Nuclear Blockchain
Can blockchain technology help advance nuclear power?
Nuclear power has the potential to advance the shift toward a non-carbon energy market but requires supply chain visibility to prevent misuse of uranium or nuclear waste products. Developing a global transparent supply chain is technically difficult but blockchain may be capable of solving the problem.
In our last discussion we debated if nuclear power has reached an inflection point and may become more widely accepted as a baseload power source in support of the transition toward a fully non-carbon based energy grid.
As nuclear plant technology advances, providing clarity and accounting across the nuclear fuel and waste supply chain becomes important. Several ideas have been proposed over the years but all have struggled in some form to gain traction or become a viable global option.
Why It’s Important
Nuclear power plants operate by boiling water to generate steam, the steam is used to turn a turbine which produces electricity. Most people recognize the large towers seen at nuclear power plants, but may not realize those towers are only used to cool the steam back into water. None of the plant water or steam has direct contact with the nuclear fuel or radioactive equipment, which is why Elon Musk tweeted about eating locally grown food near a nuclear plant.
Generating the heat to boil water is where things get a bit complicated as uranium is the primary fuel source. The process is similar to stacking dominos where a small neutron (single initial domino) tips over into a uranium molecule (second domino), starting a chain reaction (multiple dominos falling). The reaction is known as fission and generates considerable heat used to boil water and create steam. For those interested in more details, the World Nuclear Association provides a good overview of the process.
For the nuclear power industry to grow, it requires a viable method for tracing the path of uranium from mining to fueling and final disposal of the radioactive waste product. Supply chain visibility is necessary because natural uranium requires enrichment, but if enrichment continues beyond the 3-5% required for electricity generation and reaches 20%+, it becomes weapons grade uranium.
Can Blockchain Solve The Problem?
Maintaining a clear and accountable supply chain can prevent natural uranium from being diverted into control of rogue regimes. Blockchain as a distributed ledger technology provides such a transparent supply chain and may provide better global control over global uranium shipments.
The research group at Stimson has been evaluating options for use of blockchain as it relates to tracking of nuclear material. Recent advances demonstrate the technology may be possible and has the potential to develop a new industry around uranium supply chain technology. We have yet to see a viable blockchain platform for uranium but are spending more time evaluating the use of distributed ledger technology to solve a key problem in eliminating a concern regarding further adoption of nuclear power.
Angel Bootcamp
Another reminder for those in the Houston area on March 24th, the Houston Angel Network is hosting an Angel Investor Bookcamp. We have recruited Gordon Daugherty, co-founder of Capital Factory, to lead the discussion. It is structured to be informative for those new to angel investing and provide an option to further engage with the Houston start-up ecosystem.