All modern societies require reliable energy sources, plentiful freshwater, and clean air. Energy usage is the primary indicator of a successful civilization.
We propose a unique long-term solution. Our energy solution avoids the question "How can we reduce fossil-fuel use?" Our solution asks, "How can we create an abundance of energy that allows every human being to enjoy comfort, health, and happiness?"
Public and private cooperation on design and manufacturing will allow for fast track clearance for new "Nuclear Energy Centers". This will lead to the construction and operation of many new fourth-generation nuclear power plants in all areas agreeing to their placement. These Nuclear Energy Centers will be designed, sited, and built to supply a variety of energy needs for the balance of this century.
These advanced new-generation nuclear plants will create much-needed baseload electricity and can readily be co-located in "Nuclear Energy Centers".
The increasing cost of electricity and inability to maintain a stable supply capacity have created economic hardship for ratepayers and users. The world cannot meet future global greenhouse gas emission mandates without the use of nuclear energy.
Rising prices, blackouts, and shortages are are here to stay without nuclear power. The goals of carbon-free energy production, increasing energy usage, and conversion to electric vehicles illustrate a worsening near-term problem.
Carbon-based fossil fuels will continue to dominate all energy production without nuclear energy. There is a growing need for baseload availability of electricity for transportation and heating and air conditioning. This usage will continue as will increasing carbon emissions without nuclear energy.
Electric vehicles currently account for a small percentage of vehicles. The world's largest energy users all call for carbon-free power generation by 2035. This is also the date that the world's largest car makers have pledged to stop producing fossil fuel-powered cars. These new electric vehicles will increase electricity demand by as much as 50 to 75 percent.
Unlike fossil or renewable energy, nuclear is the only power source that does not emit waste to landfills or into the atmosphere. Its tiny amount of spent fuel is captured with plenty of space to store for thousands of years on existing generation sites. Most modern countries have a widespread system of existing electrical grid transmission lines to carry electricity wherever needed. The new plants would be placed where most needed to provide electricity.
Many countries seeking to reduce carbon emissions rely on a very high percentage of generation using nuclear power. A prime example of efficient and cost-effective generation is in France. France has the lowest CO2 output in the E.U. by generating over 75% of its electricity from nuclear power and supplies surplus power when needed throughout Europe. France has a population of 67 million, has 58 nuclear plants providing 75% of its electricity. Because of its low cost of electricity, it currently exports much of its electricity to surrounding countries.
Periodic droughts, increased water usage, and economic growth demands sustainable and reliable freshwater sources for people, industry, and agriculture. The USA is the largest exporter of agricultural products in the world. Agriculture must have a consistent and adequate supply in water delivery to plan and produce efficiently. Much of the western USA's most fertile agricultural land lay fallow due to water restrictions and inconsistent supply issues.
Several western states lie near the largest body of water on earth. Many, including California, already have a widespread system of aqueducts to carry water wherever needed. With abundant inexpensive electricity supplies, many southwestern states could have brackish or saltwater pumped to them for desalination.
Desalination of seawater is a proven technology globally. Desalination plants operate in more than 120 countries in the world, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar, Cape Verde, Portugal, Greece, Italy, India, China, Japan, and Australia. There are more than 15,000 desalination plants currently in global operation. Israel, as an example, produces as much as 80% of all its fresh water needs using seawater. While most American desalination plants purify less-saline brackish water from rivers and bays, large-scale seawater operations have begun in California, Florida, and Texas.
Almost all of these existing desal plants are powered by fossil fuel plants. Power and heat generated in Nuclear Energy Centers would be much more efficient and less costly to the environment.
All of these solutions can be collocated in large "Nuclear Energy Centers." Nuclear power plants are most efficient when running at or above 95% of capacity. This allows electricity to be sent over the grid when most needed. Energy usage is very time-constrained. It has to be available when it is needed. When grid electricity needs are low, more electricity is available from each nuclear generating plant to desalinate water in areas needing more water. Surplus electricity and heat could then split water and create hydrogen for transportation or agricultural needs. Available excess electricity could also be used to capture CO2 for sequestration and removal, further benefiting our planet.
