An MIT Professor is making the economic case for nuclear energy in Canberra today, meeting with parliamentarians to share his expert opinion and insights.
Jacopo Buongiorno is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is currently a visiting professor at UNSW.
Together with Nuclear for Australia Founder Will Shackel, Jacopo will be discussing the opportunity for nuclear to support a decarbonised energy grid.
“Australia needs a robust and efficient energy system that will meet high growth of demand for electricity in a low-carbon way across this vast country,” Mr Buongiorno said.
“MIT research has demonstrated how nuclear in the energy mix would reduce the average cost of electricity by avoiding the capital costs associated with the overbuild of battery storage and transmission lines that would be required to run a reliable and decarbonised grid on renewables alone.
“There are also abundant secondary benefits from nuclear that are often overlooked – providing freshwater through desalination, heat to co-located facilities, supplying power to remote industrial operations, not to mention the investment it could bring from international markets.
“Given the country’s small but strong existing industry and investment in AUKUS, the case for nuclear energy in Australia is sound.
“It could represent an essential technology to future-proofing Australia’s energy security, achieving decarbonisation objectives, and ensuring international competitiveness into the future.”
Mr Shackel said that bringing independent experts to Canberra to meet politicians and have sensible conversations was a key part of Nuclear for Australia’s advocacy, aligned with the organisation’s goal of lifting the legislative barriers to nuclear energy.
“Academic and industry voices are critical to overcoming political ideologies and misinformation – and we are grateful for the insight of experts like Jacopo and the role they play in building nuclear literacy to support decision making in our nation’s capital.” said Mr Shackel.
“Australia has the resources and ambition to lead emerging industries, but future growth will be undermined by uncertainty around energy security.
“Australians deserve an energy grid that is affordable, reliable and clean. To achieve this, we need all the options on the table and that includes nuclear.”
Jacopo Buongiorno and Will Shackel are available for interviews.
Media contact: [email protected] or +61 432 970 548