A conversation about nuclear reactors - and AI
I had a fun conversation with my friend Bruno Aziza for his YouTube channel about AI. Bruno and I had been playing around with Bard and ChatGPT a few weeks ago and he was intrigued by how I use the systems; that is to say, I work in a very conversational style and he was wondering if that was effective.
As we say in the podcast here, I have three basic principles:
Be conversational
Give feedback to the system
Don’t expect accuracy
These are over-simplified if anything, but I find them much more practical than trying to teach non-technical users about prompt engineering. Working conversationally is more productive, more human and, for me at least, very enjoyable.
Do listen to the podcast. Bruno records these from his car: I didn’t look quite as cool as the image I generated for this blog - but it’s an interesting short chat.
To give you an idea of how I use a conversational style, I am adding a blog post about small-scale nuclear reactors, written by ChatGPT. This is a subject I know very little about, but we were able to work through it “together” and come up with some interesting points.
Two things I now need to say …
First, I don’t normally let AI do my writing. There’s a lot here that is not at all my style or my preference. I find it useful for getting my thoughts in order, but not for generating production text.
And I have not checked this article for accuracy. I would normally do that before publication. I find numerous errors in apparent statements of fact from every AI that I have tried.
Still, the article is reasonably good and quite interesting. Here is the full conversation with ChatGPT-4 as a downloadable PDF, which includes a follow-up with Google’s Bard AI.
And here is the article written by ChatGPT. I’d love to hear what you think of!
Small-Scale Nuclear Reactors: A Key Player in Our Energy Future?
As global communities grapple with the twin challenges of meeting growing energy demands and mitigating the impacts of climate change, an innovative solution is gradually gaining attention: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). While nuclear power itself isn’t a new concept, the distinct advantages offered by these miniaturized versions of traditional reactors could well redefine our approach towards sustainable energy production.
Unpacking the Concept of Small-Scale Nuclear Reactors
At their core, SMRs are simply smaller versions of the nuclear reactors we’ve used for decades. Both rely on nuclear fission to produce heat, which is then converted into electricity. The key difference, however, lies in the scale and manufacturing process. SMRs are compact enough to be manufactured in a factory setting and then shipped to their final site, which significantly reduces construction time and related costs.
The notion of SMRs isn’t a recent development. Its roots can be traced back to the early days of nuclear power when compact reactors were deployed to power naval vessels. The translation of this concept from military to civilian use took hold in the early 2000s. This adaptation ushered in a new era of flexibility for nuclear power. Multiple SMRs can be combined to match the output of larger reactors or be deployed individually in remote areas with lower power demands.
The Power to Do More: SMRs in Hydrogen Production
While generating electricity is a significant application of SMRs, they hold potential in a surprisingly different arena: hydrogen production. Hydrogen, when produced sustainably, is a powerful, carbon-free energy carrier. However, its sustainable production necessitates a reliable electricity supply, a demand SMRs are uniquely equipped to meet. Employing the heat from SMRs for high-temperature electrolysis presents a more efficient method of hydrogen production, edging us closer to a viable hydrogen economy.
The benefits of a hydrogen economy are manifold. Hydrogen can fuel cells to generate electricity, heat homes and industries, and power a range of vehicles including cars, buses, and even airplanes. In sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and long-haul transportation, hydrogen could be a game-changer. By supporting hydrogen production, SMRs could make substantial contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transforming our energy landscape.
Navigating Challenges: The Path to Public Acceptance and More
Like any transformative technology, SMRs must overcome certain hurdles. Perhaps the most prominent is public acceptance. Despite enhanced safety features and their role in mitigating climate change, nuclear power often encounters skepticism due to concerns about safety, waste disposal, and weapons proliferation.
However, as the climate crisis worsens, society may become more receptive to solutions that were once deemed radical. The growing urgency to transition to low-carbon energy sources may enhance the appeal of SMRs, especially as their benefits become more widely understood. Enhanced transparency, robust public engagement, and comprehensive education efforts can help assuage fears and nurture acceptance.
Yet, public acceptance isn’t the sole challenge. SMRs must navigate complex regulatory landscapes designed for larger reactors and grapple with significant initial capital costs. Although SMRs promise to curtail construction costs and timeframes, substantial investments are required for their development, certification, and deployment.
The issue of waste management is another crucial factor. Although SMRs produce less radioactive waste than their larger counterparts, waste management remains a concern. However, certain advanced SMR designs aim to utilize fuel more efficiently and may even consume nuclear waste, providing potential solutions to this longstanding issue.
Looking to the Future
While substantial challenges lie ahead, SMRs carry a promise of a more sustainable energy future. By harnessing the power of nuclear technology in a smaller, more manageable form and enabling a viable hydrogen economy, they could play a crucial role in our transition to a low-carbon world. As we continue to search for solutions to our energy challenges, SMRs, with their unique combination of benefits, are an option we can’t afford to overlook.