exist without making theories… we wake up in the morning and have a theory that we can stand on the floor as we get up. This is true on Earth but in a space station without artificial gravity it would not work… Thus, the matter is not theory versus practice but rather the quality of the theory and its usefulness in practice, and nothing is more useful that a sound theory.» About Janne: Janne is a mechanical engineer with more than 20 years of experience in international sales and management. She enjoys a straight-forward communication style and is curious by nature – this is her motivation to do the technical Hot Seat that looks behind the buzzwords.
