Clean Energy Production Without Carbon Emissions
"US Must Lead Nuclear Power Through Innovation"
"Nuclear Power Offers Benefits Beyond Climate... Continued Confidence"
Microsoft (MS) founder Bill Gates revealed that he has invested more than $1 billion (approximately 1.38 trillion KRW) in the next-generation Small Modular Reactor (SMR) company TerraPower and plans to invest several billion dollars more in the future.
Gates made this announcement on the 16th (local time) during an appearance on the US CBS program 'Face the Nation.'
Gates co-founded TerraPower in 2008 to produce clean energy without using carbon fuels. SK Inc. and SK Innovation also invested $250 million in 2022. On the 10th, TerraPower held a groundbreaking ceremony for the next-generation SMR in Wyoming, USA, attended by Gates and other stakeholders.
TerraPower's sodium reactor is characterized by using liquid sodium instead of water as a coolant. Liquid sodium has a higher boiling point (880°C) than water, allowing it to absorb more heat and increase power output. TerraPower plans to complete and operate the reactor by 2030, aiming to replace existing thermal power plants.
Originally, the operation was targeted for 2028, but it was postponed to 2030 after deciding not to source uranium from Russia. Gates stated that the project will proceed by sourcing uranium from a South African company and uranium mines in the US and Canada.
Gates emphasized that nuclear power is important not only for climate but also for security, and that the US must take global leadership in this field. Nuclear power plants create tremendous job opportunities, and materials used in nuclear power can potentially be useful for military-related activities. Currently, China is the country building the most reactors. Gates said, "If the US demonstrates innovation, it can be competitive." He added, "To maintain the lead, we must innovate by surpassing overseas competitors."
Although the US presidential election is scheduled for November this year, Gates is confident that next-generation nuclear projects will continue regardless of who wins. He said, "Support for nuclear power is impressive on both sides," and "Nuclear power has benefits beyond climate." He explained that Democrats value clean energy sources, while Republicans are highly interested in energy security.
Gates also appeared on CNN's 'GPS' on the same day to introduce TerraPower. He stated, "Coal is losing out in competition with natural gas," and "What we need to do is effectively compete with natural gas."
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