#2 - Dillon Allen, President at Solestiss
Slice of Energy Team
03/11/2025
Join us on this week's episode of the Slice of Energy podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor! Our Guest: Dillon Allen, President at Solestiss.
What you’ll get out of this episode:
- The Growing Momentum for Nuclear Energy: How conversations around nuclear have evolved, especially with AI and data center demands.
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Their benefits, use cases, and why they could revolutionize energy production.
- Renewable Energy vs. Nuclear: The limitations of solar and wind, and why nuclear provides long-term reliability.
- Industrial Applications of Advanced Nuclear Reactors: How high-temperature nuclear heat can power industries beyond electricity generation.
- Future-Proofing Energy Infrastructure: Why modularity, reliability, and decentralization are key to nuclear’s next evolution.
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A Shift in the Nuclear Conversation
For decades, nuclear energy has been a controversial topic, but recent developments have re-energized the conversation. As Dillon Allen, President at Solestiss, shares in this episode, nuclear’s resurgence is driven by growing energy demands—especially from AI and data centers—paired with increasing concerns about grid stability and decarbonization.
The shift in perspective is clear: once dismissed as too complex or risky, nuclear is now being recognized as a necessary solution to future energy needs. What was once a hesitant "maybe" has transformed into "how do we do this?"
The Case for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Traditional nuclear power plants are massive and expensive, requiring years of planning and construction. SMRs, on the other hand, are designed to be smaller, modular, and scalable, making them a viable solution for both urban and industrial energy needs.
Why SMRs Are Game-Changers:
- Scalability & Efficiency: Smaller reactors can be deployed faster and in more locations.
- Safety & Reliability: Advanced designs require fewer external power sources, making them resilient during natural disasters.
- Diverse Applications: Beyond electricity, SMRs can provide direct heat for industrial processes, a major advantage over renewables.
- Grid Stability: Unlike solar and wind, nuclear offers a consistent and reliable power source without dependency on weather conditions.
The Limitations of Renewable Energy
While solar and wind energy have made great strides, they face challenges when it comes to reliability and grid integration. As Dillon explains, the power grid must balance energy demand in real time, and renewables don’t always align with usage patterns.
Key issues with renewables include:
- Intermittency: Solar power is most available when demand is low, requiring large-scale energy storage solutions.
- Land Use & Infrastructure: Wind and solar farms require vast amounts of land and infrastructure, whereas SMRs can be deployed in compact areas with minimal footprint.
- Dependency on Storage: Large-scale battery storage is costly and not yet developed enough to replace constant power sources like nuclear.
Nuclear’s Expanding Role in Industrial Energy
Beyond powering homes and businesses, nuclear energy has new opportunities in industrial applications. Advanced reactors, particularly Generation IV reactors, can provide high-temperature heat for industries such as:
- Chemical processing
- Refining and manufacturing
- Hydrogen production
Rather than solely producing electricity, these reactors can deliver direct thermal energy, increasing efficiency and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Why Modular, Scalable Nuclear is the Future
Historically, nuclear plants were built as massive, centralized power stations, making them difficult to fund and operate. With SMRs and advanced modular designs, the industry is shifting towards decentralized and adaptable solutions.
What’s Next for Nuclear?
- More SMRs in urban areas to provide clean, reliable energy.
- Nuclear-powered data centers that require uninterrupted power.
- Innovative reactor designs to provide direct heat for industrial applications.
As Dillon Allen emphasizes, the energy landscape is evolving, and nuclear power—especially SMRs—is poised to play a leading role in meeting growing energy demands while maintaining sustainability.
Final Thoughts
Nuclear energy is no longer a conversation of "if" but "when and how." The rise of small modular reactors and innovative reactor designs could redefine the energy industry, offering reliable, clean, and scalable solutions.
