When future generations look back and see how we solved the climate crisis, they will see that we solved it through knowledge and leadership, and investing in and advancing the right science and technology. As innovative climate solutions emerge, it’s vital that we not only support new ideas with funding but also by informing the wider public and investment communities about their impacts. Leveraging breakthrough discoveries that underlie tomorrow’s clean energy to solve the climate crisis can only be fully realized if we dedicate the same resources to educate the lay audience on how their energy choices affect their health outcomes and their climate future. The Anthropocene Institute is a diverse community of scientists, engineers, communicators, marketers, thought leaders, and advocates all working together towards the common goal of combating the climate crisis. Our mission is to shine a light on the most promising scientific breakthroughs that will lead humanity toward a bright and abundant future. To facilitate and accelerate our mission, we are zeroing in on forging the connections that enable the smartest people in the world committed to solving the Earth’s problems to work their magic. Our Focus Anthropocene Institute focuses on several key areas — atomic energy, solid state fusion energy (SSF), the electrical grid, and the world’s oceans. The climate solutions that are scaled in these key areas are pivotal in moving the needle toward a more sustainable future for all. Here’s a quick breakdown of how we approach each of our main areas of focus — Atomic Energy The Anthropocene Institute advocates for the continued operation of existing atomic energy plants and for the development of new reactor designs that are safer to operate and more versatile to use. Atomic energy is already among the cleanest energy sources, with no greenhouse gasses or toxic pollutants released during operations. Worldwide, there are around 440 commercial nuclear reactors today that provide 390 GW of electricity in 31 countries. In 2015, these reactors produced 2410 TWh, or 10.5% of the world’s electricity. Solid State Fusion Energy (SSF) SSF, often referred to as low-energy nuclear reactions, can produce large amounts of energy while using relatively small amounts of fuel. It’s also important to note that the energy generated from SSF does not produce radioactive materials or radiation. SSF represents a significant climate solution because it can permanently solve the energy problem by providing vast amounts of zero-carbon energy at low costs. The US Electrical Grid The US power grid is arguably the largest machine humanity has ever created — with power being sent to power stations that service 145 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout the country. However, the existing US electric power grid is aging and was not designed to endure the extreme weather conditions from the climate crisis. It’s also critical that the US electrical grid receives a face-lift in order to integrate high shares of low-carbon solar and wind into the US power mix. The Anthropocene Institute advocates for a more resilient power delivery system that accommodates an electric vehicle fleet and grid storage capacity and self-generating systems. However, we also believe that it’s not enough just to advocate for this. We are also actively pushing for regulations that will incentivize investments toward a diversified clean energy power supply. Oceans The oceans cover two-thirds of our planet’s surface and are responsible for over half of our oxygen and one-fifth of our nutrition. When our oceans are in trouble, so are we. Our philanthropic arm, Anthrocean, supports the research and development of new technologies that have the potential to improve the health and sustainability of the ocean on a broad scale. We are committed to helping the oceans by accelerating solutions and investments that tackle overfishing, pollution, and habitat restoration. Joining the We Don’t Have Time Community We are excited to join the We Don’t Have Time community and share more about the projects we are working on, the inspirational people within our network, and the upcoming events we will attend. Follow our We Don’t Have Time page to stay updated with our climate journey and make sure to follow us on our social media – Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Take two minutes of your time to support ocean conservation! ProtectedSeas Navigator, the largest global map of marine life protection, was released online last year, making information on ocean regulation accessible to anyone with an internet connection. For making this information more readily available, the map has now been nominated for a Webby, the most prestigious internet award in the world, and your vote decides which project receives the prize! In July of last year, you could read about the launch of the ProtectedSeas Navigator, a digital, open access, and interactive map of regulatory information of over 21,000 managed saltwater and coast areas worldwide, including the high seas. The map is produced and maintained by ProtectedSeas, an Anthropocene Institute-funded project that has compiled regulation data from around the world and made it digital and easy to understand. For this work, the ProtectedSeas Navigator has now been nominated for a Webby. This recognition from the “leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet” is a fantastic acknowledgment, showing that raising awareness on marine life protection is an important action both for environmental sustainability and for maintaining the fish populations that are so important for the livelihood of many coastal communities around the world. To vote for ProtectedSeas Navigator for the Webby, go to the nomination page and click on “Vote” next to the entry for the map: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2024/websites-and-mobile-sites/general-desktop-mobile-sites/law About ProtectedSeas The world’s oceans are at risk due to ocean acidification, pollution and overfishing. ProtectedSeas was founded in 2015 to develop innovative technology solutions for ocean conservation with a focus on marine protected areas to help save biodiversity. By presenting these regulations in a way that is easy to understand, ProtectedSeas aims to support ocean conservation efforts globally. Today, the ProtectedSeas team has developed the most comprehensive resource of regulatory information of marine protected areas in the world and offers a one-of-a-kind marine monitoring solution to enhance awareness of and compliance with ocean protections globally. Read more on protectedseas.net.
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Congratulations for the nomination.
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Congratulations on the nomination!
