TheThorium.Network

Author: Jeremiah Josey

The Danger of Hype – Why Fusion is getting a bad name

Author Jeremiah Josey

It’s unfortunately when good science is spun to create bad press.

Fusion is nowhere near a solution. In the very same article Qout (thermal and not electrical) is 11 MW. Qin is 1 GW. Hence Q = 0.011.

It’s just media hype, BBC style. Europe’s ITER has collected Euro 65b of public money on the fusion lie. Well not a lie, but misinformation. To maintain funding. If politicians – and the handful of duped investors – really new the science it would be given a few million, but that’s a digression…

From the data in the BBC/Oxford/JET article the ratio of energy out to energy in is only 1.1%, and only for 11 seconds…

Q= 0.011

Hype.

One suspects BBC/Oxford trying something similar to collect some of the billions going into UK fission projects for the JET project. There’s 300 scientists working on JET after all.

(Point to note: 14,000 people worked on the first molten salt project in 1954. It’s not because they didn’t have iPads).

The downside of hyping such projects is it delays public acceptance of fission (the same way the fossil fuel industry plays the green renewable card to the public).

Most investors are more savvy – it’s their purpose to be savvy. Eg, now Bill Gates, and of course the Turkish, Chinese, Russians and French.

Note that ITER is aiming for Q-Plasma parity. Not Q-Total… A small detail even the director of ITER opening ignores, and I am sure an ignorance he promotes. What’s his budget after all? Watch the YouTube in this article:

Fusion is here, today, tomorrow, maybe…

Here’s the original BBC article:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60312633

#fusion #ITER #jet #fission #science

Whilst it’s not our focus – ours is production of energy using Molten Salt Fission Energy technology and Thorium – we’ve found it appropriate for a couple of focused articles – this one on JET and one on ITER – to highlight the inappropriate gap between the science and the spin. Both articles are be found here.

This spin on fusion distracts from real progress on carbon free power production for our societies. It diverts attention from real technologies. It confuses the public. It diverts public money – and a few duped private investors – who, given full knowledge, would provide their support to such projects more judiciously.

For more comprehensive study on the inadequacies of fusion for power production we refer you to the work of Steven B. Krivit and this site New Energy Times.

February 10, 2022
Going Backwards with Wind and Solar

Author Jeremiah Josey

So, let’s go back to basics. Energy = Life. I don’t think anyone disagrees. More energy = more life, and for humans, it means a better society. There are ample studies on this, but we do like to study the obvious, don’t we. It’s the not-so-obvious that this post is about.

Specifically, let’s talk about the ratio of energy obtained compared to the effort expended to obtain that energy in the first place. Hence let’s define EROI: Energy Return on Investment. EROI is far more encompassing than ROI or LCOE. I’ll leave it to others to explain those two. EROI provides “full boundary enclosure” – and that means you include the entire planet – to properly assess the impact and suitability of an energy system. The evidence of this can be described through an empirical timeline of humanity. For an eon of human development no fire meant an EROI ranging from 1 (let’s call it one human power -> direct effort in = direct effort out) to 4 (horses have about 4 times as much power as a human).

Then fire is harnessed. What happens? Civilisations are born. Massive growth in population and subsequently culture, technology and thus quality of life. The EROI? It’s between 7 and 12 for burning biomass (i.e. trees). It depends on the water content, cell density etc. It turns out that the magic number for humans to Thrive is about 7:1. Seven is the bare minimum for a society to move from survival to thriving. Otherwise the search effort for energy is too much for anything more than a simple lifestyle (Think: Inuit, Australian Aboriginals, or American Indians, et al).

Another eon passes, and coal is harnessed. With an EROI of 30:1 suddenly there’s excess energy. What happened? The Industrial Revolution. Steel production. Steam power. Drill bits, oil derricks and…. oil… Rocket ship stuff.

Oil: with an EROI of 80:1 what a panacea it became! (Saving the whales along the way – another story for another day). But hold your breath because burning oil stinks and so does coal.

