Bill Gates & Warren Buffett To Build A New Kind Of Nuclear Reactor — Is That Good News?
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett want to build a new kind of nuclear reactor to generate electricity. Why? Because the wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine. They intend to plunk their new toy down in the state of Wyoming on the former site of a coal-fired generating plant.
“This is our fastest and clearest course to becoming carbon negative,” says Wyoming’s governor Mark Gordon. “Nuclear power is clearly a part of my all-of-the-above strategy for energy.” Wyoming is the top coal producing state in America.
According to The Guardian, the new facility will be a joint venture between TerraPower, founded by Gates 15 years ago, and PacifiCorp, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned utility that serves customers in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, California, Oregon, and Washington.
Small advanced reactors, which run on different fuels than traditional reactors, are regarded by some as a critical carbon-free technology that can supplement intermittent power sources like wind and solar as states strive to cut emissions that cause climate change. “We think Natrium will be a game-changer for the energy industry,” Gates told a media conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming this week.
PacifiCorp service area. Image credit: SEC
345 Megawatts
The Guardian says the new generating station will produce 345 megawatts of electricity, but the output can be boosted by a molten salt energy storage component to 500 megawatts. The primary feature of the so-called Natrium technology is that it uses sodium to cool the reactor instead of water. Natrium is the Latin word for sodium, which is why its symbol on the periodic table of elements is Na.
Chris Levesque, TerraPower CEO, told the press this week the demonstration plant will cost about $1 billion and will take about seven years to build. “We need this kind of clean energy on the grid in the 2030s,” he told reporters. Actually, Chris, we need clean energy on the grid now, not 7+ years from now. A billion dollars would buy more than 500 MW of power and have it online, together with grid storage batteries, in a lot less time. Why wait?
Natrium Technology
I am not a nuclear engineer nor am I a rocket scientist, so I have to rely on Wikipedia to inform me about some things (I contribute $5 a month to support Wikipedia and encourage you to do the same).
Here is what I found out:
Image credit: Wikimedia/Public Domain
Advantages
The primary advantage of liquid metal coolants, such as liquid sodium, is that metal atoms are weak neutron moderators. Water is a much stronger neutron moderator because the hydrogen atoms found in water are much lighter than metal atoms, and therefore neutrons lose more energy in collisions with hydrogen atoms.
This makes it difficult to use water as a coolant for a fast reactor because the water tends to slow (moderate) the fast neutrons into thermal neutrons (though concepts for reduced moderation water reactors exist).
Another advantage of liquid sodium coolant is that sodium melts at 371K and boils / vaporizes at 1156K, a total temperature range of 785K between solid / frozen and gas / vapor states. By comparison, the liquid temperature range of water (between ice and gas) is just 100K at normal, sea-level atmospheric pressure conditions. Despite sodium’s low specific heat (as compared to water), this enables the absorption of significant heat in the liquid phase, even allowing for safety margins. Moreover, the high thermal conductivity of sodium effectively creates a reservoir of heat capacity which provides thermal inertia against overheating.
Sodium also need not be pressurized since its boiling point is much higher than the reactor’s operating temperature, and sodium does not corrode steel reactor parts.[2] The high temperatures reached by the coolant (the Phénix reactor outlet temperature was 560° C) permit a higher thermodynamic efficiency than in water-cooled reactors. The molten sodium, being electrically conductive, can also be pumped by electromagnetic pumps.
Disadvantages
A disadvantage of sodium is its chemical reactivity, which requires special precautions to prevent and suppress fires. If sodium comes into contact with water it reacts to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, and the hydrogen burns when in contact with air.
This was the case at the Monju Nuclear Power Plant in a 1995 accident. In addition, neutron capture causes it to become radioactive; however, activated sodium has a half-life of only 15 hours. Another problem is sodium leaks which are regarded by a critic of fast reactors, M.V. Ramana, as “pretty much impossible to prevent.”
Fuel Used
Wikipedia adds that a natrium facility that generates less than 500 MW of electricity uses “uranium-plutonium-minor-actinide-zirconium metal alloy fuel, which is supported by a fuel cycle based on pyrometallurgical reprocessing in facilities integrated with the reactor.” I don’t know about you, but the words “uranium” and “plutonium” don’t sound like “different fuels compared to traditional nuclear reactors.”
