ThorEA - Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future.pdf

This report is structured as follows:
Chapter 1 introduces the concept of the thorium-fuelled
ADSR, and discusses the advantages to the UK in pursuing the
associated technology in the context of exploiting the global
nuclear market.
Chapter 2 focuses upon the significance of ADSR technology
in a UK context, particularly with respect to carbon reduction
and achieving the Government’s ‘Road to 2010’ goals.
Chapter 3 is the core of the report in which the R&D programme
necessary to deliver the technologies that will facilitate
the widespread deployment of thorium-fuelled ADSRs for
electricity generation in the UK and overseas is proposed. A
novel approach to the R&D programme ensures that various
technological options are incorporated from the start, with
the whole programme being robustly appraised at specific key
points to ensure a smooth route to a timely and simultaneous
delivery of all the final technological goals. A suggested
framework for managing and financing such a programme
based upon a public-private partnership is also presented. In
this context, the interest expressed by potential industrial
partners and collaborators is highlighted.
Although the proposed programme is both realistic and
achievable, it is also ambitious and not without technical
challenges. It is in meeting these challenges that there is
enormous potential for the UK to capitalise upon associated
innovation and technological leadership, and exploit a plethora
of IP and value capture mechanisms. These opportunities are
discussed in Chapter 4.
In Chapter 5 it is demonstrated that the costs of the
proposed thorium-fuelled ADSR power generation should
prove competitive with existing nuclear and non-nuclear
technologies and finally in Chapter 6, the report considers
the optimal route to securing a lasting scientific and technical
legacy based upon this attractive and innovative approach to
nuclear energy provision.
The report is accompanied by extensive Appendices, in
which detailed background information, technical issues and
strategic and economic analyses are presented, and by a set
of Frequently Asked Questions extracted from the comments
and criticisms of independent expert referees.
A report prepared by: the thorium energy amplifier association 09