Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, speaks at the 67th Annual Regular Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on September 25, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. Among issues on the agenda are proposed safeguards for nuclear power stations in Ukraine and North Korea.
US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm revealed the Biden administration's 10-year plan to build a commercial nuclear fusion reactor. Employing fusion to supply power to homes and businesses without carbon is part of President Biden's clean energy strategy.
Nuclear fusion, a cutting-edge technology, uses extreme pressure to fuse hydrogen atoms into helium and release heat and energy. Traditional nuclear processes produce radioactive waste, while fusion does not.
Proponents of nuclear fusion seek to replace fossil fuels and other traditional energy sources, but it will take decades to power US homes and businesses with carbon-free electricity.
Moreover, Granholm noted that the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) plays an important role "to ensuring that nuclear energy is used for good and not misused." The US official complimented the Vienna-based UN nuclear watchdog's vital role in ensuring governments comply with international law.
The IAEA certifies peaceful nuclear energy production with over 170 nations by inspecting their nuclear operations and materials.
The Challenge of Radioactive Waste
The Biden administration's goals to create a carbon-pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 heavily rely on nuclear energy.
Regarding the difficulty in obtaining locations for storing radioactive waste, Secretary Granholm said that the United States has started a procedure to find localities ready to house temporary storage facilities. Most spent nuclear fuel is stored in nuclear reactors nationwide.
The energy chief noted that they have identified "12 organizations" that will engage with communities nationwide to gauge their interest in hosting interim storage sites.
France recycles spent nuclear fuel to make new fuel, but critics say it's inefficient and might encourage nuclear proliferation.
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In December, scientists at the US National Ignition Laboratory (NIF), the world's largest nuclear fusion lab, accomplished ignition. Fusion experts worldwide are excited about this achievement, which might lead to nuclear fusion as a potentially endless renewable energy source.
Deputy Director for Fundamental Weapons Physics at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mark Herrmann, praised the ignition achievement, which came after years of rigorous study across several domains, according to Scientific American.
Intended initially to accomplish ignition in 2012, NIF, which served as the experimental branch of the US Department of Energy's nuclear weapons program, ran into delays and financial difficulties.
US Hydrogen Hub Program Details to be Disclosed Soon
On other issues, Granholm said that the Biden administration may unveil details on an $8 billion hydrogen hub program in October, per NBC News. The bipartisan infrastructure law funds this energy project.
A hydrogen hub would include clean hydrogen producers, hydrogen-using businesses like heavy transportation, and pipelines and filling stations. Many states and corporations have developed these US hydrogen hub concepts.
However, environmental groups worry about hydrogen's climatic and environmental impacts. Hydrogen emissions raise methane and other greenhouse gas levels.
Granholm said they are seeking clean hydrogen to cost "$1 per kilogram" in 10 years.
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