Nuclear Tomorrow - April 2025
Nuclear Tomorrow - April 2025
Nuclear Tomorrow is a newsletter that is issued monthly to identify press reports on developments in the field of nuclear energy. Topics are selected for their relevance to
the impact of nuclear energy on global warming. The newsletter is written for members of the general public who are concerned with policy related to these issues. Postings are categorized as dealing with Technology (T), Policy (P), and/or Construction (C). In some cases registration or a fee is required to access an article. Hyperlinks are provided to connect newsletter posts to the referenced publication. (See hot buttons associated with each posting) The newsletter is intended to expand on topics included in the book, “Nuclear Energy: Boom, Bust, and Emerging Renaissance,” to be published in 2025 by Oxford University Press. The author of the book and of this newsletter is Edward A. Friedman, Emeritus Professor of Technology Management at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. The book is available for pre publication purchase via the Oxford University Website. The following link is for the paperback edition. A hardcover edition and an email version will be forthcoming.
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/nuclear-energy-9780198925781?lang=en&cc=gb#
1.
China builds world’s first working thorium reactor using declassified US documents (T)
The development of a working thorium reactor in China is a major technological breakthrough. The quest for a reactor using thorium fuel has been a high priority for many since the early days of nuclear energy. The characteristics of thorium reactors have many advantages, as will be spelled out below, but efforts that began in the 1960’s were not pursued probably because of the fact that uranium based reactors produced plutonium that was a strategic component of nuclear weapons.
The physicist Alvin Weinberg who oversaw reactor development efforts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory pursued experiments using thorium fuel between 1965 and 1969. While this pursuit was not producing useful power, the results were quite promising. However,this initiative was shut down by the Atomic Energy Commission and led to Weinberg leaving his position at Oak Ridge.
A practical demonstration of the viability of a thorium fueled reactor took place at Shippingport, the first peacetime nuclear reactor with operations that were conducted from 1985 until 1989.
Despite the emergence of an almost cult-like support for thorium reactor technology the United States abandoned initiatives for its development.
The underlying physics for this source of fission energy lies with the ability of thorium to undergo nuclear transformations into an isotope of Uranium that is fissionable. The abundant element of thorium contains a nucleus with 90 protons and 142 neutrons and is known as thorium 232. This isotope can absorb a neutron to become thorium 233. The thorium 233 is unstable and spontaneously experiences the release of two electrons resulting in the emergence of uranium 233 having 92 protons and 141 protons. Uranium 233 has the rare property of being able to sustain an energy producing fission reaction akin to that of Uranium 235.
There are many advantages for the use of thorium in reactors. Among them are:
Abundance - Thorium is about 3-4 times as abundant in the earth’s crust than uranium. India and China have particularly large deposits of thorium.
Proliferation resistance - it is difficult to use thorium in constructing a nuclear weapon.
Reduced waste - Since plutonium is not produced as a byproduct of thorium fission, its radioactive waste does not contain long lived components.
Enhanced safety - Thorium reactors can operate at ambient temperatures and due not pose an overheating danger.
Since most thorium is the 232 isotope, enrichment is not needed.
In April, 2025 China announced implementation of a small demonstration thorium fueled nuclear reactor in the Gobi desert.
This opens the possibility of not only the use of thorium as a reactor fuel but the potential for reactor development in locations that do not have ocean or river sources of cooling water.
This first implementation generates only 2 megawatts of thermal power, but the country is already building a much larger thorium molten salt reactor with a target date of 2030 and an energy output of 10 megawatts of electricity. Additionally, plans are underway for thorium powered container ships that could enable zero-carbon-emission sea transport.
The team pursuing these developments in China have acknowledged that they began their work by reviewing the design and implementation experience that took place in pursuit of a thorium reactor in the United States in the 1960’s. This provided them with an initial leg-up in their efforts.
2.
Maharashtra signs MOU with Russia’s ROSATOM to develop thorium-based Small Modular Reactor ( C )
While at an early stage of development, the state of Maharashtra in India has signed an ambitious MOU with Russia’s Rosatom for development of high performance small modular reactors that use thorium fuel. The objective of this partnership is to have five small nuclear reactors with up to 300 MW electric output operational by 2033.
3.
Terrapower begins UK design assessment process (T )
TerraPower, the Bill Gates company that is building a 345 MW electric sodium cooled reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming has formally entered the design assessment process for reactor development in the UK. This places it in competition with Rolls Royce. This is noteworthy as a first step in entering the international market place with a Generation IV nuclear reactor design.
