The Future of Nuclear Energy is Now
Fri Jan 16 2026
In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna welcomes Brian Smith, Director of Nuclear Reactor Development at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), for a wide-ranging conversation on the role of advanced nuclear in meeting growing energy demand. Drawing on Smith’s career across the U.S. Navy, Department of Energy and now INL, they explore why nuclear is both a current backbone of the U.S. grid and a critical solution for the future. They cover how small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors are expanding nuclear’s use cases, from grid-scale power to remote communities and data centers, along with INL’s role in de-risking, piloting and accelerating commercialization through partnerships with private industry. Smith also shares insights on grid resilience, cybersecurity, federal-industry collaboration and why “nuclear now” is an essential part of delivering reliable, low-carbon energy at scale.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…
Advanced nuclear technologies and their evolving role (03:13)
Use cases for SMRs beyond the grid (04:33)
How INL supports commercialization (06:24)
How SMR use cases are shifting (09:28)
Data centers, AI load growth, and the demand for reliable power (11:40)
Bridging the “valley of death” between research and commercialization (14:30)
INL’s role in energy and infrastructure security (19:11)
Why nuclear is a “now” solution (22:43)
For full episode show notes, click here.
Connect with Brian Smith
On LinkedIn
Connect with Constellation
Follow Constellation on LinkedIn
Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn
Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions.
Connect with Smart Energy Decisions
Smart Energy Decisions
Follow us on LinkedIn
Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio.
If you’re interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.
More
In this episode of Plugged In, host Chuck Hanna welcomes Brian Smith, Director of Nuclear Reactor Development at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), for a wide-ranging conversation on the role of advanced nuclear in meeting growing energy demand. Drawing on Smith’s career across the U.S. Navy, Department of Energy and now INL, they explore why nuclear is both a current backbone of the U.S. grid and a critical solution for the future. They cover how small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors are expanding nuclear’s use cases, from grid-scale power to remote communities and data centers, along with INL’s role in de-risking, piloting and accelerating commercialization through partnerships with private industry. Smith also shares insights on grid resilience, cybersecurity, federal-industry collaboration and why “nuclear now” is an essential part of delivering reliable, low-carbon energy at scale. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… Advanced nuclear technologies and their evolving role (03:13) Use cases for SMRs beyond the grid (04:33) How INL supports commercialization (06:24) How SMR use cases are shifting (09:28) Data centers, AI load growth, and the demand for reliable power (11:40) Bridging the “valley of death” between research and commercialization (14:30) INL’s role in energy and infrastructure security (19:11) Why nuclear is a “now” solution (22:43) For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Brian Smith On LinkedIn Connect with Constellation Follow Constellation on LinkedIn Follow Chuck Hanna on LinkedIn Learn more about Constellation sustainability solutions. Connect with Smart Energy Decisions Smart Energy Decisions Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to Smart Energy Voices on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Android, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, aCast, PlayerFM, iHeart Radio. If you’re interested in participating in the next Smart Energy Decisions Event, visit smartenergydecisions.com or email our Community Development team at attend@smartenergydecisions.com.