Risk allocation, economic viability seen as top hurdles for new nuclear development

Concerns around risk allocation and economic viability are the main hurdles to further nuclear energy development, according to a UW-Madison expert.

Prof. Paul Wilson, chair of the university’s Department of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics, spoke yesterday during a policy event hosted by the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum at the state Capitol.

The discussion focused on the path ahead for nuclear energy, including new technologies being explored such as small modular reactors. These smaller nuclear installations have been floated as one solution to meet rising demand from energy-hungry data centers. But Wilson noted despite the hype, SMRs have yet to be created.

“We know we can do it … we’ve built upon things we’ve proved in the 50s, 60s and 70s, it wasn’t commercially via