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Congratulations for the warm nomination🥳🥳
To meet the increasing demand for clean energy, more than 20 countries committed to tripling their nuclear energy supply by 2050 at COP28. This is a promising development as nuclear energy can be a significant source of emission-free energy. Still, the declaration puts into focus a common concern in nuclear expansion: the fear of an increased proliferation of nuclear weapons. However, since the 1960s, there has been no overlap between the developments of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. One of the main reasons for this is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which was put into effect in 1970. When expanding nuclear energy, consideration must be taken to prevent materials from being used for weapons manufacturing. While fuel-grade uranium is not directly usable for making nuclear weapons, further enrichment can result in weapons-grade uranium. Weapons-grade materials can also be produced through the use of a special type of “production” nuclear reactor operated with frequent fuel changes to produce material with a high proportion of Pu-239, separate from reactors used for power generation. Plutonium and tritium are by-products of certain nuclear reactions present in nuclear energy generation, both of which can be used in nuclear weapons. Systems must be set in place that ensure that the uranium supply and waste products of nuclear power plants are not diverted to producers of nuclear weapons, and that nuclear power technology does not enable nuclear weapons manufacturing. One such system that has been in operation since 1970 is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This global agreement outlines measures to ensure that nuclear material and technology are used for peaceful purposes only, while refusing trade or cooperation around nuclear materials and technology with states that are not part of the Treaty, with the end goal of complete nuclear disarmament. The Treaty has been extended indefinitely and is currently signed by 191 states, including the five states that had developed and exploded nuclear weapons before 1967: China, France, the Russian Federation, the UK, and the USA. Four other states have developed nuclear weapons programs outside of the NPT – Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea – and cannot join the Treaty without renouncing or dismantling them. The safeguards system outlined in the NPT is enforced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN agency that conducts inspections of nuclear plants to verify that they comply with the Treaty. These inspections involve checking inventories and analyzing materials, ensuring that no weapons-grade materials are manufactured or diverted to non-peaceful causes. Thousands of tonnes of nuclear material are traded and transported every year, and by taking detailed accounts of all transactions, the nuclear power sector goes to great lengths to see that none of it is used for destructive purposes. The Treaty also mandates significant security measures surrounding stockpiles of nuclear materials to prevent unauthorized people from accessing them and using them for the wrong purposes. Non-proliferation measures are essential for a safe and sustainable nuclear power system. As governments commit to expanding their nuclear energy programs, it is equally important that sufficient resources are allocated to these safeguards. We want to emphasize that the fears of nuclear weapon proliferation are completely warranted, but as long as we sufficiently support the NPT we can count on it to prevent materials from the nuclear power supply chain from getting into the wrong hands, just as it has in all known cases to date. Pictures used under the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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Great article with amazing information on nuclear energy
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The problem we have with nuclear energy is it's safety and what other uses it may be used for once a country acquires it. Do we need nuclear energy? Absolutely. Do we need nuclear weapons? No. We should be able to enjoy nuclear energy without having to worry about our neighbours nuking us. If no one has nuclear weapons, no one will be nuking anyone. This and the MAD Doctrine take precedent
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Thanks for this article, I learned a lot about non-proliferation! It's really important that this perspective doesn't get forgotten when we discuss the expansion of nuclear energy.
Anyone aware of the climate crisis agrees that we must completely phase out fossil fuels as fast as possible to prevent climate and social disasters. We can also all agree that the best way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels is to support clean, fossil-free energy everywhere, with all available means. During the World Climate Action Summit of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, last year, more than 20 countries from four continents launched the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy. The Declaration recognizes the crucial role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach. According to the International Energy Agency, record-breaking electricity generation from low-emissions sources – which includes nuclear and renewables such as solar, wind, and hydro – is set to cover all global demand growth over the next three years. Low-emissions sources, which will reduce the role of fossil fuels in producing electricity globally, are forecast to account for almost half of the world’s electricity generation by 2026, up from 39% in 2023. This is great news and a testament to the fact that we need to utilize all clean energy sources to push fossil fuels out of the equation. While support for nuclear power is gaining ground worldwide, many environmental groups still unequivocally oppose nuclear energy, citing "significant safety problems inherent in reactor operation, disposal of spent fuels, and possible diversion of nuclear materials capable of use in weapons manufacture" as the reasons to block construction of any new commercial nuclear fission power plants and extensions of existing power plants. At Anthropocene Institute, we believe that all clean energy sources are viable and, frankly, necessary to transition away from fossil fuels, and we would like to engage in a respectful and informed dialogue with any environmental groups opposed to nuclear energy. Here are some facts of note: Safety: What often goes unnoticed is that nuclear power has been steadily improving since its beginnings. Attitudes, business models, and regulations have not kept pace. Nuclear power is safer than ever. Data clearly shows that nuclear power is a much safer and healthier energy source than fossil fuels, which kill roughly 1 in 5 people globally every year. Waste: Spent fuel and waste are dangerous and should be avoided, right? Reality tells a different story. It isn't the most dangerous waste or even the longest-lived; a lot of it isn't even waste. France successfully recycles spent nuclear fuel and the US used to do that at scale before and the right market and political conditions may revive the industry for commercially spent fuel. The fuel for advanced reactors, such as high-temperature gas, sodium-cooled, and molten salt reactors can use the same pathway for waste management as fuel from light water reactors and can be recycled too. For more information, we recommend reading this comprehensive tutorial by The Breakthrough Institute. Other uses: Peaceful uses of nuclear energy can contribute to medicine, public health, agriculture, food security, water resources management, sustainable energy, the environment, and more. It is also important to note that nuclear power plants have not been as attractive a target for terrorist attacks as may have been predicted, with attacks and injuries thereof being rare over the past 50 years. With this, we don’t want to downplay the significance of renewable energy sources. Quite the opposite – we applaud environmentalists' support of renewable energy sources. But we must keep investing in various climate solutions, including nuclear – the clear choice of 24/7 clean energy – even when it feels safer to avoid energy sources that make us uneasy. We want to even the playing field through open dialogue on different energy technologies, and why they are all important tools in solving the climate crisis. We invite everyone to learn the facts and make up their own mind.
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This calls for open dialogue and informed decision-making based on factual evidence rather than ideological biases.
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I must admit that this was a pleasant surprise. When more oil-producing countries embrace such energy forms, our plans reach a wider audience.
