Consulting at the intersection of energy and climate
By combining technical expertise and strategic leadership with a deep understanding of what creates and drives social and technological change
Building Broad
Consensus
To most expediently address climate change, we need to build a broad consensus around an expanded view of solutions. We work to remove gaps in understanding, policy barriers, real and perceived investment risk, and technological barriers in order to create the possibility for technology inclusive evidence-based decision making.
News Highlights
Advanced Reactors Economics and Markets
In a new paper, authors Charles Forsberg (MIT) and Eric Ingersoll (LucidCatalyst) argue that the viability of nuclear power ultimately depends on economics. They examine the key factors and markets that make projects viable.
Our ETI NCD Study is cited in the UK's HM Treasury NetZero Interim report as evidence that "learning can, and does, occur for nuclear power plant construction where nations are able to invest in fleet deployment, using the same design across multiple projects, as seen in the Republic of Korea and elsewhere.”
Our landmark report: Missing Link to a Livable Climate: Hydrogen Enabled Synthetic Fuels was featured in the Sunday Times, Business Green, and World Nuclear News. This report describes how the world can still meet the Paris goals of 1.5–2°C if sufficient, low-cost, clean hydrogen and synfuels are produced to replace oil and gas in shipping, aviation, and industry. We've just issued a short "Lucid Insights" version of this report.
Clean Energy Ministerial NICE Future Initiative Flexible Nuclear Campaign Report
The LucidCatalyst team was honored to be invited to write both the NGO Foreword (with Energy for Humanity and ClearPath Foundation) as well as a dedicated chapter in the report focused on flexible advanced reactors in future energy grids and innovative new hydrogen production facilities.
Blueprint for cheaper nuclear power unveiled
The nuclear industry today set out an ambitious framework to cut the cost of constructing new power stations in the UK. In a new report, a cross-industry team (including LucidCatalyst), working as part of the Government-backed Nuclear Sector Deal, set out the key factors to reduce risk and bring down costs by 30% by 2030. It shows that nuclear power is vital to achieving Net Zero by 2050, whilst creating thousands of high quality jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
Green power needs to be dense power
Financial Times – In planning how to decarbonise, policymakers should think about whole-system outcomes. They need power technologies in the mix that are scalable and dense. We are delighted that two recent LucidCatalyst studies were cited in this article by Jonathan Ford.
Large markets for advanced reactors that cost less than $3,000/kW
A new study by LucidCatalyst for the ARPA-E MEITNER program is the first to derive the highest allowable capital cost for advanced reactors across four of the major power markets in the US in 2034. The study shows how advanced reactors can complement wind and solar. Together, these technologies drive down costs, reduce emissions, and improve performance in future US electricity grids.
We must look beyond sun & wind for hydrogen
Financial Times – Decarbonising liquid fuels is an enormous challenge; too big to place all our chips on one technology. We must explore all the available options, or learn to live with fewer substitutes for ubiquitous liquid fuels. LucidCatalyst's Eric Ingersoll is cited on production costs of hydrogen as a clean substitute for carbon fuels.
EU must include nuclear power in its list of sustainable sources
Our Open Letter in the Financial Times: The 53 signatories include notable climate scientists, academics, political leaders, regulators, climate NGOs, authors, artists, investors, and also include LucidCatalyst's Kirsty Gogan and Eric Ingersoll.
We need more of our climate solutions to be Impossible™ burgers
Our OpEd, first published in Business Green: All our work is focused on urgency and scale. Our conclusions suggest that the lowest-risk pathways for a rapid transition will be to supply carbon-neutral substitutes for carbon intensive energy uses—and make them so similar that hardly anyone notices. Just like an impossible burger.
A low-carbon future needs partnerships
Combining wind and solar with nuclear power generation supports a resilient energy system at reasonable cost. This was the consensus of a debate on multilateral partnerships at the International Conference on Climate Change. LucidCatalyst's Kirsty Gogan discusses the role of nuclear in the clean energy transition.
Events & Conference Highlights
2020 IAEA Scientific Forum
at the IAEA 64th General Conference in Vienna
LucidCatalyst's Kirsty Gogan and Eric Ingersoll were pleased to attend this conference. Kirsty Gogan talked about the importance of building a wider coalition around nuclear power and emphasized the importance of communicating about shared values. The Scientific Forum concluded that nuclear power must have a seat at the table in global discussions over energy policies to curb emissions and meet climate goals.
Flexibility in Clean Energy Systems – 11th Annual CEM Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
This NICE Future event showcases clean energy options. LucidCatalyst's Kirsty Gogan presented ideas from our new Hydrogen Report.
Webinar: The Role of Advanced Nuclear in Future Energy Systems
LucidCatalyst's Kirsty Gogan and Eric Ingersoll joined Rich Powell of ClearPath, Dr Rachel Slaybaugh of ARPA-E, Dr. Shannon Bragg-Sitton of Idaho National Lab, and Prof. Melissa Lott of Columbia University in this webinar.
American Nuclear Society (ANS) Winter Meeting & Expo in Washington DC
We were pleased to participate in discussions about “Nuclear Technology for the US and for the World.”
NNWI Forum 2019 Conference in London
We enjoyed participating in discussions about nuclear energy as part of Europe’s energy mix.
Africa Nuclear Business Platform Conference in Nairobi, Kenya
We were honored to present at Africa's first nuclear conference. Read more and see photos of our visit to the Olkaria Geothermal Complex in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, which generates a significant portion of the country's electricity.