WORKSHOP: The Potential Contribution of Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies to the Decarbonization and Economic Development of Japan and the U.S.

Presented by the Fastest Path to Zero Initiative at the University of Michigan and the Center for Research on Nuclear Decommissioning at Tohoku University
May 29–31, 2024
Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Event Recap

The Fastest Path to Zero Initiative at the University of Michigan, together with its partner, the Center for Research on Nuclear Decommissioning at Tohoku University, hosted a workshop on “The Potential Contribution of Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies to the Decarbonization and Economic Development of Japan and the U.S.”, on May 29–31, 2024 in Sendai, Japan. This workshop, supported by the U.S. Consulate in Sapporo, involved not only academic experts, but also advanced nuclear reactor developers, policymakers, and leaders of non-governmental organizations. The goal of this workshop was to introduce the various new nuclear reactor technologies, with an emphasis on SMRs and microreactors, and to determine their role in decarbonization strategies of advanced industrial economies such as Japan and the United States. The workshop also explored the potential economic development aspects of introducing new “green technologies”, and the prospects for job creation.  

Speakers

Todd Allen
Glenn F. and Gladys H. Knoll Department Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences; Chihiro Kikuchi Collegiate Professor, University of Michigan

Rita Baranwal
Chief Technical Officer, Westinghouse

Christi Bell
Vice Chancellor and Executive Director, Business Enterprise Institute, University of Alaska, Anchorage

Diane Cameron
Head of Nuclear Technology and Economics Division, Nuclear Energy Agency, OECD

Yoshitaka Chikazawa
Deputy Director, Oarai Research and Development Institute, Strategy and Management Department, JAEA

Denia Djokić
Research Scientist, Fastest Path to Zero Initiative, University of Michigan

Jess Gehin
Associate Lab Director, Nuclear Science & Technology, Idaho National Lab

Lauren Hughes
Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy, Atlantic Council

Hiroko Kondo
Business Consultant/Researcher

Risa Kunitomo
Master’s Student in Nuclear Engineering, Tokyo Technical University

Jessica Lovering
Executive Director, Good Energy Collective

Takayuki Mase
Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

Tsutomu Matsui
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

Antonin Povolny
Engineer, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.

Tara Righetti
Professor, School of Law and School of Energy Resources, University of Wyoming

Brian Smith
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy

Junko Sugaya
Director and General Manager, Japan NUS Ltd.

Aditi Verma
Assistant Professor, NERS, University of Michigan

Haruko Wainwright
Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering, MIT

Mackenzie Warwick
Ph.D. Candidate, NERS, University of Michigan

Mark Wuebbels
Consul General, US Consulate in Sapporo, Japan

Yuki Nakamura
Specialist, Toshiba ESS Corporation

Yutaka Watanabe
Director, CFReND, Tohoku University

Patrick White
Research Director, Nuclear Innovation Alliance

Yuji Fukaya
Group Leader, HTGR Design Group, JAEA

Mitsuru Uesaka
Chairperson, Atomic Energy Commission, Japan

Teiji Tominaga
President, Tohoku University

Chihiro Tobe
Director General, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

Satoru Yasuraoka
Director for International Affairs, Nuclear Energy Policy Division, ANRE, METI

Takeshi Koike
Deputy Manager, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd

Agenda

Day 1 – May 30, 2024

8:20 AM
Explanation of Meeting Structure

8:30 AM – Welcome Remarks

  • Mark Wuebbels, Consul General, US Consulate in Sapporo, Japan
  • Teiji Tominaga, President, Tohoku University
  • Todd Allen, Glenn F. and Gladys H. Knoll Department Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences; Chihiro Kikuchi Collegiate Professor, University of Michigan
  • Chihiro Tobe, Director General, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

9:00 AM – Plenary Session I: Global Energy Update Clean Energy Goals, Policies and Commitments (Domestic and International)

  • Current policies in Japan and US
  • International treaties and commitments
  • Current strategies to meet goals
  • What needs to change?
  • Speaker: Brian Smith, Mitsuru Uesaka, Satoru Yasuraoka, Diane Cameron

10:00 AM
Networking Coffee Break and Group Photo

10:30 AM – Plenary Session II: Introduction to Advanced Reactor Technologies

  • Speakers: Patrick White, Yoshitaka Chikazawa

11:15 AM – Plenary Session III: Decarbonized Energy Systems/Deployment Scenarios

  • Speakers: Jessica Lovering, Tsutomu Matsui

12:00 PM – Plenary Session IV: Gender Balance in the Nuclear Industry

  • Speakers: Denia Djokić, Rita Baranwal, Hiroko Kondo, Mackenzie Warwick, Haruko Wainwright, Risa Kunitomo

1:10 PM
Catered Lunch, provided by Tohoku University

2:00 PM – Plenary Session V: Introduction to/Motivation for Breakout Groups

3:00 PM – Breakout Group 2: Deployment Process

  • Speakers: Tara Righetti, Jess Gehin, Junko Sugaya

3:45 PM – Breakout Group 3: Economic Development and Job Creation (Policy-oriented Topics)

  • Speakers: Christi Bell, Takayuki Mase

4:30-5:30 PM
Breakout Sessions (Kick start the discussions for one hour on Day 1)

6:30 PM
Reception for all participants at Wine House Bouchon, Sendai

Day 2 – May 31, 2024

9:00 AM
Breakout Sessions Continued

10:40 AM
Networking Coffee Break

11:00 AM – Plenary Session VI: Breakout Session Reports

12:15 PM
Catered Lunch, provided by Tohoku University

1:30 PM – Closing Plenary: Insights for clean energy policies and economic development

  • Moderator: Lauren Hughes
  • Speakers: Todd Allen, Yutaka Watanabe
  • Students from each university will share their views of the future

2:30 PM
Adjournment