A fossil-free future will need much more clean baseload energy, and we must expand all energy sources to meet those demands. However, the expansion needs to be done responsibly, with minimal waste and use of resources and implementation of circular economy practices. Nuclear energy can be a role model for this development, as it is currently the large-scale energy source with the least generated waste and land use, while the spent nuclear fuel can be recycled. The global demand for fossil-free heat and baseload power will increase substantially to decarbonize sectors such as steel production, heavy-duty transportation, and chemistry. While the technology to provide this power is already available, some challenges need to be considered, namely the environmental impact of producing infrastructure, and how to manage the waste generated by power production. During COP28 in Dubai, the American Nuclear Society, the European Nuclear Society, and Nuclear for Climate arranged a panel discussing how to solve these challenges for different energy sources, especially focusing on nuclear energy as an example. While we need all available carbon-free technologies – nuclear, renewables, and green hydrogen – to overcome the climate crisis, nuclear is currently the only large-scale energy-producing technology that takes full responsibility for all its waste and spent fuel. Safi Syed, Project Manager at Urenco, demonstrated why nuclear energy can be a role model for land use and waste management: “The amount of waste generated by nuclear power is very small relative to other thermal electricity generation technologies,” he explained. “The land footprint of even a large nuclear power plant is comparatively small compared to other sectors, so it’s more supportive of the local environment and wildlife.” While it is clear that the capacity of nuclear energy needs to be expanded alongside other energy sources, the resources needed must be produced with minimal environmental impact. Dinara Ermakova, Ph.D., nuclear engineer, and nuclear advocate, noted that many developing countries are rich in resources, but mining and producing the materials needed for nuclear power, batteries, solar panels, and wind turbine components can have a significant environmental impact. “It also impacts our energy security due to geopolitical issues, as resource access can be disrupted at any point,” she said. She noted that recycling of fuel, solar panels, and wind turbines must become the norm. We are at a time in history where the question is not about if we need to transition away from fossil fuels, but how. The panelists agreed that the indications from COP28, where 22 countries committed to tripling the global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, and 118 governments committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, are positive and a step in the right direction. What needs to be addressed is the environmental impact surrounding these developments, and making sure that we stay within the natural boundaries of our planet. Read more insights from the panel on our website: https://anthropoceneinstitute.com/2023/12/cop28-experts/
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This conversation has brought a momentousness piece of information to us. Thanks for sharing it!
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Cross-technology collaboration in the energy sector is an interesting prospect and something I think we should do more!
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The COP28 panel discussion sheds light on the imperative to expand our energy systems responsibly, particularly in the pursuit of a fossil-free future. The focus is on achieving clean baseload energy with minimal waste and resource use, emphasizing the need for a circular economy approach. Nuclear energy is presented as a potential role model due to its relatively low waste generation and land use compared to other large-scale energy sources.
Amidst growing concerns about climate disruption, the perception of nuclear energy is undergoing a significant transformation. The recent Climate Perspectives Survey conducted by ecoAmerica, conducted for the sixth consecutive year, revealed a substantial shift in public opinion regarding nuclear energy as a crucial element in combating climate change. The survey's findings suggest a trending change in attitudes, indicating a growing inclination towards advanced nuclear technologies, such as molten salt reactors (MSRs), as a viable clean, reliable, and dispatchable energy source for the future. Rising Support for Nuclear Energy: A Unified Public Voice The survey reflected a shared sentiment across the United States, cutting across political affiliations and age groups, with 65 percent of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of climate change combat measures, timelines and activities. While 47 percent of Republicans, 63 percent of Independents, and 85 percent of Democrats exhibited high levels of concern about climate change, a majority of respondents rallied behind nuclear energy as a solution to meet current and future energy demands. Key factors driving this sentiment include the acknowledgment that nuclear power reliably generates significant electricity (71 percent), fosters economic growth while reducing climate and health-related pollution (71 percent), and enhances national competitiveness and energy independence (69 percent). Furthermore, 73 percent of the population voiced the need for intensified research and development in nuclear energy technologies, emphasizing a growing demand for innovative designs like MSRs. Dinara Ermakova, nuclear engineering PhD and a nuclear energy advocate shared, “With growing concerns about our energy security and climate future, U.S. respondents want to keep existing nuclear power plants operational and invest in next-generation nuclear energy.” Decreasing Concerns and Growing Global Support The survey also illustrated a notable decline in apprehensions surrounding nuclear energy, including fears related to waste disposal, health and safety, security and weaponization, and concerns about overpopulation and habitat loss. This decreasing trend in concerns about nuclear power was consistent across the past six years, underscoring a shift in the public's understanding and acceptance of nuclear power. Business Giants Embrace Nuclear Energy for Climate Goals This isn’t without government support either, as both the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act (CHIPS) collectively provide hundreds of billions of dollars in incentives to manufacture products in the United States. The changing narrative around nuclear energy isn't limited to public opinion. Recent developments at Microsoft suggest a growing inclination towards advanced nuclear reactors to power its data centers and further its AI ambitions. While the shift to nuclear energy is not without challenges, particularly concerning the need for a stable uranium supply chain and effective waste management strategies, businesses like Microsoft are taking steps to incorporate advanced nuclear technologies into their operations. And they aren’t alone, as cloud providers are now on the hunt to claim reactors of their own to power their own data centers in the future, despite “running out of power from the existing grid and [seeing] nuclear energy as a potentially cheaper and carbon-free way to power data centers versus fossil fuels.” Looking Ahead: Nuclear Energy in the Green Landscape As sentiments surrounding nuclear energy continue to evolve, the collective push for advanced nuclear technologies highlights a growing recognition of its potential to enable energy security and to meet the challenge of global decarbonization. With growing support from the public, government, and major corporations, nuclear energy stands poised to emerge as a significant player in the global quest for a greener future.
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The research may only reflect the powerful nuclear industry's ability to influence public opinion. The issues are very complex and the survey may have not have explained that nuclear power stations have problems. They take possibly 15 years or more to build so they won't contribute to the immediate need to cut emissions. The electricity they produce is often twice as expensive as wind or solar, and still uncompetitive when storage is added. Moreover, wind, solar and batteries/ other storage are both available now, and reducing in cost every year.
