Note on Thorium-Based Nuclear Reactors
One of the chapters of my most recent book, “Bullish on Renewable Energy,” covers the promise of advanced nuclear, and thorium in particular. If we can make this happen, which appears likely over the next couple of decades, it will obsolete most other sources of baseload electrical generation–certainly coal. A few things to like:
• Thorium is a natural occurring element, three times more abundant on Earth than uranium.
• A thorium-fueled nuclear reactor generates hundreds of times the power of a uranium (or coal) power plant.
• Produces essentially no waste; would produce much less than 1% of the waste than a uranium plant of equal magnitude.
• Can be used to burn our current stockpile of nuclear waste.
• Low pressure, cannot “melt down.”
• Cannot practically be used to make nuclear weapons.
Upcoming conferences include:
- ORNL Molten Salt Workshop 2019 Oct 2nd and Oct 3rd 2019,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. - Thorium Energy Alliance TEAC10 will take place on Oct 1st,
Pollard Center, Oakridge TN.
Craig,
Well said, very well said indeed! Even better, you have included some useful information.
Sadly, the level of misinformed anti-nuclear opposition has prevented this power source from being developed and adopted in the Western World.
I would be terrific if you were to attend the US conferences, I’m sure all your readers would be appreciative of your appraisal of the technology.
IMHO, the Japanese designed mini-reactors beat all other power generation due to the ease of locating the reactors to service major consumers and avoiding the need for transmission losses and vulnerable infrastructure.
In Australia ( which has the largest thorium reserves) the conservative government is having a debate on the prospect of such technology, but sadly the leftist-Green opposition is totally opposed to even discussing any form of nuclear !
Craig,
I’m curious, how do you equate your enlightened approach to thorium with your devotion to the rantings of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
In response to Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s proposal to allow the DOE to fund the construction of a Versatile Test Reactor (or “fast-neutron-spectrum”) with testing capability for a wide variety of fuels including Thorium .
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in a statement;
“This testing capability is essential for the United States to modernize its nuclear energy infrastructure and develop transformational nuclear energy technologies to reduce waste generation and enhance nuclear security,”
Edwin Lyman, senior scientist and director of the Nuclear Safety Project at the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists, said fast reactors such as the proposed Versatile Test Reactor are just more evidence of the criminal policies of the Trump administration and should be stopped at all costs.
Lyman claimed such reactors were less safe than even current reactors. He dismissed the DOE assurances claimimg :
“the test reactor will be cooled with harder-to-control liquid sodium and fueled by plutonium. This will increase potential nuclear terrorism because plutonium can be used to make nuclear weapons “.
Lyman continued:
” Any talk of “safe nuclear technology” is madness and will be opposing any development, even if it’s just a test facility. There is nothing good about these reactors,” he said. “I think there is a love of plutonium in the [Energy] Department that is corrupt and irrational.”
“it’s just another reason to get rid of the sociopath in the White House”
He continued his rant, by adding ” these Vandals and Climate Deniers have recommissioned and refurbished the Transient Test Reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory and have started experimental testing of new technology and new nuclear fuel sources”.
His colleague at the UCS contributed indignantly, “President Obama promised that facility would be shut down for good, to stop any American trying to restart nuclear research”
(The facility had been on standby since 1994 and cost a fortune to keep idle).
Hmmm,…..do you wonder why I find your adoration of such fanatics difficult to comprehend?