PNNL

Discover the latest advancements in nuclear fusion at the 2025 Seattle Fusion Week, September 29 – 30. This event brings together fusion energy companies, policymakers, researchers, and non-governmental organizations for talks, networking, and educational opportunities. With key contributions from PNNL experts, the conference promises insights into the future of nuclear energy. During last year’s Seattle Fusion Week, PNNL researchers co-organized a Department of Energy-sponsored workshop on the development of a western U.S. fusion energy commercialization hub. Read the workshop report here. 

PNNL Speakers

Utilities and Grid Integration Panel

Monday, September 29, at 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. PDT | WSU Everett 

Kevin Schneider, Lab Fellow, Electrical Engineer 

As the manager of PNNL’s Office of Electricity sub-sector, Kevin Schneider is responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing PNNL’s strategic research in the design, planning, and operations of electrical power systems. This includes component design, system level modeling and analysis, hierarchical controls, cybersecurity and communications architectures, and energy storage. In addition to his role at PNNL, Schneider holds a joint appointment as a research professor at Washington State University (WSU) as part of the PNNL/WSU Advanced Grid Institute. Schneider received his BS degree in physics and his MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Washington. He is a licensed professional engineer in Washington State and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

National Labs Capabilities Panel 

Monday, September 29, at 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PDT | Future of Flight Museum, Mukilteo

Andy Casella, Nuclear Engineer; Director, Advanced Nuclear Materials Directorate Objective

Andy Casella joined PNNL in 2006 as a Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy alternate sponsored fellow after completing his graduate research focused on modeling gas and particulate transport in dry spent nuclear fuel canisters. Now, he is a nuclear engineer focused on the characterization of materials performance in nuclear systems. 

Based in the Nuclear Sciences Division, Casella contributes to modeling and experimental efforts used to better understand several nuclear and chemical systems. This includes roles as the science task lead for PNNL’s Tritium Technology program, managing the TerraPower Natrium effort at PNNL, project manager for PNNL participation in high-energy physics accelerator targetry efforts, and manager of PNNL’s plutonium metal processing projects. He also is the director of the advanced nuclear materials directorate objective in PNNL’s Energy and Environment Directorate.

Please also check out the Advanced Manufacturing for Fusion session on Monday, September 29, at 12:45 – 1:30 p.m. PDT at WSU Everett, where PNNL joint appointee John McCloy is a panelist, representing Washington State University.