Bill Gates endorses traveling wave nuclear reactor technology

Though nuclear energy emits zero carbon emissions, the potential hazards associated with disposing of its radioactive waste is a threat that has historically positioned solar energy and wind energy at the top of the list when it comes to producing electricity through alternative fuel sources. However, if Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is right about TerraPower, the clean energy game could change.

BILL GATES TOUTS TRAVELING WAVE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

At the TED Conference on Friday, Gates endorsed TerraPower as the clean energy solution to our climate change problems. Gates is a principal owner of this technology based on a “traveling wave nuclear reactor design” that utilizes nuclear waste as fuel for producing clean energy. Not only does Gates say it’s safer than current nuclear plants, but also that it is more reliable than solar or wind.

Though most applaud the technology itself, critics say the price makes TerraPower impractical, as further research and testing will cost millions of dollars and building a test unit will run into the billions. However, Gates says the market will drive this price down once the technology is proven.

TERRAPOWER TURNS RADIOACTIVE WASTE INTO CLEAN ENERGY

“Today we are always refueling the reactor so lots of controls and lots of things can go wrong,” says Gates. “That is not good. With this, you have a piece of fuel, think of it like a log, that burns for 60 years and it is done.” So in addition to emitting zero CO2, TerraPower seemingly provides a viable use for radioactive nuclear waste - a key development considering that:

• There are more than 400 nuclear power plants in the world today (producing 17 percent of our electricty)
• New nuclear power plants are in construction all over the world
• President Obama just announced plans that the government will finance the first nuclear power plant to be built in the U.S. in three decades

“We need energy miracles,” says Gates. ”The microprocessor and internet are miracles. This is a case where we have to drive and get the miracle in a short timeline.”

COULD TERRAPOWER BE THE “MIRACLE” WE NEED TO SOLVE CLIMATE CHANGE?

Unlike Gates, I would not elevate the microprocessor or the internet to the level of divine intervention a “miracle” suggests, much less TerraPower technology Bill Gates has an invested financial interest in. Yes, he is a powerful man who has proven he can do powerful things with his money but all the money in the world does not a miracle make.

However, if traveling wave nuclear reactors can safely dispose of radioactive nuclear waste - while creating clean energy in the process – it is certainly a technology I could comfortably elevate to one of the most impressive marvels of modern man.

To learn more, check out this video of TerraPower President John Gilleland demonstrating how traveling wave nuclear reactor technology works.

Meredith Simonds Nuclear Power Bill Gates, Climate change, nuclear energy, solar energy, TerraPower, traveling wave nuclear reactor, wind energy