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May2
Element #90 – Thorium Energy Update
Filed under: Energy, Featured, Goals, Sustainability, Thorium Energy; Tagged as: abundant energy source, better tomorrow, closer look, coastline, current information, energy plan, energy program, inner workings, investment opportunities, nonproliferation, nuclear energy, nuclear power, obama, reactors, sandy beaches, source of energy, sources of information, step in the right direction, sustainable source, time element30 CommentsIf you recall , back in early February, I wrote “Let’s Take A Closer Look at Element #90″. It was to let you know about this much cleaner, safer, and more abundant alternative source of nuclear energy.
To keep you up to date on the most current information on this topic, I invite you to go to a very active Energy From Thorium Discussion Forum.
Once you are inside the forum, there are many threads to update you on the progress of this energy source. If you click on Thorium in the news, it will take you to a page where my article is listed “Let’s Take A Closer Look at Element #90″.
There is a very active thread that explains in detail the inner workings of Thorium reactors, and why they are safer, than what we have used in the past. Please, also take a look at “Is This The Dawning of The Age Of Thorium” by Jack Lifton. He takes a good look at Thorium based nuclear power, along with it’s implications for nonproliferation and investment opportunities.
I could spend hours in this forum, but you will want to also check out President Obama’s, “Yes We Can” Energy Plan and where we are headed in this country by 2025 or before. Let’s hope for before.
Energy from Thorium is another detailed source of information on the topic.
Currently, sandy beaches of Thorium stretch for miles along India’s coastline. They also have an active Thorium Energy program in place. It is a positive step in the right direction.
I hope you take full advantage of these sources of information I’ve listed here, to get an up close and better understanding of this great and abundant energy source.
There is a quote I’d like to share, that for me, puts Thorium Energy into perspective.
“If you’re looking for an always-on, carbon-free, sustainable source of energy, for which the reserves won’t run dry for more than a few centuries, there’s really only one choice, – Thorium.”
Here’s to working toward a better tomorrow. Until next time!
Update:
Special thanks to Robert Hargraves, who sent this special graphic tutorial, The Aim High presentation. There are several formats to chose from including a detailed video , explaining Thorium Energy and Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors (LFTR). Below the links, is a detailed written summary.
30 Responses to “Element #90 – Thorium Energy Update”
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[...] This post was Twitted by classifiedtoday – Real-url.org [...]
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Thanks to classifiedtoday for the twitt and the ping!
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Granted this is a much more stable fuel than uranium but it is still going to take hundreds of years (versus thousands of years) for the waste to decay. Although much less waste than a uranium reactor.
My question is how do you gain access? Is it strip mining? If so, hmmmmm…
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There is a graphic, introductory tutorial presentation on thorium and the liquid fluoride thorium reactor at http://rethinkingnuclearpower.googlepages.com/aimhigh.
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Hi Linda,
Thorium is a very abundant mineral found on the earth’s crust, and on every continent. As I stated here, it is readily available and abundant along the sandy beaches of India’s coastline. Here in America, we have perhaps the most accessible deposits of high grade Thorium, than anywhere else in the world. The good thing is we don’t have to destroy the environment to mine it,as it is relatively non-obtrusive to obtain.
The development of a LFTR (Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor), is much safer and makes only about 1% of the waste of conventional uranium reactors. This is a cleaner and unlimited energy source, that can free us from the cost of fossil fuels.
A Thorium fuel rod remains in the reactor three times longer than conventional nuclear fuel, therefore, reducing the amount of spent fuel by as much as two-thirds.
Another plus, and a national security goal, is that a thorium fuel cycle could be used to dispose of existing plutonium stockpiles. It has the capability to significantly reduce the amount of weapons grade material that would result from the process.
On March 24, 2009, Congress directed the U.S. Navy to investigate the use of thorium-based nuclear reactors for naval use. Also, “The Thorium Energy Independence and Security Act,” was drafted by Senator’s Orrin Hatch and Harry Reid. The objective of the Bill, is to appropriate funds for research and development of thorium-based fuels, reactors, and thorium reactor waste disposal techniques. The funds will also include research and education both in the U.S. and abroad.
