Next-generation nuclear fission

Nuclear power generated through fission is a low-carbon energy source that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear power currently accounts for around 10% of global electricity generation and is the second-largest low-carbon energy source after hydropower.

One of the key benefits of nuclear power is that it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during the generation of electricity. While there are some emissions associated with the mining, enrichment, and transportation of nuclear fuel, the overall carbon footprint of nuclear power is significantly lower than fossil fuel-based sources of electricity. This makes nuclear power an attractive option for reducing emissions in sectors such as transportation, which are difficult to decarbonize using renewable energy sources alone.

In addition to its low carbon footprint, nuclear power is also a reliable and dispatchable source of electricity, which means that it can be used to meet peak demand and stabilize the grid. This is in contrast to intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar power, which are dependent on weather conditions and require energy storage or backup power sources to ensure reliable supply.

Here are a few examples of the innovations being developed:

1. Small modular reactors (SMRs): SMRs are a type of nuclear reactor that are smaller in size and output than traditional reactors. They are designed to be more flexible and easier to deploy than larger reactors, and can be used for a range of applications, from powering small communities to supporting industrial processes. SMRs are also designed to be safer than traditional reactors, with passive safety features that can shut down the reactor automatically in the event of an emergency.
2. Molten salt reactors (MSRs): MSRs are a type of advanced nuclear reactor that use liquid fuel instead of solid fuel rods. The fuel is dissolved in a molten salt, which can also serve as the coolant and the moderator. MSRs have several potential advantages over traditional reactors, including improved safety, reduced waste production, and the ability to operate at higher temperatures, which could make them more efficient.
3. The traveling wave reactor (TWR) is a type of advanced nuclear reactor design that was developed by TerraPower, a company founded by Bill Gates. The TWR uses depleted uranium as its primary fuel source, which is a byproduct of the enrichment process used to create fuel for traditional nuclear reactors. Depleted uranium is a common waste material that is stockpiled around the world, so using it as a fuel source could help to reduce nuclear waste. The TWR works by creating a self-sustaining chain reaction that moves through the fuel like a wave, hence the name "traveling wave reactor." The wave is created by placing a small amount of fissile material at one end of the fuel and allowing it to "burn" through the rest of the fuel over time. As the wave moves through the fuel, it converts depleted uranium into usable fuel, meaning that the reactor could potentially operate for decades or even centuries without needing to be refueled. One of the potential advantages of the TWR is that it is designed to be extremely safe. Because the reaction is self-sustaining and does not require active control or cooling, the reactor is less vulnerable to accidents or failures. In addition, the TWR produces very little nuclear waste, since it uses up almost all of the fuel in the process. However, the TWR is still a new and untested technology, and there are still many technical and regulatory challenges that must be overcome before it can be deployed on a large scale. Nonetheless, TerraPower and other companies are continuing to work on developing and refining the TWR and other advanced nuclear reactor designs, with the hope of creating a safer, more sustainable, and more efficient source of energy.
4. Other areas of research include advanced fuel cycles, improved reactor materials, and enhanced safety and security features.

Overall, while nuclear power is not without its challenges and controversies, it is a low-carbon energy source that has the potential to play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Sources:

• International Energy Agency. (2021). Nuclear Power. Paris: IEA.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Gaining Ground: Progress Toward Carbon-Free Power. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
• TerraPower. "Traveling Wave Reactor." TerraPower, n.d., https://terrapower.com/traveling-wave-reactor/.
• Kramer, David. "Traveling-Wave Nuclear Reactor Could Power the Future." Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2010, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/traveling-wave-nuclear-reactor/.
• Davies, Alex. "New Clear Nuclear Reactors Could Power the World for the Next Century." Wired, 3 Aug. 2015, https://www.wired.com/2015/08/new-clear-nuclear-reactors-safe-cheap-p/.