The story is almost done.

With such a high EROI (80:1) our civilisation truly becomes global. And… we are able to develop Fission Energy! (Nuclear for those not in the know). Solid fission is about 75:1, so again incredible and just perfect for our civilisation – no CO2 is produced. Unfortunately, oil had already a 100 year head start and the piles of money stashed away were quite ready, willing and able to snuff out any competitor. Which they did with great efficaciousness. (That’s another story too).

So, that’s the short story of humanity based on energy, but more importantly EROI – Energy Return on Investment.

What is the EROI of solar? Check the chart below. It’s 1.6:1. Not good. What about wind? 3.9:1. Not good either. These systems do produce energy and yes, a house, a village, perhaps a city can be “green” using only wind and solar. But their neighbours take the burden of everything that can’t be made in that society. Because nothing can work at such a low EROI, except providing for a nice simple lifestyle. Even food production will suffer.

If the entire world switched to EROIs below 7, the net result will be a generational decline in living standards for everyone. This is actually impossible, as there are many who understand EROI. There are however countries that will try to do it. The impacts can be seen after only 20 years in Germany.

Now let me introduce an EROI of 2000:1…

Author Jeremiah Josey
Founder and CEO
The Thorium Network

#wind #solar #eroi #moltensaltfission

February 7, 2022
One Day in 2050 – A New Dawn Comes

Author Jeremiah Josey

This piece was written as part of the oneday2050.org program, created by Jaume Enciso Cachafeiro of Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain. Reach out to Jaume if you want also to contribute.

“Our minds are the most powerful tools we have. Applied correctly, we can achieve anything”
Jeremiah Josey

The sun rises and over a verdant green vista. My home awakes me with the gentle sounds of birds and the curtains slightly to let in the Eastern rising sun. I motion with my hand and the curtains fully open. Other folk have the electrostatic polymer window panes installed but I still like the feel and texture of a material window covering. Even if it is 100% fabricated from grown polymer fibres. Through my windows I see the tops of thousands of trees lit by the brilliant, new, fresh gold of the morning sun. These trees are less than 30 years old and spread as far as I can see.

I also see 5 other residential towers like the one I’m in. Each is 1,000 metres high and with the same 10,000 apartments. All are connected beneath the trees by boulevards and underground maglev personnel pods and shuttle carriages. I can also see the faint steam coming up from several areas among the tees.

That’s why I live here. Cheap electrical energy, and thermal domestic heating. 10 times less than even the cheapest fossil fuel from 30 years ago. Hidden beneath the trees and 20 metres of earth are tiny power generators driven by Thorium Molten Salt Fission Technology. I had a small hand in that – I was one of the scientists in the early design teams.

Safe, clean and green. The power units are entirely replaced every 20 years – even though they have a lifespan of 30. These power units are second generation already. Maybe 40 years they can be here. No overhead cables. No step down transformers. No cooling towers. No fuel lines. No coal conveyor belts. No waste heaps. Wow, what a change.

The supercritical CO2 turbo-machinery was developed by Mitsubishi and Siemens. They are tiny and work for decades with no maintenance. Heck, we are even using Stirling cycle machines in 3 of the power units. Maybe we’ll switch over soon for all of them.

This device produces the same energy output as the one behind. That’s the power of Super Critical CO2

Power generation in 2050 has become easy. No more oil wars, oil blockades, gas transit or border disputes. Each country has access to technology as common as the once common internal combustion engine.

