Latest news with #borehole
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Bury Them Deep': Nuclear Reactors Planted One Kilometer Underground Could Deliver Cheap and Ultra-Safe Energy for Decades
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Deep Fission introduces a revolutionary energy concept with miniature nuclear reactors placed in deep boreholes. introduces a revolutionary energy concept with miniature nuclear reactors placed in deep boreholes. 💡 The design involves a pressurized water reactor, operating at high pressure and temperature, situated over 3,280 feet underground. 🌍 Borehole reactors offer significant advantages, including passive cooling and minimal environmental risk, while being cost-effective. 🚀 With $4 million in funding, this ambitious project is under evaluation by the U.S. Department of Energy for its potential impact on sustainable energy. In the quest for safer and more affordable energy solutions, the American startup Deep Fission has ventured into uncharted territory with its revolutionary concept: a miniature nuclear reactor placed deep within a borehole. This innovative approach seeks to address the long-standing challenges associated with nuclear energy, promising a future where power generation is both sustainable and secure. By harnessing the power of nuclear fission in an unconventional setting, Deep Fission aims to redefine how we think about energy production and its potential impact on the environment. Revolutionizing Energy with Underground Nuclear Fission Nuclear energy, once hailed as the ultimate solution for humanity's growing energy demands, has faced its share of skepticism. Despite its potential for providing nearly limitless power, the legacy of disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima looms large, casting a shadow over its widespread adoption. Adding to this are the high costs associated with constructing and operating nuclear plants, which have deterred large-scale deployment. Deep Fission's groundbreaking approach seeks to tackle these issues head-on. Their design involves a pressurized water reactor measuring approximately 30 inches in diameter. Operating at a pressure of about 2,320 psi and a temperature of 599 °F, this reactor mirrors the functionality of its conventional counterparts. The unique twist lies in its placement: the reactor is positioned at the bottom of a borehole over 3,280 feet deep, providing a secure and isolated environment. 'China Moves Decades Ahead': World's First Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactor Set to Eclipse U.S. Efforts by 2030 The Significant Advantages of Borehole Reactors The borehole reactor concept offers several compelling advantages. Utilizing the same type of fuel and components as traditional reactors, it boasts minimal moving parts, save for remotely operated control rods that modulate the nuclear reaction. This simplicity reduces the likelihood of mechanical failures and streamlines maintenance procedures. In instances requiring inspection or servicing, cables can swiftly hoist the reactor to the surface within a couple of hours. The substantial column of water above the reactor naturally pressurizes it, enabling passive cooling and eliminating the need for complex containment systems. Nestled within solid rock and distanced from water tables, the reactor poses minimal environmental risk. In the unlikely event of a malfunction, sealing the borehole would effectively contain any potential hazards, offering a layer of security unmatched by traditional nuclear facilities. 'Reactor Has a Mind Now': U.S. Nuclear Plants Given Digital Twins That Predict Failures Before They Even Exist With a recent infusion of $4 million in funding, Deep Fission's ambitious project has captured the attention of the U.S. Department of Energy, which is set to evaluate its potential and viability. Potential Impact on the Energy Landscape The introduction of borehole reactors could herald a new era in energy production. By minimizing the physical footprint and mitigating environmental risks, these reactors present a compelling case for widespread adoption. Furthermore, their cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency could make nuclear power a more attractive option for nations striving to reduce carbon emissions and transition to sustainable energy sources. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy Moreover, the scalability of this technology could facilitate its deployment in remote or underserved regions, providing a reliable power source where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This decentralization of energy production aligns with global efforts to democratize access to electricity, fostering economic growth and improving quality of life in developing areas. Challenges and Future Prospects Despite its promise, the borehole reactor concept is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, public perception, and technical uncertainties must be navigated before this technology can achieve mainstream acceptance. Rigorous testing and validation will be crucial to ensuring the safety and reliability of these reactors, addressing any concerns that may arise. Nevertheless, the potential rewards are substantial. As the world grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and energy demand, innovative solutions like Deep Fission's borehole reactors offer a glimmer of hope. By reimagining nuclear energy in a more secure and sustainable framework, we move closer to a future where clean power is accessible to all. With these advancements on the horizon, one must wonder: how will the energy landscape evolve in the coming decades, and what role will groundbreaking technologies play in shaping our sustainable future? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)
The Guardian
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Country diary: A week of relief for all on the farm
After five weeks without rain, it was wonderful to be woken one night last week by the sound of rain being blown on to the bedroom windows. We are well prepared for dry spells like the one this year. In 2022 we sank a borehole on the farm, after successive springs when the water supply dried up, so thankfully we now have water for the house and farm buildings even when there is little rain. The fields rely on natural water, though, and this year the becks ran dry during lambing time. Every morning, I filled the back of the Gator with buckets of water and drove them round the lambing fields. The sheep had to adapt their routine too, as usually they get most of the moisture they need from damp grass. Water is, of course, essential for them to make milk for the lambs, but yows also prefer to lamb during wet weather, often seeming to hold off for a wet morning to lamb. This is believed to be because they know there will be fewer predators around, particularly birds of prey, of which we have many. So lambing was prolonged this year as well as hot. On a wet morning, it was a relief to see that the last yow had lambed, and was happily cleaning her new lamb and murmuring to her. Once it is settled and knows her mother, we will clear the meadows, ready to grow hay (which should be ready to cut in July). Lambs will be marked with our red smit mark before walking two and a half miles over several days down to Low Park Farm, where they will spend the summer rotationally grazing small fields surrounded by woodland strips. Away from weather concerns, a massive relief to me was that a visitor attraction, Into the Wilds, that was proposed for the farm next to ours, was refused planning permission by the Yorkshire Dales national park authority. The plans initially included safari lodges, a ranger base and a variety of exotic animals including white rhinos, giraffes, zebras and lynxes. One of the reasons given was that it would cause 'significant visual harm to the iconic landscape'. I just hope they don't put in an appeal. Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Emergency bug-zapper installed near Waters Upton boreholes
Ultraviolet (UV) equipment to kill bacteria was installed in Shropshire without planning permission, after potentially harmful microbes were found in a documents lodged with Telford and Wrekin Council said Severn Trent Water acted on an emergency basis as a precaution to install the site in Waters Upton had permission for two more boreholes to be dug, but while awaiting licensing, non-coliform bacteria was found at the only operational borehole on site - called number three.A spokesperson for Severn Trent said its teams had now applied for permission to install the UV system, which was a routine step to maintain water quality. "In March 2023, borehole testing revealed low-level non-coliform detections within borehole number three," said a planning document lodged with the authority on behalf of Severn Trent said further tests were undertaken and detections continued at Woodfield Borehole Pumping Station, before largely disappearing in 2024. However in July 2024, confirmed coliforms were seen again."As the site only has marginal treatment, borehole three was taken out of supply in July 2024 as a precaution," it document said public health advice had confirmed that the water source could not return to supply without finding or fixing the source of the detections, or installing treatment."The proposed UV kiosk is required to allow borehole number three to be brought into supply before boreholes four and five are ready," the documents to the UV kiosk exceeding 29 cubic metres of capacity, it would not be covered by development rights, and the company applied for retrospective planning permission. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
