Bill Gates’ energy company, TerraPower, has broken ground on a next-generation nuclear power plant in Wyoming. The project, which aims to revolutionize how nuclear power is generated, uses sodium instead of water for cooling. The plant is situated next to PacifiCorp’s Naughton Power Plant, which will stop burning coal in 2026 and natural gas a decade later. The new reactor design is expected to operate without emitting planet-warming greenhouse gases, making it a significant step towards a cleaner energy future.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by local and state officials, as well as business partners. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of TerraPower, emphasized the importance of the project in his prepared remarks. “This reactor exists inside a virtual model, and it’s been working really well inside the computer,” he said. “It’s a little bit harder to make it work out there. But that’s what we’re starting on today. This is a big step towards safe, abundant, zero-carbon energy.” The project is expected to generate enough power to support up to 400,000 homes and could be used to supply high heat for industrial processes.
The Natrium reactor demonstration project is a sodium-cooled fast reactor design with a molten salt energy storage system. It is designed to generate a consistent 345 megawatts of power, with the capability of ramping up to 500 megawatts for short periods. The project is significant not only for its potential to reduce carbon emissions but also for its economic impact on the local community. The construction of the plant is expected to create jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
The project is a major step forward for the nuclear industry, which has traditionally relied on large, conventional water-cooled reactors. The new design is expected to be safer, more efficient, and cheaper to operate than traditional reactors. The success of the project could pave the way for the widespread adoption of advanced nuclear technology, which could play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis.
