Interest, but skepticism, on nuclear microreactors, fusion , and thorium

The Nuclear Microreactor Race Is Heating Up

Zero Hedge,Oct 11, 2023,

“…………………………………………………………..Interest and Skepticism

Interest in microreactors and other advanced nuclear technology has increased partly because of concerns about climate change. While various processes associated with nuclear power can produce greenhouse gasses–for example, mining uranium for fuel–nuclear fission doesn’t directly generate them. For governments and corporations that have committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, nuclear energy can look rather enticing.

Yet, some experts and activists contend that the world can radically scale back hydrocarbons without using more nuclear power.

In early June of this year, for example, former Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) chair Gregory Jaczko held a briefing in which he and others argued that nuclear power is too expensive and risky to help the U.S. decarbonize.

“There are now better ways to generate carbon-free electricity. We have renewable energy. We have geothermal, hydro, solar, wind,” Mr. Jaczko told the CBC in a 2019 interview…………………………

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has also sounded somewhat skeptical of advanced reactors.

In August of this year, he vetoed a bill that would have lifted the state’s moratorium on building new nuclear plants.

In a statement on the veto, his office said that “the vague definitions in the bill, including the overly broad definition of advanced reactors, will open the door to the proliferation of large-scale nuclear reactors that are so costly to build that they will cause exorbitant ratepayer-funded bailouts.”………………………………………………………..

Need for Non-Russian Fuel Another Challenge in Advanced Nuclear

The ADVANCE Act also directs the NRC to report to Congress on its ability to lessen its dependence on Russia for fuel.

Indeed, Russia’s dominance of the high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) used in most small advanced reactors has already delayed the launch of TerraPower’s Natrium reactor.

The Department of Energy in 2020 launched a HALEU consortium as part of its efforts to develop domestic sources.

Nano, a founding participant in the consortium, touts a subsidiary focused on HALEU production, HALEU Energy Fuel Inc.

The HALEU problem raises a basic question: even if Nano’s reactors are ready to roll by 2030, will they be able to operate?

“You can have a Ferrari, but if you don’t have fuel, it’s not going to run,” Mr. Yu said.

Chuckling at Fusion, Still Bearish on Thorium

In late 2022, the achievement of ignition in a fusion reaction at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory got a lot of media attention.

At the time, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm suggested the result supports the Biden administration’s goal of a commercial fusion reactor in the next decade, saying the work “shows that it can be done.”

Yet, when the subject of fusion came up, both Mr. Yu and Mr. Walker started chuckling.

“Well, the reason why we’re laughing a bit is because we’ve got some scientists on board, and they get asked this quite a lot, and they lose their temper about this,” Mr. Walker explained.

“You do get very hyped-up articles,” he added.

He pointed out that the fusion breakthrough celebrated last year required massive energy input, far more than the reaction itself generated………..

Mr. Walker voiced a few concerns about thorium reactors, saying some of Nano’s technical staff “were very bearish on it” and stressing that he lacks significant expertise on thorium. #nuclear #antinuclear #NuclearFree #NoNukes #NuclearPlants

October 12, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | spinbuster, USA