Solar cell and ideal nuclear power contest

The latest issue of the Nikkei Electronics published a technical review article on nuclear power. "Exploring nuclear power in the Nikkei Electronics?" Many readers must have such questions.

In recent years, I have been conducting interviews on solar cells. At present, solar cells are getting closer and closer to achieving their initial goal of “the cost of electricity generation equivalent to the household electricity bill” (Japan is 24 yen/kWh). Solar cell researchers further developed long-term goals for 2030 and are continuing to push forward R&D. This goal is 7 yen/kWh. It is said that this price is the cost of nuclear power. If this is achieved, then solar cells will become one of the major sources of energy. Solar cell industry people have placed expectations on this.

In this context, TerraPower, a venture company that claims that the cost of nuclear power can be further reduced, has emerged. As the company was established by Bill Gates, it has become a hot topic in Japan. What kind of technology is this kind of technology that will affect the future of solar cells? The Japanese are naturally full of interest.

TerraPower developed a method named TWR (Travelling-wave Reactor) that has the following features: The frequency of fuel exchange is as long as 60 to 100 years. It can use abundant fuel on the earth. The structure of the reactor and the fuel circulation process are relatively simple. Based on these characteristics, the company confidently stated that it "can further reduce costs than the current reactors." The company has recruited famous researchers from countries such as the United States and has been funded by venture capital (Venture Capital). It plans to start the first commercial reactor in the early twentieth century.

Can the company achieve its goals as it hopes? It is the coating material that collects the fuel to master its fate. If from the final conclusion, it seems that the material that can be applied right now does not exist. With higher combustion and longer fuel replacement cycles, it is not easy to overcome these unprecedented technical hurdles. However, outstanding researchers, solid capital, and the speed with which venture companies can handle business cannot be discounted. TerraPower said that it has been in contact with researchers from the United States, Japan, Russia, China and India. TerraPower's experts are looking forward with great expectations. "Unlike previous architectures, development is likely to make rapid progress."

At present, nuclear power and solar cells continue to make progress. In the future, the two sides may co-exist in coexistence while playing their respective advantages. Can solar cells achieve the same cost of electricity generation as nuclear power? The author plans to interview the "EU PVSEC" of the International Society for Solar Cells, which opened on September 6, 2010, for the latest trends in solar cells.