4.
Manila Electric Co., French firm team up to study nuclear power (T)
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is partnering with the French national electric utility, Electricite de France (EDF) for deployment of nuclear energy in the Philippines. A comprehensive two year memorandum of cooperation has been finalized the provides for training programs and joint planning efforts in anticipation of nuclear energy development in the Philippines. Meralco has had ongoing relations with the University of Paris-Saclay and other institutions in France in support of developing nuclear technology capacity in the Philippines.
5.
First of its kind prototype-breeder reactor to be commissioned by September 2026 (in India) (T)
Plans in India are moving forward with the expectation that a first prototype breeder reactor will be commissioned in 2026. Plutonium-based mixed oxide fuel with liquid sodium coolant is planned. A special feature of this reactor will be its capability of utilizing spent fuel from pressurized heavy water reactors thus reducing the inventory of radioactive waste.
6.
Nuclear energy nearly twice as cost effective as offshore wind, SkyNews analysis of projects in the US, UK and Australia reveals. ( C )
Skynews compared offshore wind electrical energy costs with
nuclear power sources in the US, UK and Australia and determined that nuclear was nearly twice as cost effective. While there were many assumptions made in calculating these comparisons, it is clear that nuclear has a substantial advantage in these comparisons.
7.
Deep Fission To Build Nuclear Power Plants Below The Surface Of The Earth (T)
The California based startup Deep Fission proposes construction of 15 MW electric pressurized water reactors one mile below the surface of the earth. They plan to use 30-inch boreholes. Using modular construction methods ten Deep Fission reactors need only ¼ of a square acre to yield 150 MW electric energy. Non-radioactive steam rises to the surface where a standard turbine converts the energy to electricity. With the elimination of large pressure vessels and containment structures costs are greatly reduced while safety, sustainability and operational efficiency are enhanced. Deep Fission has recently engaged in a lawsuit against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in which they seek expedited pathways through the regulatory process that take into account innovations in design that are intrinsically safe.https://deepfission.com/deep-fission-joins-federal-lawsuit-to-modernize-nuclear-regulation-and-accelerate-safe-reactor-deployment/
8.
Trump’s Tariffs Are Threatening a Nuclear Power Plant Restart in Michigan (P)
The Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan received a loan guarantee of 1.52 billion from the Energy Department and an additional $300 million from the state of Michigan to restart two 300 MW reactors that had closed in 2022. The South Korean company Hyundai, a partner in this initiative, fears that Trump tariffs will block production of key components that are needed for this restart. Modules used to house these reactors were planned to be fabricated in South Korea and therefore be the target of new tariffs. This development has introduced uncertainty into the restart plans.
9.
China Plans a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon (T)
The International Lunar Research Station is a collaborative effort in which China and Russia are planning a research station on the moon by 2035. China has announced plans to build a nuclear power plant to support this station. Additional countries are being invited to join this initiative. China considers nuclear power a critical factor in sustaining long term lunar operations.
10.
Czechs can sign $18 billion nuclear power deal after EDF appeals rejected (T)
The Czech Republic’s Competitive Authority has cleared the way for the signing of contracts with South Korea worth at least $18 billion for two nuclear power units after it rejected appeals by EDF of France. Two 1,000 megawatt electric units are planned. This deal would provide South Korea with an important presence in Europe.
11.
China amps up nuclear ambitions with 10 new reactor approvals for fourth straight year (T)
China’s State Council has approved 10 new nuclear reactors across five sites with a budget of $27.4 billion. These third generation reactors prioritize safety conconsiderations. This marks the fourth straight year that the Council has approved at least 10 nuclear reactors. China continues to lead the world in new reactor development. In 2025 there were approximately 60 nuclear reactors being developed worldwide with about half of these under construction in China. With massive nuclear reactor building plans, China hopes to achieve a carbon neutral environment by 2060.
12.
U.S. Companies to help Poland build its first nuclear power plant (T)
AP1000
The U.S. Department of Energy signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the Polish government that will facilitate the construction of a Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant in Poland. This agreement is envisioned as the first phase of a long term collaboration that could eventually allow for as many as six AP1000s across two sites.The AP1000 is a generation three pressurized water reactor. Construction work will be implemented by Bechtel Corporation and is expected to begin in 2026
Thanks, subscribed.
That start up Deep Fission reminds me of a "why didn't I think of that?" moment. Pity about the NRC...