Thankfully Elon Musk finally killed that infernal fossil driven machine 20 years ago. It’s all electric from here – neutrons to electrons. Everyone is happy. There’s still lots to do: millions have had to move because of rising sea levels. At least now we can build it right.

https://www.sustainable-carbon.org/report/power-generation-from-coal-using-supercritical-co2-cycle-ccc-280/

https://www.tradewindsnews.com/insight/melting-caramel-in-a-pan-the-science-of-molten-salt-reactors/2-1-903198

https://www.ornl.gov/news/ornls-qualls-tapped-key-new-reactor-development-position

https://www.ornl.gov/news/ornls-qualls-tapped-key-new-reactor-development-position

https://www.ornl.gov/molten-salt-reactor/history

https://www.designrulz.com/solar-energy-trees/

https://www.yankodesign.com/2011/04/26/2011-evolo-magazine-skyscraper-competition-finalists/

https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/04/ge-has-prototype-10-megawatt.html

http://madan.org.il/en/news/futuristic-green-city-china

Nautilus Eco-Resort

http://www.evolo.us/architecture/laminated-wood-skyscraper-in-brazil/

https://futurearchitectureplatform.org/projects/d6538a2a-0f90-4a6d-aaf6-89ca56e3d3a3/

Authored by Jeremiah Josey
Founder and CEO of The Thorium Network

References

1. https://www.oneday2050.org/participants
2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaume-enciso-cachafeiro/
3. Media content: https://mcusercontent.com/05029fefeb09e61eff7ed3715/files/8f938462-404b-3c76-49f3-92d6cf01cce9/10_07_Jeremiah_Josey_ENG_TEC.pdf
4. https://www.powermag.com/first-commercial-deployment-of-supercritical-co2-power-cycle-taking-shape-in-alberta/
5. GE’s 10MW Supercitical CO2 https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/04/ge-has-prototype-10-megawatt.html
6. Doug Hofer https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hofer-561a1919/
7. Vitali Lissianski https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitali-lissianski-06387827/
8. http://madan.org.il/en/news/futuristic-green-city-china
9. https://futurearchitectureplatform.org/projects/d6538a2a-0f90-4a6d-aaf6-89ca56e3d3a3/
10. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/canada-competes/singapores-futuristic-gardens/article11674777/
11. https://www.yankodesign.com/2011/04/26/2011-evolo-magazine-skyscraper-competition-finalists/
12. https://www.ornl.gov/molten-salt-reactor/history
13. https://futurism.com/tree-skyscrapers-underwater-restaurants-most-futuristic-designs-year
14. https://www.sustainable-carbon.org/report/power-generation-from-coal-using-supercritical-co2-cycle-ccc-280/

February 1, 2022
Fission Energy for Across Africa – a Vision of 2050
Author Jeremiah Josey

A Land of Plenty

The African continent is a behemoth of people, resources and potential. The area of the combined 58 countries and regions is 1.8 times larger than Russia; 3 times larger than the European Union; and 84 times larger than Germany. The 1.3 billion people living in Africa (16% of the worlds’ population) have available to them a combined power generating capacity of ~230 GW. This equates to about 1,500 kWh per person per year in energy consumption.

A Billion More People

Over the next 30 years there will be another 1 billion new people born on the African continent. Africa will be the youngest and most dynamic region on earth. With global “peak child” happening in 2014 (a demonstrable fact) the number of children coming to the planet has plateaued and will remain that way for the foreseeable future as societies improve their living standards and reduce the size of families. This is also so in Africa, yet the population will grow no matter what. Furthermore, the African continent will hold more than 3 billion people by 2100.

And energy will be the prime enabler to provide those billions with a decent quality of life.

Hans Rosling pointing out how 11b people come to the planet

Improving Lifestyle means Increasing Energy Consumption

South Africa has the highest energy consumption per person, at 4,100 kWh per year. Yet this is still below the 5,500 kWh average across Europe. Further across the continent it is clear that some countries lack basic energy infrastructure to bring energy to their people.

African power consumption per person

Let’s assume that by 2050 the present average of 1,500 kWh per person per year increases to 3,000 kWh*. Thus the total energy generation capacity becomes almost 800 GW. Thus 570 GW of new power generating capacity is required to be built from now to 2050.

*This means a 50 MW ‘burner’ will produce the energy needed for about 150,000 people.

