11 insights on advanced nuclear.

+ AI for energy regulatory reporting. Wisdom from an Indian sage. Three big US climate tech fundraises. (#174)

Welcome to the shortest newsletter in climate tech — from Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI).

I write about climate tech startups and investment, personal optimization, and conscious leadership (with poor attempts at humor).

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Today’s topics:

1. 11 insights on advanced nuclear.

2. Podcast — AI for Energy Regulatory Reporting.

3. Three big US climate tech fundraises.

4. Wisdom from an Indian sage.

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1.

11 insights on advanced nuclear.

Am I the world’s leading expert in advanced nuclear?

Nope.

With a PhD, I can pretend.

But seriously…

After a session I led at Duke University on SMR (small modular reactors), here are some thoughts to share.

1. Costs for SMR can be lower than bigger plants. — SMRs can be a mass-produced "product" instead of a one-off, customized engineering "project." Solar panels, wind turbines, and battery cells also benefited from this "product-first" approach.

2. SMR's safety can be greater than other nuclear power. — This can result from passive cooling and lower operating temperatures.

3. SMR's time to market can be shorter. — But not for the first project.

4. SMR is both a niche and broadly relevant technology. — Its uses include industrial settings (behind the meter), grid needs (front of the meter), and niche applications (district heating and desalination).

5. SMR offers baseload clean power. (Duh.) — This is a nice complement to intermittent clean power like solar and wind.

6. Let's be realistic. — The first SMRs will not work as planned. Big surprise. We must build portfolios, not single projects, to reduce risk and improve portfolio outcomes.

7. There is hope. — The US built 100 nuclear reactors between 1970 and 1990. We can scale up again.

8. But talent is lacking. — In the 1950s, about 100 U.S. universities offered nuclear engineering and science programs. Today, about 30 do. We have to increase the talent pipeline.

9. Global competition can be a motivator. — Taiwan builds large nuclear plants in [4] years vs. [10-15] in the US. Canada will build the first SMRs, not the US. Belgium is also capturing heat from used nuclear fuel.

10. Public awareness of the benefits of nuclear power is lacking. — Over 30% of power in many Southeast states comes from nuclear power. When polled, people's thoughts on nuclear power are 4x more positive than negative.

11. Nuclear waste may be overhyped. — If nuclear power were the source for 100% of a person's life, the used nuclear fuel would fit in a soda can.

So what?

If the choice is (1) solve climate change or (2) avoid all nuclear waste and cost overruns, the choice is clear. (Yes, I know it’s more complicated.)

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2.

Podcast — AI for Energy Regulatory Reporting.

My guest on a recent Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI) podcast was Hudson Hollister, CEO and co-founder of HData.

HData provides software solutions that streamline regulatory reporting and data management for the energy industry, focusing on utilities and regulatory bodies. They are a Techstars startup with two rounds of VC funding.

Hudson is a former SEC lawyer who might also have the most contagious and robust laugh in climate tech. He’s also a Climate CEO Fellow with us at EFI.

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. How they harnessed AI to transform unstructured energy regulatory data into business intelligence

2. The benefits of SAFEs vs. convertible notes for founders

3. Why most startup crises are not existential threats

4. His recovery from alcoholism and what it means for his company culture

So what?

Listen to the episode and share your thoughts on my LinkedIn post.

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3.

Three big US climate tech fundraises.

1.

Crusoe Energy — Raised $500M on a $3B valuation to turn stranded methane assets (e.g., flaring, venting) into power for data centers and bitcoin mining. Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund led the round.

2.

Energize Capital — Raised $266M towards their third fund investing in climate-focused software startups. Shout out to Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon, one of their portfolio companies, and a Climate CEO Fellow with us at EFI.

3.

MetOx — Raised $15M in additional Series B funding (totaling $40M) for high-temperature superconducting electricity transmission and distribution wires. Investors included Centaurus Capital and New System Ventures. Shout out to my former Duke University student, Jay Vitha, who plays a big role here.

So what?

Get detailed lists of recent climate tech capital raises from my friends at CTVC and Keep Cool.

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4.

Wisdom from an Indian sage.

“Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.”

― Ramana Maharshi

So what?

Meditation, therapy, and reflection make great investments in a world of stress and division.

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Finally, your moment of optimism.

Seven countries now get ~100% of their power from renewables: Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iceland, Nepal, Paraguay and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Let’s get to work,

Chris

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P.S. Follow me on LinkedIn. I post daily.

P.P.S. If you’d like to join our private climate CEO peer group or receive executive coaching from me, visit our website: EFI (Entrepreneurs for Impact)

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The newsletter cover photo is courtesy of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy.