6 - Liz Muller - Low Cost Nuclear Energy, from a Mile Underground

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Fission, about her company's innovative approach to nuclear power. They discuss Liz's background, the unique design that places nuclear reactors in mile-deep boreholes, and the potential benefits of this approach, including cost efficiency, safety, and shortened time to deployment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of public perception, the importance of collaboration with the data center industry and other end-users, and the future of nuclear energy in the U.S.

Liz is a serial entrepreneur at the forefront of nuclear energy and environmental innovation. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Fission, a groundbreaking nuclear energy startup transforming the industry by placing reactors a mile underground. Previously, she served as CEO of Deep Isolation, a pioneering nuclear waste company, where she now serves as Executive Chairwoman. Liz also founded Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit delivering critical data science on climate change.

A named inventor on multiple patents, Liz was recognized as a Clean Energy Rising Star by Business Insider in 2020. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a published author, backpacker, dance instructor, and proud mother of two, based in the Bay Area.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Podcast

01:30 Meet Liz Muller: A Leader in Nuclear Innovation

02:33 Liz's Journey into the Nuclear Industry

04:01 Deep Isolation and the Birth of Deep Fission

07:03 Innovative Reactor Design: A Mile Underground

11:01 Cost Efficiency of Borehole Reactors

12:01 Manufacturing and Fuel Considerations

13:52 Operational Characteristics of the Reactor

15:02 Deployment and Accuracy of Boreholes

16:44 Rapid Deployment of Nuclear Reactors

18:15 Safety Advantages of Underground Reactors

20:30 Environmental Considerations and Public Perception

21:00 Geological Flexibility and Deployment Locations

22:01 Disposal and Retrieval of Spent Fuel

23:31 Target Industries for Nuclear Power

24:17 Military Applications of Underground Reactors

25:55 Addressing Public Concerns about Nuclear Power

27:12 Financial Viability and Market Response

29:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook