Japan – U.S. Decommissioning Workshop Series
Workshop 3: Contributions of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies to Decarbonization and Economic Development in Japan and the United States
Information
The goal of this workshop is to introduce the various new nuclear reactor technologies, with an emphasis on advanced reactors, and to determine their role in decarbonization strategies of advanced industrial economies such as Japan and the United States. The workshop will also explore the potential economic development aspects of introducing new green technologies, such as advanced reactors, and the prospects for job creation, particularly in more rural areas.
It aims to strengthen international collaboration and build new networks between the United States and Japan in their efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, and to leverage economic and workforce development resulting from investments in zero carbon technologies. The goal of the main event, is to raise awareness of new nuclear energy technologies as not only a viable source of clean (carbon–neutral) energy, but also as an engine for economic growth and job creation in both countries.
Date
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 – Friday, May 31, 2024
Venue
May 30, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Main Event: Sakura Hall, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
Breakout Group 1: Flow Dynamics Building, Institute of Fluid Science, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
Breakout Group 2: Cerisier, Katahira Kitamon Commons, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
Breakout Group 3: Espace, Katahira Kitamon Commons, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
Speakers and Panelists
Todd Allen (Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences / University of Michigan)
Rita Baranwal (Westinghouse)
Christi Bell (University of Alaska, Anchorage)
Diane Cameron (Organisation for Economic Co–operation and Development)
Yoshitaka Chikazawa (Japan Atomic Energy Agency)
Denia Djokic (University of Michigan)
Yuji Fukaya (Japan Atomic Energy Agency)
Jess Gehin (Idaho National Lab)
Takeshi Koike (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd)
Hiroko Kondo (Business Consultant, Researcher)
Risa Kunitomo (Tokyo Technical University)
Jessica Lovering (Good Energy Collective)
Takayuki Mase (Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry)
Tsutomu Matsui (Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.)
Yuki Nakamura (Toshiba ESS Corporation)
Antonin Povolny (Hitachi–GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.)
Tara Righetti (University of Wyoming)
Brian Smith (US Department of Energy)
Junko Sugaya (Japan NUS Ltd.)
Mitsuru Uesaka (Atomic Energy Commission, Japan)
Aditi Verma (University of Michigan)
Satoru Yasuraoka (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Haruko Wainwright (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Mackenzie Warwick (University of Michigan)
Yutaka Watanabe (Tohoku University)
Patrick White (Nuclear Innovation Alliance)
Time Schedule
- Wednesday, May 29, 2024
- 09:00
- Visit to the Fukushima nuclear facility
(departs from Kokusai Hotel) [Access]
- 19:30
- Welcome Dinner (invitation only)
at Wine House Bouchon, Sendai [Access]
Co–sponsored by the Atlantic Council and UM Fastest Path to Zero
- Thursday, May 30, 2024
- 08:20 – 08:30
- Explanation of Meeting Structure
- 08:30 – 09:00
- Welcome Remarks
- Mark Wuebbels (Consul General, US Consulate General in Sapporo)
Teiji Tominaga (President, Tohoku University)
Todd Allen (Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences / University of Michigan)
Chihiro Tobe (Director General, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry)
- Plenary Session I: Global Energy Update, Clean Energy Goals, Policies and Commitments (Domestic and International)
- 09:00 – 09:50
-
- Current policies in Japan
- Current policies in US
- International treaties and commitments
- Current strategies to meet goals
- What needs to change?
-
Brian Smith (US Department of Energy)
Mitsuru Uesaka (Japan Atomic Energy Commission)
Satoru Yasuraoka (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Diane Cameron (Organisation for Economic Co–operation and Development)
- 09:50 – 10:20
- Networking Coffee Break & Group Photo
- Plenary Session II: Introduction to Advanced Reactor Technologies
- 10:20 – 11:10
-
- SMRs
- Microreactors
- GFRs
- Other types of Advanced Reactors (> 300 MW)
- Patrick White (Nuclear Innovation Alliance)
Yoshitaka Chikazawa (Japan Atomic Energy Agency)
- Plenary Session III: Decarbonized Energy Systems / Deployment Scenarios
- 11:10 – 12:00
-
- Direct heat
- Combined heat and power
- Dedicated power for industry
- Jessica Lovering (Good Energy Collective)
Tsutomu Matsui (Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.)
- Plenary Session IV: Gender Balance in the Nuclear Industry
- 12:00 – 13:10
-
- Overview of participation of women in nuclear engineering
- Enabling women to enter nuclear engineering –– academia and industry
- Mentoring and empowering women
-
Denia Djokic (University of Michigan)
Rita Baranwal (Westinghouse)
Hiroko Kondo (Business Consultant, Researcher)
Mackenzie Warwick (University of Michigan)
Haruko Wainwright (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Risa Kunitomo (Tokyo Technical University)
- 12:50 – 14:00
- Catering Lunch
- Plenary Session V: Introduction to / Motivation for Breakout Groups
- 14:00 – 15:00
- Breakout Group 1: Design Aspects and New Nuclear Reactors
at Flow Dynamics Building, Institute of Fluid Science -
- Overview of what is new and different in design(s)
- Community/stakeholder engagement in the design process
- Aditi Verma (NERS University of Michigan)
Yuji Fukaya (Japan Atomic Energy Agency)
Yuki Nakamura (Toshiba ESS Corporation)
Takeshi Koike (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd)
Antonin Povolny (Hitachi–GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.)
- 15:00 – 15:45
- Breakout Group 2: Deployment Process
at Cerisier, Katahira Kitamon Commons -
- Conditions for successful adoption/deployment
-
Tara Righetti (University of Wyoming)
Jess Gehin (Idaho National Lab)
Junko Sugaya (Japan NUS Ltd.)
- 15:45 – 16:30
- Breakout Group 3: Economic Development and Job Creation
at Espace, Katahira Kitamon Commons -
- Economic impact of investments in clean energy
- Microreactors as energy source to remote locations
- Job creation and workforce development
- Christi Bell (University of Alaska)
Takayuki Mase (Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry)
- 16:30 – 17:30 (JST)
- Breakout Sessions (Day 1)
- 18:30 (JST)
- Reception for all participants
at Wine House Bouchon, Sendai [Access]
- Friday, May 31, 2024
- Breakout Sessions (Day 2)
- 09:00 – 11:00
- Breakout Group 1: Design Aspects
at Flow Dynamics Building, Institute of Fluid Science -
- Safety of new reactor designs
- Are some designs more acceptable to communities?
- How do regulations differ from LWRs?
- Size, space needed
- Breakout Group 2: Deployment Process
at Cerisier, Katahira Kitamon Commons -
- Regulatory considerations
- Trade Policies/Export controls
- Financing
- Developer Priorities
- Community Engagement
- Breakout Group 3: Economic Development, Job Creation, Trade and Finance
at Espace, Katahira Kitamon Commons -
- Economic impact of investments in clean energy
- Non–traditional uses of nuclear energy
- Mirco–reactors as energy source to remote locations
- Job creation and workforce development
- 11:00 – 12:15
- Plenary Session VI: Breakout Session Reports
- 12:15 – 13:30
- Catering Lunch
- Closing Plenary: Insights for clean energy policies and economic development
- Moderator: Lauren Hughes (Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy, Atlantic Council)
- 13:30 – 14:30
- Panelists:
Todd Allen (University of Michigan)
Yutaka Watanabe (Tohoku University)
Organizers
Yutaka Watanabe
(Director and Professor, Center for Fundamental Research on Nuclear Decommissioning and Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University)
Makoto Takahashi
(Professor, Center for Fundamental Research on Nuclear Decommissioning / Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University)
Todd Allen
(Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan)
Co–organized by
- Atlantic Council
- University of Michigan
- U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo
Co–hosted by
- Center for Fundamental Research on Nuclear Decommissioning, Tohoku University
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan
Contact
Email: tfc_nes*grp.tohoku.ac.jp (change * to @)