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Interesting to see this shift in public opinion, does that have to do with an increased sense of urgency in society or with a difference in political communication, I wonder?
According to the International Energy Agency, international shipping accounted for roughly 2% of all global emissions in 2022 and is expected to rise dramatically by 2050 - as high as 17% by 2050. Given such a dramatic increase in potential emissions from a single sector, a United Nations agency, International Maritime Organization (IMO) said, “the regulatory agency for the global maritime sector… set a goal of halving annual greenhouse gas emissions from maritime shipping by 2050 from 2008 levels.” However, the shipping sector poses a unique challenge that other industries don’t. Namely, due to the size of the crafts used to freight goods across our ocean and the distance of the journeys themselves, many low emission or green energy alternatives won’t work. At Anthropocene Institute, we would like to throw the nuclear hat into the ring on the issue, as we believe that nuclear, a fossil-free energy source, can and should be the future power source for our maritime shipping. The inherent limitations of green energy sources for shipping The average modern freight ship can consume as much as “63,000 gallons of marine fuel per day” at top speeds. To put that into perspective, the average American vehicle consumes “656 gallons” in an entire year. That means that per annum, a single freighter's carbon footprint equates to roughly 35,000 road vehicles alone. To make matters worse, there are currently few green or less carbon-intensive fuel options available on the market for freight liners, due to a combination of both cost and viability. “To create a zero-emissions shipping fleet, “new fuels will need to be developed along with novel propulsion systems, upgraded vessels and an entirely new global refueling network,” the International Chamber of Shipping said in a recent report. There have been attempts to trial new fuel sources, “including batteries, sustainable biofuels, and green or blue hydrogen and their derivatives such as ammonia and methanol,” however various manufacturers have found that these fuel sources equal roughly 2-3x the cost of current fossil fuels used specifically for marine transportation. In fact, a study conducted by Boris Stolz and Maximilian Held at ETH Zürich, found that even if you allowed for a 3 percent cargo reduction and assumed ships could carry the amount of fuel they needed for each journey, modern day “lithium-ion batteries could only cover a small number of voyages,” while chemical fuels like ammonia, methane, methanol would “be around two to six times greater” in cost. The growing pressure to make shipping “green” Despite these challenges, there is mounting pressure from international organizations and national lobby groups to make shipping more environmentally friendly. Notably, the United States and Saudi Arabia have committed to working towards the IMO's greenhouse gas reduction goals, while the European Union contemplates the inclusion of the shipping industry in its emissions trading scheme. However, these measures fail to address the fundamental challenge of finding viable non-fossil fuel energy sources for shipping. The European Trading System alone (ETS), aims to mandate that “shipping companies have to purchase and surrender (use) EU ETS emission allowances for each tonne of reported CO2 (or CO2 equivalent) emissions in the scope of the EU ETS system.” While this has been set up in a staggered fashion to allow for a gradual transition, with shipping companies only having to surrender allowances for 40% of their emissions reported in 2024, and then 70% of their emissions reported in 2025, these measures do not address the fundamental challenge of the sector - the viability of non-fossil fuel energy sources. However, there is a silver bullet that has not been given nearly enough attention, even though it’s a fuel source that already powers some maritime vessels today. Nuclear energy - the unconsidered maritime fuel source http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/enterprise-90.htm Nuclear energy - the unconsidered maritime fuel source Since the 1940s, nuclear-based propulsion systems have been used to fuel vessels which were required to both be at sea for extended periods of time and not be reliant upon combustion-engine predicated fuel sources. These were none other than nuclear submarines. And today, nuclear fuel has been transposed onto other above-water vessels, including ice breakers and even aircraft carriers used by the military in a variety of different countries. The United Kingdom alone has “12 submarines, all nuclear powered” while the U.S. “had built 219 nuclear-powered vessels by mid-2010.” It is worth noting, as well, that the US Navy alone “has accumulated over 6200 reactor-years of accident-free experience involving 526 nuclear reactor cores over the course of 240 million kilometers, without a single radiological incident” in a fifty-year span. Comparing this to fossil-based transportation, “an average of 1.8 large oil spills from tanker incidents every year in the decade from 2010 to 2019.” As such, the advantages of nuclear-powered maritime vessels are readily apparent: - Lower emissions: While most ships use HFO or marine diesel to operate, SMRs use nuclear fission to generate electricity. This results in zero carbon emissions and could make SMRs a particularly attractive option for shipping companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. - Energy efficiency: Compared to traditional fossil fuel-based power systems, SMRs can generate the same amount of power with less fuel, reducing the overall cost of running a ship. Additionally, SMRs can operate for longer periods of time without the need for refueling, which can reduce a ship’s stay in port. - Improved safety: SMRs are built to withstand extreme weather conditions and other challenges that ships may encounter when at open sea. Additionally, as SMRs are self-contained units, they do not require the transportation or storage of large amounts of fuel, which can reduce the risk of accidents and spills. This could make them a particularly attractive option for shipping companies operating in sensitive or remote areas. Read the source here! Given these obvious benefits, many businesses and even nations have started to give nuclear the look-in it deserves. “Korean industry majors, led by shipping heavyweights HMM and Sinokor, have joined forces on the development of nuclear-powered ships” with the goal of simultaneously exploring the potential of nuclear power for nuclear ships, while also investing in raising the standards for safety and security of these vessels. Even in Europe, there are entrepreneurial innovations ramping up in the mercantile shipping industry, as Core Power, a high profile developer of nuclear propulsion for merchant ships is working on developing a commercially viable SMR reactor that can be used to power freighters rather than using a combustion engine. Conclusion Nuclear power has often been stigmatized and sensationalized as a fuel source similar to fossil fuels. However, whether used in conjunction with other alternative fuel sources or as part of a comprehensive industry transition, SMR nuclear reactors could be the fossil-free fuel source of the future, a pivotal step towards achieving net-zero emissions before 2050. For more information on this topic, please visit our website.
