The University of South Carolina’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) hosted a screening of the documentary, “The Nuclear Frontier,” followed by a panel discussion in the college’s Amoco Hall on Tuesday, September 23.

Overview: “The Nuclear Frontier” explores the growing need for energy in the U.S. and how nuclear can meet this demand with resilient, stable, baseload energy. The documentary follows young advocates and business leaders as they fight to expand nuclear power in America. This includes tackling the policy and financial challenges to unlock its transformative potential as a clean baseload energy source.

• The documentary premiered on September 15 in front of an overflow crowd at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The event also honored South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster for his commitment to expanding nuclear power.
• The filmmakers are currently on a nine-state tour, and the University of South Carolina was selected as one of 14 university campuses where the documentary was screened.
• In addition to California’s Diablo Canyon Power Plant and Washington, D.C., the University of South Carolina was one of the filming sites.

Panel: Following the screening, a panel was held that engaged academics and industry professionals in a discussion about nuclear technologies, academic-industry collaborations, and where the future of energy is headed. The panel included MCEC Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair Travis Knight; Joe Kelcha, chief nuclear officer at The Nuclear Company; Ethel Bunch, founder of Palmetto Nuclear Coalition; and Greg A. Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Thompson Construction Group, Inc.

“The University of South Carolina’s leadership in nuclear has created generations of head-of-household jobs in the state and a statewide economy powered by clean, baseload energy,” Klecha says. “It’s because of that leadership that ‘The Nuclear Frontier’ documentary filmmakers chose to visit Columbia to feature the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s nuclear engineering program. The Nuclear Company is proud to partner with the University of South Carolina to drive innovation, create more jobs and catalyze America to energy independence.”

Impact: South Carolina ranks as the third-largest nuclear-producing state with nuclear generating more than half of its power. In addition, USC offers the only nuclear engineering graduate program in the state.

“Graduate students at USC, guided by world-class faculty, are working at the forefront of engineering innovations that will enable nuclear plants to be built faster, at lower capital cost, and ultimately deliver more affordable electricity for ratepayers,” Knight says. “While nuclear energy has low fuel costs, its higher operations and maintenance needs translate into high-quality jobs that keep money circulating in our communities and across South Carolina.”

Partnerships: The screening of “The Nuclear Frontier” came one month after the announcement of a landmark partnership between The Nuclear Company and USC. The partnership aims to position the state as a national hub for advanced nuclear energy innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. The Nuclear Company will invest up to $5 million over five years that USC will match with funds from federal grants, industry partners and other donors.

“By combining our academic leadership with The Nuclear Company’s plans to build fleet-scale nuclear across the country, we will drive innovation, prepare the next generation of nuclear workers, and strengthen our state’s role in working toward America’s energy independence,” says MCEC Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri.