4 Clean-Energy Alternatives To Uranium

Forbes ^ | Apr. 26 2011 - 3:41 pm

[ckilmer]

The recent accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan has caused many observers to question the use of uranium as a fuel to create nuclear energy, and perhaps cast doubts on clean energy alternatives in general. This may be a premature conclusion as there are other elements that can be used in the nuclear cycle to create power, as well as other non-nuclear alternative sources of fuel and power that are safer and much less harmful to the environment. (For related reading, also take a look at The Future Of Green Technology Investing.) READ MORE: The Economic Reasons Behind Nuclear Power Some of these alternatives have been around for generations, and should not be discarded in a fit of mass hysteria as a result of a terrible accident. These alternative energy sources include thorium, solar power, natural gas and hydrogen. 1. Thorium Thorium can be used as a fuel in the nuclear cycle as an alternative to uranium and the technology to facilitate this has been around since the 1960s. Many scientists and others are advocating the use of this element as they claim it has many advantages over the current uranium fuel cycle in place at most plants around the world. Thorium is a more abundant element than uranium, with Australia, the United States, Turkey and India holding 59% of the world’s reserves of 4.4 million tons. Also, all the thorium mined can be used as a fuel, compared to less than 1% of the mined uranium. Scientists that have studied the thorium fuel cycle maintain that the process produces less waste and is safer than the uranium fuel cycle currently used at nuclear facilities. Thorium Leaders Several countries have taken the lead in promoting the use of thorium to produce energy.

[ckilmer]

China recently announced that it would pursue the development of a molten salt nuclear reactor that uses thorium as a fuel. The Chinese Academy of Sciences said the technology was “environmentally safe, cost effective and politically palatable.” India has also identified Thorium as an energy source in phase three of the Nuclear Power Program that the country adopted in the late 1960s. India is working on the advanced heavy water reactor design to implement this technology.

The disappointing part of the thorium debate is that the United States was one of the leaders in developing this technology generations ago, and was among the first countries to have small scale thorium reactors operating. These have all been shut down and, because the United States lacks a cohesive energy policy, no thorium reactors are currently being considered.

[AU72]

Maybe Obama can proclaim another “Sputnik Moment”.

[OldMissileer]

Uranium. It's not just for breakfast anymore.

[The Great RJ]

Obama to keep his radical “green” base happy will continue to push failure programs like corn ethanol, wind mills and conventional solar power none of which could begin to reliably provide a fraction of our energy needs. Sadly more than a few Republicans are also ardent supporters of the ethanol boondoggle and will continue to pour money into this giant farm subsidy program that is raising food price, depleting ground water supplies and as higher concentrations are mandated ruining engines.