ThorEA - Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future.pdf

Contents
Statement from IAEA 6
Executive Summary 7
Introduction 8
Chapter 1: Thorium-fuelled ADSRs and their potential UK and global impact 10
1.1 The ADSR concept and the advantages of thorium fuel 10
1.2 The advantages of thorium-fuelled ADSR technology in an expanding global nuclear landscape 12
1.3 A timely technological transition to thorium-fuelled ADSRs 13
1.4 Why thorium-fuelled ADSRs are an attractive proposition 14
1.5 The potential global market for thorium-fuelled ADSR systems 15
1.6 The consequences of the UK seizing global leadership in thorium-fuelled ADSR technology 16
Chapter 2: Thorium-fuelled ADSR technology in a UK context 18
2.1 ADSR technology and UK carbon emission commitments 18
2.2 Financial Value of Carbon Emission Reduction 18
2.3 Minimizing the economic cost of nuclear waste 19
2.4 Redressing balance of under-investment in energy 19
2.5 Alignment of the deployment of thorium-fuelled ADSR technology with UK Government policy 20
Chapter 3: An R&D programme to secure a UK global lead in thorium-fuelled ADSR technology 21
3.1 Towards the first thorium-fuelled ADSR - the 2025 scenario 21
3.2 Defining and bridging the technological gaps 22
3.3 Delivering the technology 22
3.4 Additional public investment in ADSR technologies 26
3.5 Cost summary 26
3.6 Private Investment and construction of an ADSR power station 27
3.7 The proposed management structure: ThorEACo 27
3.8 Geographical location of ThorEACo: The case for location at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus 28
3.9 Evidence of potential industrial engagement in the ADSR programme 30
3.10 IAEA endorsement of the proposed ADSR programme 31
Chapter 4: Value capture and IP: from ADSRs to medicine and beyond 32
4.1 Introduction 32
4.2 Intellectual property landscape 32
4.3 The patent landscape 33
4.4 IP Management 34
4.5 Patent strategies for the thorium ADSR project 34
4.6 Future opportunities facilitated by ADSR accelerator research 35
4.7 Technological opportunities and benefits available in other fields 36
4.7.1 Medical applications 37
4.7.2 Spallation physics 37
4.7.3 Transmutation research 37
4.7.4 Transmutation of waste 38
4.7.5 From megatrons to megawatts: Weapons decommissioning 39
4.7.6 Opportunities for hydrogen production 39
Chapter 5: The socio-economics of thorium-fuelled ADSR technology 40
5.1 ADSRs as a cost competitive, low carbon technology 40
5.2 Inward investment 43
5.3 Regional development 43
5.4 Public acceptance of nuclear power 44
5.5 UK reputation and leadership 44
Chapter 6: The way forward 45
04 Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future