News & Insights
VIDEO: Next-generation nuclear power
Why this matters now
Decarbonization goals, growing electricity demand, and concerns about grid resilience have brought nuclear power back into serious conversation. Small modular reactors and advanced designs are moving from concept toward deployment. Utilities, industrial owners, and policymakers are all weighing what role next-generation nuclear should play in their energy plans. The conversation is no longer hypothetical.
What leaders are weighing
Owners are weighing the appeal of carbon-free baseload power against questions of cost, schedule, permitting, and community engagement. They are deciding how to evaluate emerging technologies and developers against more familiar generation options. There are tradeoffs around siting, supply chain, workforce readiness, and integration with existing systems. Industrial users exploring on-site power face a different set of questions than utility-scale planners. The right path forward depends on goals, risk tolerance, and timing.
How Salas O’Brien is helping clients respond
Our energy and resiliency team helps clients evaluate next-generation nuclear and other emerging generation options alongside the technologies they already know. We bring engineering depth, planning experience, and an independent perspective that helps clients separate signal from noise. We help leaders ask the right questions of developers, utilities, and policymakers, and frame decisions that hold up over long planning horizons. Hear Carl Salas, Duc Bui, and Vello Ehvert discuss what next-generation nuclear could mean for their clients.
Carl Salas, PE
Carl Salas is a dedicated leader and co-founder of Salas O’Brien, known for his expertise in sustainable design and commitment to helping clients achieve great outcomes. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Carl is on the front lines of building a more sustainable world in practical, actionable ways. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers and is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Contact him at [email protected].
Duc Bui, PE
Duc Bui is an expert in the electrification of healthcare facilities. A leading provider of electrical engineering solutions and an innovator in using low voltage DC power for LED lighting , he holds a US Patent on Direct Current Power Delivery System. Duc specializes in healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical facilities with a strong presence in California serving large corporations such as Kaiser Permanente, Abbott Vascular, Tenet, University of California Irvine, and the University of Southern California. Duc serves as a Principal for Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
Vello Ehvert, P.Eng., PE, LEED AP, Uptime Accredited Tier Designer
Vello Ehvert has a global reputation for delivering innovative data center solutions by employing a manufacturing approach to engineering and advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. With over four decades of engineering, construction, and project management experience in the mission-critical sector, Vello continues to lead industry advancements in data center design and construction. Vello serves as Managing Principal, Mission Critical for Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].