Colocation in "Energy Centers "allows more efficient use of generating capacity. Water and heat can both be easily stored, but energy storage is costly and challenging to scale. Colocation allows a much smaller environmental footprint if needed. Nuclear generation will also eliminate grid ramping as an economic or technical issue.
Desalination can utilize electricity and heat generated by nuclear power plants to remove salt, minerals, and CO2 from seawater. Nuclear reactors are often used for desalination using low-pressure steam from the turbine and hot liquid from the final cooling system. Numerous additional benefits to colocation with a nuclear power plant include carbon-free electricity, low-marginal cost of generating electricity compared to fossil fuels, and a consistent power supply, unlike intermittent renewable electricity sources.
Small additional operational costs would be extending existing water and electrical systems to the Nuclear Energy Plants. If not located near a coastline, ocean water can be piped inland to the plants, with saline water piped back to the ocean.
Energy must be reliable, abundant, affordable, and provide safe baseload power generation. Molten salt storage will offer the optimum storage solution through the combined use of nuclear power and the ability to purchase and store energy from renewable sources when prices are low.
Hydrogen production from water is also energy and heat-intensive but eliminates the use of fossil fuels. Hydrogen will soon be needed to power many transportation needs such as ships, airplanes, trains, and emergency backup generation. Off-grid remote locations will also need hydrogen, and it is a principal component in the production of agricultural fertilizers.
Our proposal for Nuclear Energy Centers will unlock investment in nuclear power generation by creating a new financing model and a market environment for cheap electricity rates, clean water, hydrogen supplies, and clean air.
Construction and ownership of the new Nuclear Energy Centers and associated plants will create many sought-after long-term investment opportunities for private and public entities. These investments will be carefully calculated based on the expected costs and revenues (ROI).
Nuclear Energy Centers and colocation are the key to earning steady long-term revenue streams from the sale of electricity, water, hydrogen, process heat, and carbon credits. Nuclear power plants are very capital intensive in their construction. Still, they are ideal long-term investments because of their extremely low operational and fuel costs and their expected long lifetimes (up to 80 years).
Minimal funding would be required from State or Federal funds. The primary responsibilities of the State and Federal governments would be contractual, placement, zoning, safety, and environmental and regulatory approvals.
Many potential investors will consider adding Bitcoin mining because of its non-critical need for cheap intensive electricity usage. The Federal Nuclear Production Tax Credit established in 2005 credits 1.8 cents per kWh of electricity produced during the first eight years of operation by advanced nuclear power facilities. Other financial offsets are expected from geographic areas that understand the long-term benefits to their citizens. And finally, increasing emphasis on carbon trading rules over time will make nuclear-generated electricity much more competitive than fossil fuels.
Public and private cooperation on design and manufacturing will allow for fast track clearance. This shortened implementation window will encourage private funding, and these long-term financial benefits will keep costs and operating expenses lower, thus keeping energy production costs cheaper.
The purpose of this proposal is to implement widespread nuclear power generation. Flourishing energy abundance will end shortages, blackouts, and rationing. Our following generations deserve no less.
The global need for significant additional sources of clean energy is evident to all. Energy generation, availability, economics, technology, and a rational political process will ultimately determine the most efficient use of our energy resources.
Significant increases in governmental budgets will hopefully soon be available for advanced nuclear reactor projects, grid-balancing solutions, generation capacity improvements, and any technology promising net-zero carbon energy. Energy must be reliable, abundant, and affordable to provide for the greater good of society. It is irresponsible to mandate an end to fossil fuel use without a viable substitute in place. We must have convenient, affordable, safe baseload power generation for reliable energy. The "Nuclear Energy Centers" will be a driving force toward better lives for all. Unlimited cheap energy, abundant water, and inexpensive hydrogen will end the threat of Climate Change.
Jonas Salk said that "Our only real responsibility on the planet
is to become good ancestors".
We encourage your questions, suggestions, and helpful involvement.