Advanced technology company TerraPower is developing an innovative project, a sodium nuclear reactor, led by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who is betting on clean energy, called Project Natrium. Gates has been working on this initiative for decades, and sees this technology as the future of energy.
The sodium reactor uses a sodium fluoride salt core, which allows it to operate at higher temperatures than conventional nuclear plants. Instead of water, the system uses liquid sodium to control the nuclear reaction.
This element has the ability to absorb up to eight times more heat than water, making it one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. The Earth’s crust contains 2.6% sodium, making it a widely available resource.
salt based reactor
Although uranium is essential for the nuclear reaction, the use of sodium, which is very common, suggests that the project could be applicable in several regions of the world.
One of Natrium’s great advantages is its ability to store energy, thanks to a system based on molten salts. TerraPower’s first plant will have about 345 megawatts of power, with 500 megawatts of power for more than five and a half hours when needed. That’s enough to power about 400,000 homes.
First Natrium Reactor
The project’s first reactor will be built in Wyoming, USA. Bill Gates was recently in Kemmerer, where the first plant is expected to start production in 2030. TerraPower is partnering with PacifiCorp and GE-Hitachi to develop five Natrium reactors by 2035.
Bill Gates describes Natrium as “the world’s most advanced nuclear power.” He highlights that the technology could solve the cost and safety problems of conventional nuclear reactors.
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