Mission Shunya

113: Renaissance of Fusion: Francesco Volpe on Reinventing Nuclear Energy

In this episode of the Mission Shunya podcast, we enter the world of nuclear fusion startups — where physics meets entrepreneurial grit. Joining me is Francesco Volpe, founder and CEO of Renaissance Fusion, a European company working to build the first commercial stellarator fusion reactor. Unlike the massive, government-led projects like ITER, Renaissance Fusion is a leaner, more agile operation — focused on new magnet technology, novel plasma confinement approaches, and ambitious timelines. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore: 🔬 What makes stellarator fusion different — and why it’s hard 🇪🇺 Why Europe is taking a unique path in the fusion race ⚙️ How scientific R&D translates (or struggles) to become commercial tech 🧪 What makes building a fusion startup different from any other energy venture 🌍 How fusion fits into the broader clean energy transition Francesco brings the perspective of a physicist turned entrepreneur — combining deep domain expertise with the urgency of climate innovation. If you’ve ever wondered whether fusion is finally moving beyond the “30 years away” cliché — or what it actually takes to build a fusion company from scratch — this episode offers a clear-eyed, hopeful perspective from the front-lines. 🎧 Next in the series: A conversation with Westinghouse PRA engineer on nuclear safety, public trust, and what it means to assess risk in real time. Follow Francesco Volpe: https://renfusion.eu/

112: Inside the World Nuclear Association: Global Perspectives on Nuclear’s Role in the Energy Transition ft. Dr Sama Bilbao y León

In this episode of the Mission Shunya podcast’s nuclear energy series, we step into the global arena with Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) — the body that represents the worldwide nuclear industry. From COP28’s commitment to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to regional differences in policy, deployment, and public perception, Dr. Sama brings a global systems-level view to the nuclear dialogue. We unpack the role of WNA in shaping international frameworks, supporting industry collaboration, and navigating the complex balance between advocacy, public trust, and regulatory realities. This conversation also explores: What the World Nuclear Association actually does and how it operates How nuclear is being positioned in national energy strategies across regions The post-Fukushima decade and nuclear’s narrative shift Whether institutions like WNA carry inherent biases, and how they deal with them Public perception, misinformation, and the role of transparency As always, the goal of this series is to approach nuclear energy with a neutral lens — asking informed, critical questions while staying open to where the answers lead. So whether you’re a nuclear skeptic, supporter, or still forming your opinion, this episode offers the global context you need to understand where the sector is — and where it’s going. Next up: We head into the world of fusion with Renaissance Fusion — a deep dive into how Europe is tackling fusion energy differently. Mission Shunya is a podcast that brings you stories at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and the energy transition — hosted by Girish Shivakumar. Connect with Dr Sama: https://world-nuclear.org/ Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability. Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.

111: The Case for Nuclear: Myths, Facts, and Its Role in a Zero-Carbon Future ft. Richard Ollington, Radiant Energy Group

Nuclear energy has long stood at the intersection of promise and controversy. From concerns over safety and public perception to its evolving place in global clean energy strategies, the conversation around nuclear is rarely straightforward. In this episode, Girish Shivakumar sits down with Richard Orlington of Radiant Energy Group — a veteran energy analyst tracking the global power sector — to separate fact from fiction. We explore: Why nuclear’s public narrative has shifted from weapons and accidents to clean, firm energy The lifecycle and real timelines behind nuclear project development How energy policies around the world are beginning to re-embrace nuclear The role nuclear can play in stabilizing the grid alongside renewables Common myths that continue to hold back progress in the sector What the data actually shows about nuclear’s cost, safety, and scalability Richard brings a rare systems-level view of the energy transition, blending technical insight with global policy awareness. Whether you’re pro-nuclear, anti-nuclear, or undecided, this episode offers a balanced, data-driven lens through which to understand nuclear’s evolving role. New episodes drop every two weeks. Follow the show and stay tuned for more conversations unpacking the nuclear puzzle. Connect with Richard: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/richardollington | https://www.radiantenergygroup.com/ Artwork courtesy: www.terregeneration.com – a content agency specialised in stories on climate, biodiversity and sustainability. Liked the episode? Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Share with three people who care about our energy future.

110: Nuclear Energy 101: Science, Safety & Its Role in a Net-Zero Future ft. Dr. Paul Cosgrove, Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre

What exactly is nuclear energy? How do nuclear power plants work? And are the concerns about safety still valid today?  In this foundational episode of the Mission Shunya nuclear series, host Girish Shivakumar sits down with Dr Paul Cosgrove, nuclear energy researcher from the University of Cambridge to unpack the basics. From the science of nuclear fission to modern safety protocols and global shifts in energy policy, this conversation lays the groundwork for understanding nuclear energy's place in the clean energy transition. Whether you're a skeptic, a supporter, or simply curious, this is your starting point to make sense of the ‘N’ word in net zero. Connect with Paul: https://www.cnec.uk/dr-paul-cosgrove Artwork courtesy - www.terregeneration.com a content agency specialised in telling stories in climate, biodiversity and sustainability. Liked the episode? Give a rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/2LFBCVw). Share it with 3 people in your network, it just takes 30seconds.

109: Why Nuclear? Why Now? Setting the Stage for a New Energy Conversation

In this solo kickoff to a brand new series, host Girish Shivakumar takes listeners on a personal journey — from joining the renewable energy movement post-Fukushima to now exploring the evolving role of nuclear energy in our net-zero future. Why is nuclear suddenly back on the agenda for governments and tech giants? What has changed between 2011 and 2025? And why is this often-controversial topic essential to understand now? This episode sets the context for a series that dives into nuclear energy with a neutral lens — unpacking the science, safety, technology, policy, and real-world implications with voices from across the spectrum. What You’ll Learn: Why nuclear energy has been a taboo topic in clean energy circles The Fukushima moment and its impact on Girish’s career choice The resurgence of nuclear in the clean energy dialogue How AI and data center demands are shifting energy strategies The motivation behind this new podcast series on nuclear Links & Resources: Follow the podcast: missionshunya.com Connect with Girish on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/girishshivakumar Artwork courtesy: www.terregeneration.com – a content agency specialising in storytelling across climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.  Liked the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Share it with 3 people in your network — it only takes 30 seconds!