Charlie Cole is a Senior Mechanical Engineer with a strong passion for nuclear energy. He has an extensive background in systems engineering, mechanical design, and supply chain optimization. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a B.A. in Religion, both with honors. While studying, his focus was on operations research and optimizing infrastructure for food, water, and energy. For his senior thesis, he designed and built a pilot scale anaerobic digester using food waste from the college dining hall to produce useful energy.
The bulk of his professional experience has been in the nuclear industry, particularly with modular, light water reactors using steam Rankine power cycles. He has worked on the design, integration, and validation of mechanical components and assemblies supporting both the nuclear island and balance of plant for small modular reactors. He has produced numerous calculation reports, including some employed in regulatory engagement. His design priorities include modularity, factory fabrication, and ease of deployment through robust, proven supply chains. He also worked as a contractor for the EPA on the ENERGY STAR program for commercial building energy efficiency, where he developed performance metrics and energy models for HVAC systems in offices, multifamily housing, and more.