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The shipping sector is a serious polluter. Nuclear power should be advanced to decarbonize this industry.
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Nuclear-powered shipping has the potential to play a major role in the transition to a net-zero emissions future.
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Shipping needs nuclear power to solve Its emissions problems.
In our modern era, we see an increasing quality of life that is still highly coupled with energy use. But the current state of the climate crisis has brought us to a crossroads where we must reimagine energy production, consumption, and its impact on the environment and possible ways for efficient use of energy sources. Fossil fuels currently account for a staggering 85% of global energy needs, and with the projection of tripled energy demands by 2050, their role is still strong as a cheap and reliable way to produce electrons. As we strive to ensure a sustainable planet for future generations—one that boasts clean air, ample resources, and thriving biodiversity—achieving global net-zero emissions as soon as it is technically feasible is not just a goal, but a necessity. 2050 is a late target when most of the effects of climate change are going to be irreversible. The Industrial Carbon Footprint While significant efforts have been directed toward cleaning up the electrical grid, particularly to support the electrification of transportation, heating, and buildings, there's another crucial facet of the emissions puzzle: industrial processes. These industries, which encompass iron and steel, chemicals, oil, mining, steel, and cement production, contribute nearly 30% of global carbon emissions — surpassing the carbon footprint of something as widespread as electricity generation. These processes demand high-temperature heat and steam around the clock, a challenge exacerbated by the expense and complexity of transitioning them away from fossil fuels. The potential of aSMRs This is where the potential of advanced Small Modular Reactors (aSMRs) comes into play. These cutting-edge technologies, characterized by compact size and versatility, can provide the high-temperature, dense heat necessary for heavy industries to thrive in a clean energy economy. Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, aSMRs offer a new path to industrial net-zero emissions and beyond. The versatility of aSMRs has caught the attention of various stakeholders, from businesses to governments and regulators, such as the government of Canada, who have invested $74m dollars in an aSMR project in Saskatchewan. These reactors have the potential to revolutionize numerous industrial sectors, offering a reliable and scalable energy solution without the repercussions commonly associated with traditional nuclear plants. One application lies in the creation of clean fuels, such as synthetic diesel and ammonia/hydrogen, which are essential for steel and cement production, transportation, and more. Furthermore, certain aSMR designs generate heat at temperatures that can directly support manufacturing processes. This yields a cross-industry emission reduction benefit, as they won’t just be able to supply non-fossil fuel energy sources, they’ll help reduce the emissions produced by heavy industry. This is heralded by some, such as X-energy as an “immense opportunity to further reduce emissions in the energy-intensive industrial sector” as they’ll effectively be generating fossil-free industrial heat, while reducing emissions at the same time. By replacing the heat generated by fossil fuels, aSMRs can enable heavy industries to embrace cleaner alternatives while maintaining uninterrupted operations. The applications extend to desalination, where aSMRs can provide process heat and distributed energy to power paper mills, refineries, and agricultural areas. Coastal regions can also benefit from aSMRs' ability to desalinate water, ensuring water security and bolstering local economies. aSMR: A safer modular reactor Safety is a paramount concern in the nuclear energy sector, and aSMR designs address this concern effectively. Engineered for passive safety, some aSMRs operate at low pressure, use robust fuel forms and different coolant materials, and combine safe operations with efficient production of steam-derived heat. The compact footprint of these reactors, often comparable to the size of a city block, makes them highly adaptable to various industrial sites. Their modular nature supports mass production and allows them to be seamlessly integrated into specific locations. One of the most promising aspects of aSMRs is their infrequent refueling cycles: “Power plants based on SMRs may require less frequent refueling, every 3 to 7 years… Some SMRs are designed to operate for up to 30 years without refueling.” This stands in contrast to traditional reactors, which need refueling at least once every two years. Spent nuclear fuel, often regarded as a concern, becomes a valuable resource in the aSMR context. It can be reprocessed to a remarkable 95% or directly utilized in certain advanced reactor designs. This not only ensures a more reliable energy supply but also contributes to limited waste generation and reduced maintenance costs—an attractive proposition for heavy industry players. So overall, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to aSMRs. They help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, have more versatile operational capabilities than larger nuclear reactors, while their refuelling is often less frequent. In the grand tapestry of decarbonization, experts have ideated a solution that leverages modern shipyard manufacturing and floating power plants. By tapping into existing industrial capabilities and advanced modular reactor technology, we can envision a future where aviation, shipping, cement production, and other industries are fully and cost-competitively decarbonized by mid-century. It could be the case that all we need is a different attitude towards putting the terms “green” and “nuclear” in the same sentence. The journey towards a sustainable and decarbonized world is no small feat. However, through the innovative prowess of advanced small modular reactors, we have a powerful tool at our disposal to tackle the challenges that heavy industry poses in our fight against climate change. With the versatility, safety, and efficiency that aSMRs bring to the table, we are forging a path toward a cleaner, more sustainable industrial landscape, ensuring a planet worth inheriting for generations to come. Read more here: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs
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Would like to see this project and how it would work in an uncontrolled environment
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Interesting, how would aSMRs or SMRs tackle existing challenges: - How do you scale up this solution? Are there mass fabrication factories? - How do you deal with the extremely high water demand to operate these nuclear reactors? - How to justify the high costs of SMRs when the costs of wind and solar electricity have been declining consistently and will continue to do so?
