Register now for the final Understanding Tomorrow’s Nuclear Energy lecture series event on Feb. 22

Purdue University and Duke Energy will close the Understanding Tomorrow’s Nuclear Energy lecture series in February with the panel discussion “Implementing Advanced Nuclear Technology,” featuring industry experts.

Chris Nolan, Duke Energy’s vice president, new nuclear generation strategy and regulatory engagement, will moderate the discussion, focusing on policy, technical, commercial and other requirements to make the use of small modular reactors a reality. The panel will take place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 22 in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall and via livestream. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.

The panel will include Tim Hanley, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Constellation Nuclear; Luis Reyes, former executive, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Ahmet Tokpinar, principal vice president and general manager, nuclear power, Bechtel.

More about Senior Vice President Hanley

Prior to his current role, Hanley served in multiple roles at Exelon. As senior vice president, operation support, he was responsible for corporate functional areas and providing governance for the Exelon nuclear fleet. As senior vice president, special nuclear projects, he led matters related to public policy issues associated with Exelon’s nuclear plant operations. As senior vice president, west operations, he was responsible for Exelon’s Dresden and Quad Cities stations and had executive oversight for the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, which Exelon operated.

Hanley holds a Master of Business Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Purdue University.

More about Luis Reyes 

Reyes has over 40 years of experience in the nuclear power industry, 33 of which were with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where he held numerous positions, including executive director for operations. In his time at the NRC, he oversaw the construction and operation of all commercial nuclear facilities in the U.S., including 30 operating research reactors. He also served as an expert consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency in the areas of reactor construction and operations and led a Regulatory Review Service Team on behalf of the IAEA to review the regulatory organization in Spain. In addition, Reyes established the NRC’s new reactor construction center to oversee all new fuel facilities, commercial reactors and research reactors. 

Reyes holds a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Puerto Rico.

More about Principal Vice President Tokpinar

Tokpinar’s portfolio at Bechtel includes oversight of new nuclear generation, advanced reactor development and major modification services in the U.S. and worldwide. Tokpinar is an accomplished nuclear power professional with 30 years of power expertise. He has extensive knowledge of the nuclear power market sector and project execution gained from leading business development and commercial activities for Bechtel’s nuclear business line throughout the last decade.

Tokpinar holds a Master of Business Administration from John Hopkins University, a master’s degree in construction engineering and management from Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Bosphoros University.

Purdue University and Duke Energy are jointly exploring the feasibility of using advanced nuclear energy to meet the West Lafayette campus community’s long-term energy needs. The study is focused on whether power produced through small modular reactors could be a potential fit for Purdue’s energy needs. More information about the study is available at https://bit.ly/advanced-nuclear.