How will nuclear energy shape tomorrow’s energy systems? This question sat at the heart of our 42nd seminar with former Siemens CEO Prof. Heinrich von Pierer, where student teams examined the future role of nuclear power through a series of company case studies.
The sessions on 30.06. — covering Framatome, KEPCO and CNNC — set the stage by showing how established players are scaling conventional reactor technology. The presentations on 06.07. pushed the conversation further, turning to two companies charting less conventional paths: TerraPower and Marvel Fusion. TerraPower is advancing next-generation reactor concepts like the Natrium system, designed to deliver flexible, low-carbon baseload power for future grids, while Marvel Fusion, based in Munich, is pursuing laser-based fusion and has secured substantial funding and industrial partnerships to accelerate its commercialization. Placed side by side, the five companies gave students a broad perspective from today’s proven nuclear strategies to the transformative innovations that could redefine atomic energy’s role in tomorrow’s energy transition.
Following the presentations, the students engaged in a lively Q&A with Prof. v. Pierer, challenging assumptions about safety, scalability, and economic viability.
In the name of all students, Prof. Kai-Ingo Voigt and his team thank Prof. Heinrich v. Pierer, and Dr. Ulrich Dörrie for their continuous engagement in our class!