Well it seems to be happening! China is commissioning the world's first commercial Thorium Molten Salt Reactor.
For a few years, I have been posting on Thorium and its potential for virtually unlimited, clean safe, low-waste nuclear energy.
(See the following few posts ;-
Commercial Thorium nuclear is potentially a world changer, not only providing abundant energy, but also saving us from the environmental damage of the renewables obsession driving many Western democracies. Wind and Solar while ostensibly a low emission technology come with a lot of baggage. Their low energy density and intermittency necessitate extensive use of land, prime farming or pristine natural, and expensive storage. Added to this the limited lifetimes of both solar panels and wind turbines requires large scale recycling and the construction of panels and turbines uses many scarce resources placing further burdens on the planet. It is saving the environment from carbon emissions by destroying the environment with mining.
Given the successful operation of an experimental molten salt reactor design at Oak Ridge in the late 1960 s, it has taken 60 years to this recent announcement, So it is no overnight success. And of course, we still have another 4 years or so to wait for its completion. But China's announcement comes after a successful trial so we have some confidence that it will happen.
The announcement is covered in the video titled "It's Happening - China Launches World's First Thorium Nuclear Reactor
Hooray!
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