With the pressing need to address climate and energy crises, a diverse range of clean energy technologies is essential to transition away from fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. While renewable energy sources have made significant strides, they have not yet achieved the scalability needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions while meeting global energy demands. Nuclear energy is a much-needed option, offering clean baseload energy to supplement renewables, and with the world's escalating demand for energy, the more options we have, the more resilient we are. Fusion, the process that powers the sun, presents an alternative nuclear energy approach that could offer a safe, abundant, and environmentally friendly solution. However, traditional hot fusion, which requires extreme temperatures and pressures to initiate and sustain fusion reactions, has faced significant technical challenges and remains uncertain in terms of commercial viability within the next decade. A possible shortcut to conventional fusion lies in Solid-State Fusion (SSF), a budding field that is rapidly gaining attention as a potential solution for global clean energy demands. SSF involves nuclear reactions occurring in the solid phase of matter, releasing heat in excess of the input energy. Unlike hot fusion, SSF does not require extreme temperatures, and unlike nuclear fission, SSF does not require radioactive elements like uranium or plutonium, making it a safer and more sustainable energy option. Foundational Understanding of SSF Solid-State Fusion encompasses various nuclear reactions (fusion, fission, transmutation, beta decay, alpha decay) that occur in the solid-state, including condensed phases that are not strictly solid. It is crucial to clarify SSF from related terms like "cold fusion" and "low energy nuclear reactions (LENR).” Cold fusion gained media attention in 1989 when electrochemists Drs. Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons announced a sustained nuclear fusion reaction at room temperature. However, subsequent skepticism from the scientific community led to the term becoming associated with dubious science. LENR is a broader term adopted by many practitioners in the field, covering various nuclear reactions that occur at low energies. SSF encompasses both cold fusion and LENR, focusing on nuclear reactions in the solid-state. SSF Milestones and Developments SSF research dates back to the 1980s when various groups reported observations of excess heat in metal-hydrogen systems. In 1989, the announcement by Fleischmann and Pons led to intense criticism, overshadowing private efforts in SSF development that continued over the following decades. More recently, a consortium of researchers led by Google conducted SSF experiments over five years, resulting in a publication in the prestigious scientific journal Nature. Although the paper did not conclusively prove SSF, it legitimized the field and attracted greater scientific, investment, and government interest. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has also recognized the potential of SSF and issued a $10 million project through its Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) program to fund researchers from multiple universities to conduct SSF research. SSF Process and Energy Production SSF experiments typically involve metal catalysts and isotopes of hydrogen. Researchers use various techniques, including calorimetry, ICP-MS for elemental analysis, and neutron detection, to measure heat production, transmutations, and nuclear emissions. The origin of excess heat in SSF is still a subject of investigation. While some mass is converted into energy, the exact mechanisms and whether the process is fusion, fission, or a combination of both remain uncertain. SSF's Safety and Commercial Potential As of now, SSF research experiments have not shown any unsafe radiation or radioactive products. Neutrons, gamma radiation, and other hazardous elements have not been detected in SSF experiments, suggesting a safe and waste-free pathway to energy generation. While excess heat has been plausibly demonstrated in various SSF experiments, decisive evidence of a nuclear reaction and the ability to self-power or produce useful electrical energy are yet to be publicly shown. Nonetheless, significant funding, both from governments and private investors, has been allocated for SSF development, indicating its potential as a viable energy source. SSF's Commercial Applications and Ongoing Research SSF holds promise for various commercial applications, including boilers, chemical and metal processing industries, direct air capture for carbon removal, agriculture, and power generation. The technology has attracted investments from a major boiler company in Japan and continues to garner interest from various research institutions, government bodies, and private industry players worldwide. SSF is an exciting area of research at the forefront of understanding how matter works at the nanoscopic and quantum levels. The potential to confine nucleons to enable fusion or transmutation of elements and release usable heat energy holds significant promise. Researchers from diverse disciplines, including materials science, quantum physics, electrochemistry, nano-science, nuclear and electrical engineering, and more, are essential to unlock the full potential of SSF. In conclusion, Solid-State Fusion emerges as a viable contender in the pursuit of a global clean energy economy. With its potential for safe, clean, and inexpensive energy production, SSF presents a pathway to address our climate and energy challenges. As the field continues to evolve, further scientific exploration and investment will be critical to unlock the full potential of this promising technology. To learn more about the potential for safe fusion energy systems, click below! https://anthropoceneinstitute.com/innovations/ssf/
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Is more energy really what we need? Give the consequences a second thought! Listen to The Scorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas, inspired by the ballad Der Zauberlehrling by Goethe. Less (energy) is More (hope for the planet)!
