Bill Gates' energy company TerraPower will soon start the construction of a new cutting-edge nuclear power plant in Wyoming, which he believes will transform power generation methods.
Bill Gates' TerraPower Breaks Ground on Innovative Nuclear Reactor
Bill Gates attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on Monday. As the co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of TerraPower, Gates aims to introduce an innovative nuclear reactor that utilizes sodium instead of water for cooling.
TerraPower applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March for a construction permit for this advanced reactor, which, if approved, will function as a commercial nuclear power plant.
The Associated Press reported that the designated site is adjacent to PacifiCorp's Naughton Power Plant. According to the utility company, the plant will cease coal burning in 2026 and natural gas consumption a decade later.
Nuclear reactors operate without emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. PacifiCorp intends to procure carbon-free power from the new reactor and is currently deliberating the extent to which nuclear energy should be included in its long-term strategic planning.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the nuclear power plant. Monday's work aims to prepare the site so TerraPower can swiftly construct the reactor after the permit's approval.
Russia is leading the development of sodium-cooled reactors. During the groundbreaking event, Gates said the site would soon become a cornerstone of America's energy future. He emphasized that this project signifies a significant stride towards safe, plentiful, and zero-carbon energy, highlighting its critical role in the nation's future success.
Advanced reactors often utilize coolants other than water and operate under lower pressures but higher temperatures. Although this technology has been available for many years, the US has primarily focused on constructing large, conventional water-cooled reactors for commercial power generation.
People listen as Bill Gates speaks virtually during the opening session of the fifth IAEA Nuclear Power Ministerial Conference at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on October 26, 2022. (Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Advancing Nuclear Technology
The Wyoming initiative is a departure from this trend. It marks the first effort in almost four decades to establish an advanced reactor as a commercial power plant in the country.
TerraPower president and CEO Chris Levesque emphasized the shift towards advanced nuclear technology, incorporating state-of-the-art computer modeling and physics to create a simpler, more cost-effective, safer, and more efficient plant design.
TerraPower's Natrium reactor demonstration project features a sodium-cooled fast reactor design combined with a molten salt energy storage system. In previous years, the industry favored reliability over innovation and tried-and-tested methods.
However, TerraPower and its founders now advocate for a shift towards innovation. They argued that with increasing electricity demands and the need to address cost challenges, embracing innovation is essential for the future of nuclear energy.
With Bill Gates at the helm, the company's commitment to introducing innovative reactor designs underscores the pressing need for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
As the project progresses, it signifies a departure from conventional practices and highlights the importance of embracing innovation to meet evolving energy demands and address environmental challenges.
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