WYOMING TO LEAD THE COAL-TO-NUCLEAR TRANSITION

A next-generation nuclear power reactor that could boost the nation’s transition to low-carbon energy will be built on the site of a retiring coal plant in Wyoming. Wyoming Gov.

Mark Gordon on 2nd June announced the state will house a Natrium reactor pilot project in partnership with a nuclear reactor design company, TerraPower (founded by Bill Gates), PacifiCorp (owned by Warren Buffet) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The project features a 345 megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten salt-based energy storage that could enhance the system’s power output to 500MW for more than five and-a-half hours during peak power demand, which is enough energy to power about 400,000 homes. This could be phenomenal as blackouts have been on the rise.

TerraPower says ,”The Natrium technology is more fuel efficient, cost effective and safer than traditional nuclear reactors and could supplement existing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.” “Natrium will be a game-changer for the energy industry,” Gates said during a news conference. The Natrium technology was designed to solve a challenge utilities face as they work to enhance grid reliability and stability while meeting decarbonisation and emissions-reduction goals,” he added.

For those like us at ENPOSS with a drive towards leaner, greener power generation this announcement sparked plenty of interest, the fact that this plant is to be built on the site of an old coal mine in one of the US’ major coal-producing states will be enough to enough to raise a smile.

The world around us is waking up to the detrimental effects of climate change, let us play our part too and reduce our carbon footprint by using energy efficient appliances like “FORCE”.