Sting on Nuclear energy

Avoiding the Renewables Trap

The Africa Renewable Energy Initiative planned to install 10 GW of wind and solar by 2020 (achieved) and 300 GW of wind and solar by 2030. But they are forgetting Germany’s failed 20 year experiment in wind and solar. In Germany, CO2 levels are unchanged and electricity prices have doubled. Germany is restarting coal fired power stations because their industry is failing on the weak intermittent energy from wind and solar. The reason is simple. When considering all factors, wind and solar are simply not viable. This is best illustrated by the Energy Return on Investment ratio, or EROI. This bar chart is developed from the Berlin Institute for Solid-State Nuclear Physics (Institut für Festkörper-Kernphysik) and available on the Australian government’s nuclear scientist’s website.

Energy Return on Investment

The Energy Return on Investment Ratio is a macro level indicator of the overall usefulness of the energy derived from any particular form. How many units of energy can be recovered for each unit of energy expended. The EROI of wind and solar (3.9 and 1.6 respectively) fails miserably when compared to coal (30), gas (28) and existing solid-fuel nuclear fission (75). But our focus is the literal purple elephant in the room – Liquid Fission Technology. It’s EROI is 2000 to 1! With such a significant obvious benefit, over all other forms of energy production, it is only a matter of time before the genie is out of the bottle.

Thus as the reality of low value return on wind and solar is realised, Liquid Fission Technology (and other small modular fission machines using traditional solid fuels) will gain traction to fill the growing requirements of Africa’s energy needs.

A New Paradigm of Industrial Growth

One can imagine a fleet of up to 5,000 small modular Liquid Fission machines each with a capacity of 100 MW installed strategically across Africa. Creating a decentralised, distributed power generation system. Some sites will be larger or smaller than others, driven by domestic electricity demands. With the power facilities having a fuelled lifespan exceeding 50 years, it is quite easy to see energy as no longer an issue across the African continent.

Integrated Industrial Zone Powered by Liquid Fission, courtesy of Figes of Turkiye

But it goes further. Whilst reliable 24/7 power from Liquid Fission machines provides ample energy for domestic needs, the technology supports industrial growth and development. 1 GW and larger power installations are able to drive industries reliant on both heat and power. Facilities of this size could lead to industrial parks such as the one here envisaged by government energy and industrial development planners in Turkiye.

A Positive Future

The people of Africa have a bright future ahead for them. With technologies tried and true from western spheres, the people of Africa can select and choose the most appropriate and most suitable means to improve their quality of life. For themselves and for their children. Liquid Fission energy technology is a strong contender for the energy mix of Africa.

Click to see more

Authored by Jeremiah Josey
Founder
The Thorium Network

Links and References
1. African power generation https://www.statista.com/statistics/1229517/installed-renewables-and-fossil-fuels-generation-capacity-in-africa-by-energy-source/
2. Energy Consumption across Africa https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indicators/eg.use.elec.kh.pc/map/africa
3. Hans Rosling, 2015, Why the world population won’t exceed 11 billion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LyzBoHo5EI
4. IEA Africa Energy Outlook 2019 https://www.iea.org/reports/africa-energy-outlook-2019
5. African Renewable Energy Initiative https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1q/k1qnk48vzo
6. https://stopthesethings.com/2021/04/25/big-backpedal-a-week-after-shutting-its-coal-fired-plants-germany-forced-to-reopen-them/
7. Australian government nuclear science organisation https://www.ansto.gov.au/our-science/nuclear-fuel-cycle/advanced-nuclear-reactors/evolution-of-molten-salt-reactors
8. https://figes.com.tr/
January 24, 2022
Launching the Unintended Consequences Series
Post created by Jeremiah Josey and the team at The Thorium Network

To start the new year we will be publishing episodes from the book “Unintended Consequences: The Lie that Killed Millions and accelerated Climate Change“, by best selling science author Dr. George Erickson. Each week we be posting part of Dr. Erickson’s book onto our web page and social media channels in a bite size episode. There will be more than 40 episodes. Sign up for regular reminders of the next episode and spend the next 10 months learning from someone with first hand experience in the effects of climate change, and knowledgeable in the only real alternative we have for carbon free energy: safe, clean, green Molten Salt Fission Technology(TM), fuelled by Thorium.