The Guardian points out that nuclear power experts have warned that advanced reactors could have higher risks than conventional ones. Fuel for many advanced reactors would have to be enriched at a much higher rate than conventional fuel, meaning the fuel supply chain could be an attractive target for militants looking to create a crude nuclear weapon. And don’t even be concerned about Russian hackers. We know those malefactors only like to interrupt gasoline pipelines and beef processing plants. Pooty Poot and his henchmen would never stoop so low as to hack a nuclear power plant…would they?
People always rush to criticize Tesla for selling emissions credits, but no one wants to talk about the $80 million the US Department of Energy has already invested in TerraPower with millions more coming in the future. No one would expect Bill Gates and Warren Buffett — two of the richest white men in history — to foot the bill for their boondoggles all by themselves, would they?
All Of The Above
The key to understanding this story is found in Governor Gordon’s use of the words “all of the above.” That’s free market speak for “We’re happy to have a piddly little 350 MW facility of over here, just so long as we can continue supporting coal- and gas-powered generating plants that churn out hundreds of gigawatts over there.” In other words, it’s a smokescreen designed to allow fossil fuel interests to kick the can down the road a little further and add some greenwashing to their corporate portfolios at the same time.
Being rich does not necessarily make a person all that smart. America needs more nuclear power like a fish needs a bicycle. People in Wyoming may be fooled by this blather, but CleanTechnica readers aren’t taking the bait. Natrium was probably selected as the name of thus new nuclear technology because it sounds a little like “nature” or “natural.” That’s a great marketing ploy, but we’re not buying it. Frankly, the Bill and Warren show is more than a little disappointing.
After Kia’s first three-row electric SUV is already seeing strong demand, the EV9 is set to gain a high-performance GT version. Kia confirmed the EV9 GT will launch in January with “enormous power” and other upgrades.
Kia EV9 set for the GT treatment
Kia launched its flagship EV9 in Korea last June. In less than a month, Kia sold over 1,334 EV9 models and another 1,251 in July.
After announcing US prices start at $54,900, Kia called the EV9 a “wake-up call” to the industry. In the first three months of 2024, Kia has sold over 4,000 EV9s in the US.
Kia has been teasing a high-performance GT trim since its debut, but CEO Ho-Sung Song confirmed it will launch in January during its CEO Investor Day presentation.
The EV9 GT will build on Kia’s first high-performance electric vehicle, the EV6 GT. Kia unveiled the EV6 GT in 2022, its most powerful vehicle so far.
With 576 hp, the EV6 GT can hit 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. To prove it, Kia put it up against a Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan EVO, and it beat both off the line.
Powered by a 77.4 kWh battery and a dual motor powertrain, the EV6 GT generates 576 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque. Starting at $61,600, the EV6 is cheaper and quicker than most sports cars.
Song confirmed the EV9 GT will launch in January, promising “enormous power” with a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) time in 4 seconds.
An AWD, high-output dual-motor system will offer quicker acceleration. It will also include a reinforced suspension and electronic braking for better stability at high speeds.
Next-gen affordable Kia EVs
Kia also confirmed it will focus on affordable electric cars, aiming to become an EV leader by the end of the decade.
Song confirmed Kia will launch six new mass EV models in major markets. Kia revealed the new models, including the EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October.
The EV5 already launched in China, starting at around $20,000 (149,800 yuan). It will cost around $46,000 (70,000 AUD) in Australia.
Kia will launch the EV3 by the end of this year. The EV3 features the best of the EV9, including design and tech, in a smaller and more affordable package.
Like Kia’s EV9, the EV3 includes Kia’s new design theme, including a sleek new “Tiger Face” grille. We’ve seen several prototypes out testing as it nears its official debut. The EV3 is expected to start at around $30,000.
The EV3 will be followed by the EV4, expected to launch next year. Kia’s EV4 is the brand’s take on an entry-level electric sedan.
Kia will introduce two specific EVs in emerging markets, including the Carens EV. By 2026, Kia aims to sell 587,000 mass-market EVs or 66% of its total sales.
Kia also revealed it will be strengthening its hybrid lineup as it works to introduce new EV models into key markets.
Song said although EV demand is lower than expected in the short term, long-term forecasts remain unchanged. By 2030, Kia aims to sell 1.6 million EVs. Kia’s CEO also revealed it will cancel two large-size EVs as it focuses on smaller, more affordable models.
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Mazda unveiled two new EVs, the EZ-6 electric sedan and the Arata SUV, at the Beijing Auto Show. Although Mazda’s new EVs are for China, they are what the brand is missing in the US.
