Seventy years ago, in 1956, Calder Hall in the UK made history as the world’s first commercial‑scale nuclear power station, pioneering not just clean electricity, but also steam for industrial processes and space heating of buildings. It was a bold demonstration of what nuclear energy could be: versatile, efficient, and capable of displacing fossil fuels long before the world spoke of climate targets or net‑zero ambitions. Yet decades later, this broader vision of nuclear cogeneration remains largely unrealised. Today, our energy system is undergoing a profound transformation. We rely on energy to heat our homes, power industry, and move goods across the world—but in many developed nations, around three‑quarters of that energy still comes from fossil fuels. Electrification will take us part of the way, but heavy industry and long‑distance transport demand solutions beyond electricity alone. This is where nuclear energy can once again step forward as a catalyst for change. In the decades ahead, nuclear power has the potential to become far more than a source of clean electricity, providing the clean heat, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels needed to decarbonise the hardest‑to‑abate sectors. It can become a cornerstone of a resilient, low‑carbon energy system—just as visionary as Calder Hall was in 1956. But realising this vision requires more than technology. It demands engagement, understanding, and a renewed sense of possibility. It requires us to re‑imagine what nuclear energy can offer and to bring people with us on that journey. This presentation will explore how nuclear energy can once again become a cornerstone of innovation—unlocking solutions far beyond electricity—and why education, dialogue, and public engagement are essential to turning that potential into reality. Dr. Patricia Paviet from PNNL, USA, member of GIF ETWG will facilitate this webinar. The GIF ETWG webinar series started in 2016 and more than 100 webinars have been streamed since then.
