Moderating A Panel of Nuclear Experts: What I Learned at World Utilities Congress 2023

As an industry outsider moderating a panel of nuclear experts from across the broad supply chain, I was initially honoured to be invited to moderate in full knowledge of KROHNE 's expertise outside the Middle East and Africa region. The closer the session got the more I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The adrenaline was a necessity, as someone that used to thrive on the buzz of acting in the theatre and as a local radio DJ, and I knew this would overcome any nerves for the hour.

I was excited to learn more about the nuclear industry and to hear from experts in the field and I was not disappointed. However, I was also nervous about moderating the discussion and making sure that everyone had a chance to participate, something I will prepare differently for in future moderating opportunities, should I be given the chance again.

The panel discussion was about the impact of sustainability on the nuclear supply chain. The experts discussed a variety of topics, including the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future, the challenges of developing renewable energy sources, and the importance of education, innovation and inspiring youth into the energy sector.

I was particularly interested in the discussion about the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future. The experts agreed that nuclear energy can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. However, they also acknowledged that nuclear energy is not without its challenges. These challenges include the high cost of building and operating nuclear power plants, the risk of accidents, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Despite the challenges, the session was overwhelmingly positive in favour of nuclear as a leading renewable source of energy, with our experts agreeing that renewable energy is essential to a sustainable future. They called for increased investment in renewable energy research and development, and they urged governments to create policies that support the development of renewable energy sources.

I was impressed by the knowledge and expertise of the panel members. They were able to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the nuclear and renewable energy sectors. I also appreciated their willingness to engage in a thoughtful and respectful discussion about these important issues.

I learned a lot from the panel discussion. I gained a better understanding of the nuclear and renewable energy sectors, and I was inspired by the commitment of the experts to finding solutions to the challenges facing our planet. I am confident that the insights I gained from the panel discussion will help me to be a more informed citizen and to make a positive contribution to the fight for a sustainable future.

In addition to the topics discussed on the panel, I would like to add a few thoughts about the importance of transportation, innovation, education, youth, localization, and diversification in the energy sector.

Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, we need to find ways to maintain the safety around nuclear transportation.

Innovation is essential to the development of new energy technologies. We need to continue to invest in research and development in order to find new ways to generate and use energy more efficiently.

Education is key to raising awareness about the importance of sustainability and the need for a transition to clean energy. We need to educate our children and youth about these issues so that they can be part of the solution.

Youth are a powerful force for change. They are passionate about sustainability and they are eager to make a difference. We need to empower youth to take action on these issues and to be leaders in the fight for a sustainable future. STEM education and bringing more girls into the fold will help power an increasingly knowledge-based economy, in turn something that will drive a brighter, smarter and more inclusive future.

Localization is important because it can help to reduce our reliance on imported energy. By producing more of our own energy locally, we can create jobs, boost the economy, and reduce our vulnerability to disruptions in the global energy market. Nuclear power to a certain degree provides that flexibility to localize so should empower some countries and communities under the optimum circumstances to make best use of the renewable fuel.

Diversification is important because it can help to reduce the risk of relying too heavily on any one energy source. By diversifying our energy portfolio, we can increase our resilience and ensure that we have a reliable supply of energy in the future.

I believe that these are all important factors that need to be considered as we work to transition to a sustainable energy future. By working together, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Thanks again to my amazing expert panelists for their ability to think on their feet and drive a decent, thoughtful conversation. Looking forward to more impactful thinking together soon, in seated order from left to right: Martin Porter from World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) , Farah Chahma from NUVIA , Alikaan Ciftci from Nuclear Industry Association of Türkiye- NIATR , Steve Swilley from EPRI and Michael Bryant from Urenco Global . And to dmg events and World Utilities Congress hosted by TAQA Group for the opportunity to step up, hopefully not the last...