An OECD-NEA NEST, INL EMA, Fastest Path to Zero, and SMART-Canada Event
An In-person workshop being held on May 21st 2023 through May 26th 2023 at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, U.S.A
Building on the success of the 2020’s SMR Hackathon, the 2021’s SMR Prize Competition, and the 2022 SMR Press Pitch, the OECD-NEA NEST and SMART CREATE Programs. along with their new partner and host the Idaho National Laboratory’s EMA program, are joining to co-deliver a high-impact event to broaden the global discussion around nuclear energy solutions.
The 2020 SMR Hackathon focused on an intensive, five-day sprint that sought to foster social acceptability and navigate licensing and regulatory frameworks to position SMRs as a viable clean energy alternative.
The 2021 SMR Prize Competition brought together a cohort of students who engaged weekly to design, develop and ultimately pitch an optimized deployment scenario that requires use of an advanced reactor to support an industrial use.
The 2022 SMR Press Pitch focused on the deployment of a new SMR at a university in an urban environment.
The 2023 Microreactor Pitch Program will ask students to develop a deployment plan for the use of a microreactor. The plan must consider the technology, regulation, economics, social acceptance, and policy considerations required to be addressed in the deployment.
Each student team will be given the task of preparing a briefing on their approach. The topics are chosen so that student teams need to think through technology, regulation, economics, and social acceptance.
The Emerging Energy Markets Analysis Program
The Emerging Energy Market Analysis Initiative is a collaboration between Idaho National Laboratory, University of Michigan, University of Wyoming, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Alaska, and Boise State University. The initiative is dedicated to advancing the understanding of energy markets options as the world transitions to new energy futures. The EMA team is distinguished by their expertise spanning engineering and technology, social science, law, economics, natural resource policy, cultural studies, public and regulatory policy and stakeholder engagement. The team includes recognized experts in regional, national and international energy and stakeholder issues. As such, EMA can identify complex interactions and interplay between technological, social acceptance, economic and systems resilience attributes of future energy systems resulting in an ability to ascribe holistic value of potential energy options in transitioning and emerging markets.
The Fastest Path to Zero Initiative at the University of Michigan is an interdisciplinary team of experts, including University of Michigan faculty, staff, and students, working to support communities as they plan and pursue ambitious climate goals. We offer a variety of assessment, siting, and reporting tools to help communities transform their energy systems while adapting to a changing climate. We use big data analytics combined with a passion for human-centered design and engagement.