Dr. Erickson is the best-selling author of five pro-science books, a former bush pilot in Alaska and Canada, a retired dentist, a former vice president of the American Humanist Association, a member of the National Centre for Science Education and a member of the Thorium Energy Alliance.

Dr. Erickson occasionally exchanges climate change / energy emails with Dr. James Hansen, the former chief scientist at NASA whom George Bush tried to silence on climate change. Dr. Hansen is quoted often in Dr. Erickson’s book, “Unintended Consequences: The Lie that Killed Millions and Accelerated Climate Change“.

In Unintended Consequences, Dr. Erickson exposes the lie that created our excessive and fraudulent radiation safety standards and the damage those regulations have caused. He expresses his dismay with “greens” in their profit of promoting low efficiency, intermittent supply, carbon reliant solar panels and bird and bat-killing, carbon-dependent windmills, yet oppose 90% efficiency, environmentally friendly, carbon free, super safe nuclear power.

Because of the increasing damage from climate change, Dr. Erickson has made the November, 2021 update of this book FREE. You can still buy the paperback off Amazon.

And here it is here:

Unintended Consequences May 2024 Download

A prolific writer of climate change and energy op-eds, Dr. Erickson’s also self funds travel campaigns to give climate change and energy presentations at colleges, schools, universities, service clubs and affinity groups. To schedule a presentation, email Dr. Erickson directly at tundracub7@gmail.com or call +1 218 744 2003.

“Your writing is brilliant and so clear.”
Dr. James Hansen, former chief climate scientist at NASA.

“By comparing the safety, reliability and emissions of nuclear reactors to carbon combustion and unreliable wind and solar, Dr. Erickson sends a message to people who love the earth – nuclear is the rational way forward.”
Dr. Tim Maloney

“Unintended Consequences is excellent. I will recommend it widely.”
Dr. Martin Goodman MD

“This great book reveals why the green movement is wrong on nuclear energy.”
Mathijs Beckers

“Universal Consequences is rational thought for those seeking a sustainable planet.”
Dr. Rod Coenen

His 38 “summers” of exploring arctic Canada and Alaska with a variety of seaplanes led to his best seller, True North: Exploring the Great Wilderness by Bush Plane. To help moderate the stress on our lives caused by Covid-19 restrictions, he has also made this highly praised book available FREE from his website.

His second book, Time Travelling with Science and the Saints – an overview of the long conflict between science and religion – soon followed, and his third book, Back to the Barrens: On the Wing with da Vinci & Friends, his much-requested sequel to True North, was published in mid- 2008.

True North and Back to the Barrens both are endorsed by multi-million-copy-author Clive Cussler.

Eyes Wide Open: Living Laughing, Loving and Learning in a Religion-troubled World, an anthology of new and published fiction and non-fiction published in 2010 by the American Humanist Association, is his fourth book. It is also an eBook.

After retiring near Virginia, Minnesota, United States of America, Dr. Erickson initiated and led a campaign to build a $1.2 million indoor tennis facility for his hometown. He helps coach the Virginia boys and girls tennis teams, funds scholarships at the Mesabi Range Community College and donates all of his book profits to educational charities. He is married and has two sons.

Coming up next week, Episode 1 – Why I care by Dr George Erickson of Unintended Consequences.

