The rivalry between \u00a0China\u00a0 and the \u00a0United States\u00a0 transcends mere markets and tariffs, finding its battleground in the \u00a0energy sector\u00a0. Amidst the burgeoning impact of \u00a0artificial intelligence\u00a0, former President Donald Trump initiated an ambitious yet contentious plan to ensure an abundant and stable \u00a0*electricity supply\u00a0* for crucial infrastructures like military bases, laboratories, and data centers through \u00a0nuclear energy\u00a0.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
An Explosive Plan.<\/strong> The Trump administration aimed to \u00a0quadruple\u00a0 the country\u2019s nuclear energy production. Central to this strategy is the intention to develop new reactors that would not rely solely on \u00a0fresh uranium\u00a0 but would also incorporate recycled fuel from \u00a0radioactive waste\u00a0 and surplus military \u00a0plutonium\u00a0. This innovative approach is aimed at fortifying national energy independence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the Washington Post<\/a> articulated, this endeavor is framed as a “national security imperative.” The plan seeks to secure a reliable energy supply for \u00a0sensitive infrastructure\u00a0, which includes everything from military installations to AI data centers, thereby reducing dependence on imported fuels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Recycling Now an Ally.<\/strong> The \u00a0Department of Energy\u00a0 has \u00a0identified\u00a0 all usable uranium and plutonium within its inventories for potential reconversion into fuel. Notably, this includes \u00a0plutonium from decommissioned weapons\u00a0, which poses significant safety concerns. Startups like \u00a0Oklo\u00a0 and \u00a0Curio\u00a0 are currently exploring *pyroprocessing*, a method that utilizes molten salts and electricity to separate usable components from spent fuel. This technology is pitched as being safer, more economical, and less polluting than traditional methods.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Investors are taking note. Oklo, with backing from \u00a0Sam Altman\u00a0, founder of \u00a0OpenAI\u00a0, recently announced a significant investment of almost \u00a0$1.7 billion\u00a0 in an advanced fuel center located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee\u2014the same region where uranium was enriched for the \u00a0Manhattan Project\u00a0 nearly eight decades ago.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Only the Tip of the Iceberg.<\/strong> In one of his executive orders, Trump mandated that the \u00a0Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)\u00a0 complete any reactor licensing within \u00a018 months\u00a0, a process that previously stretched over a decade. The administration has further pushed for revisions to current radiation exposure regulations deemed “excessively cautious.” <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The official announcement issued in May had specific deadlines: the \u00a0Army\u00a0 must operate a reactor at a national base by September 2028, and the Energy Department is to inaugurate at least one advanced reactor within 30 months to cater to AI data center energy needs. As part of this initiative, plans also include the release of \u00a020 tons of HIGH-LEU\u00a0 (highly enriched low enrichment uranium) for new reactors and the establishment of \u00a020 international nuclear cooperation agreements\u00a0 in the current congressional session.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Depth of the Matter.<\/strong> Despite the buoyant outlook from political and business sectors, many in the scientific community express skepticism regarding these initiatives. \u00a0Ross Matzkin-Bridger\u00a0, a former Department of Energy advisor, contends that this involves returning to technologies long deemed problematic. Fellow expert \u00a0Ernest Moniz\u00a0, ex-secretary of Energy, articulated concerns that recycling military plutonium could lead to heightened nuclear proliferation risks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Similarly, \u00a0Matthew Bunn\u00a0 from Harvard described the public’s acceptance of reprocessing plants as an unrealistic expectation, given their associated waste issues. \u00a0Frank von Hippel\u00a0, from Princeton, noted past failures, reminding us that civil recycling was abandoned during the Jimmy Carter administration after India leveraged such technology to develop its first nuclear bomb.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not Everything is Warnings.<\/strong> For the White House, nuclear recycling is viewed as a crucial tactical tool. The statement asserts that \u00a0AI data centers\u00a0 and military facilities require ”\u00a0dense, safe, and resilient energy sources\u00a0.” Supporters like \u00a0Bradley Williams\u00a0 from the \u00a0National Laboratory of Idaho\u00a0 argue that utilizing recycled plutonium might be essential for ensuring sufficient fuel supplies and that new processes are equipped with safeguards against military re-use of this material.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Weight of Waste.<\/strong> The implications are far-reaching, as the United States currently harbors about \u00a090,000 metric tons\u00a0 of spent fuel stored in containers across both active and decommissioned plants, according to the \u00a0Washington Post\u00a0. Recycling portions of this material could help alleviate a dilemma that has lingered for decades.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the private sector moves into this field, Oklo has signed a contract with \u00a0Switch\u00a0, an operator of data centers, aiming to construct modular reactors that would supply up to \u00a012 GW\u00a0 by 2044. The first reactor, named \u00a0Aurora\u00a0, is projected to open in \u00a02027\u00a0, although it is worth noting that this agreement is not binding and their previous application was rejected by the NRC in 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Idea of Recycling is Not Unique.<\/strong> Several countries have recognized recycling as a potential route to greater energy independence. For instance, \u00a0France\u00a0 has made progress in employing this method, supported by subsidies and rigorous security protocols. However, \u00a0Japan\u00a0 faces delays and cost overruns with its Rokkasho Plant, which has yet to produce fuel despite decades of development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In contrast, the \u00a0United Kingdom\u00a0 has opted to abandon recycling entirely, with around \u00a0140 tons\u00a0 of civil plutonium designated for immobilization in a stable form for geological disposal at \u00a0Sellafield\u00a0. Similarly, \u00a0Spain\u00a0 has reignited its plans for a deep geological repository, slated for \u00a02073\u00a0, while using containers such as \u00a0Hi-Storm FW\u00a0 for interim storage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The disparity is pronounced; while some nations strive to repurpose nuclear waste, others choose to entomb it permanently, all seeking to prevent nuclear legacies from spiraling into perpetual crises.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Forecasts.<\/strong> The United States is betting on redefining historical nuclear recycling technologies as a cornerstone for energy security and a catalyst for advancing artificial intelligence. Advocates see this as a pivotal moment to reduce dependency on foreign resources, while critics harbor fears that we may relive the failures and dangers of past attempts. Caution is warranted: the last reactors connected in the U.S., specifically at the \u00a0Vogtle Plant\u00a0 in Georgia, were plagued by seven years of delays and cost overruns of \u00a0$17 billion\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image: Oklo<\/a> and Kelly Michals<\/a>: The complexities of nuclear energy continue to evolve within the broader framework of international competition.<\/p>\n <img alt=\"A Microsoft Data Center in Mexico collided with the reality of the electricity network. Your solution: use gas generators\" width=\"375\" height=\"142\" src=\"https:\/\/i.blogs.es\/237971\/centro-de-datos-microsoft-portada\/375_142.jpeg\"\/><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n