Eielson to receive Air Force's first nuclear microreactor

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A base in interior Alaska has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force to receive its first nuclear microreactor.

Eielson Air Force Base was selected in a project that began in 2019, when a National Defense Authorization Act requirement to identify potential sites for development and operation of a microreactor by 2027 began, Fairbanks television station KTVF reported.

“This technology has the potential to provide true energy assurance, and the existing energy infrastructure and compatible climate at Eielson make for the perfect location to validate its feasibility,” Mark Correll, the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety and Infrastructure, said in a statement.

“(Microreactors) are a promising technology for ensuring energy resilience and reliability, and are particularly well-suited for powering and heating remote domestic military bases like Eielson,” Correll said.


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-alaska-us-air-force-fairbanks-4a3c3812f3e2ba61e79c35b3520bf053

[NullTuples]

1. While we still don't have the problem of waste disposal solved...

It's important to note that coal power plants release more radioactive isotopes into the environment than nuclear power plants.

However, it's also important to note that we still don't have a way to make spent fuel harmless so we just store it. That's a potential danger but it can be mitigated with sufficient regulation & real penalties for violations. Ideally, nuclear should have built in some financial investment for future detoxifying of waste products.

[hunter]

5. We don't know how to dispose of fossil fuel waste so we just dump it in the air and water.

This fossil fuel waste will probably end our civilization.

The attractive reality of nuclear power is that the waste can be contained and it becomes much less dangerous as time goes on.

Existing light water reactors only use about 5% of the potential energy in their fuel. This used fuel is a tremendous resource that could be recycled to make fuel for modern more efficient reactor designs that produce much less long-lived waste.

Unlike fossil fuel waste used fuel from nuclear power plants goes nowhere and does nothing.

w

Nuclear power is a mature technology. The first nuclear power plant was started up nearly seventy years ago.

Once upon a time I was a radical anti-nuclear activist. I'm not any more. I think the human race has worked itself into a tight corner. Our population is so large, approaching 8 billion, that we now require high density energy sources to feed and shelter us all.

If we don't have high density energy sources billions of us will suffer and die for lack of food and shelter.

If we continue to use fossil fuels billions of us will suffer and die as a consequence of rising seas and extreme climate change.

[NullTuples]

7. I don't disagree. I also don't want to give corporations free rein, either.

Fossil is a dead end. And I mean that literally in so many ways.

Insofar as, "We don't know how to dispose of fossil fuel waste" I disagree - we do know how, we just choose not to do so because it would make fossil fuels far more expensive if they weren't allowed to simply release byproducts.
That is something that could be used as a lever for bringing about their demise.

[Steelrolled]

16. I agree 100%

The problems of nuclear energy seem miniscule compared to the climate problems we are facing.

It is not an perfect solution, but it is very well understood, and it checks many boxes.

I am so sad that we have squandered so much time ignoring it while the climate has gotten worse. But it is still not too late.

[Blues Heron]

11. unless you count Chernobyl, Fukushima, etc.

Coming soon to central Alaska - another nuclear exclusion wildlife preserve! They love the lack of humans in Chernobyl and Fukushima. Plus its easier for hunters to see the elk at night from the glow

[NullTuples]

12. Still, compare # of dead & damaged from nuclear over the last 60 yrs vs carbon fuels

Personally, I think both are grossly undercounted as both can kill or maim in subtle ways that don't show up in official counts of obvious causation.

As solar becomes widespread as in some countries we'll see how it contends. The power density is nowhere near as high, but there are still a whole lot of bare roofs and uncovered parking lots even here in California.

[Blues Heron]

13. Right but your claim that coal more radioactive than nuclear is ludicrous

It’s an industry talking point

[NullTuples]

14. Except...that's not what I said.

I said,

coal power plants release more radioactive isotopes into the environment than nuclear power plants.

Coal ash contains significant amounts of uranium, thorium, radium and breakdown products.

And there are truly massive amounts of it. Hundreds of years worth. Nearly always un- or barely regulated, and it all ends up in the environment.

Nuclear waste is managed. Even including the history of accidental releases, the total that becomes uncontrolled is far less than what the use of coal adds to the environment.

[truthisfreedom]

2. We need thorium molten salt reactors.

[Shellback Squid]

3. yeah, not lokiium reactors

don't trust them

[hunter]

4. They'd have to buy it from Russia if they wanted one now.

Canada and China have some promising designs.

In the U.S.A. NuScale is building one near Idaho Falls that should be generating electricity by 2030.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuScale_Power

Here's a list of small reactor designs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_small_modular_reactor_designs

China and Russia both have small reactors running and more under construction.

Argentina has one under construction which has been beset by delays, mostly the result of late payments to contractors and such.

I suppose the Air Force could use a Navy reactor but those probably can't be commercialized. Too many secrets. They use highly enriched uranium and the latest designs run forty years without refueling.

[Marcuse]

6. Coming soon!

[EndlessWire]

15. You are talented

What a great ad! I especially liked the "Powered by ups" which was a nice touch...shows the direction we're heading..."Home Energy Reactor." HER for short. "Mr. Fusion." Hmmm...sexy...

[dem in texas]

8. Finally replacing the Grey Ghost

We were stationed at Eielson in the 1960's. The power plant which supplied all the electricity to the base was called the "Grey Ghost" by the kids. I was thankful it was there when we had 55 below days. When Trump was trying to squeeze money from the defense budget to build the wall, one place that he wanted to rob was the military bases living facilities and top of his list was to cut the building of a new power plant for Eielson.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

9. I'm waiting for the mini micro reactor for my garage! Then I can power my house! Technology!