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@ Robert Hargraves,
Thank-You very much for the very informative information and video tutorial. It is most helpful. I will update the post with this information.
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Hi, good post. I have been pondering this topic,so thanks for posting. I will definitely be subscribing to your blog.
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@ How I Lost Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days,
Thank-you for the visit and the wonderful comment !
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Wow – I’ll be the first to admit this is all over my head, but it’s very interesting and it’s good to know that there are options out there!
corrins last blog post..Just call me Lennie
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Hi Corrin,
Yes, and this is a very good option. Next time you stop in, check out the Aim High presentation. Then it won’t seem so over your head. Thanks for stooping by!
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Saying away from the is it or isn’t it the resource to use, but going more in the direction of Obama’s “by 2025″ goals. The problem there is assuming he is re-elected in 2012 that only puts us to 2016 before the next person (hopefully a woman of really high integrity and intelligence!!) has the choice to continue or destroy. Not trying to be pessimistic but someone typically comes along and gums up the works.
Whatever direction we take – and soon – I vote for the cleanest, safest… solar and wind. Hands down.
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Hi Diane,
Yes, I agree on the solar and wind side of things too. But, as you know there has been a push to utilize nuclear power again. This beats the conventional form of nuclear power, and for centuries to come!
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I am so glad that someone is keeping a heads up on all this. How on earth to you know all of this stuff?
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Hi Karen,
I feel it is very important , that if we are to use nuclear power again, it should be from a much cleaner and safer source than the conventional (uranium) reactors. When I first posted about this in February, I was fortunate to be linked up to the Energy From Thorium Discussion Forum, http://www.energyfromthorium.com/forum/ highlighted in this post. Also, Robert Hargraves sent me the Aim High presentation, that is a wonderful tutorial that I linked here as an update to the post.
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Maybe if we look at all options, implement most of them, and see what happens.
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I am not a fan of nuclear power. I think wind and solar are the way to go.
IM Product Nichess last blog post..Amazing Smoothie Recipes
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Hi Solar Ad Explosion,
I agree at looking at all options. I think that is what the Obama administration will do.
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Hi IM Niches,
Many options are on the table, and yes wind and solar are gradually coming full circle. Thorium is the best option as far as nuclear power is concerned.
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Very interesting information. It’s great to hear about other energy sources. I’ll have to read more on this since it does pique my interest.
Lynns last blog post..Grape Salad
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Hi Lynn,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, do stop back when you have time, and read up at the links posted here. The Aim High presentation is a wonderful tutorial.
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LadyGrace May 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Oh wow! Good luck to the future of energy. Lets hope everyone will pick up this Thorium idea.
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Hi Lady Grace,
Yes, This is a good energy plan. Thanks for stopping by!
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This really is wonderful that scientists are exploring other options. I have to admit that I don’t understand a lot of it, but I’m happy to hear that we’re looking into other ideas.
Sadies last blog post..Sweet Home Alabama!
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Hi Sadie,
Thanks for stopping by. When you get time, check out the Aim High Presentation. It helps make the science in this much more understandable.
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It still seems to me that *renewable* sources are where our “energy ” should be focused.
veins last blog post..Classic Cover: Rebel without a Button
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I became curious about thorium since you posted it, here’s what I found out: thorium is a cousin of uranium but it doesn’t produce plutonium that can be used in weapons and it’s environmentally safer due to less waste and a much simpler and cleaner fuel cycle.
Kramers last blog post..Houston Rockets vs LA Lakers Game 5 Online Live Free Streaming
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@ Kramer,
That explains it pretty well. For a detailed explanation when you have time, please check out the Aim High presentation and tutorial at he link by that name in the post. I think you will enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Hope to see you here again soon!
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@ vein,
Yes, you have a valid point, but this is another option and a better option, as far as nuclear power is concerned.
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I believe that all forms of energy that do not pollute or damage the earth any more that what we already have now are what we need to be researching. If thorium is as safe as it sounds, I’m all for it.
ConnieFoggless last blog post..Dudley’s Solo Book Review
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Hi Connie,
Thanks for coming by and commenting. Thorium is what is needed, at least in regards to making nuclear energy cleaner, safer and affordable.
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