Nuclear Power. Nuclear power (nuclear fission), as it has traditionally participated in our national power grid, appears to be dying and close to dead. The nuclear industry, and its supporters who believe that nuclear energy can play a meaningful role in decarbonizing the planet, however, aren’t quite so sure. The industry is now hanging its hat on the SMR – the Small Modular Reactor. The brand name attached to the SMR is NuScale. NuScale’s SMR is the first and so far only small modular reactor to receive design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Further, it has been selected by TIME Magazine for inclusion in its “Best Inventions 2022” edition. In 2022, no less than the IPCC – the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – issued its support for nuclear power: “IPCC Report Finds Key Role For Nuclear in Climate Change Mitigation”, www.nei.org/news/2022/ipcc-report-finds-key-role-for-nuclear The respected and influential Clean Air Task Force is also on board: “Advanced Nuclear Energy”. www.catf.us/work/advanced-nuclear-energy/ Mainstream media have been following this story as well, and not necessarily in a negative manner: “Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Passes Biggest Hurdle Yet”. www.forbes.com 5/15/18. “Nuclear Energy Gets Boost as Small Reactor Design Certified For Use in U.S.”. www.fortune.com 1/21/23. And “Small Nuclear Reactors: What to Know About the New Technology”. www.fastcompany.com 8/10/22. But there is plenty of opposition to SMR technology on the other side of the aisle: From the Union of Concerned Scientists: “ ‘Advanced’ Isn’t Always Better”. www.ucsusa.org/resources/advanced-isnt-always-better 3/18/21. From the National Academy of Sciences: “Nuclear Waste From Small Modular Reactors”. 5/31/22. And from the Sierra Club (North Carolina chapter): “Is There a Place For Small Modular Nuclear?”. www.sierraclub.org 5/12/22. Each NuScale SMR generates about 77MW, and can power about 60,000 homes. There are currently plans to build one in Idaho. Arguments brought forth in support of SMRs include; they use less radioactive material; are easier to cool; and can be factory-built. However, there is still no solution to the waste issue. And, of course, if you follow any media at all, in late 2022 came news of something of a breakthrough in nuclear fusion – the long-sought Holy Grail of endless clean energy. “Fusion Energy Breakthrough by US Scientists Boosts Clean Power Hopes”. www.ft.com And “Fusion Breakthrough Thrills Physicists, But Won’t Power Your Home Soon”. www.canarymedia.com 12/13/22.
