Bill Gates and Nuclear - 315

As the global community confronts the pressing challenges of climate change and the transition to sustainable energy, Bill Gates has emerged as a prominent advocate for nuclear power. His involvement in new modern atomic power is one of his strategic efforts to leverage advanced technologies for a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

 

In 2015, Mr. Gates spearheaded "Breakthrough Energy," gathering a consortium of 28 high net-worth individuals (multi-billionaires) to accelerate innovation in sustainable energy and in other technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It invests in various startup companies attempting to commercialize new concepts such as nuclear fusion, large-capacity batteries, and microbe-generated biofuels.

 

One focus on nuclear energy, mainly through his company TerraPower, highlights his belief in the potential of advanced nuclear reactors to meet the world's growing energy demands while significantly reducing carbon emissions. It is essential to note the US Department of Energy, currently under the leadership of the Biden Administration, provides half the funding for the cutting-edge travelling wave, fast reactors which use molten salt as an energy storage system.

 

One of the central arguments in favor of this new nuclear power is its ability to provide a stable and continuous energy supply. Clean renewable sources, such as wind and solar, depend on intermittent power sources (wind and sun) and must incorporate power storage systems such as pumped hydro and batteries for continuity.  Nuclear power plants operate continuously, providing a reliable base load of electricity.

 

Advanced nuclear technologies promise enhanced safety and efficiency. For instance, TerraPower's traveling wave reactor is designed to use depleted uranium as fuel, a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process currently stockpiled in large quantities. This innovative approach not only makes better use of existing resources but also reduces the amount of nuclear waste. Critics of nuclear power often cite concerns about safety, nuclear proliferation, and high costs. While these are legitimate issues, technological advancements, and rigorous regulatory frameworks are addressing them. Modern reactor designs incorporate fail-safe mechanisms that significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents. With stringent government oversight, nuclear power can be produced safely.

 

Gates' advocacy for nuclear power is rooted in the urgent need to decarbonize the global energy sector. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century is essential to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.8 F) above pre-industrial levels. This target, set to save much of humanity, requires a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Nuclear power generation is continually improving. Although the cost of building new nuclear power plants is high, once built, the long-term operational costs are relatively low, making nuclear a potential competitor to the low-cost leaders, wind and solar.

 

The socio-economic benefits of nuclear power are substantial. The construction and operation of nuclear plants create high-paying jobs and stimulate local economies.

 

Bill Gates' involvement in nuclear power also brings significant attention and credibility to the sector. His reputation as a visionary technologist, philanthropist, and leader lends weight to the argument that new nuclear power is viable for a sustainable energy future. Gates' investments in research and development are accelerating the pace of innovation, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of advanced nuclear technologies.

 

Right now, NIMBYS rule. They are those who say, Not in My Backyard. They want lithium, uranium, or copper mines, but only if the mine is elsewhere as if we have the luxury of time or choosing somewhere else. They do not want safe nuclear power plants even though they are much cleaner than coal in all respects, including radiation pollution. They do not want to be visually disturbed by wind turbines or solar panels while thousands of people are sickened by fossil fuel pollution, especially in places like Cancer Alley, the appropriately named 85-mile stretch of petrochemical industries from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

 

We had better start refining our skepticism about the energy sources needed to survive. Have you been watching the new temperature records being set worldwide? While the Grim Reaper has not visited us here, he sits just outside many people's doors further south. His name is Heat, and his weapon is greenhouse gasses. We need to disarm the Grim Reaper before he burns down the house.

 

Bill Gates and the current Democratic Administration, via private financing, the DOE, and the IRA, are investing in initiatives to clean up and modernize our energy system and end the rapid rise in global temperatures.

 

Will you support them?  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Legacy

Legacy is the masterpiece of Yann Artur-Bertrand. It is a must watch 1 hour and 41-minute documentary offered on Amazon Prime. (Prime is available for free on a one-month trial basis.) Inspired by his love of nature and humanity Bertrand has taken the wisdom attained through 50 years of observing nature and employed his mastery of film to give us a spellbinding history of earth and man. At this critical juncture in man’s ascent, it is his passion, a grandfather’s passion to protect his grandchildren, which drives him to excel at 76. If we look back to the days of Leonardo De Vinci or Michelangelo these geniuses had a very small audience with whom to communicate, to make a positive impression, and to create change. They communicated primarily with the aristocracy and the clergy.   There was no need to influence the masses since the common man was not involved in decision making. Commoners could not even read or write. Democracy has widened the base of decision making. By voting ...
Read more

Your Hero: Plato or Joe the Plumber?

My appreciation for the plumber came to me from opposite directions. As a semi-successful do-it-yourself plumber, I slowly learned a bit about the trade. I learned that when the sewer starts to backup plumbers should be reached by dialing 911.   Sorry Plato, you lose round one. But, what about the history of plumbing and its importance to human civilization? Plumbing history came to me accidentally.    While employed by the Military Sealift Command, I was “stuck” on the Island of Crete. Being stuck on Crete is not a hardship. In fact, you might pray that you suffer this fate one day. Before docking, I read in National Geographic, about an ancient civilization on Crete called the Minoan. In its heyday, young nimble girls would leap over charging bulls at festivals. In a way it was like modern Olympic gymnastics springboard competition between the horns. The article said there were frescos on preserved walls of the ancient Palace of Knossos depicting the event. ...
Read more

Becoming Wise Gardeners

Often, when we talk about saving the earth’s climate we talk about the number one problem, the need to switch energy sources from polluting and archaic fossil fuels to modern clean energy sources. More so, I enjoy reading and learning about the second simultaneous step we need to take to save the climate. Some of the Carbon Dioxide must be removed from the air and stored. Scientists use the terms Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), or Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) to describe this. When carbon is captured it must be used or safely put somewhere. Today it is pumped back into the earth into old mines or oil fields. These mines and oil fields are called “sinks”. Mother Nature has a lot of natural sinks. For instance, I am sitting in my favorite rocking chair listening to music. My chair and my speakers are made of wood. Alive, or dead, a tree and its commercial product timber, are natural carbon sinks. In fact, any plant is a carbon sink. Far and away the best carbon sink...
Read more