The next wave of advanced energy growth will be shaped by the partnerships we build today. In his new article, Jigar Shah draws on his experience as an advisor, investor, and former DOE Loan Programs Director, along with insights from McKinsey & Company, to highlight which technologies are accelerating, where the biggest scaling opportunities lie, and why ASME CATALYZE arrives at a pivotal moment for the sector.

Engineering the future means rethinking the fundamentals, including how we make one of the world’s most essential materials: Steel. Innovators featured at ASME CATALYZE are reimagining manufacturing across steel and other sectors, helping build the next industrial revolution.

The defining test for advanced nuclear is no longer proof of concept—it is whether developers can fuel, license, manufacture, and replicate plants on credible schedules. That challenge is central to how nuclear power company Oklo, Inc. approaches commercialization.

Industrial transformation no longer relies on future breakthroughs – it starts by scaling the technologies available today. From industrial heat pumps to carbon capture and reuse, companies are already improving efficiency and building more resilient operations. The opportunity now is scaling the adoption of proven solutions.

How will demand and supplies for critical minerals change in the next decade? What is the right capital stack for companies focused on critical minerals? And what skills should students and early-career engineers develop if they are interested in mining and other industries sourcing critical minerals?