TheThorium.Network

Author: Jeremiah Josey

  • All the colours of the rainbow – a fad for Hydrogen

    Authored by Jeremiah Josey

    I love all the colours chosen for a gas that has none. There is no smell either. Pink, green, blue, grey, black, yellow, white, maroon… I’m making them up now, but it doesn’t matter. There is an odour coming from this “new hydrogen economy”.  Hydrogen is not an “energy source”. It’s how we can transport energy. From where it’s made to where it’s consumed. The colours are a clever way of identifying the source of the energy before conversion into hydrogen. But be clear, hydrogen is not a “fuel” that replaces “fossil fuels”. Lithium is useless until energised in a Li-Ion battery. Hydrogen is useless until you make it, or rather separate it, from it’s most common bonded atomic partner – Oxygen. Then again I do enjoy a good drink of oxidised hydrogen. The most common form of hydrogen on earth – water – is not useless at all.

    Hydrogen on the surface is “better” than hydrocarbons. It has twice the energy density. Fossil fuels, incidentally are stores of energy: you dig them up, or pump them out, and immediately convert them to heat. Remember that our most common need for energy is low cost heat. Hydrogen as a fuel is yet to find that low cost convertibility to a low priced, abundant fuel. It is easier to transport the energy via electrons, than lug around a much heavier proton with a electron attached to it.

    For pipes and storage tanks, the metallurgy of hydrogen makes problems because it can embrittle many materials. It’s a very small molecule and creeps into all kinds of places. Hydrogen has a very wide explosive range: 4 to 74%, and will ignite with sunlight. It’s tricky stuff to work with.

    I don’t see hydrogen becoming anything other than another energy distraction. Much the same way that ethanol was 20 years ago. But we are not adept at learning from our mistakes. There will be regions that will benefit for reasons other than are written here.

    Hydrogen has a very wide explosive range: 4 to 74%, and will ignite with sunlight. It’s tricky stuff to work with.

    Thorium Molten Salt Fission Energy technology making electricity is a viable proposition. The technology hurdles where identified and addressed more than 50 years ago.  Yes, hydrogen production using Molten Salt Technology is a very viable option – where it is needed. The Energy Return on Investment (EROI) of energy from Molten Salt Fission Energy Technology is 30 times better than any oil equivalent and 512 times better than wind and solar. (Anyone remember fuel ethanol? The EROI is somewhere between 0.9 and 1.1 – pitiful).

    Let those numbers sink in… That’s where you’ll find the real gold at the end of the rainbow.

    Jeremiah Josey
    Founder, The Thorium Network

  • Minerals Council of Australia issues report on Small Modular Reactors – Molten Salt is featured

    Authored by Jeremiah Josey and the team at The Thorium Network

    Australia has committed to buying up to 8 small modular reactors*. It is conceivable to envisage similar technology rolling out across the country to produce SAFE, reliable, green energy. Thus, with a little imagination, one can envisage a burgeoning Thorium industry. And also eventual production of Safe clean fission energy from Molten Salt technologies. The imagination then expands further to the concept of a booming domestic vertical Rare Earths industry. With Boeing making UAVs in Toowoomba (Australia), how much of each aircraft could be supplied from ingenious, locally processed materials? Bringing it down to earth, how competitive would domestic EV and batteries industries become for export with local strategic supplies?

    The mind boggles.

    C’est la vie.

    *Technically, these small modular reactors have a capacity of about 200MWt. They will probably be “9th generation” and hence have millions of safe operating hours behind them. Whilst the basis of the AUSUK decision is incorrect, the opportunities for correction open immensely.

    Meanwhile, our consulting division, SAFE Fission Consult(TM), holds some of the brightest and experienced minds in the fission world. We are preparing countries for Safe Fission Energy:

    SAFE Fission Consult(TM) – We have what it takes!

    See the article here:

    https://www.minerals.org.au/news/small-modular-reactors-should-be-part-australia%E2%80%99s-energy-mix

    Full credit to Adelaide based Dr. Ben Heard of Frazer-Nash Consultancy for producing the report.

