ADVANCED REACTOR STRATEGY | POLICY & REGULATION
negotiated on a case-by-case basis, rather than being standardised among the National Laboratories. Improving communication between the government and the companies that government seeks to help in realising its climate and energy ambitions is also essential, the authors say. Government contract procedures are designed to ensure that an agency doesn’t favour one private company over another. As a result, communications are often cumbersome. While DOE needs to remain neutral until making an award, that doesn’t necessarily preclude DOE from holding discussions with a prospective company, as long as it doesn’t give that company an edge. In contrast, private sector ventures and universities may have constraints, such as competitive pressures, but retain the ability to communicate freely before a contract is signed. Successful business requires effective communication. IP agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and communication as managed now by DOE doesn’t align with the private sector and, more to the point, technology innovation, the report concludes. Investors are also racing to commercialise their
technologies before rivals do, and in time to meet emerging needs. The government, in contrast, is more concerned with the amount spent and with following the detailed rules under government contracting processes, rather than the cost of delay. While in some situations it could make sense to prioritise traditional government procedures, this does not make sense in cases dealing with innovative
technologies. These delays are not compatible with an aggressive technology deployment agenda. In developing new products the object is to deploy new technologies at minimum cost to taxpayers, while recognising that some investments will not lead to a commercial product. Additionally, delays can be expressed as parts per million of carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere. In summary, the report argues that the DOE should be handling business matters the way a business would and the DOE’s work should be motivated by the idea that time is short to decarbonize and strengthen energy competitiveness and security. The advanced nuclear technologies that DOE must nurture will be needed to replace as much as 60% of the electric system that is powered today by carbon-emitting generation, and the whole electric system will also have to grow substantially – by a factor of 2 to 2.5 – if it is to replace the carbon-emitting technologies currently used in transportation, space heating and industry. By aligning with entrepreneurial businesses, streamlining, standardising, and optimising its contracting, communication, and staffing, the DOE will be more able to promptly deploy the products that are the most viable. As the report concludes, this is essential to satisfying the urgent need for climate mitigation and energy security. Ultimately, it will be DOE’s decision on how to organise
its advanced reactor efforts but the NIA argues that an Advanced Nuclear Energy Earthshot model is one logical and practical approach. ■
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