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interesting
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Well articulated
The world’s first global map of marine life regulations and their boundaries has just been released – and it could play an important role in reaching the goal of protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030. Navigator is a free, digital, and interactive map of regulatory information of over 21,000 managed saltwater and coast areas worldwide, including the high seas. This tool, published by ProtectedSeas, is a game changer when it comes to understanding and creating marine life protection. Before Navigator, it was difficult and time consuming to try to understand the rules that protect marine life. People had to spend months doing legal research and making maps. It was even harder because different rules applied to different places. This made it tricky to figure out how well the ocean spaces were being protected, which in turn, made it difficult to make additional protections for the ocean. In this article, we will explain the importance of Navigator and what it means for international conservation efforts. https://youtu.be/K3y8RfFKbZQ The Most Comprehensive Marine Life Protection Map ever Created Navigator was created to answer the question of where and how marine life is protected. Some areas of the ocean had marine life protections, but understanding where these boundaries began and ended wasn’t easy for policymakers, scientists, and environmental conservationists to recognize or utilize. The gap in knowing where marine life boundaries begin and end threatened the strengthening of existing regulations and the implementation of new ones. To close the gap in marine life protection regulation accessibility and knowledge, the ProtectedSeas team went to work compiling all the existing information regarding marine information and digitizing it. As you might expect, it wasn’t a straightforward process for ProtectedSeas to compile all the data on marine regulations, and the organization had its own fair share of unexpected complexities to overcome. Virgil Zetterlind, Director of ProtectedSeas, said in a recent webinar, “Some regulations were found on pictures of signs, like one we found in the Philippines. In Sweden, some of their original marine management plans were in type-written documents that were scanned as images that included hand-drawn maps and handwritten notes, and these were not in English. So, we had to hire contractors fluent in Swedish to help make sense of these marine regulations.” “Many areas we had to map were tough—from digitizing complex boundaries that followed coastlines and excluded islands to following connect-the-dots style descriptions to understand the regulations and boundaries,” said Zetterlind. The completion of Navigator took eight years of research, data collection, and summarization of legal documents. However, all the data collection and hard work by ProtectedSeas to create Navigator was worth it. The completion of Navigator is special because it is so comprehensive and dynamic in understanding where marine protection regulations exist and what areas are yet to be protected. On Navigator, you can view over 21,000 verified marine protected areas in over 220 countries, and Navigator can be utilized in over 25 languages. Additionally, on Navigator, each area is assigned a Level of Fishing Protection (LFP) score so you can understand what type of marine life regulations exist in that area. Each area’s LFP score is coded on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being the least restrictive and 5 being the highest. You can also look at and save detailed country reports about marine protected areas in Navigator. These reports show information about area-specific laws that protect different species and habitats. By studying these reports, you can find areas where there might not be enough protection and use that information to create new rules to keep them safe. Achieving International Conservation through leveraging Marine Protection At the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, also known as COP15, a deal was reached to target the protection of 30% of the planet’s lands, oceans, coastal areas, and inland waters by 2030. This ambitious and landmark decision will have a profound positive influence on the environment since oceans offer benefits such as food, climate regulation, the economy, recreation, and much more. To reach the goal of protecting 30% of the Earth’s oceans, there is a lot of work to be done. ProtectedSeas’ Navigator LFP scoring system data shows that only 3.4% of the global ocean is highly protected from fishing. Fortunately, Navigator provides scientists, policymakers, and conservationists with precise global data on marine regulations. This information can empower them to make better-informed decisions on how to reach 30% protection of nature by 2030. The effects of this newfound access to information on marine protected areas can help maintain healthy oceans by protecting biodiversity and allowing marine life to thrive. These protected zones provide benefits like increased fish populations that support coastal fishing economies, intact reef structures that protect shorelines from storms, and preservation of underwater ecosystems. Interested in exploring Navigator? Click here to start. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQE4OOH1D48 Fun Facts from the Navigator — - The smallest marine protected area in the world is in the Philippines at the Batalang Bato Marine Sanctuary, with 0.03 square kilometers (0.02 square miles) – where the only known regulatory information was posted on a sign at the site! - On the country level, Palau has the highest percentage of marine area that is protected against fishing (79%).
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This is a tool of the future for all conservationists
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this might be an effective tool
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What an amazing tool for environmental conservationists!
The 2023 winner of Miss America is Grace Stanke, a nuclear engineering student at the University of Wisconsin. She’s been on a mission to dispel myths about nuclear energy and inspire the next generation of female scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. At the Anthropocene Institute, we are thrilled to see what Grace Stanke is doing. As Miss America, she is using her voice to bring attention to the importance of STEM careers to women and the benefits of nuclear energy in the fight against the climate crisis. In this article, we want to spotlight the 2023 Miss America winner, Grace Stanke, on her important work. Communicating the Complexity of Nuclear Power as Miss America Representing the state of Wisconsin in the 2023 Miss America pageant, Grace Stanke showcased her knowledge of employing nuclear power to achieve carbon-free energy in the climate crisis. Shantel Krebs, the chair of the Miss America Organization Board of Directors, recalled what Grace Stanke’s intellect brought to the Miss America competition and said, ”The role of Miss America is not of vanity, but rather community impact and contribution to the crown. Grace has strongly demonstrated her abilities, and there is no doubt in our mind she—and all of this year’s class of candidates—are destined for greatness.” After winning the 2023 Miss America competition and receiving $50,000 in scholarship assistance, Grace Stanke earned an appearance contract from the Miss America Organization. With this appearance contract, Grace has been traveling the country as Miss America to serve as an inspiration and role model for young women, while sharing her passions and life story. Additionally, since being crowned Miss America 2023, Grace Stanke has also gone on to partner with the American Nuclear Society (ANS). With her partnership with the ANS, Grace has been traveling throughout the United States to communicate the positive benefits of nuclear energy, tour nuclear energy plants, and promote the value of STEM careers to women. During her visits to nuclear energy plants and meetings with the public, Grace Stanke emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between science and communication regarding nuclear energy with her social impact initiative: Clean Power, Clean Future. Grace Stanke explains the mission of Clean Power, Clean Future by saying, “America needs to convert to zero-carbon energy sources, and I’m helping to make that happen by breaking down misconceptions surrounding our most powerful source of zero-carbon energy: nuclear power. I advocate for nuclear power and improved communication about nuclear science with both the general public and nuclear engineers to bridge the gap of the unknown between the two groups of people.” Grace Stanke leverages the power of simple and effective science communication about the benefits of nuclear energy by writing articles with ANS and keeping an active social media presence. Through these platforms, Grace Stanke has addressed misinformation about nuclear energy and given her unique perspective as both Miss America and a nuclear engineering student about the positive role that nuclear energy can provide to society today. In a video for the U.S. Women in Nuclear, Stanke said, “I have three main goals. The first is to help recruit new individuals for the nuclear industry and improve communication skills for nuclear professionals across the whole world. And help increase funding going toward the nuclear industry and clean energy as a whole.” On the subject of Grace Stanke’s career ambitions, she wants to utilize nuclear energy to create clean energy production in the United States. Grace wants to “produce efficient, clean, zero-carbon energy for America through nuclear energy in a core design position.” From all of us at the Anthropocene Institute, we are so proud of you, and we hope you reach your career ambitions. Your role as 2023 Miss America is already influencing America’s next generation of women scientists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrl8fWqf_8&t=1s Check out Grace Stanke's articles on the American Nuclear Society website: - Nuclear in a world where nuclear is not - Wisconsin: Producing more than just dairy - Miss Wisconsin: Breaking down misconceptions about nuclear
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She took on a worthy cause. Good for us all
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Her advocacy and communication toward clean energy and emphasising America should convert to zero carbon is a very important step.