    The full report is here:

    Small Modular Reactors in the Australian Context 2021Download

  • Revolutionising Thorium Supply Chain Traceability with Blockchain, AI, and IoT

    Authored by Jeremiah Josey and the team at The Thorium Network

    At The Thorium Network, we believe that the future of sustainable nuclear energy hinges not only on innovative reactor technology but also on transparent, secure, and efficient management of the Thorium fuel supply chain. To realise this vision, cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) must work in harmony to transform how Thorium is tracked from mine to power plant.

    Why Traceability Matters for Thorium

    Thorium’s promise as a safer, cleaner nuclear fuel depends on rigorous oversight and accountability throughout its entire lifecycle. From extraction and transportation to fuel fabrication and reactor use, every step requires precise monitoring to ensure safety, prevent diversion, and comply with international regulations.

    Traditional supply chain systems, often siloed and paper-based, fall short in providing the real-time visibility and tamper-proof records essential for managing such a sensitive material. This is where blockchain technology shines.

    Blockchain: The Backbone of a Trustless, Decentralized Ledger

    At its core, blockchain is a distributed ledger technology (DLT) that stores information in an immutable, decentralized way. Every participant in the network holds a synchronized copy of the ledger, ensuring transparency and eliminating single points of failure. Crucially, any change to the ledger requires consensus among verified participants, making unauthorized data alteration virtually impossible.

    For Thorium supply chains, a permissioned blockchain model is ideal. This restricts access to trusted entities—such as authorized miners, transporters, regulators, and power plant operators—while maintaining full visibility and accountability. Platforms like Hyperledger Fabric, NEM Enterprise, Corda, and Credits offer the modularity, privacy, and scalability necessary for such enterprise-grade solutions.

    Enhancing Blockchain with AI and IoT for Real-Time Monitoring

    Blockchain’s immutable records are only as good as the data fed into them. To ensure accurate, real-time tracking, IoT devices are integrated into Thorium containers and transport vehicles. These include:

    • RFID/NFC chips that create a digital identity for each container, storing critical data such as material type, weight, origin, and destination.
    • GPS trackers for live location monitoring and route optimization.
    • Weight and fill-level sensors to detect any unauthorized removal or tampering.
    • Temperature sensors to ensure safe environmental conditions.
    • AI-powered facial recognition and motion sensors to verify handlers and detect suspicious activity.

    These devices continuously upload verified data to the blockchain, enabling stakeholders to receive instant alerts about any deviations or security breaches.

    Smart Contracts: Automating Compliance and Business Processes

    Smart contracts—self-executing code embedded on the blockchain—automate complex business rules and compliance checks. For example, payments to freight providers can be automatically triggered upon verified delivery, or audits can be initiated when certain conditions are met. This reduces paperwork, minimizes human error, and accelerates operational workflows.

    End-to-End Traceability: From Mine to Fission Machine

    Imagine a shipment of Thorium leaving a mine site, sealed in an air-tight container equipped with IoT sensors. Each event—loading, transit updates, driver changes, arrival at the power plant—is recorded on the blockchain with precise timestamps and unique asset IDs. This creates a permanent, tamper-proof audit trail accessible to all authorized parties.

    Integration with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems via APIs further streamlines data flow, enabling seamless coordination across the supply chain ecosystem.

    Building a Trustless, Transparent Future for Thorium Energy

    While blockchain alone cannot guarantee provenance, when combined with AI, IoT, and robust operational and legal frameworks, it creates a trustless environment where transparency, security, and efficiency coexist. This holistic approach is essential for Thorium’s role in the global transition to sustainable nuclear energy.

    At The Thorium Network, we are committed to advancing this vision by developing and supporting decentralized blockchain platforms that empower communities, regulators, and industry players alike. Together, we can unlock Thorium’s full potential as a safe, scalable, and clean energy source for generations to come.

    Join us in pioneering the future of nuclear energy traceability.
    Explore more at TheThorium.Network and be part of the decentralised energy revolution.

    This article leverages the detailed technical insights from the Oodles post while framing them within The Thorium Network’s broader mission and ecosystem, creating a unique, authoritative, and forward-looking narrative.

    #blockchain #Thorium #nuclear