Links and References
#GeorgeErickson #UnintendedConsequences #FissionEnergy #ThoriumMoltenSalt #MoltenSaltFissionTechnology
January 2, 2022
Asia leads the way for our Carbon Free Future

Author Jeremiah Josey

With so many nuclear reactors planned (a.k.a. fission energy machines), it’s an obvious outcome for the world in general: clean, green, safe energy production for the most populous region on earth. That means for Asia: clean air, clean water, and clean lives, with… low cost, safe energy. Production efficiency rates in the region will sore. Innovation will eclipse anything we’ve seen before. The environment will become a green wilderness again (remember too China reclaims over 2,000 square km of desert each year). This is the next revolution, after the Industrial, after the Information. It’s the Energy Revolution. And it’s very exciting to be part of it.

Remember, we all breath the same air.

Jeremiah Josey
Founder and CEO
TheThoriumNetwork.com

#EnergyRevolution #greenenergy # #energy #innovation #thorium #moltensaltfissiontechnology

January 1, 2022
Australia needs to adopt Thorium Molten Salt Technology for energy production

Post by Jeremiah Josey. Content by Liz Penfold

“Technology, not taxes is the Australian Way to reduce emissions while protecting our economy and living standards.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledging Net Zero by 2050

But Mr. Morrison, it’s not just about reducing CO2. It’s also about Australia being a world leader.

China and Russia are building small modular reactors for themselves and for export to third world countries. They’re lowering their own carbon emissions and those in other countries, whilst reducing fossil fuel pollution that is killing millions particularly children under 5 years and also saving more lives by enabling desalination for clean drinking water and growing food.

Australia exports uranium and coal and say we are good citizens, on the right track to the solution for global warming. We are not being good world citizens when we don’t look at the big picture but only our self-interest.

Small, modular, transportable, Thorium molten salt burners could be this new technology that our Australian Government is relying on to create jobs, reduce carbon emissions and win the next election.

“Small Modular Reactors are the Future. Since 1970, nuclear has saved 60,000 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. Nuclear could deliver net zero, if only it was allowed to. Nuclear power will also solve water supply problems in a scalable manner.” Paul Kristensen Western Australian Owner/Principle- PK Science Consulting, nuclear scientist, and advocate.
Paul Kristensen Western Australian Owner/Principle- PK Science Consulting, nuclear scientist, and advocate

CURRENTLY the Rare Earth Elements (REE) in our mineral sands, which contain Thorium and uranium, cannot be used due to provisions in the Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. [AEP&BC Act] The Act is causing this potentially very valuable product to be disposed of as waste by unrecoverable burial.

“Only Australia, a true laggard and outlier, holds nuclear energy as illegal. In this, Australia is not just eccentric, but nuts.”
Greg Sheridan, Foreign Editor, The Weekend Australian 10/11 July 2021.

Thorium is now being researched by over 30 countries. China is already operating a prototype reactor and building a commercial reactor to supply energy for a desert city.

Thorium molten salt burners can:-
• provide safe, low-cost, carbon free, reliable base load energy replacing fossil fuels.
• desalinate water for drinking and growing food.
• use nuclear waste as fuel.
• transport a reactor by truck or barge in a container to where needed.
• produce much less waste which only needs storing for 300 years not thousands.
• use a small earth footprint unlike solar, wind and hydro.
• be rebooted after 60 years so do not have the expensive and difficult recycling of
wind and solar.
• be cooled without water so can be used in deserts.
• not blow up or easily used to make bombs
• be used to produce medical isotopes to save thousands of lives.

“Technology will have the answers to a decarbonised economy, particularly over time.” Scott Morrison

The Liberal goal is to create wealth and jobs in Australia and win the next elections both State and Federal in March 2022 and hopefully gain the respect of other countries.

Liz Penfold

Authored by Mrs Liz Penfold
Former public representative for Flinders, South Australia.
Undefeated in office from 1993 until retirement in 2010, with an approval rating always above 70%.
Adviser to The Thorium Network on Australian Political Affairs.
Liz on Wikipedia; Liz on Linkedin

December 17, 2021
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

October 16, 2021
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 2021 Download

October 7, 2021
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
October 5, 2019