By Sheldon Lewis (featured image also by Sheldon Lewis)
Today, the world relies on a mix of both renewable and traditional energy sources. The most dominant as of yet are fossil fuels. Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal account for around 80% of global energy. Renewable and nuclear energy, although they only account for a smaller percentage of global energy, are still growing as countries push for cleaner and more sustainable sources. The ideal future energy mix for the planet would be based on a variety of generation methods instead of a large reliance on one source. Three sources in particular seem to hold the most potential: Fusion energy, SMRs (Small Module Reactors), and ZPE (Zero Point Energy).
Fusion Energy
For many decades fusion a.k.a. “The Holy Grail of Energy,” has been touted as the ultimate source of abundant, clean electricity. Now, as the world faces the need to reduce carbon emissions to prevent catastrophic climate change, making commercial fusion power a reality takes on new importance.
Fusion has the potential to provide the kind of base load energy needed to provide electricity to our cities and our industries. Fusion energy has multiple benefits, with one of the most significant being abundant energy. Abundant energy is defined as the process of fusing atoms together in a controlled way, releasing nearly four million times more energy than a chemical reaction such as the burning of coal, oil or gas and four times as much as nuclear fission reactions (at equal mass). Another attractive feature of fusion is no long-lived radioactive waste. Nuclear fusion reactors produce no high activity, long-lived nuclear waste. The activation of components in a fusion reactor is anticipated to be low enough for the materials to be recycled or reused within 100 years, depending on the materials used in the “first-wall” facing the plasma. Fusion also does not emit harmful substances like carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Its major by-product is helium: an inert, non-toxic gas.
Fusion also does not employ fissile materials like uranium and plutonium. There are no enriched materials that could be exploited to make nuclear weapons. Finally, there is no risk of meltdown. A Fukushima or Chernobyl-type nuclear accident is not possible in a fusion device. It is difficult enough to reach and maintain the precise conditions necessary for fusion—if any disturbance occurs, the plasma cools within seconds and the reaction stops. The quantity of fuel present in the vessel at any one time is enough for a few seconds only and there is no risk of a chain reaction. As for the cost, as with many new technologies costs will be more expensive at first, and gradually less expensive as economies of scale bring the costs down.
SMR (Small Module Reactors)
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. Many of the benefits of SMRs are inherently linked to the nature of their design – small and modular. They are physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor, their modularity makes it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation, and the reactors harness nuclear fission to generate heat to produce energy. Given their smaller footprint, SMRs can be sited on locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants. 
Prefabricated units of SMRs can be manufactured and then shipped and installed on site, making them more affordable to build than large power reactors, which are often custom designed for a particular location; which sometimes lead to construction delays. SMRs offer savings in cost and construction time, and they can be deployed incrementally to match increasing energy demand. SMRs also have reduced fuel requirements. Power plants based on SMRs may require less frequent refueling, every 3 to 7 years, in comparison to between 1 and 2 years for conventional plants. Some SMRs are designed to operate for up to 30 years without refueling.
One of the challenges to accelerating access to energy is infrastructure – limited grid coverage in rural areas – and the costs of grid connection for rural electrification. A single power plant should represent no more than 10 per cent of the total installed grid capacity. In areas lacking sufficient lines of transmission and grid capacity, SMRs can be installed into an existing grid or remotely off-grid, as a function of its smaller electrical output, providing low-carbon power for industry and the population. This is particularly relevant for micro reactors, which are a subset of SMRs designed to generate electrical power typically up to 10 MW(e). Micro reactors have smaller footprints than other SMRs and will be better suited for regions inaccessible to clean, reliable and affordable energy. Furthermore, micro reactors could serve as a backup power supply in emergency situations or replace power generators that are often fueled by diesel, for example, in rural communities or remote businesses.
In comparison to existing reactors, proposed SMR designs are generally simpler, and the safety concept for SMRs often relies more on passive systems and inherent safety characteristics of the reactor, such as low power and operating pressure. This means that in such cases no human intervention or external power or force is required to shut down systems, because passive systems rely on physical phenomena, such as natural circulation, convection, gravity and self-pressurization. These increased safety margins, in some cases, eliminate or significantly lower the potential for unsafe releases of radioactivity to the environment and the public in case of an accident.
Both public and private institutions are actively participating in efforts to bring SMR technology to fruition within this decade. They are under construction or in the licensing stage in Argentina, Canada, China, Russia, South Korea and the United States of America. More than 80 commercial SMR designs being developed around the world target varied outputs and different applications, such as electricity, hybrid energy systems, heating, water desalinization and steam for industrial applications. Though SMRs have lower upfront capital cost per unit, their economic competitiveness is still to be proven in practice once they are deployed.
ZPE (Zero-Point Energy)
Zero Point Energy (ZPE) has the potential to revolutionize the field of sustainable energy by providing a limitless and clean power source. Unlike traditional energy sources that rely on finite fossil fuels or the sporadic nature of renewable resources, ZPE could offer a consistent and abundant supply of energy. This would significantly reduce our reliance on polluting and non-sustainable energy sources. If successfully realized, ZPE could power everything from homes to industries and even space exploration missions, ensuring a stable energy supply for future generations. ZPE could play a pivotal role in propelling technological innovation. Its vast energy potential stands to advance numerous fields, from telecommunications to transportation, by providing a consistent and powerful energy source that eliminates the limitations imposed by current energy generation, storage, and transmission technologies. This breakthrough could be the key to achieving long-term energy sustainability and addressing the global energy crisis.
As a virtually inexhaustible resource, ZPE could eliminate the dependency on finite and environmentally detrimental energy sources, like fossil fuels. This transition would also decentralize fuel sources and power generation, ensuring energy equity across global communities. By providing an affordable and accessible energy solution, ZPE could improve living standards and stimulate economic growth, especially in developing regions that currently face energy scarcity. The widespread adoption of ZPE would foster technological innovation, enabling cleaner industrial processes and supporting sustainable urban development. Moreover, ZPE could facilitate the creation of more efficient and miniaturized electronic devices, revolutionizing consumer technology and industrial applications. By offering an endless energy supply, ZPE empowers innovation by reducing reliance on complex energy infrastructures, enabling the integration of cutting-edge technologies into everyday life. This transition could lead to unprecedented advancements in how we live, work, and explore the universe.
At the present time, the cost of zero point energy is essentially tied to research and experimentation, which would require huge amounts of funding. However, if any commercial technology existed, it would theoretically provide limitless, clean, and low-cost energy. This remains highly speculative. But, the fact is that if ZPE were to be harnessed, it would surpass all other forms of energy sustainability in both availability and affordability. One could even go as far as to say that electricity would become almost free!
In Conclusion…
Sustainable energy sources such as the ones discussed represent bold steps toward meeting the world’s growing demands while incrementing environmental safety. Zero point energy, though still theoretical, inspires innovation by opening the door to limitless clean power. SMRs offer a more practical near-term solution, providing safe and efficient nuclear energy with low risks and smaller footprints compared to traditional nuclear plants. Fusion energy holds the promise of nearly inexhaustible energy with minimal waste, though it is still facing hurdles scientifically and technologically. Together, these approaches highlight multiple possibilities rather than a single solution, emphasizing the importance of investing multiple avenues of research. The advancement of these technologies contributes to global change and energy security, and ultimately the pursuit of these sustainable energy sources reflect humanity’s determination to power the future responsibly and innovatively.
SOURCES
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-are-small-modular-reactors-smrs
https://news.mit.edu/2024/fusion-energy-could-play-major-role-global-response-climate-change-1024
