Welcome to Season Eight of Conversations in Cleantech!

From inspiring stories and words of wisdom to conversations on overcoming obstacles and fostering innovation, you can expect to learn from the trailblazers who are navigating the complexities of change to build a cleaner, more sustainable future. This marks the podcast's very first episode dedicated to nuclear energy, and it's an exciting dive into one of the most dynamic and evolving sectors in cleantech.

In this episode of Conversations in Cleantech, our hosts Eleanor Walsh and Harry Hall explore the future of nuclear power and groundbreaking innovations with Elizabeth Muller, Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Fission.

From growing up in an anti-nuclear Berkeley to founding a company aiming to revolutionise the nuclear industry, Elizabeth’s journey is one of challenging perceptions, embracing change, and driving meaningful solutions for energy security and climate change. Deep Fission’s mission? To slash nuclear power costs by 70-80% through innovative borehole technology that uses the Earth's existing rock for reactor containment and pressure.

Elizabeth shares how her concerns about global warming led her to nuclear energy and how Deep Fission's approach differs by addressing waste management from the outset. She also delves into the growing demand for nuclear power, from climate-conscious governments to energy-hungry AI data centres, and explains why Deep Fission's cost-saving innovations are poised to make a real impact.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the role of nuclear power in the clean energy transition, the importance of innovation, and the opportunities that arise when we navigate change with curiosity and courage.

Ready to rethink nuclear energy? Tune in to this insightful episode to discover how Deep Fission is making waves in the cleantech sector.

01:20 - Introduction to Elizabeth

03:45 - What was the initial concept behind Deep Fission?

05:40 - What has been the focus so far for yourself and the rest of the team at Deep Fission?

07:05 - Have your previous experiences as a startup co-founder influenced your approach to Deep Fission?

08:10 - What makes Deep Fission different from other nuclear businesses out there?

10:15 - How much cost could Deep Fission reduce for nuclear energy?

11:43 - What do you think are the core elements of change within the nuclear industry?

13:20 Given the recent surge in interest from tech giants, do you believe that the nuclear industry is truly gaining as much momentum as the media suggests? What is your outlook for the financial future of this sector?

15:50 - What are Deep Fission's short-term goals for 2025, and how do you plan to achieve them?

16:47 - What are your plans for expanding and strengthening your team to achieve your goals for next year?

18:00 - What trends do you expect to fold out over the next year or two?

20:04 - What advice would you give to professionals looking to enter the nuclear or cleantech industry?

Connect with your hosts Eleanor Walsh and Harry Hall on LinkedIn.

Find your guest Elizabeth Muller on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.

This is a Loaded Hype production.