Mazda’s first EV in the US, the MX-30, was discontinued after only 66 models were sold last year. It was only on the market for about two years.
The MX-30 was clearly a compliance vehicle, sold only in small numbers in California. Now, there are zero all-electric Mazda’s sold in the US. Despite the lack of success in the US, Mazda looks to take on the world’s largest EV market.
Changan Mazda, a joint venture between Mazda and Chinese state-owned Changan Auto, unveiled two new EVs as it looks to compete with BYD, Tesla, and others in the region.
“Going forward, Mazda will continue to work with Changan Automobile to turn Mazda’s China business around by introducing its unique products that meet the needs of Chinese customers,” Mazda’s CEO Masahiro Moro explained at the event.
Meet Mazda’s new EZ-6 and Arata EVs
The Mazda EZ-6 is the first EV in the series, scheduled to launch by the end of 2025. Mazda’s new electric sedan will likely replace the Mazda 6.
Although the EZ-6 is likely powered by Changan’s tech, the exterior design is clearly a Mazda. The automaker says the new EV combines Mazda’s design language and signature drive performance with Changan’s advanced EV and smart technology.
It features a 50:50 weight distribution, front strut and rear multi-link suspension, and an electric rear spoiler for improved stability at high speeds.
Inside, Mazda’s EZ-6 features zero-gravity front seats, a Sony sound system, and a wireless phone charger. It also features intelligent parking tech and voice control.
Two versions will be available: a pure electric and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version). Although no powertrain details were released, it’s expected to have around 372 miles (600 km) CLTC driving range. The PHEV version is expected to achieve over 621 miles (1,000 km).
Meanwhile, the Mazda Arata concept. The electric SUV will be the second EV of the series, scheduled for mass production by the end of 2025.
Mazda’s Arata includes its “SOULFUL + FUTURISTIC x MODERN” design theme. It also features Mazda’s signature design blended for the Chinese market.
Now, Mazda needs to bring the new EVs to the US. Would you consider Mazda’s new EZ-6 or Arata electric SUV? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Tesla Autopilot finds itself once again under NHTSA investigation after the agency is now doubting the effectiveness over the 2-million vehicle “recall” last year.
As you may remember, Tesla and NHTSA announced a new “safety recall” of all Tesla vehicles equipped with Autopilot in North America last December.
The recall marked the conclusion of the NHTSA’s years-long investigation into crashes of Tesla vehicles on Autopilot into stopped emergency vehicles on the highway.
The “fix” to the “recall” is again an over-the-air software update.
In the defect notice, Tesla made it clear that it doesn’t agree with NHTSA’s findings of improper driver monitoring leading to these accidents, but it agreed to add more warnings and alerts when drivers are using the Autopilot features – hence the recall.
Now, a few months later, NHTSA seems to be having doubts about how effective the recall has been after new crashes have been reported and the agency was made aware of some concerns about the “remedy”.
NHTSA decided to open a new investigation. It wrote in the notice:
Tesla filed Recall 23V838 to address concerns regarding the Autopilot system investigated in EA22002. Following deployment of the remedy in Recall 23V838, ODI identified concerns due to post-remedy crash events and results from preliminary NHTSA tests of remedied vehicles. Also, Tesla has stated that a portion of the remedy both requires the owner to opt in and allows a driver to readily reverse it. Tesla has also deployed non-remedy updates to address issues that appear related to ODI’s concerns under EA22002. This investigation will consider why these updates were not a part of the recall or otherwise determined to remedy a defect that poses an unreasonable safety risk.
The agency says that the new investigation covers all Tesla vehicles in the US with Autopilot – just over 2 million vehicles.
Electrek’s Take
The original recall always felt like a compromise. The fact that Tesla didn’t agree with NHTSA’s findings and that the actual recall mainly consisted of mild increases in alerts looked like significant compromises on both sides.
Now, it looks like NHTSA is trying to push further.
I’m not sure what they mean by drivers having to “opt-in”. It might be due to some owners not having accepted the driver monitoring through the cabin camera? They would have to approve it to enable any change to the driver monitoring through the camera in the first place.
Honestly, the driver monitoring through the cabin camera is fairly strong now. You can’t look away from the road for more than 3 seconds without getting an alert. There’s an unfortunate way to bypass that, which I don’t want to popularize even though it’s widely known.
That might be part of what NHTSA is investigating now.
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