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Very interesting article! How do you believe Grace Stanke's promotion of STEM careers can inspire young people to contribute to sustainable energy solutions?
The mining and burning of coal is worsening the effects of the climate crisis. We all know that. However, can we do something about the coal processing plants themselves? Can these dirty coal plants be retrofitted to process fossil-free energy instead of dirty energy? It may surprise you to know that the answer is yes. In a recent panel discussion sponsored by the Anthropocene Institute, experts gathered at the Reuters SMR & Advanced Reactor 2023 conference to explore the possibilities of repurposing coal plants using advanced nuclear reactor technologies. The panel, titled Recommissioning Sites & Re-Engaging People, shed light on the benefits, challenges, and potential paths forward in transitioning from coal to nuclear power. It explored the challenges, opportunities, and ways to create the capacity for a just transition that benefits workers and the environment. So, why is it worth repurposing coal plants instead of simply tearing them down? The repurposing of coal plants is worthwhile because it allows for the preservation of valuable assets and helps support the energy professionals working in those communities. "As I look at achieving a cleaner economy, and how much we need to build, not just technology but many technologies, you start to understand the importance of preservation of assets,” said Christine King, Director, Gateway for Acceleration in Nuclear Initiative. “And then when you think about the retirement of these coal stations and the communities they're in, if you are not compelled to help those energy professionals continue to be energy professionals, I'm not sure you've got a heart." The importance of using data Christine King highlighted the need for comprehensive planning, including workforce training, economic considerations, and technical aspects like integrating steam supply, water, and permitting. Adam Stein, Director, Nuclear Energy Innovation Program, emphasized the importance of using data that some coal sites have been collecting for decades, as it can help determine the suitability. He also discussed the site characterization process, including assessing boreholes, weather data, and other important factors. Mitigating risks Kirsty Gogan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of TerraPraxis, highlighted the need to optimize existing infrastructure, utilize current transmission systems, transfer skills, and act swiftly to mitigate risks. She noted that it is a $2 trillion opportunity globally, but also recognized the challenges posed by community reliance on coal plants for jobs and reliable power. Gogan emphasized the need to act quickly at scale, ensuring the availability of the workforce and communities during the transition. The transition from coal to nuclear can be facilitated by state laws and regulations. Considering the critical factors in siting, the panelists agreed on the importance of valuing existing coal plant assets and honoring the communities reliant on them for jobs and reliable power. They stressed the need for state laws and regulations that encourage and speed up the optimization of existing infrastructure, and utilize current transmission capabilities, transfer skills, and action to mitigate the risk of losing the existing coal fleet. The experts highlighted the importance of swiftly addressing coal ash contamination at the existing sites, supporting energy professionals, preserving assets and planning for a just transition in coal-dependent communities. Only then a successful transition from coal to nuclear power can be achieved, benefiting both workers and the environment. The growing need for energy At the conference, Anthropocene Institute also sponsored a presentation by TerraPraxis, titled Fast, Low Cost, Repeatable: Designing the Global Coal Repowering System. Eric Ingersoll and Kirsty Gogan, Co-CEOs of TerraPraxis, began by presenting the ambitious IPCC targets for tackling the climate crisis, as well as the massive scale of clean energy required to meet global energy demand. As much as installed 700 gigawatts of nuclear per year by 2050 would be needed to repower all the coal plants and to replace oil and gas. The speed and scale needed to achieve these goals can be daunting, but nuclear energy could play a big role in electricity generation and in targeting the hardest to decarbonize sectors, including coal — the single largest source of global carbon emissions today. TerraPraxis is developing a low-cost, fast, and repeatable system to convert 2,400 coal plants around the world to nuclear power. “We need a system that can be delivered to a sufficiently large number of sites but that can accommodate a variety of site conditions and quickly, repeatedly, and without new safety reviews each time,” said Gogan. While the nuclear industry has not been known for speed and scale in the past, Ingersoll provided the example of one conventional nuclear plant that achieved 560 megawatts per year and employed 5,000 workers on site — that’s 112 kilowatts per worker per year at a cost of $4,285 per watt. TerraPraxis seeks to take these types of achievements and convert successful nuclear technologies and capabilities into products that can be deployed quickly and at scale. Retraining of existing workforce The TerraPraxis solution consists of standard reactor units that go into a standardized set of seismically isolated buildings equipped with the proper safety systems. “The high-temperature reactors can be linked to the existing plant via a thermal storage energy system. There’s also the possibility to repurpose the existing coal plant infrastructure and retrain the existing workforce,” said Ingersoll. Added Gogan, “Fundamentally, this is about lowering all the barriers to entry, making this a very investable and easy decision for coal plant owners. Or, project developers can decide to deploy these standardized building systems designed for new, clean steam generation and supply that to existing coal plants and to other industrial applications as well.” To achieve its vision, TerraPraxis has assembled a world-class consortium of partners including Bryden Wood, Microsoft, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and University at Buffalo, along with a consortium of global utilities. Find out more about the Repowering Coal initiative.
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Awesome article and such an important topic to spread awareness about! If anyone wants to learn more about Repowering Coal and likes podcasts, I highly recommend this episode by SpaceshipOne: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/CKoKU1xOEAb
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I had no idea that coal plants could be repurposed like this!
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I am amazed at this proposal to repurpose coal mining projects. It's well informed and addresses every stakeholder needs. Yes! We Can Do It.
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it's more important to have a good time while remaining safe and efficient https://run3online.io
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I agree on them pushing for regulations that will incentivize investments toward a diversified clean energy power supply.
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It was interesting to learn that SSF does not produce radioactive materials or radiation.