Foley & Lardner LLP partner Jocelyn Lavallo examined the increasing relevance of advanced nuclear technologies in the evolving clean energy landscape in her Environment+Energy Leader article, “Nuclear’s Emerging Role in Project Finance: A Cross-Technology Perspective.”
Lavallo unravels the potential of blended purchase power agreements that combine firm nuclear baseload with intermittent renewable generation, offering a more cost-effective and resilient clean energy solution for buyers.
She also explores how nuclear-powered hydrogen production – particularly through small modular reactors – can support the U.S. Department of Energy’s regional hydrogen hub initiatives and unlock value through strategic project restructuring and layered tax incentives.
“Given the available incentives delivered by the [Inflation Reduction Act] and recent political trends, it makes sense for the market to move toward a more integrated model where renewables, hydrogen, storage and advanced nuclear complement each other to deliver reliable, clean energy and solve global energy needs,” Lavallo concludes. “Combining these technologies in the future mitigates various risks and delivers a more cost-effective and transportable solution.
